Ostrowski: If White Sox have a plan, we've seen no clear sign of it
Is there a new plan yet? Have the Sox scrapped their three year plan in season two? Maybe?
The perception is this organization doesn't have any clear direction. Trading Zach Duke doesn't show the fan base that real change is coming to the south side.
In a Saturday appearance on WSCR, 670-AM, General Manager Rick Hahn addressed the team's trade deadline activity or lack thereof. "We had a lot of conversations across a number of different players on our roster. Ranging from the elite starters to guys who were under control beyond the 2016 season, through 2017 only."
Translation: The Sox were in trade talks involving Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, Melky Cabrera, and possibly David Robertson.
Keeping Sale and Quintana for now made sense for multiple reasons.
If the White Sox were to deal one of their aces, they would've needed multiple position players at and/or near the major league level in return.
That's asking a team in the playoff race to remove player(s) from their everyday lineup, creating a hole without the benefit of free agency to fill those gaps.
If a blockbuster trade happens, it would most likely take place in the offseason, given one of the worst starting pitcher markets of all time.
Sticking with the rest of the roster was also a simple explanation. Fans wanted to see movement of players with some value to signal a rebuild. They didn't get it because Hahn's roster is poor and you need a dance partner.
Why deal for Robertson and bad money for two and a half years when you're in search of a ring? Just give up more and get Aroldis Chapman, Mark Melancon, or Andrew Miller.
Trade for Cabrera and pay him $15 million next year? No. I'll take rentals Carlos Beltran, Josh Reddick with Rich Hill, or Jay Bruce. The Mets can also keep Bruce or just buy him out at a low cost.
Bring in Todd Frazier and his history of losing power in the second half? Pass. The only third baseman of note that moved was Matt Duffy from San Francisco to Tampa Bay.
The Rays weren't in the market for this position, but they added a 25 year old, under control through 2020 in the Matt Moore trade.
The fear is the Sox finish out this three year plan. Fire bench coach Mark Parent last year and move on from manager Robin Ventura this year. Hope for bounce-back seasons from Jose Abreu, Frazier, and Robertson. Sell the good James Shields to the fans if he opts in. Try again at catcher and find a center fielder.
If you think this isn't in play, you haven't been paying attention to White Sox business.
Meanwhile, Adam Eaton has a new locker. It got too cold for Eaton in August due to a vent. Add it to the list with Sale's throwback uniforms, Drake LaRoche, and refusing to tip clubhouse attendants because they disagreed with Seattle's policy.
This team's focus is right where it should be.
• Joe Ostrowski is a co-host of the "Hit & Run" baseball show from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on WSCR 670-AM The Score with Barry Rozner. Follow him on Twitter@JoeO670.