The Chicago White Sox have been on the trail for Ken Griffey Jr. for a few years now, and in 2008, they have finally landed him in a deal which involved right-handed Nick Masset and infielder Danny Richar. Does this put the White Sox over the top in the American League Central? Read on to find out. This season, Griffey has hit .245 with 15 home runs and 53 RBI and has seen his bat improve slightly over the last month. He can still play a corner outfield spot regularly and has average range. Masset has been with the White Sox this year and is 26 years old, 1-0 with a 4.63 ERA in 44.2 innings. Richar has been in Triple-A, where he hit .262. How this deal works for the White Sox This deal doesn?t cement the White Sox in the American League Central because it now creates a roster logjam, and Griffey at this point of his career isn?t a substantial upgrade over the options already on the roster. I think Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye will man the corner outfield spots, and Jim Thome will be the designated hitter. That leaves Nick Swisher, Paul Konerko, and Griffey for two spots and a rotating system down the stretch. This is the one potential area of this deal as Manager Ozzie Guillen will have to work around some big egos. Griffey will bring a spark to the White Sox initially with the buzz his name will generate, but in the long run, it won?t drastically affect their playoff chances. They didn?t give up a whole lot to get him, and they shouldn?t expect a big payoff. Grade: B- How this deal works for the Reds The Reds are looking to get something for Griffey as they weren?t going to exercise their team option on him at the end of the year, and he isn?t part of their bigger rebuilding plan. They didn?t get a lot, but Masset looks to be a solid big league arm they can put out in their bullpen right now and see how he develops. Another advantage for this deal is to free up at-bats for some younger players as the Reds try to see what they have around Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, and Brandon Phillips going forward. However, it has to be a sad day in Cincinnati as the Ken Griffey Jr. era, which had high expectations, ends with major disappointments. Grade: C+ Will Ken Griffey Jr. keep the White Sox atop the AL Central? Email your predictions to [email protected]