Mark Gonzales: Despite big lead in standings, White Sox still have many needs

White Sox executive Rick Hahn isn't hiding this time, unlike a scene at 2017 All-Star Game festivities where he conducted a private telephone conversation with Cubs counterpart Theo Epstein that resulted in the acquisition of Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease for left-hander Jose Quintana.

The White Sox can't mask their array of needs despite possessing a healthy lead in the American League Central. And the difficultly of addressing those needs is compounded by the fact that several young players that could be used as trade fodder by the July 30 deadline have helped either maintain or expand their margin.

"Guys have been stepping up, other guys have been coming up and falling in place," shortstop Tim Anderson said Wednesday after Jake Burger hit two doubles and fellow rookie Seby Zavala handled the pitching of Lance Lynn seamlessly in a 6-1 win over the Twins. "It's going to take all of us to do what we're trying to do.

Counting on youngsters to help navigate a championship contender to the playoffs can be misleading, especially as opponents gain more knowledge. Manager Tony La Russa wisely kept rookie Yermin Mercedes in the lineup until Mercedes faded in June and eventually was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.

Despite only five games of previous major league experience, Zavala was selected over Mercedes to replace veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal, who is likely out through mid-August after undergoing knee surgery.

"I haven't been here (for a long time) to see what they do there in the minor leagues, but those guys come up ready to play," Lynn said. "(Zavala) was right on top of things."

Left field slugger Eloy Jimenez was scheduled to start a rehab assignment Friday at Class-A Winston-Salem that could culminate in a return to the Sox before Grandal. But Hahn won't assume Jimenez alone will cure all the issues.

Third baseman Yoan Moncada's aching right shoulder requires occasional rest. All-Star Eduardo Escobar of the Diamondbacks would be an ideal fit because of his experience at third and second base, and his free agency after his season makes his price thrifty.

Center fielder Luis Robert was cleared to increase his baseball activity, but hip rehabilitations are delicate, and there are no guarantees that he or Jimenez will return to their productive form. La Russa has maximized the talents of Leury Garcia, Billy Hamilton, Danny Mendick, Jake Lamb and Brian Goodwin, but the Sox's primary mission is to win a World Series with a healthy and deep roster.

That likely requires trading a prized prospect or two. Gavin Sheets' path at first base is currently blocked by Jose Abreu, and Andrew Vaughn could play first more frequently when Jimenez returns. Moncada is signed through 2024, thus creating a barrier for Burger.

Adding a reliever would bolster the bridge to closer Liam Hendriks and give La Russa more flexibility with flame-throwing Michael Kopech.

A significant chunk of the Sox's first-place foundation was built by draft picks like Anderson, Carlos Rodon, Nick Madrigal (who suffered a season-ending hamstring injury), Garrett Crochet, Aaron Bummer and Andrew Vaughn.

Their performances have heightened the expectations of Sox fans once scorched by the unfulfilled hopes of Jared Mitchell, Keenyn Walker, Courtney Hawkins and Carson Fulmer.

The stakes are now greater, and the plethora of long-term contracts and players under team control should allow the team to absorb the loss of a prospect if it enhances their World Series dreams.

This is a more realistic scenario than in 2016, when the Sox acquired pitcher James Shields from the Padres despite being in third place with a 27-29 record.

There are currently no Fernando Tatis Jr.-caliber players in the farm system, so the Sox shouldn't worry about getting burned as they did after trading Tatis for Shields. Midseason acquisitions for third baseman Kevin Youkilis, left-hander Francisco Liriano and reliever Brett Myers in 2012 didn't result in a division title. But of the seven players traded, only Escobar developed elsewhere as a core player.

There's no reason for the Sox to become shy in their efforts to fortify a potential World Series-caliber roster. And a daunting 14-game stretch in mid-August against the Yankees, Athletics, Rays and Blue Jays - all playoff contenders - will provide a test drive.

• Mark Gonzales is a veteran sports writer who covered the White Sox from 2005-2012 and the Cubs from 2013-2020 for the Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @MDGonzales