All of us, at one time or another have owned an old car.  The car is reliable transportation and gets us where we need to go.  Granted, we probably don't want to take a long trip in it anymore.  And we have replaced some parts along the way.  But best of all the car is ours, not the bank's and as often as we think we should get rid of it, we understand it is reliable and it is paid for.  Until someone runs that four way stop and t-bones us.

Now, our old car is badly broken and even if we could put it back together, it will never be the same.  Because in addition to the problems we can see (the twisted metal, the broken plastic, the door with the huge dent in it) there is damage we cannot see (the frame, the under carnage, etc.)  Given the age of this car, it may be a wise idea to see what's out there before we decide we should get it fixed. 

The insurance man tells us we have three options.  While our car is being looked at, we can get a rental car, get a used car or get a new car.

We don't like the idea of a new car.  New cars have issues.  New cars need to be broken in and we are much too busy to do that.  A used car is okay, but is it reliable?  A rental car may cost us more up front, but may be the best option.

The above analogy illustrates the crossroads the Chicago White Sox are at with the season ending and possibly career ending injury to pitcher Jose Contreras.  At 36, it will most likely take Contreras a year to come back and then at least six months after that to become consistent again.  Even if he comes back, there is no guarantee that he will be able to compete at the level he is accustomed to.  In many cases, pitchers who injure their legs try to compensate by changing arm angles or throwing differently which leads to shoulder, arm and elbow injuries.  In any case, the prognosis for Contreras is not good and his days as a reliable six to eight inning starter may be history.

I'm not trying to be overly negative or alaramist here, just honest.

So, now that our car is wrecked, we have to see what the insurance man (Kenny Williams) has in store for us.  A new car would be anyone from the Sox minor league system.  Unfortunately, as we've seen with Clayton Richards, the Sox may have some fine young arms, but none of them are ready for prime time, especially in a pennant race.  Sure, it would be nice to give Lance Broadway or Aaron Poreda an opportunity, but not when you are a ½ game behind in second place and in the midst of a tight pennant race.

The used car route is using pitchers that you have on your major league roster.  D.J. Carrasco may be the guy here, but that will affect your long relief.  With the starters inconsistency, the bullpen has been asked to pitch a lot of innings and Carrasco has been excellent at coming in, going three or four innings and keeping the Sox in the game.  If you shift his role, who gets the long relief role.  You wonder if Kenny Williams is kicking himself for trading Nick Masset. Horatio Ramirez, just off the bus from the White Sox AAAA affiliate at Kansas City, could take over the long man role.  I'd almost say at this point, maybe even Mike MacUseless would be a good candidate.

Now, if you decide to go the rental route, do you take a chance on a guy like a Jarrod Washburn who is currently on the waiver wire?  My gut tells me yes, simply because he's the best chance you have at winning.  He's got experience, he's been in pennant races before and given a little TLC from Dr. Don Cooper, may right his ship again.  Paul Byrd would be good as well.  As long as the Sox are behind the Twins, they can't block it.  Odds are the Tigers wouldn't either.

In addition to all of the above, you are going to have to reconfigure the pen to accommodate the demotion of Boone Logan who absolutely sucked last night, even before he gave up the bases clearing double to David Ortiz.  If Ramirez was to take Logan's spot then you still need a long guy to replace Carrasco who would be replacing Contreras.  As it is, your pen is already an arm short without Scott Linebrink.

Kenny Williams, you are on the clock.  And Jose Contreras, thanks for playing.  While we hate to see you go to the car crusher, it may be inevitable.  The Sox need an April or May like effort from Gavin Floyd to beat the red Sox today. 


Lightning Round:

• Chip Shots offers a moment of silence in memory of actor and Sox fan Bernie Mac.  Here's his 15 roles to remember.