Where do Chicago White Sox go from here?

What to do, Chicago White Sox … what to do?

That is the question that still stands as one of the most disappointing launches to a season in franchise history continues to nose-dive.

Sunday was particularly excruciating, considering the Sox had a 4-0 lead over ace starter David Price and the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning.

They lost 5-4.

Considering all of the moves the White Sox (32-42) made in the off-season, they have understandably been as patient as possible.

They've waited - and waited - for newcomers Jeff Samardzija, Adam LaRoche, David Robertson, Melky Cabrera, Zach Duke, Emilio Bonifacio, Geovany Soto and Dan Jennings to blend in with the holdover core and play competitive baseball.

It hasn't happened.

And barring a miracle, it's not going to happen.

Executive vice president Kenny Williams had some interesting comments in Detroit over the weekend when asked about the Sox' shoddy play through the first three months.

Managers almost always take the fall for much less, but Williams took the heat off Robin Ventura and his coaching staff.

"We've faltered, that's obvious, and we've got our shortcomings," Williams told reporters. "But it's not with the coaching staff. We have one of the best guys that I consider as a hitting coach (Todd Steverson) around. And these guys are given a plan every day to succeed. And they are worked with as individuals to harness their strengths.

"With regards to Robin, listen, you only have so much control as a manager on your overall team play. He will be the first to admit they haven't played, they haven't followed the direction as much as he would have liked.

"But what we have to look at in management, and it falls no further than my desk, what we have to look at is, 'Have we given him the right pieces?'

"If they are underperforming to this degree as a whole, then I would have to say right now, and I've told the chairman (Jerry Reinsdorf) this, no, at the end of the day, it falls on my desk. I hired the manager. I hired the general manager (Rick Hahn)."

So, lay all of the blame on Williams?

Reinsdorf rarely talks to the local media these days, but Williams has been in the White Sox' organization as a player, scout and executive for 32 years and isn't likely to be dismissed.

Over the winter, Williams expressed a strong interest in interviewing with the Toronto Blue Jays, who were looking for a president/CEO to replace Paul Beeston.

Reinsdorf declined to grant Williams permission, saying "it was not the right time."

Beeston is going to retire at the end of this season, so Williams might revisit the Jays' opening.

Hahn is halfway through his third season as Sox GM, and he is still held in high regard by Reinsdorf.

With the status quo remaining in the front office and dugout, at least for now, another roster purge is likely coming. The July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline is only a month away, so look for Williams and Hahn to start selling off players soon.

Samardzija has some value despite a 5-4 record and 4.56 ERA, but he is a free agent at the end of the season and is not likely to bring back a bounty of needed young talent.

If the White Sox opt to rebuild from scratch - an option that should be on the table considering they've won only one playoff game since 2006 - every player should be available, including ace starter Chris Sale.

Otherwise, Williams and Hahn will have to see what they can get for lesser pieces such as Samardzija, Jose Quintana, Robertson, LaRoche, Cabrera and Alexei Ramirez.

Scouting report

White Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium

TV: Comcast SportsNet today; WGN Wednesday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Sox' Chris Sale (6-4) vs. Lance Lynn (5-4) today; Jose Quintana (3-7) vs. John Lackey (6-4) Wednesday. Both games 7:15 p.m.

At a glance: It doesn't get any easier for the reeling White Sox, who face a Cardinals team that has the best record (51-24) in baseball. St. Louis also has the game's best home record (29-7). The White Sox are 2-4 on a road trip that has made stops in Minnesota and Detroit. The Sox are 3-9 at Busch Stadium since the start of interleague play. Sale is one of four pitchers in major-league history with 10 or more strikeouts in 7 straight starts. The Cardinals rank first in the major leagues with a 2.61 ERA; the White Sox are 25th at 4.23.

Next: Baltimore Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field, Friday-Sunday

- Scot Gregor