Gregor: Sox GM has 3 choices after brutal weekend in Kansas City

So, I set out to write about the pros and cons of the Chicago White Sox reportedly being close to trading for San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields.

But after another gut-punch loss to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday - after another colossal meltdown by the Sox's bullpen - addressing the Shields situation would be like whistling through the graveyard.

Teams in pursuit of a workhorse starter like Shields have earned the right to add a player that is a difference-maker, and the White Sox do not fit that profile.

And let's be honest, the Sox didn't just run into a little lousy luck at Kansas City.

After roaring out to their best start in a decade - they were 23-10 on May 9 - the White Sox have quickly faded while losing 14 of their last 18 games.

The slide was initially pinned on the offense, which scored 3 runs or less in nine of those games.

Now, the blame has shifted to the bullpen.

In April, Sox relievers were 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA. In May, they're 1-7 with a 4.92 ERA.

The White Sox were in first place in the AL Central from April 23 through Friday, but they've dropped into third like a weighted rock.

So let's leave the Shields stuff over on the side and ask the obvious question.

What now, Sox? What now?

I was hoping general manager Rick Hahn would help me on this one, but he did not respond to an interview request after Sunday's 5-4 loss to a Royals team that was missing injured Alex Gordon, Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez.

Hahn did not respond, and I don't really blame him.

After a lost weekend like the White Sox just swilled, the GM is probably trying to figure out what the heck happened.

When he's done sifting through the rubble, Hahn is likely going to do one of three things.

Stay patient

Give Hahn credit for understanding the marathon length of the major-league season and not overreacting to bad stretches of performance.

While most Sox fans are understandably feeling nothing but doom and gloom at the moment, Hahn might see a team that still has a winning record (27-24) and the talent to play like it did in April and early May.

Keep tinkering

At the start of the White Sox's last homestand, Hahn vowed to keep making positive additions to the roster, and Shields would definitely bolster the rotation.

Shields also has the ability to pitch deep into games - he had 11 complete games in 2011 - and that instantly takes pressure off a battered bullpen.

The Sox's recent slide might have shifted Hahn from a buyer to seller, but again, he is a very patient GM.

Fire the manager

Robin Ventura is in the last year of his contract, and he's been in the dugout for three straight losing seasons.

Hahn placed the blame squarely on the players after the Sox went 76-86 with a revamped roster in 2015, but managers ultimately pay the price when the losses pile up.

Bad bullpens typically get managers fired before anything else, and the White Sox have a very bad bullpen at the moment.

Scouting report

White Sox vs. New York Mets at Citi Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet/ESPN today; Comcast SportsNet Tuesday; WGN Wednesday<span title="charref:8"></span>

Radio: WLS 890-AM

Pitching matchups: The Sox's Jose Quintana (5-4) vs. Matt Harvey (3-7) today at 12:10 p.m.; Mat Latos (6-1) vs. Steven Matz (7-1) Tuesday at 6:10 p.m.; Miguel Gonzalez (0-1) vs. Jacob deGrom (3-1) Wednesday at 12:10 p.m.

At a glance: The Sox's bullpen has been in steady decline since a miraculous April, and the relief corps blew leads in all three games against the Royals while allowing a staggering 14 earned runs in 6.1 innings. The team will somehow try to pick up the pieces against the Mets, who lost to Kansas City in last season's World Series. Heading into Sunday night's game against the Dodgers, New York was in second place in the NL East, a half-game behind the Nationals. Yoenis Cespedes was leading the NL with 15 home runs and was tied for third with 36 RBI. Sox third baseman Todd Frazier is tied for first in the AL with 15 homers. Quintana has lost his last three starts while allowing 9 earned runs in 19⅓ innings. Harvey is in danger of losing his spot in the Mets' rotation after giving up 16 earned runs in 13⅓ innings over his last three starts. The Sox last played the Mets in 2013, going 1-1 at U.S. Cellular Field and 1-1 at Citi Field.

Next: Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, Friday-Sunday

<span title="charref:8"></span> - Scot Gregor