Why Play?

Just because the White Sox are out of playoff contention doesn't mean they don't have anything left to play for. Here's a few things the Sox can still work for to try to salvage the season, in no particular order:

1. Finish the season with a .500 record (81-81). Despite how bad they have played this season, the Sox can still finish with a .500 record if they win the rest of their games. Granted, this is well below the expectations that many had for the ball club this year, but it would give them some great momentum to carry into the offseason.

2. Play spoiler. Depending on how the Twins-Tigers series goes this week, the White Sox can gain the support of Twins fans if they can beat the Tigers in Detroit during the final series of the season, and prevent them from reaching the playoffs.

3. Help Gordon Beckham win Rookie of the Year. Gordon Beckham has a very legitimate shot at winning this year's Rookie of the Year award. This would not only be big for Beckham, but it would be more great momentum for the Sox going in to the offseason. Beckham would be the organization's sixth winner of the award, and the first since his manager did it in 1985.

4. Say goodbye to more stars from the 2005 title team. Sox fans will likely be forced to bid farewell to 2005 World Series MVP Jermaine Dye. Dye played a pivotal role in helping the Sox in 2005 and started off this season hot, hitting .302 with 20 homers and 55 RBIs before the All-Star break. Unfortunately the 35-year-old right fielder has cooled off during the second half hitting just .179 with only seven homers and 24 RBIs. Nothing is set in stone, but more than likely Jermaine's five year stint on the South Side will be over. I know I'll be sad to see him go, but I understand the move as the Sox look to go younger with their ball club.

The Sox could also say goodbye to their 2005 and current table setter in Scott Podsenik, depending on who they can sign in free agency this offseason. Pods was also a pivotal part of the winning formula in 2005 and has had a solid year for the Sox this year. He is hitting .303 and leads the team in hits, triples, on base percentage and stolen bases. Pods has a chance to stay with the team, but if the Sox can land free agent Chone Figgins the chance is low. It will also be sad to see Pods go, but I understand the move if the Sox can sign Figgins, but that is a big if.

5. Stop Ozzie from going on tirades. Even though the Sox won't be making the playoffs, Ozzie still expects his players to come to play everyday and play hard. This was evident after his latest rant after the loss against Detroit on Saturday. It's good to see that Ozzie hasn't lost any of his desire to win and that he's not afraid to call his players on it. However, his players can reduce Ozzie's anxiety and alleviate the television censors' aching thumbs if they continue to play hard for the rest of the season.