Williams conspicuous by his absence
Kenny Williams has not been spotted around U.S. Cellular Field the past few days.
That could mean one of two things. Nothing ... or Williams is working overtime on the phones trying to make a trade before Saturday's 3 p.m. deadline.
On Monday, Williams said he'd run trade proposals by his coaching staff before forging ahead. Manager Ozzie Guillen - who is honest to a fault - said he hasn't even seen Williams "the last two or three days."
The rumors continued to fly on Thursday, with conflicting reports on Washington Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn.
Other rumors have the Sox interested in Houston's Lance Berkman and Colorado's Brad Hawpe, with Milwaukee's Prince Fielder now off the market.
The White Sox had another big offensive night against the Mariners on Thursday, and Guillen again said he'd be happy if Williams stood pat.
"All the rumors are going to be out there until (Sunday) so we've got to deal with them," Guillen said. "I expect it to stay the same way. I believe so. I think if Carlos (Quentin) swings the bat the way he did a couple weeks ago, we're set. Everybody has to pull it together. We have to go and continue to do what we're doing and see what happens.
"I don't think Kenny will make a move just to make a move. He has to make a move because that's his style. I think he will make a move if we really desperately need it. When you make a move you've got to try to say who are the people who we're going to bring in, who we're going to lose, what's our future, what's our present? There are so many things involved, and I bet you he is doing all those things."
Tough challenge: If the Sox want to keep their home winning streak going, they'll have to figure out a way to beat the A's, who are at U.S. Cellular Field this weekend.
Oakland is short on offensive pop, but a young pitching staff has helped the Athletics stay alive in the AL West.
The White Sox lost two of three at Oakland last weekend.
"Oakland has a good pitching staff," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I think the reason they play the way they play is because their pitching staff is solid. Especially the second half of the season, it's better. I thought we had a couple chances to score some runs and we couldn't. I don't think people give them credit, because they pitch very well."
Minor matters: In Thursday night's 2-0 loss at Louisville, Class AAA Charlotte starter Carlos Torres pitched 5 scoreless innings and allowed 2 hits while lowering his ERA to 3.41.
Left-handed reliever Chris Sale, the Sox' first-round draft pick last month, struck out both batters he faced.