FirstInning’s Top 100 prospects

FI:

9. Gordon Beckham
36. Aaron Poreda
88. Jordan Danks

And the Top 100 division breakdown.

Paul Konerko approves of this Barack Obama guy

whitesox.com:

White Sox first baseman and team captain Paul Konerko commended Obama for displaying his fanhood without reservation.

“I thought it was a pretty bold move on his part,” Konerko said, “because it’s going to bring into play the questions that come around — none of which are really life and death questions or that important — but he could’ve just gone out there with a Major League Baseball jacket on and called it a day.

“We knew he was a fan before that, but it’s nice to see him basically kind of stick his neck out there a little bit. Because now, most politicians or presidents, the grayer an answer you can give, the better. And that’s not gray. He wore our team’s jacket out there. You don’t see that much.”

Roy Halladay’s value

BTB takes a look at Roy Halladay’s value for the rest of his contract (that ends next year).

Then BTB takes a look to what happens when Vernon Wells is included in the trade. Hint: it’s not pretty.

BTW, MLBTR reports that ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick heard from an AL executive who would be “very surprised” if White Sox GM Kenny Williams isn’t pursuing Halladay. Mark Gonzales has more.

Jared Mitchell activated and will play CF tonight (UPDATE)

MiLB.com:

Kannapolis Intimidators activated CF Jared Mitchell from the 7-Day disabled list.

FS twits that Mitchell is expected to start in CF and bat 7th tonight.

UPDATE: Mitchell was 2-4 with a 2B and a K.

Carlos Quentin not ready (UPDATE)

no Q! time yet:

Left fielder Carlos Quentin is still experiencing soreness in his left foot and could need up to a week on his minor league rehabilitation assignment, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “He still has soreness but he’s not hurt,” Guillen emphasized.

FS says that “Various outlets are reporting that Quentin will continue to rehab through the weekend and join the Sox sometime next week.”

Smells Like Mascot: To Catch a Tiger

Another Classic:

http://smellslikemascot.blogspot.com/2009/07/to-catch-tiger.html

Cowley’s ‘Sox Trade Sleepers’

Joe Cowley sees 4 guys on the Sox trade radar:

* Alex Rios, Toronto Blue Jays OF: General manager Ken Williams loves Rios’ athletic ability, and the Jays might be in for a major salary purge.

* Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants LHP: The Giants are one of the few teams that have a glut of starting pitchers, especially once Randy Johnson returns. They would have to pick up a big part of Zito’s deal, and he would have to waive his no-trade clause.

* Erik Bedard, Mariners LHP: The Mariners will be making a decision about being sellers very soon and have two big chips in Bedard and fellow left-hander Jarrod Washburn. Washburn wouldn’t be a good fit at the Cell.

* Dan Haren, Arizona Diamondbacks RHP: The Diamondbacks seem ready to go into blow-up mode, and the Sox have been a frequent trade partner for them. It would take a Jake Peavy-sized offer to land him, though.

Zito?