What has Gotten into the White Sox?

I didn't write about the second round of the Sox/Cubs series because everything I wrote about the first one still applied. The Cubs hadn't turned their season around and the Sox didn't plummet in the standings. After that first series, the Sox actually have continued their surprisingly winning ways, taking two of three from the Dodgers and Cubs, then sweeping the Indians. Put that with them taking two of three from the Brewers and Reds and they have actually been on a roll lately.

They've won 6 in a row to go 3 games over .500 and pull within 2 and 1/2 games of the division leading Tigers. The recent swing is mostly a product of the hitters starting to do their collective jobs. The starting rotation and bullpen continue to be outstanding.

It starts with Gordan Beckham. The kid has started to find his swing at the big leage level and his placement in the lineup gives the bottom portion some punch. Alexei Ramirez has continued to get back to last year's pace, and Scott Podsednik keeps setting the table. The middle of the order remains an issue, but has improved as of late.

This recent swing is enough to make Ken Williams consider if the team is worth adding to at the deadline instead of trading away some of his veterans. And the problem is, the recent success doesn't really indicate anything yet. If the Sox keep it up throughout July, then yes, adding to the team is the way to go. The division is totally winnable. By the same token, if they show the same maddenening tendencies as they did most of the year, they should sell.

It probably will take until July 31st, but this month still makes or breaks the Sox in 2009. And so far, they've answered the call.

Ben Gordon Signs with Detroit

In a short blurb here, Ben Gordon wasted no time and signed with the Detroit Pistons.

The move is highly beneficial to the Bulls, who no longer have to deal with his maddening inconsistencies or his terrible defense anymore. More importantly, it frees up the offense to go through Derrick Rose even more, and now Rose can take a more primary role in the offense.

Now with the twin power forwards recently drafted, the Bulls have some assets to deal if they so choose. I still hope they trade for Chris Bosh, but the first big hurdle of the off-season is out of the way now.

Hawks get Hossa

In what has to be a huge surprise, the Blackhawks signed start winger Marian Hossa to a 12 year, $62.8 million contract today.

The signing means that Martin Havlat will not be returning to the 'Hawks next season, but the addition of Hossa makes Havlat's departure much easier to swallow. From the sounds of it, the 'Hawks went for Hossa after negotiations with Havlat fell apart. And good for them, because Hossa is better than Havlat and will be a key cog to the success of the team in the coming years.

Supposedly the deal is "front heavy" with most of the money being paid in the first seven years of the deal. But therein is the issue with the signing. I trust Dale Tallon enough to not splurge so much that he doesn't have enough to re-sign some of the restricted free agents this year and players like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith next year.

If they can keep Kane, Toews, Sharp, Seabrook, Keith, and Hossa together for a while, the 'Hawks will be among the league's elite for the next decade. If they can keep Kris Versteeg and the other young guys, they have a legit shot at the Cup next year.

One thing is for sure: the Blackhawks do not mess around anymore and are serious about contending for the Cup. Hopefully Marian Hossa made the correct decision this time, and can vindicate his career by helping to lead the 'Hawks to glory.