Are Chicago White Sox ready to start selling?
At 51-26 heading into Thursday's play, the St. Louis Cardinals had the best record in major-league baseball.
At 47-34, the Houston Astros had the second-best record in the American League.
The Chicago White Sox just swept a two-game interleague series at St. Louis, edging the Cardinals 2-1 in 11 innings on Tuesday and shaking off three rain delays Wednesday night in a 7-1 win.
Built to contend this season, the Sox have played very well against the Cardinals and Astros, going 7-1 against the two first-place teams.
Unfortunately for the White Sox, they are 27-41 against everyone else, and that's why they are buried in the AL Central cellar.
Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, executive vice president Kenny Williams and general manager Rick Hahn have been as patient as possible while waiting for the Sox to play up to expectations.
Maybe the two wins over St. Louis gets the season turned around, and maybe the White Sox roll over the Orioles and Blue Jays during a seven-game homestand that opens Friday night and stay hot in three games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field to close out the first half of the season.
That is obviously the hope, but here is the reality - the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline is approaching and the Sox stack up as obvious sellers.
Here are the players most likely to go:
Jeff Samardzija
He was traded from the Cubs to Oakland on July 5 last year, and the right-handed starting pitcher can probably start packing again.
A free agent at the end of the season, Samardzija was hoping to pitch well for the White Sox, the team he grew up rooting for, follow Chris Sale in the playoff rotation and sign a contract extension.
Samardzija has delivered some impressive outings for the Sox, but he has consistently struggled in the first inning, hanging too many breaking pitches that have been hit over the fence and is 5-4 with a 4.56 ERA.
Despite his impending free agency, Samardzija has some value and should fetch a quality minor-league prospect or two.
Numerous teams are rumored to be interested in the 30-year-old pitcher, including the Blue Jays, Astros, Yankees and Dodgers.
One name to keep an eye on is Max Pentecost, a minor-league catcher for Toronto.
Adam LaRoche
Signed by the White Sox to a two-year, $25 million contract in November, LaRoche has largely been a nonfactor while batting .233 with 9 home runs and 31 RBI.
Much like Adam Dunn, LaRoche has struggled to adjust to the designated hitter role.
He has been a much better hitter in the second half of the season and does have some value.
A skilled first baseman, LaRoche would be better off back in the National League. The Cardinals have one of the top pitching staffs in baseball, but they need a left-handed bat and would be a natural landing spot for LaRoche.
Alexei Ramirez
This would have to be a track record deal because Ramirez is having a miserable season at the plate and in the field.
The Yankees have a hole at shortstop with Didi Gregorius, so they might be a match.
The Mets and Padres are maybes.
Geovany Soto
Catchers are always in demand, even when they are having a subpar season like Soto.
Like Ramirez, Soto's biggest selling point is his past success, and Tampa Bay and Houston can use help behind the plate.
•White Sox starter Chris Sale was voted American League Pitcher of the Month for June.
Sale was 2-2 with a 1.83 ERA while striking out 75 in 44⅓ innings.
White Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Saturday; WGN Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' John Danks (3-8) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (7-3) today at 7:10 p.m.; Jeff Samardzija (5-4) vs. Chris Tillman (6-7) Saturday at 1:10 p.m.; TBA vs. TBA Sunday at 1:10 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox are back home after going 4-4 on a trip to Minnesota, Detroit and St. Louis. The Sox swept a two-gane interleague series against the Cardinals to wrap it up. The White Sox are 1-2 vs. Baltimore this season. Danks was 0-4 with a 6.85 ERA in June. Catcher Tyler Flowers has 7 hits in his last 19 at-bats and has homered in three straight games. Chris Sale was originally scheduled to start for the Sox on Sunday but might be given an extra day of rest. He could face Mark Buehrle and the Blue Jays Monday night.
Next: Toronto Blue Jays at U.S. Cellular Field, Monday-Thursday
- Scot Gregor