By the numbers: Frank Thomas and his Hall of Fame career

By the numbers: Frank Thomas and his Hall of Fame career by Brian Draus

Jul 22, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn (44) runs the bases after hitting a home run against Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Bruce Chen (52) during the fourth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago White Sox enter Wedensday’s matchup with the Kansas City Royals 9.0 games behind the AL Central leading Detroit Tigers, and trail the Seattle Mariners by 5.5 games for the second AL Wild Card spot.

Chicago lost to the Royals on Tuesday by a 7-1 score.

It is going to be very tough to make up the nine games to the Tigers for a chance to win the division title, especially since there are also two other teams in-between the White Sox and the Tigers in the AL Central standings.

Then with the Wild Card issue, there are four teams ahead of the White Sox for that second WC spot, and that’s not even including the current second place WC team holding the second spot in Seattle.

After 101 games the White Sox have a .475 winning percentage, and have yet to even hit the 50-win mark as they hold a current overall record of 48-53.

If you were to ask me to look into the future and predict if the White Sox have the one extra push left in them to make a realistic run at the postseason, sadly I would have to say not this year.

So, to answer the question in the headline, I believe the White Sox should make a couple trades that will help improve the team next season.

Some names that are currently being tossed around in the rumor mill are pitcher John Danks, outfielder Dayan Viciedo, shortstop Alexei Ramirez and second baseman Gordon Beckham.

Honestly, if the White Sox can get some bullpen help (or in the starting rotation) for the future of this ball club, I have no problem whatsoever if the White Sox front office trades any of them. Also another spot the White Sox might want to look into signing is a catcher who can hit over .230 in a season.

I would also toss Adam Dunn‘s name into that discussion for the fact his contract runs out at the end of the season, and maybe a playoff contender would like to have a power bat in their lineup.

Losing games is a tough situation, I know, but it is easy to see the White Sox are building for the future, and not just for a spot in the one-game Wild Card game. Good things are on the horizon for this organization, it is just not happening this season.

Thoughts?

In other White Sox news:

• Carlos Rodon made his pro debut and we wrote about it.

• Adam Eaton has to stay healthy writes the Chicago Sun-Times.

• ESPN Chicago writes how the White Sox are “still working on learning curve.”

• Carroll spoke about his outing in a video with the Chicago Tribune.

• CSN Chicago writes about Jerry Reinsdorf, Harry Carry and Tony La Russa.

• Here is what Southside Showdown wrote about the possible trade of Danks.