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Ventura doesn't expect White Sox to sell as trade deadline approaches

The nonwaiver trade deadline is Monday, trade talk is heating up and the White Sox are completely calm.

Late last week, general manager Rick Hahn described the Sox as being "mired in mediocrity." He did not rule anything out, except trading for players before Monday to help in a playoff push.

Here is where the White Sox are sitting.

If a legitimate contender wants to send the Sox four or five quality young players for Chris Sale or Jose Quintana, Hahn just might bite.

If Hahn wants to let the White Sox play out the season with the current roster, maybe they get hot and sneak into the playoffs as a wild-card team.

But if the Sox stand put and fade like they did last year, Hahn can probably get more trade value for Sale, Quintana and any other veteran player in the off-season.

Manager Robin Ventura doesn't think the White Sox are going to look any different next weekend when they return to U.S. Cellular Field after playing at Minnesota and Detroit.

"We have some guys that I think people want," Ventura said. "I think our guys should look at it as a nice thing that people are calling and asking about you because that means people want you. But I don't want to see anybody go out of here. I don't think that's going to happen."

Wrigley return:

Bench coach Rick Renteria had a bittersweet time at Wrigley Field on Wednesday and Thursday.

Renteria, currently the White Sox's bench coach, managed the Cubs in 2014. He had two more years on his contract but was fired when current manager Joe Maddon became available.

At U.S. Cellular Field Monday and Tuesday and then Wrigley the next two days, Renteria enjoyed catching up with old Cubs players and coaches.

"There's still a few guys over there," Renteria said. "It's been nice to see them. The kids that were there have extended their hand a little to say hello. You saw them when they were developing but for the most part, once the game starts you see them as an opponent, it becomes a different place and you're just trying to compete."

With manager Robin Ventura in the final year of his contract, Renteria is an obvious replacement candidate if the White Sox make a change at the end of the season.

Once again, Renteria was not comfortable discussing the possibility.

"I came out here to do the job I'm doing right now," he said. "I've always believed that whatever goes on after that kind of takes care of itself. You can't really control those things and that's how I'm viewing it. I'm happy to be doing what I'm doing right now and whatever comes in the future comes in the future."

Rodon return:

On the disabled list with a sprained left wrist, Carlos Rodon is positioned to make his first start since July 5 on Sunday at Minnesota.

Anthony Ranaudo, who pitched well in a spot start Wednesday night against the Cubs, was optioned back to Class AAA Charlotte Thursday.

Rodon threw 58 pitches over 3⅔ innings Monday night in a rehab start with Charlotte.

"He felt pretty good," manager Robin Ventura said. "We're going to hold off on that until we get a better idea about him tomorrow."

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