At least Sox, Cubs haven't been dull

It's been about 15 years since Chicago baseball fans went into a season with such low expectations on both sides of town.

And as the White Sox and Cubs meet this weekend for the first of two series, a cynic might suggest that both clubs have met expectations thus far, but the baseball reality is both teams have been better than most experts predicted.

That ain't saying much - but it's something.

The Cubs and Sox have been at times entertaining and at all times interesting for myriad reasons.

So if you haven't paid attention to Chicago baseball thus far, you've missed some thought-provoking situations and fine performances, but it's hardly too late to get involved.

Here are some players, managers and execs to watch this weekend and over the summer, at least until Bears training camp begins:

The GMs

Theo Epstein has the easier path right now, knowing his job is to sell off as many parts as possible as fast as he can, maximizing return and saving dollars.

While he waits for the market to develop, Epstein and his crew are working nonstop on draft preparation. They pick sixth and should get a good player.

Ken Williams is caught in between, unable to rebuild last winter and now staying on the heels of Detroit, which has yet to hit its stride.

The longer the Sox hang around, the more difficult it is for Williams to move assets, like starter Jake Peavy. At the same time, it doesn't seem likely that he'll have cash on hand to bring in help at the trade deadline.

The managers

Off the field, Robin Ventura's easygoing nature has been a godsend for a roster desperately in need of peace and quiet after years of turbulence. During games, he's definitely a work in progress. Not a surprise since he has never managed.

Dale Sveum has been impressive in many ways. He is always prepared, and his defensive shifting has been intriguing and successful. He's blameless in the Kerry Wood fiasco, which rests only with Tom Ricketts.

The sluggers

The return to Major League Baseball of Adam Dunn has made the Sox worth watching this season. Dunn has been terrific and exactly what the Sox thought they were getting a year ago.

There aren't many better stories in baseball this season than Bryan LaHair.

At 29, LaHair is finally getting a chance to play and he's given the Cubs a healthy portion of their offense thus far.

In about three weeks, he'll have had more major-league at-bats this year than he had in his entire career before this season. If the Cubs could ever get Alfonso Soriano off the roster, they would consider LaHair in left when they call up Anthony Rizzo to play first.

The kids

Cubs fans will take a lot more interest in their club when Rizzo and Brett Jackson get here, and that will probably happen at some point this season.

Sox fans can already point to relievers Addison Reed, Hector Santiago and Nate Jones as a portion of the future that's already here.

Contract years

Peavy has a $22 million club option for 2013 that the Sox won't touch, and a $4 million buyout, so he's pitching for his next contract right now. Gavin Floyd and A.J. Pierzynski also will be free agents after the season.

Ryan Dempster has been superb as he looks for one more fat contract after this season, and Paul Maholm has a $6.5 million club option for next year that the Cubs will certainly exercise if he keeps throwing the way he has the last few starts.

The consistent

Paul Konerko, at 36, shows no signs of slowing down, and if he can stay healthy he's got a legit shot at the Hall of Fame.

Starlin Castro's defense continues to be awful, but offensively he's a machine. Just about two full years into his major-league career, the 22-year-old Castro has a 162-game average of 200 hits. If he keeps that up he will be at 2,000 hits by age 30.

Just to give you an idea of where that would put him, at age 30 Pete Rose had 1,724 hits and Yanks shortstop Derek Jeter had 1,734.

The disappointments

No one's had a bigger malfunction than Sox starter John Danks, who has been atrocious after signing a big contract.

The Cubs' Chris Volstad probably was facing his last chance Thursday night against the Phillies, having pretty much pitched his way out of the rotation.

As for Brent Morel, Gordon Beckham, Geovany Soto, Ian Stewart, Carlos Marmol and Wood, what did you really expect?

At least Beckham and Stewart can point to their excellent defense for reasons to have them on the field.

The bizarre

Nothing was as odd as the Chris Sale situation, though Sveum trying to manage the Wood debacle is fascinating.

The good

Peavy, Dempster and Matt Garza have all been fantastic, and all could be pitching somewhere else next week, next month or next year.

The surprises

Phil Humber was perfect for a day, only the 21st time it's occurred in major-league history.

Jeff Samardzija has been brilliant as a starter, making Epstein and Jim Hendry look smart in the process.

Alex Rios is proving he might have something left, and Tony Campana is getting on base this season, though it's only been a couple dozen games for him.

And finally …

Approaching the quarter mark of the season, the White Sox are still in the AL Central race, and after a 3-11 start the Cubs have played at least .500 baseball or better at times.

Considering the expectations, it hasn't been a terrible baseball season.

Sounds like the perfect billboard slogan.

brozner@dailyherald.com

ŸListen to Barry Rozner from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on the Score's "Hit and Run" show at WSCR 670-AM, and follow him @BarryRozner on Twitter.