Trio of ex-White Sox players look forward to October baseball
The White Sox haven't advanced to the postseason since 2008, and they've won a grand total of one playoff game since '05.
It has been a very lean stretch, but three recent Sox players are looking forward to some October baseball this year.
Gordon Beckham, Alejandro De Aza and Adam Dunn were on the White Sox' roster last month, but all three players exited in August waiver trades.
Beckham, now with the Angels, and De Aza, now with the Orioles, are playing for teams that have already clinched first place in the AL West and East, respectively.
Neither have ever made it to the playoffs, as is the case with Dunn, who is trying to help the fading A's claim a wild-card spot.
Let's take a closer look:
De Aza
He's made the greatest impact, even if he missed his flight to Baltimore the day after being traded for a pair of minor-league pitchers.
In 122 games with the Sox this season, De Aza batted .243 and had 5 home runs and 31 RBI. In 12 games with the Orioles, the 30-year-old outfielder is batting .327 with 2 homers and 9 RBI.
Last Friday, he became the first Baltimore player since Jay Payton (2007) to hit 2 triples in the same game.
"I feel young again," De Aza told the Baltimore Sun. "I feel 20 again. I'm just having fun with these guys. I came here, it's like I was here forever. They all treated we well. It's a great clubhouse. All my teammates, we goof around. I like it."
Former White Sox hitting coach Jeff Manto is now the Orioles' minor-league hitting coordinator, and he endorsed De Aza before the trade was made.
"You never really know," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. "(De Aza) has had his success in the big leagues. Anytime you kind of change atmosphere, so to speak, you're never 100 percent sure. But we talked to a lot of people, Jeff Manto, and we felt like we had a good chance to get lucky with him and we have so far."
Beckham:
He finally ran out of chances with the Sox, but the No. 8 overall pick in the 2008 has also benefitted from a change of scenery.
In 17 games with the Angels, Beckham is batting .273 with 1 home run and 7 RBI to go with a .369 on-base percentage. In 101 games with the White Sox, he hit .221 with 7 homers and 36 RBI while posting a .263 OBP.
Traded for a player to be named later or cash considerations, Beckham has played second base, shortstop and third with Los Angeles, and he has fit in well as a utility infielder.
The Angels acquired him as a potential replacement at third base, but David Freese has apparently been motivated by the deal and is batting .353 with 3 home runs and 11 RBI in September.
Dunn:
Acquired by Oakland to breathe some life into a dormant offense, Dunn has done OK with a .278 batting average and 2 homers in 7 RBI heading into Thursday.
There has even been some talk about the A's signing Dunn to a one-year deal if he decides against retirement.
If he helps the Athletics turn it around in the final stretch of the season and make the playoffs, maybe Dunn returns for another year.
If Oakland falls short, he won't be back.
White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Saturday; WGN Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' Jose Quintana (8-10) vs. Jeremy Hellickson (1-3)
today at 6:10 p.m.; Hector Noesi (8-10) vs. Chris Archer (9-8) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; John Danks (9-11) vs. Nathan Karns (1-0) Sunday at 12:40 p.m.
At a glance: After losing 2 of 3 at Kansas City, the White Sox continue their road trip with a weekend series at Tampa Bay. The Sox won 3 of 4 vs. the Rays at U.S. Cellular Field in late April. Tampa Bay is fourth in the AL East and out of the playoffs after four straight 90-plus win seasons. Paul Konerko (fractured left hand) is expected to play in the series. In his last start, Quintana beat the Twins while allowing 1 run in 7 innings and striking out a career-high 13.
Next: Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, Monday-Wednesday
- Scot Gregor