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Chicago White Sox not about to change plan

In 2016, Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn waited until July 21 to deliver his most measured quote of the season,

With the Sox steadily sinking after a fast start, Hahn finally snapped.

"We're mired in mediocrity," said the typically reserved GM. "That's not the goal. That's not acceptable."

Acting on the strong statement, Hahn dealt veteran relief pitcher Zach Duke to the St. Louis Cardinals for young center fielder Charlie Tilson 10 days later, and the first rebuild on chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's watch was on.

It's still on, even though it has been five months since Chris Sale and Adam Eaton were traded for a total of seven prospects in a two-day span.

Hahn didn't wait nearly as long to deliver his most measured quote of the current season. It came on Opening Day, and this is a perfect time for a review.

"It's tough to serve two masters," Hahn said.

Here is what Hahn meant, and still means: The White Sox aren't expecting to rebuild and contend at the same time.

Give the Sox credit for playing better than expected baseball over their first 26 games of the season, Wednesday night's 6-1 loss to the Royals aside. Give them credit for being in first place in the AL Central for three days. Given them credit for responding to Rick Renteria's detail-oriented style of managing.

Just don't get overly excited, or expect the White Sox to start adding veteran players again.

"We all, whether they're in uniform or in the front office or White Sox fans or whatever, we want to win," Hahn said. "Any individual game we're watching, we're going to want to win that ballgame. At the same time, there might be stretches where those are few and far between, so we have to remain vigilant about what we're trying to accomplish for the long-term and stick to that plan."

Part of the plan is working very well.

While established performers such as starting pitcher Jose Quintana, closer David Robertson, left fielder Melky Cabrera and third baseman Todd Frazier remain viable trade candidates as the July 31 nonwaiver deadline inches closer, surprise starters Derek Holland (2-2, 2.17 ERA) and Miguel Gonzalez (3-1, 3.27) might also drum up outside interest.

Ditto for relief pitchers Tommy Kahnle (1.00 ERA, 19 strikeouts in 9 innings) and Yankees castoff Anthony Swarzak, who is unscored upon in 13⅓ innings.

"Picking higher in the draft tends to make things better for you," Hahn said. "At the same time, players on this club doing well, enhancing their trade value, although that might lead to more wins for this team over the course of the year and thereby lead to worse draft position, it could conceivably move this rebuild ahead more quickly as well."

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