3 Trade Deadline regrets killing Chicago’s AL Central chances

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 16: AJ Pollock #18 of the Chicago White Sox reacts after taking on the Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 16, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Chicago White Sox may have doomed their AL Central chances with these three trading deadline regrets.

That Chicago White Sox did not have a particularly active trading period. They fell into the marginal buyer category. Jake Diekman was their big new addition.

Diekman would have been a nice compliment to round out a trading deadline with important additions. Instead, he pushes the White Sox into the category of buyer rather than spectator. Still, not nearly enough has been done.

Amazingly, the White Sox are spot on in both the AL Central race and one for a wildcard spot. Unfortunately, it’s those three trading deadlines that kill their chances for a division title.

1) White Sox put too much faith in an offensive turnaround by their slumpers

They know things are going badly when even the ever-reliable Jose Abreu isn’t working. The longtime White Sox first baseman has started batting amazingly well and should have some good numbers by the end of the season.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t have much company.

There’s a long list of White Sox players who underperformed this year. Instead of naming them all, randomly pick someone from the list. Chances are you’ll find someone who isn’t having a particularly good season.

Injuries were a big problem for them, but nothing we did at the close will help ensure that doesn’t happen again. For example, the loss of Tim Anderson to the IL meant the White Sox had to scrap Elvis Andrus. They are lucky that at least someone with a CV was available to them.

The White Sox were lucky in the offseason that Johnny Cueto was the pitcher he was for them. Why haven’t they tried to see if there is magic with an offensive player?

The line-up is relatively unchanged, with a healthy Eloy Jimenez being the biggest and most positive change. Will it be enough?