Here we are on July 8 with 23 days left until the trading deadline. Though this organization has baffled me in the past with its personel moves, I believe some actual strategic thinking may have been factored in making the moves for Alomar and Everett as early as they did. Consider the following remaining schedules of the Sox, Twins, and Royals though July 31:

 

Royals: 3 @ANA, 3 @TEX, 4 SEA, 2 OAK, 2 @MIN, 3 @DET, 3 SOX

Twins: 3 @TEX, 3 @ANA, 4 OAK, 2 SEA, 2 KC, 3 @CLE, 3 BAL

White Sox: 3 @DET, 4 @CLE, 4 DET, 2 CLE, 2 @ TOR, 3 TB, 3 KC

 

Now taking into account the winning percentage of these teams against the AL Central:

ANA: 1.000 (but let's assume they will win more than they lose, not win all of them)

TEX: .333

SEA: .800

OAK: .600

MIN: .468

DET: .176

KC: .763

CLE: .540

BAL: .440

TOR: .545

TB: .400

SOX: .513

 

Coming into the final series of month it is possible that the three team could fair as such:

Royals: 8 - 9

Twins: 8 - 9

White Sox: 11 - 7

 

That means the records at that point could be as follows leading up to the 3-game series in KC:

Royals: 55 - 48 .533 --

White Sox: 54 - 51 .514 2

Twins: 52 - 52 .500 3.5

 

I personally believe the Sox will play better than 11-7, but I don't think the Twins and Royals will play better than .500. So the Sox could end up in first place going into KC. The Sox have a tougher road to hoe in August and September, the Twins have the easiest. But I think the Sox as a club right now are better equipped to handle the stiffer competition than they were. Dealing for Alomar and Everett before this stretch was key, because the hope is to maximize the Sox play when the opportunity to strike at the lead is best. But if they falter in this stretch a play at 9 - 9 clip or worse, the Sox can still recover from a personel standpoint and possibly deal themselves out before the deadline. I think KW (or whoever is in charge) is going to wait to see how much the 4.5 game lead can be cut into before the All-Star game before making that last deal for some bullpen/pitching help that could get us over the top.

They actually did think ahead for once...but let's just see how it plays out.

 

It is a smart thing to do. See how they gel in a month of playing together(or till about July 25th when Texas's deadline is), which leaves them 6 days to see if they need to add another piece to the puzzle....and I think they'll need to get another releiver or two.

Pacheco also did really good his last start (I think he went like eight inning and his velocity was around 9-95 the entire time. This is just me repeating what Rex said a week or so ago )

Or.........and I pray it doesn't happen....if the Sox keep playing around the .500 mark, it may give us time before the trading deadline to unload a Colon or others and get some prospects in return. I like the idea of not waiting until the deadline to make the deals. It gives you more flexiblity to see which direction your team is going.

 

That said, with 7 games apiece against KC and Minnesota in September we may very well stay put, at least as far as unloading, as that month may very well decide the division winner.

If we don't start beating the dregs of the AL, September won't mean a damn thing.