White Sox’ GM sees Danks as key ‘addition’
White Sox general manager Kenny Williams is likely done making trades after getting veteran relief pitcher Brett Myers from the Houston Astros on Saturday.
But Williams still is looking forward to a key addition, even if John Danks is not expected to come off the disabled list for at least another month.
Danks (3-4, 5.70 ERA) was expected to be the Sox’ ace this season, but he got off to a slow start and has been sidelined since May 20. Still trying to make it back from a sore left shoulder, Danks is going to throw on the side Tuesday.
“I think the best thing that can happen for us is to have John Danks continue to feel good,” Williams said. “He’s been throwing from as (far) as 120 feet and 85 tosses a day and has not had any soreness.
“Hopefully we can get him on the mound for a few side days heading into August and give him a little bit of a spring-training type regimen and get him back sometime at the end of August.”
First things first:There is an extra wild-card spot in each league this season, but Kenny Williams wants the White Sox to get back into first place and win the AL Central.#147;I#146;m not thinking about the wild card,#148; Williams said. #147;We#146;re thinking about trying to win the American League Central division.#147;The only time I think about that (wild card) is when there are more teams that believe they are capable of slipping into the playoffs via the wild card, which means there are less players available on the trade market.#148;Tough stretch:After opening the second half with a 10-game road trip to Kansas City, Boston and Detroit, the Sox are home for three games against the Twins before heading back out to Texas and Minnesota.#147;I don#146;t even pay attention to it,#148; Paul Konerko said of the schedule. #147;It#146;s going to come. You know you#146;re going to have resistance out there, you know you#146;re going to have to beat teams, you know you#146;re going to have to play well.#147;As a player, if you get caught up worrying about who you#146;re playing in the middle of the August, right now, or in September, you#146;re going to get beat tonight or you won#146;t be as good as you could be tonight.#148;The quote:#147;I can#146;t do jumping jacks and make them all of a sudden win. It#146;s more coming in and staying focused on what we#146;ve done all year. There#146;s no magic dust you just roll out there for them and it#146;s going to happen#148;#151; Manager Robin Ventura on the Sox#146; five-game losing streak heading into Monday#146;s game against Minnesota.