CHICAGO (ILLINOIS) - AUGUST 16, 2019: Tim Anderson #7, Eloy Jimenez #44, of the Chicago White Sox... [+] Celebrate the team's win against the St. Louis Cardinals at Guaranteed rate Field, August 16, 2020, Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images). Getty ImagesAlthough the trade deadline is still one month away, activity is already heating up. Blue Jays and Marlins traded players on Tuesday. Diamondbacks infielder Eduardo Escobar was rumored to be heading to the White Sox over the weekend.Despite a string of injuries to key players, the White Sox remain at the top American League Central standings. It is likely that they will be sellers at the trade deadline or sooner.While Escobar's arrival would fill Nick Madrigal's void in the infield, he is currently out of the season due to hamstring surgery. The best changes to the roster in July may be those that come from the inside.Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert are making healthy returns, and each of them will have a significant positive impact on our team.Jimenez, left fielder, injured his pectoral tendon while trying to steal a home run. This happened near the end of spring. Two weeks ago, Jimenez began rehab at the White Sox Complex and shared via social media Tuesday that it feels almost like he's back to 100 percent. He could be heading out for a minor league rehab assignment very soon and Jimenez could be back in the lineup as early as the third week of July. This timeline would be much more favorable than what was originally planned when Jimenez was hurt in March.The White Sox received good news about Robert, their center fielder. His hip flexor was torn in May. Early estimates suggested that he would return to the field in September. Robert has been cleared to resume his baseball activities. He will begin a four-week rehabilitation program in Arizona. Roberts would then return to the minor leagues for a rehab assignment. This would leave him about a month behind Jimenez but still plenty of time to make an impact on a late-season run.Last Friday, Kopech pitched two simulated games. All signs point to his return from his hamstring injury soon. Kopech, a valuable spot starter who was also an integral part of the White Sox bullpen but sometimes still has trouble getting the ball to Liam Hendriks, was before his injury.The White Sox would be even more formidable if all three of their players were available. Robert and Jimenez are still in the early stages of their rehabilitation processes so it is possible for one or both to suffer a setback. The White Sox would be able to bring back either of their respective players. They have the 16th-lowest number of home runs in the American League, and their.395 slugging rate is the highest in baseball.The White Sox have been consistent good this season. However, the Indians have kept their division race close and will need reinforcements to keep them from falling behind. The White Sox may not be able afford to delay for those players.Manager Tony La Russa said last week that the end of next month isn't as attractive as it would be now to receive help.Arizona is asking for a lot of return, which is why the Escobar trade with the Diamondbacks has been stalled. The White Sox will need to add July players, but they won't be able to cut too deeply into their farm system.La Russa stated that she doesn't know if there is a way to make it work. I know that for the past two weeks, Kenny [Williams] has been looking at and preparing for phone calls. I am confident they are trying to help us. If it's not possible, we accept what we have.According to Roster Resource, the teams' payroll for 2021 stands at $133 million. This means that if the front office is looking to increase without losing prospects, there is enough budget to pay salary. This could be a good option for teams that are rebuilding and looking to trade or sell players.If they decide to keep what they have, it would be difficult to find three more valuable additions than Robert, Jimenez, and Kopech.
