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AL Central: Desperate times for White Sox

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08/28/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With each loss, each mounting injury, the odds against the Chicago White Sox overtaking the American League Central crown grow increasingly longer.

At the moment, the White Sox are 3 1/2 games behind division-leading Minnesota, and they haven't been able to close the gap. The White Sox couldn't take advantage of three straight losses by the Twins this week, instead losing seven of their last 10 games entering Thursday's series finale against Baltimore.

Relievers J.J. Putz (right knee patella tendinitis) and Matt Thornton (left elbow inflammation) were placed on the disabled list on Wednesday, leaving manager Ozzie Guillen thin on bullpen options. Closer Bobby Jenks recently overcame a bout with back soreness, which had been hindering his performance.

"I believe our inconsistencies of late in the bullpen have been due to some injuries, starting with Bobby (Jenks) and spreading to both Matt and J.J.," pitching coach Don Cooper said. "It is what it is. We are down. You are talking about two of the main cogs and one of the starters being down when Jake Peavy left."

So, where exactly do the White Sox go from here? One potential scenario that has been generating a lot of buzz would be luring right-handed slugger Manny Ramirez back to the American League.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers placed Ramirez on waivers. According to the Los Angeles Times, the two sides have discussed a deal that would send Ramirez to Chicago for a combination of players and money. The Chicago Sun- Times has reported that Manny has, in fact, been claimed by Chicago, and that Ramirez is weighing removing his no-trade clause to make the deal happen. Other outlets have reported that Manny, who was not in the lineup Thursday, has told friends he would indeed waive his no-trade clause to join the South Siders.

Of course, a team with a worse record could also put in a claim and have priority. And White Sox general manager Kenny Williams hasn't made any kind of comment publicly, though it's tough to imagine any scenario where he wouldn't try to land Ramirez, who still knows how to produce runs at age 38. In 64 games, he is hitting .313 with eight homers and 40 RBI despite battling multiple ailments. He is scheduled to make about $4.25 million for the remainder of the season.

"He's probably one of the top five hitters ever," said left fielder Juan Pierre, who played with Manny in L.A. "He can hit when healthy. I don't know how healthy he is. When healthy, he can help any ballclub. He's fine in the clubhouse. He puts on a show for the media for a little bit, but he's a great guy, and a great teammate."

One thing is clear; the momentum from Chicago's 28-8 run between June and July has officially faded. Now, it's up to the White Sox to come up with an answer, either on the field or in the front office.

TWINS' BAKER, LIRIANO SHOWING IMPROVEMENT

Amidst growing concerns about a dead arm, left-hander Francisco Liriano was given two extra days off leading into Thursday night's start. The rest paid off, as Liriano yielded two runs in seven innings against Texas, striking out six. He attacked the strike zone and worked ahead in the count, and the result was his 12th win of the season, tying his career-high set in 2006.

Since the All-Star break, Liriano is 6-0 with a 2.47 ERA. He said the biggest difference has been his health.

"I feel way, way better," Liriano told the Star Tribune. "I think when you feel better, you go out there and not think that you're not feeling great. Feeling better is a good thing."

Meanwhile, fellow starter Nick Blackburn has also turned a corner since the All-Star break, posting a 4-1 record in seven starts. Scott Baker tossed seven scoreless innings against the Angels on August 22, allowing only five hits and displaying top-notch command. He then allowed two runs in 6 2/3 frames Friday night at Seattle. Carl Pavano has been a horse all season long, with 15 wins, a 3.56 ERA and six complete games.

If those three continue to form the 1-2-3 punch that they have been the last few times through the rotation, the Twins will be tough to catch in the AL Central race.

PERALTA MORE THAN A RENTAL?

When the Detroit Tigers acquired shortstop Jhonny Peralta from Cleveland a month ago, the hope was that he'd help spark a playoff push. Peralta has certainly provided a spark, hitting .242 with six homers and 18 RBI in just 26 games with Detroit. However, the Tigers have continued to struggle in other areas and have fallen 10 games off the pace in the division.

Peralta has a $7 million option for next season, which he obviously hopes the club will pick up. For his part, Peralta said he loves it in Detroit and wants nothing more than to stick around, at least through the end of the 2011 season. Of course, outfielder Johnny Damon recently expressed similar sentiments when he declined a possible trade to Boston in order to stay in Detroit.

"I want to be here," Peralta said after blasting a three-run homer against Toronto Thursday night. "I hope they pick up the option. But I want to be here. I like everybody here."

The Tigers haven't gotten much offensive production from the shortstop position this season.

ROYALS PROSPECT MOUSTAKAS LIVING UP TO THE HYPE

Baseball prospects are just that; prospects. While some come with much better tools, intangibles and promise than others, ultimately there is no guarantee that a highly regarded prospect will tear through the minors, reach the Major League level and become a perennial All-Star.

But in the case of Kansas City Royals' minor league third baseman Mike Moustakas, so far everything has gone according to plan. The 21-year-old entered Friday hitting a combined .318 with 28 homers and 99 RBI in 106 games between Double-A and Triple-A. As a result, he has been named one of five finalists for the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year award.

Moustakas was the No. 2 overall selection of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Upon his promotion to Triple-A in mid-July, Moustakas was leading the Texas League in batting average, home runs and RBI.

In the wake of yet another trying season in Kansas City, Moustakas represents a big ray of light for the organization's future.

SETBACK FOR INDIANS' PITCHING PROSPECT

Like the Kansas City Royals, the Cleveland Indians are an organization with all eyes toward the future. However, the future has become pretty cloudy for a potentially big piece to the team's plans.

Hector Rondon, Cleveland's Minor League Player of the Year in 2009, underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama on Wednesday. Rondon, 22, had been out since mid-May after injuring the elbow early in the season. He had been rehabbing the injury at the team's facility in Goodyear, Arizona, but recently had a setback. As a result, his 2011 season most likely has now been lost.

"It's not good, because he was one of the guys we were counting on for pitching depth down the road," manager Manny Acta told the team's Web site. "If he didn't lose this year of development, we were probably going to take a look at him in September. But he lost this year, and he's probably going to lose another one."

Rondon had struggled this year before being shutdown, though his live fastball had turned enough heads to land him a roster spot on the World Team during the 2008 Futures Game. Despite the setback, Acta is still hopeful for Rondon's future.

"Tommy John surgery is not what it used to be," Acta said. "Every year, guys come back who had it the year before, and a lot of times they come back stronger. But you feel bad for the kid."

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