advertisement

Imrem: Danks move significant message for White Sox players

Chicago White Sox players received some love Tuesday in the form of the front office's serious commitment to winning.

Not that the players realize it yet.

No, for a while all they'll feel is disappointment over losing teammate John Danks, the pitcher the Sox designated for assignment earlier in the day.

Love from outside was in short supply even as the Sox arrived home from a road trip in first place, with an 18-8 record and hopes that this will be a special summer.

Fans still weren't ready to flock to U.S. Cellular Field, of course, and the media generally still was more fascinated by the Cubs' series at Pittsburgh.

Let's face it: If the Cubs sneeze, more than 30,000 fans show up to Wrigley Field for the privilege of saying "gesundheit."

The Sox are orphans by comparison.

"A valid point," general manager Rick Hahn conceded.

All the Sox get for their trouble - certainly when they're losing and sometimes when they're winning - is a civic yawn.

Sox players profess to not being concerned by that, right fielder Adam Eaton saying, "If you're looking for love in baseball, you're in the wrong (job)."

Third baseman Todd Frazier added, "Once everything starts coming together, fans will start coming."

In the meantime, the Sox have to keep making moves like getting rid of Danks early in his 10th season with the club.

Danks' struggles since 2012 shoulder surgery normally weren't a big deal because the Sox weren't going to win anything anyway.

This year every Sox player believes this team can build a fast start into a season to remember.

Danks was making it difficult, suffering 4 of the Sox's 8 losses.

Cutting Danks indicates to White Sox players that the front office isn't going to let sentiment get in the way of a promising season.

This isn't comfortable for anyone. Players respect Danks. Management appreciates him.

But if a respected and appreciated player must go, so be it. If it costs the $11.9 million left on Danks' contract, so be that, too.

It doesn't hurt that the Sox have the $13 million that Adam LaRoche walked away from in spring training, though Hahn said that wasn't a factor.

Now everyone in the clubhouse and baseball department and business department and everywhere else knows that the Sox are in it to win it this season.

"I think they already know that," Hahn said of the players.

A little reminder never hurts.

Look, the Cubs aren't coming anymore. They're here and threatening to render irrelevant everything else in Chicago baseball.

"We're focused on what we're doing," Hahn insisted. "We feel we have a good thing going."

Then, as Hawk Harrelson says, "Don't stop now, boys."

Hahn, vice president Kenny Williams and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf have to keep upgrading the Sox.

For starters, so to speak, find a reliable pitcher to replace Danks in the rotation. Beyond that, add another bat to lengthen the lineup.

After paying off Danks, will the Sox have the cash to fill those needs?

"We'll certainly see," Hahn said, noting that money was made available in similar situations in the past.

Love in baseball terms is commitment. Sox players have demonstrated it, and the front office has to keep matching it.

mimrem@dailyherald.com

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.