Poll: Would you trade Alexei Ramirez for prospects?

Jul 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Brett Hayes (12) is forced out by Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) on a fielder

The biggest question for the Chicago White Sox as the trade deadline nears is if and who the White Sox will trade at the trade deadline within the next eight days.

The question for today is: Would you trade All-Star shortstop Alexei Ramirez for prospects that could possibly help the team long-term?

Don’t get me wrong, having Ramirez on the White Sox is a great thing, but this franchise has a lot of middle infield prospects in the Minors, and it is only a matter of time before those players earn their shot at the big league level.

This season, Ramirez has a batting average of .277 with a .314 on-base percentage and a .393 slugging percentage. The White Sox shortstop has already surpassed his home runs total from last season with eight in ’14 thus far. Last season, he had six home runs in ’13.

Ramirez’s 42 RBIs this season is almost near his 158-game total from last year (48 RBIs). His fielding percentage this season is .979 with nine errors in 428 chances.

So if you were in charge of the White Sox, what would you want in return for Ramirez if a trade were to happen? The White Sox don’t necessarily have to trade Ramirez, as he does have one more season left on his contract.

One suitor for Ramirez could be the Cincinnati Reds as they need a bat in the lineup with Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips on the disabled list, and their shortstop, Zack Cozart is batting .228 this season and just .191 in his past 10 games.

In an article by baseballnewssource.com, it said of another potential landing spot for Ramirez if a trade were to happen:

"“The Oakland Athletics are in prime position in the AL West, but acquiring a shortstop and moving Jed Lowrie to second would be a nice move.”"

A trade of Ramirez is a touchy subject, I know, but a trade now could work for the long run, as in future seasons the White Sox’s current group of younger players will be in their prime years.

Trading for prospects now could only help in those seasons where the White Sox have a good opportunity to not just make the postseason, but to compete for a championship.