28-year old lefty swinging 3B Mark Teahan has always been overrated in my book. But I thought that coming to the White Sox would help his power numbers but I have been wrong about that so far. Teahan has played in 43 games for the White Sox this year and he is 32 of 131 (.244 avg, .707 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 3 homers and 14 RBIs. The White Sox have a couple of solid prospects at 3B in the pipeline with Dayan Viciedo and Brent Morel on the way. So if the White Sox continue to falter Teahan will likely become prime trade bait in July.

The White Sox have released 40-year old lefty reliever Alan Embree. Embree pitched in 6 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Pale Hose and he was 0-1 with a 8.22 ERA and a 2.09 WHIP. He gave up 11 hits and he walked 5 batters in only 7 2/3 innings in AAA with the White Sox and that was why he was cut despite whiffing 10 guys. He might get another chance at the majors this season but the White Sox won’t miss him.

G.M. Kenny Williams is not known for his patience and I think it’s starting to grow thin. With that in mind I think he’s getting ready to make some big moves in a attempt to revive the offense. A.J. Pierzynski is on the Rangers’ wish list and the White Sox think that Tyler Flowers is ready to handle the everyday job behind the plate. I have a feeling that Williams is going to hold out for a decent prospect like outfielder Engel Beltre and I think they will make that deal. Bobby Jenks and J.J. Putz are being heavily scouted by the Phillies right now. I think the White Sox are more motivated to trade Jenks. I think they would want a return like Ben Francisco, Antonio Bastardo and Scott Mathieson for him and I have a feeling that Ruben Amaro would pull the trigger on that kind of move as they are going to have a hard time making the playoffs without a closer they can count on. Then if I were in Kenny Williams shoes I would call up the Orioles about Ty Wigginton offering up 3B Brent Morel, SP Carlos Torres and Jayson Nix. If all three of these moves were made it would make the White Sox better positioned for the future and probably the present as Wigginton would be a huge upgrade on Gordon Beckham right now.

26-year old righty reliever Sergio Santos was a shortstop until last season when the White Sox converted him into a relief pitcher. Santos played 8 years in the minors at shortstop in which he played in 797 games and he was 712 of 2,867 (.248 avg, .699 OPS) with 380 runs scored, 72 homers, 373 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. The White Sox convinced Santos to convert to pitching after they informed him that he would have a better chance of getting to the major leagues that way. He had a rough time last season working in 26 games (0 starts) in A+AA+AAA-ball in which he was 0-3 with a 8.16 ERA and a 1.99 WHIP. But he showed enough last season to come into this year as the White Sox’ #13 prospect heading into this year according to Baseball America. Santos not only made the White Sox’ bullpen this spring but he has been dominating so far this year. Santos has pitched in 16 games (0 starts) for the White Sox and he is 0-0 with a 0.59 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. He has only given up 8 hits in 15 1/3 innings this season while whiffing 20 batters showing what kind of stuff he has. I wouldn’t be surprised if Santos worked his way into the 7th inning role for the White Sox this season if he keeps pitching lights out.

Alex Rios got off to a little bit of a slow start this season for the Chicago White Sox, but his bat started heating up in the end of April and it has been hot ever since.  Rios had a 12 game hit streak end yesterday after failing to get a hit for the first time since April 25th.  Since that time Rios’ average has gone from .277 to .322.  Rios has had four multi-hit games already this month, including a 4/4 effort on Mothers’ Day.  Unfortunately that effort was wasted since Bobby Jenks collapsed in the 9th that day, but Rios has been the White Sox best hitter.  The opposition is aware of the way he is hitting the ball, but they haven’t been able to be too careful with him because homerun leader Paul Konerko is usually waiting in the on-deck circle to drive Rios in.  Rios and Konerko are the only two that have been hitting the ball well all season for the White Sox.  Rios has also been providing the Sox with a great glove out in centerfield and it looks like Rios is much more comfortable with the White Sox this season as compared to last.

23-year old righty swinging 3B Brent Morel is the White Sox’ #4 rated prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America. Morel has played in 30 games in AA-ball this season and he is 37 of 119 (.311 avg, .800 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 2 homers, 19 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has now played in 218 games in his three years in the minors and he is 247 of 836 (.295 avg, .803 OPS) with 135 runs scored, 24 homers, 125 RBIs and 39 stolen bases. It will be interesting to see if the White Sox ask Morel to switch positions down the road due to Dayan Viciedo.

The White Sox have signed 40-year old lefty reliever Alan Embree to a minor league deal. Embree pitched in 36 games (0 starts) for the Rockies last season and he was 2-2 with a 5.84 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. He has now pitched in 882 games (4 starts) in his 16 years in the majors in which he is 39-45 with 25 saves, a 4.59 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. This signing could be a signal that Matt Thornton is about to bump Bobby Jenks out of his closer’s role.

23-year old righty swinging Gordon Beckham excelled as a rookie 3B last season for the White Sox. He played in 103 games as a rookie for the White Sox last season and he was 102 of 378 (.270 avg, .808 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 14 homers, 63 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. The White Sox decided to shift Beckham to 2B for the 2010 season to make room at 3B for Mark Teahan. Not only has Beckham had to adjust to a new position but it seems as if opposing pitchers have been watching a lot of tape on his as he is looking quite helpless at the plate so far this year. Beckham has played in 27 games for the White Sox so far this season and he is 20 of 101 (.198 avg, .572 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. The White Sox will likely give Beckham more time to get things turned around but they can’t wait forever for him to get things going. Look for Jayson Nix and Omar Vizquel to start getting some time at 2B if Beckham continues to struggle.

The White Sox have signed 29-year old switch hitting infielder Luis Rodriguez to a minor league deal. Rodriguez played in 93 games for the Padres last season and he was 42 of 208 (.202 avg, .578 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 2 homers and 16 RBIs. He has now played in 363 games in his major league career and he is 208 of 855 (.243 avg, .639 OPS) with 90 runs scored, 8 homers and 66 RBIs. Rodriguez will provide infield depth for the White Sox in the minors and they will give him a call if he’s needed.

The White Sox have acquired 27-year old lefty swinging outfielder Buck Coats from the Royals for cash considerations. Coats has played in 15 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 17 of 54 (.315 avg, .766 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 2 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has played in 46 games in his major league career in which he is 11 of 57 (.193 avg, .575 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer, 3 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Coats has whiffed 23 times already in the majors so he has some issues that need ironed out before he will be able to help out the White Sox. Still, all they gave up was a little bit of money to take a chance on Coats so why not?