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White Sox GM assesses his team, and what's ahead

Are the White Sox going through a June swoon?

Or, are they simply treading water and gearing up for a better grip in the second half?

“It's nice we're in it and we're competing,” Sox captain Paul Konerko said before Monday night's 12-3 loss to the Cubs. “It's still kind of early, but it's starting to get to that midpoint.

“I think there's going to be a lot of momentum shifts as we go. It's probably going to take, with that many teams bunched up, as you get into the season more there's going to be some teams that fall to the wayside.

“Hopefully we're not one of them. You just have to try to mentally prepare … and don't kill yourself every night if we don't win. But at the same time you realize how important every game is.”

The White Sox looked like the real deal while winning nine in a row between May 23-June 1.

Lately they've looked real mediocre, and the Sox headed into Round 2 of their interleague matchup against the Cubs having lost four straight series. Despite the slide, the White Sox have been running first in the AL Central since May 29.

That's not too shabby, especially when you consider Sports Illustrated picked them to lose 95 games and finish in last place.

Before Monday night's crowd of 33,215 was announced at U.S. Cellular Field, Sox general manager Kenny Williams didn't feel like getting into attendance issues again.

“I don't want to expound because then I get buried because I'm crying about money and things,” Williams said. “I don't want to do it, but yes.”

Yes, as in poor attendance is still an issue when it comes to adding some needed talent through trades.

Maybe it's the economy. Maybe it's the premium ticket prices. Maybe it's the lousy traffic or apathy from a miserable 2011 season.

Or, as one recent e-mailer suggested, maybe the lack of a full-time organist is keeping Sox fans away — in droves.

The emailer was serious, but I kid. And don't be crying when Williams doesn't pull the trigger on a deal or two at the July 31 deadline.

When injured starter John Danks (shoulder) does return for the disabled list, likely at some point in July, that should be a key addition for the White Sox.

But after that look for Williams to roll the dice on inexpensive outsiders like Orlando Hudson, assuming he rolls at all.

“We're still going to look at potential places where we can improve the club,” Williams said. “But you've got to be careful with that because once guys start to believe in themselves as a unit … you've got to be careful not to disrupt that chemistry. Right now it's pretty good.”

The White Sox' offense has been great since the middle of May, but the pitching staff has got to be more than Chris Sale, Jake Peavy, Jose Quintana and Nate Jones, who was shelled by the Cubs on Monday in a rare poor relief outing.

“We keep waiting and we see little things that are signs of progress,” Williams said. “Then, you'll see the little blip on the radar here and there.

“We look at it optimistically. The great thing is we've been able to bring some of these young guys in, whether it be in the bullpen, or in the case of Quintana, into the mix, and he's performed great.

“We continue to allow ourselves the best opportunity by putting the quality starters out there. At the same time, we've been able to protect our guys, too.

Jake Peavy and Chris Sale, we're going to need them at the end of the season. John Danks has had a pretty good rest now. He'll be a factor as well.

“We've basically had those guys on a college schedule, pitching once every six days, once every seven days on occasion.”

sgregor@dailyherald.com

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