White Sox still sifting over options as trade deadline nears
The White Sox made a big run at this time last season, winning seven straight and pulling to 49-50.
With the nonwaiver trade deadline looming, general manager Rick Hahn opted to keep Jeff Samardzija and some other veteran pieces and make a playoff push.
The strategy failed, as the Sox went 27-36 the rest of the way and missed the postseason for the seventh straight year.
Last Thursday, Hahn gave the impression it was time to go in a different direction and possibly rebuild.
The White Sox were 46-48 at the time, and two more losses to the Tigers dropped them to 46-50.
After beating the Cubs 3-0 Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, the Sox are back at .500.
Are they going to shift gears like last year, keep the roster intact in front of Monday's nonwaiver trade deadline and take another shot at the playoffs?
"I think you have the conversations," said White Sox Vice President Kenny Williams. "Rick is having all the conversations, most of them are coming his way in terms of teams calling him. We'll sit down after he kind of gets his game plan together and we'll discuss and debate, like we always have.
"You say that we're going to be buyers or sellers or both, we just don't know."
Lawrie headed to DL:
Out since last Thursday with a hamstring strain, second baseman Brett Lawrie is expected to go on the disabled today.
Carlos Sanchez is coming up from Class AAA Charlotte to take Lawrie's spot.
"It just seemed like he was going backward today," manager Robin Ventura said. "There's no way you can go over there (Wrigley Field) and play the National League rules with nobody on the bench."
Uniform decision:
It's been a strange stretch for White Sox throwback uniforms.
Chris Sale cut up the 1976 jerseys the Sox were supposed to wear Saturday, getting a five-day suspension in the process.
The White Sox have gone with the 1983 throwbacks the last four games and won them all. They play the Cubs at Wrigley Field today and Thursday and have to wear their road uniforms.
"Can't wear them (1983s) tomorrow," Robin Ventura said. "If we could, I think we would. But we can't, so we won't."
Rodon ready?
On the disabled list since July 6 with a sprained left wrist, starting pitcher Carlos Rodon appears ready to return to the White Sox's rotation after making a rehab start for Class AAA Charlotte Monday night.
"Everything responded well," Rodon said. "Just looking forward to this next start here."
Rodon faced Louisville Monday and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits and 2 walks in 3.2 innings. The lefty also had 3 strikeouts.
The Sox play at Minnesota this weekend, and Rodon should be back on the mound in the series against the Twins.