2011 has become another maddening season for the Chicago White Sox.  Under performance, poor defense and lack of situational hitting have the Sox three games below .500 and five games back in the AL Central.  The Sox were as close as two games under and 2½ back in the last week, but losing two out of three over the weekend to Washington and Detroit's recent surge have cost the Sox.

So, what will it take to get the Sox back on top in the Central?  One man's opinion:

• A big second half for all of the first half slackers:  When you realize this team has been carried offensively by Carlos Quentin and Paul Konerko, you know that they can do a lot better.  Adam Dunn is a key as he has sucked the first half.  It is not inconceivable that Dunn could have a huge second half.  It is also not inconceivable that Dunn could continue to suck mud the second half.  I'd also like to see Gordon Beckham get it together. I've pretty much given up on Alex Rios and Juan Pierre.
• Keep the six pack: When John Danks gets off the DL, I hope the Sox keep the six man rotation for as long as possible.  Fresh arms in August and September are a key to making the playoffs.  The less wear and tear on Mark Buehrle and Jake Peavy, the better.
• Remove your heads from your buttocks on defense: The Sox defense makes some really boneheaded mistakes.  I'd like to see them cut down on this.  You know what I mean Missile and Juan.
• Beat somebody relevant: Having a winning record against the Cubs is nice, but try to beat the Tigers and Twinkies once in a while. Please.
• Lessen your LOB numbers: The Sox leave more men stranded than Delta Airlines.  Fix this.

Ozzie Guillen will have to do a deft job of managing.  It is possible to sit down Juan Pierre frequently and replace him with Brent Lillibridge.  The problem there is you still have Rios and Q in the outfield.  And then there is the whole Dunn thing.  Do you sit him and have Lilli play right while Q is your DH?  Do you DH Teahen? It gets complicated.

I don't think the Cuban Sandwich will help.  Releasing Juan Pierre also won't help.  I agree with Ozzie when he wants to dance with who brung him.  It's not panic time yet.  If they are still five back with six weeks left in the season, then go ahead and do what you gotta do.

I also don't think the Sox need to make any trades, unless they can get something reasonable for Edwin Jackson or Mark Teahen.  But I highly doubt that.   Contending teams will be trading prospects while non-contenders will be shedding salaries.  I can't see a blockbuster situation where the Sox can come out ahead.  They need players to help them win now.  Any team interested in Jackson simply needs to wait until the off season when he is a free agent who the Sox will not be re-signing. 

Finally, to all of the fans who post comments on various sites, please quit acting like Cub fans.  You can't trade Adam Dunn right now.  Too much money and his performance is horrible.  You can't trade Pierre, either.  Or Rios.  So stop trying to run them out and start hoping they can turn it around.  That's your only hope for this year.