Ostrowski: Opportunity knocking for White Sox
Don't waste this opportunity.
The White Sox sit nine and half games back in the division and six and a half games behind in the one game playoff race, known as the wild card game. There isn't any way they could convince themselves that they still have a chance, right?
Earlier this week, team vice president Ken Williams said, "To say we're going to be buyers or sellers or some combination, we just don't know. We just don't know."
The computers are seeing the same team as Sox fans. According to Baseball Prospectus, they have a 3.6 percent chance of making the postseason. Even worse on Fangraphs, giving them a 2.7 percent shot.
Meanwhile, teams like the Pirates and Yankees are selling off parts. Those teams are above .500, but understand that they need to make moves for the future of their clubs instead of pushing all their chips to the center of the table.
Adam Eaton is the Sox's only position player that ranks in the top 100 in Fangraphs wins above replacement. He's the only one with an WAR of at least one. But many think that the number one issue on the south side is Robin Ventura.
That stat shouldn't be all that surprising.
Jose Abreu has had a very disappointing year. Todd Frazier has the lowest batting average and on-base percentage of all regular third basemen.
But worst of all is the number of players signed off the street and forced into the everyday lineup. That can again be traced back to the manager.
How does this problem get fixed? If you're looking to the farm system, look somewhere else.
MLB Pipeline doesn't rank a Sox prospect in the top 70. Only one of their top four prospects is a position player - catcher Zack Collins, who was drafted in the first round last month. He most likely won't be ready any time soon, since catchers usually take longer to develop.
The answer to many of their problems is Monday's 3 p.m. trade deadline. While the front office deserves much of the blame for this season and the state of the franchise, they should get some credit for getting their best players under cheap, controllable contracts.
These deals have increased the value of Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Adam Eaton, and Nate Jones. Teams would only be taking on an extra year of Todd Frazier and Melky Cabrera. Don't forget that the Padres are paying the majority of James Shields' contract.
A lame excuse for not rebuilding has been that nobody would show up. Well, the Sox have been 24th or worse in average attendance the last five years. They'll show up if you win or give them hope. They were between 9th and 17th for the six-year stretch of 2005-10.
It's incredible that a team filled with drama, and on their way to finishing below .500 for the fourth straight season, has so many trade chips. Probably a reason so many blame Ventura, but this isn't a major league caliber roster.
Don't pass up on this opportunity to make it one.
• Joe Ostrowski is a co-host of the "Hit & Run" baseball show from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on WSCR 670-AM The Score with Barry Rozner. Follow him on Twitter@JoeO670.