North: Time for White Sox to find their identity
I'm watching with amazement all the news about ace White Sox pitcher Chris Sale and possible proposed trades.
Let me go on record as saying the Chicago White Sox should not deal either of their two best pitchers: Sale or José Quintana.
They should both stay.
If 2014 and 2016 American League MVP Mike Trout is available, however, then let's talk.
In the meantime, please tell me what other trade would benefit the White Sox enough to justify losing Sale.
I know there are people who believes that Sale isn't worth what the Sox are asking. That's their opinion, but some teams are listening.
The White Sox might be a public entity, but their front office keeps everything as private as possible. While chairman Jerry Reinsdorf likes peace with his White Sox team, let me remind everyone that their 2005 World Series championship was fraught with "noise" led by the outspoken Ozzie Guillen.
Ozzie and I had our differences as well, but I would have considered bringing him back. I'm sure he has learned a few things over time, and could be successful again here.
Yes, maybe he burned a bridge or two, but holding grudges accomplishes nothing and shouldn't stop a sound business decision.
No one can deny what he accomplished here, and Ozzie was the face of the franchise and the Sox had an identity under him.
Now the White Sox have lost that identity along with some of their fan base.
I don't believe that hiring Rick Renteria has moved the needle for this franchise. Sox fans - or some former White Sox fans I talk to - feel hopeless, and the behemoth and fan-friendly Cubs have cast a giant shadow over the South Side ballclub.
There is so much anger toward the Cubs that a recent leak, real or not, that the Sox wouldn't make any deals with the Cubs created a firestorm. Then a statement had to be released by general manager Rick Hahn that the Sox would be willing to make a deal with the Cubs and any MLB team.
All I ask is they get it straight one way or another. I've been a White Sox fan for more than 50 years, but someone has to say it: The White Sox don't know who they are, what they want to be or what they want to become.
Someone in the organization has to step up and be a leader if they want to turn things around.
Programming:
I started a new podcast on Monday called "Sticks and Stones," which is produced by Gow Media. You can get it on podcast arena.com, audio boom and iTunes. I will also tweet a link @north2north. Check it out and let me know what you think.
• Follow Mike North on Twitter @north2north. His column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.