Wasserman's nerve impresses Guillen
Last week, manager Ozzie Guillen said all-star closer Bobby Jenks is the only White Sox relief pitcher assured of returning in 2008.
The list has been updated: Ehren Wasserman also is looking like a keeper.
"Cold blood,'' Guillen said of the rookie. "He doesn't care who is hitting or what the situation is. He goes out there and throws strikes. He doesn't have the best stuff physically, but he could have the best stuff mentally.''
Wasserman showed his value against the Tigers at Detroit on Thursday.
With the Sox holding a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth, Ryan Bukvich came out of the bullpen and walked leadoff hitter Placido Polanco.
The struggling Bukvich was pulled, and Wasserman came on and struck out Gary Sheffield and Magglio Ordonez before giving way to Boone Logan.
Since coming up from Class AAA Charlotte in mid-July, Wasserman has a 2.70 ERA. In his last 23 appearances, he has allowed just 3 earned runs in 18¿ innings.
"I don't know if I've met my expectations since coming up here,'' Wasserman said. "I just want to go out and throw strikes and get ahead of people, make them put the ball in play. The defense has played very well behind me.''
Wasserman, who has an unorthodox delivery, isn't looking too far ahead despite his success this season.
"That's a tough question,'' Wasserman said when asked if he expects to be with the White Sox next year. "I don't know. We still have to finish this season, and I want to finish as strong as I can.''
Wasserman was spotted by the Sox at a tryout camp. He signed a minor-league contract July 16, 2003, and steadily progressed through the system.
"This guy was nobody,'' Guillen said. "All of a sudden, he shows up and performs. It's pretty impressive.''
Practice makes perfect: It has been a long season for Josh Fields.
The rookie started the year playing third base at Class AAA Charlotte. Now, he's playing left field for the White Sox.
While he still needs a lot of work in left field, Fields said he's not interested in playing winter ball. But the Sox think he'd benefit from going to the Instructional League at the end of the season.
"It's better for him to get better in the outfield,'' Ozzie Guillen said. "It doesn't mean he's going to be our left fielder, but be prepared just in case that's the scenario.''
Rumor mill: The White Sox are expected to be shopping for a new center fielder this off-season, and the Twins' Torii Hunter is headed toward the free-agent market.
"I can't say what I feel because I might get in trouble,'' Ozzie Guillen said. "Everybody wants that guy. I wish I could be Torii Hunter's agent.''
Hunter's expected asking price, $75 million over five years, figures to quickly quell the White Sox' interest.
"He has to go wherever will pay the best,'' Guillen said. "He's going to go where the cash is, forget about it.''