There's no question that the White Sox will be sellers before Tuesday's trade deadline passes, but there may be a new player available. Up until now most trade talk surrounding the White Sox has focused on Jermaine Dye, Jose Contreras, Javier Vazquez, and Jon Garland.Dye is a free agent at the end of the season, but unlike Mark Buehrle, he hasn't been offered an extension. The Sox also have another player who will be a free agent at season's end, and he just became a lot more valuable.
With Chase Utley breaking his hand yesterday, and the Mets losing Jose Valentin, there are now two teams in the NL East fighting to make the playoffs without a second baseman. I wouldn't be surprised if both Omar Minaya and Pat Gillick have already been calling Kenny Williams asking about Tadahito Iguchi.
Considering that the White Sox don't appear to be on the verge of getting anything substantial for Dye and Contreras, the two players they really want to trade, Iguchi might be Chicago's best chance to get something of value in return.
Iguchi is one of the top offensive second baseman in the American League, and is average defensively. He could help the Phillies supplant some of the production they'll be missing without Chase Utley, and the Mets could probably get more out of Iguchi than Valentin. Since both teams are in the same division, they may have to try and outbid each other for Iguchi's services.
Which would be great news for Kenny Williams and the White Sox.
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