df = pd.DataFrame([
    [-0.532681, 'foo', 0],
    [1.490752, 'bar', 1],
    [-1.387326, 'foo', 2],
    [0.814772, 'baz', ' '],     
    [-0.222552, '   ', 4],
    [-1.176781,  'qux', '  '],         
], columns='A B C'.split(), index=pd.date_range('2000-01-01','2000-01-06'))

# replace field that's entirely space (or empty) with NaN
print(df.replace(r'^\s*$', np.nan, regex=True))
# Produces:
#                    A    B   C
# 2000-01-01 -0.532681  foo   0
# 2000-01-02  1.490752  bar   1
# 2000-01-03 -1.387326  foo   2
# 2000-01-04  0.814772  baz NaN
# 2000-01-05 -0.222552  NaN   4
# 2000-01-06 -1.176781  qux NaN

# NOTE: if you don't want an element containing space in the middle to be replaced with NaN 
# use df.replace(r'^\s+$', np.nan, regex=True)