Headlines of July 17, 2015 “White Sox lookback, Part 7: The parade” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox find a new radio home” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox pitching marvels over 'very top of the line' ” … Colleen Kane, Tribune “2005 White Sox relive their championship” … Paul Skrbina, “Cubs or Sox: Who's winning the WAR? … Rebecca Halleck and Kyle Betts, Chicago Tribune “Memories of Sox championship season still smolder” … John Kass, Chicago Tribune ““Second chance for ?” … Scot Gregor, The Daily Herald” “White Sox bat men can take pressure off ” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “White Sox, Bulls announce radio broadcast agreement with WLS” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Happy anniversary: reunion weekend on tap” … Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago “White Sox enter second half at a crossroads” … Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago “Bulls, White Sox reach deal with WLS AM 890” … Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago “White Sox moving into second half at 100 mph” … Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago “White Sox: Five things to watch in second half” … Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago “Today on CSN: Samardzija, White Sox square off with Royals” … CSN Chicago “Chris Sale: White Sox must play through distractions as deadline approaches” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “How the A's have fared in deal with White Sox” … CSN Chicago

White Sox lookback, Part 7: The parade

Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | July 16th, 2015

The White Sox will be honoring the 10-year anniversary of the team's 2005 World Series championship this weekend at U.S. Cellular Field. And this latest celebration presents a chance to look back at key moments from that postseason , with a special focus on the World Series, with the words coming primarily from the participants themselves.

Trips to the Oprah Winfrey Show for members of the team and an appearance on Saturday Night Live for followed. But nothing could compare to the victory parade. The White Sox won on a Wednesday and had little time to prepare for the outpouring of love and genuine euphoria coming two days later throughout the streets of Chicago.

White Sox captain and : "As a player, you are like, 'What does the All- Star Game look like? What does the World Series look like?' If you've never been to one, you can kind of imagine close to what it's like before you go. If you go, it's kind of in the ballpark of what you thought.

Konerko: "You spend your whole life thinking about getting to the World Series and the big leagues. We thought about the parade for a day. Nobody thinks about the parade well in advance. No team is out there going, 'I wonder what the 2016 parade is like?'

Konerko: "There's no lead time to think about it, so when you are in the face with it, it makes you feel small. It was like, if we would have known something like that was on the end if we win this thing, we would have been nervous. You don't realize how many people cared about it.

Konerko: "When that parade happened, I think I speak for everyone on the team, you don't realize how many you touch with something like that. That's a good thing we didn't know while doing it because it would have made you maybe think more. But you just played the game. Now that it's over, you realize."

The highlight of the parade festivities came when Konerko reached into his jacket and gave Reinsdorf the ball from the last out from the clinching Game 4. Konerko said that Reinsdorf had earned it and deserved it. An emotional Reinsdorf said it was the greatest moment of his life, a comment which he admitted in humorous fashion at SoxFest 2015 that he heard about from his wife.

Reinsdorf: "That was incredible, especially when you think about what had happened the year before, when [Doug] Mientkiewicz and the Red Sox got in a big dispute about it. I never really thought about where the last ball was. If someone had said, 'Where is the last ball,' I would have assumed Paulie has got it because he caught it. I never would have made an issue about it. As far as I was concerned, if he caught the ball, it was his ball."

At Konerko's retirement ceremony on the final Saturday night of the 2014 season, Reinsdorf joked that he wasn't giving back the ball from the last out. The White Sox did track down the ball from Konerko's in Game 2.

White Sox find a new radio home

Scott Merkin / MLB.com | July 16th, 2015

A joint statement released Thursday by the White Sox, the Chicago Bulls and Cumulus Media, Inc., announced that WLS- AM 890 has been chosen as the new flagship radio station via a multiyear agreement. White Sox coverage will begin airing on WLS in 2016, and Bulls coverage will start with the 2016-17 NBA season. Both deals run through 2021.

This agreement includes all White Sox regular-season and postseason games, select and exhibition games, as well as weekly original programming.

"Cumulus Media and WLS-AM 890 are honored to become the radio home of the Bulls and White Sox, two of Chicago's very best sports brands," said Peter Bowen, vice president and market manager of Cumulus Media's Chicago operations, in Thursday's release. "Adding both teams to our programming schedule allows us to continue to capitalize on the strong growth and success Cumulus is enjoying in the Chicago market."

In addition to WLS-AM 890, Chicago stations in the Cumulus family include WLS-FM 94.7, WLUP FM 97.9 and WKQX-FM 101.1.

During a recent interview with MLB.com, White Sox senior vice president of sales and marketing Brooks Boyer spoke of how the team's priority was to find the right radio home. The White Sox are in the midst of their second five-year deal with WSCR 670 AM, a partnership for which Boyer had great praise, despite it coming to an end. Boyer was quoted in Thursday's release about the team's excitement to partner with Cumulus and WLS-AM 890.

In the broadcast booth, Ken "Hawk" Harrelson and , who are on the television side, and Ed Farmer and Darrin Jackson, who are on the radio side, all have contracts that are up at the end of this season. Harrelson, the iconic television voice with 31 seasons of experience in the television booth, talked last year about possibly cutting back on some road games in the 2015 season. But he stayed on the full schedule, with the excitement brought about by general manager Rick Hahn's offseason moves.

"We said we were going to talk in the second half. Get through the first half and see how the travel has been. We kicked it around last year, and we'll see how he feels after another year," Boyer said recently of Harrelson. "All four of them are up, and we'll talk to them here in the second half and make sure we understand what they want to do and what we want to accomplish."

"When I lose my emotion or passion, so to speak, for the game, I'm going to get out," said Harrelson during a recent interview. "As long as I've got it, I want to die right here."

White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper marvels over 'very top of the line' Chris Sale

Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune July 16, 2015 n Cooper has watched many White Sox put together great stretches in his time as their coach over the years.

He noted Esteban Loaiza's 21-victory season in 2003 and Jose Contreras' stretch between the All-Star breaks in 2005 and 2006, in the middle of which he helped the Sox to the World Series championship. He talked about 's streak of retiring 45 straight batters and ' streak of 41.

So how does Chris Sale's recent stretch of 113 over his last 10 starts compare in overall impressiveness? It has more "flair," Cooper said.

"Sale has a little bit more shine because of the strikeouts," Cooper said. "It's probably the best streak as far as strikeouts, consistency and dominance."

As the Sox and Sale emerge from the All-Star break this weekend for a four-game series against the Royals, starting with a split Friday, Cooper also added a challenge to that compliment.

"But his is a half (season)," he said. "Loaiza did it in a full season. Contreras did it over a full season. And now Chris and everybody else has X amount of games to go and nail down a great season for themselves and hopefully get us into the wild card or the playoffs."

Starting pitching is one of the primary reasons the Sox went into the break on a hot streak and, unless the offense suddenly picks up steam, the club needs it to stay excellent to make the steep climb into contention.

Up next: Royals at White Sox Up next: Royals at White Sox While Cooper pointed to some "lemons" for all of his pitchers, especially early in the season, Sox hurlers posted some of the best numbers in the majors in their 11 in July games before the break. The club's collective 2.07 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and .195 opponent average in that span all ranked second.

Cooper credited his pitchers' desire to win and pitch their best, but also an improved defense that hasn't compounded the staff's mistakes as often as it did early in the year.

"Since we brought up (second baseman Carlos) Sanchez, our defense has been much better," Cooper said. "Pitching and defense go together. If you have a mediocre staff, you're going to make them better with good defense. If you have a good staff, you're going to make them real tough with good defense.

"They know that right now we need to be as stingy as possible and give our offense a chance to come around, and now we're showing signs of timely hitting."

Sale, coming off an All-Star Game in which he didn't pitch, will be well rested upon his return and Cooper thinks more people should come to see his performance.

Cooper hasn't been shy about requesting better attendance from fans over the years, and he thinks U.S. Cellular Field should be packed on days Sale pitches. He noted how he used to go to watch Yankees greats when he was a kid even though he wasn't a fan of the team.

"I scratch my head a little bit at baseball fans in general not coming out to watch something special going on," Cooper said. "He's capable of anything on the day he goes out there. … Baseball fans in Chicago, in their own backyard, have somebody at the very top of the line at the moment — and really over the last four years. It surprises me he doesn't get more people to come out and give him support."

Extra innings: -A Birmingham Frankie Montas is expected to join the Sox as the 26th man for their doubleheader Friday against the Royals. … Sox reliever was transferred to Birmingham for his rehab assignment as -A Charlotte was on its All-Star break. … The Sox officially announced they will move their radio broadcasts to WLS-AM 890 for next season through 2021.

2005 White Sox relive their World Series championship

Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune July 16, 2015

Ten years ago, on a late-October night in , the White Sox delivered a World Series championship to a city starved for one. The miracle on 35th Street erased an 88-year absence of baseball triumph on the South Side, but many weren't expecting it to happen in 2005. Then the "Don't Stop Believin'" Sox led the Central wire-to-wire and overwhelmed opponents during an 11-1 postseason run.

Many players from that 2005 team will be in Chicago this weekend to celebrate the achievement during a reunion at U.S. Cellular Field. The Tribune caught up with some of the team's key figures, who shared some of their favorite memories from that remarkable season. The first installment, in Sunday's editions, covered the season through the AL Championship Series. This final installment deals with the World Series and its aftermath.

Jenks gets job done

With the Red Sox and Angels eliminated, the White Sox had their sights set on ending the championship drought. They won Game 1 of the World Series against the Astros 5-3. broke a 3-3 tie with a in the fourth inning and made game-saving plays in the sixth and seventh at third base. In the eighth, manager Ozzie Guillen stretched both of his arms to his sides to summon closer Bobby Jenks from the to face Jeff Bagwell with two outs and the tying run on third. Jenks struck him out and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

•Jenks: It's Jeff freakin' Bagwell. He (should be) a Hall of Famer. The guy has been around. He has done some things. But I knew what our game plan was. The defining moment, it wasn't that at-bat. It was coming in the next inning and going 1, 2, 3. That's when my confidence level shot through the roof and I said, "This could be the time."

•Guillen: When you call him the big and fat guy when you're doing good, it's OK. But when you're not doing good. … I have two guys in the bullpen. I didn't want to make a mistake with the umpires. That's why I sign like that. I think it's a trademark for him or me.

•Jenks: It gives you guys something to talk about.

• : How many times did you look up and your jaw is on the ground? I think (Crede) saved us quite a few runs during that series.

What a blast!

As home runs go, several stand out from the 2005 World Series, including Scott Podsednik's walk-off homer and Paul Konerko's grand slam in Game 2, a 7-6 White Sox victory. Konerko's home run on the first pitch he saw from Chad Qualls gave the Sox a 6-4 lead in the seventh, but the Astros scored twice in the ninth to set up Podsednik.

•Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf: My favorite moment has to be Podsednik's home run, which followed my m-f'ing him for not throwing a guy out at the plate in the top of the ninth inning.

•Crede: I was in the tunnel when he hit it. was there with me. He hit it and we both looked at it on the screen and we both started running out of the dugout. If you look in the background of everybody celebrating, I tried to jump over the railing and just did a face-plant.

•Podsednik: It was cold and raining that night, the ball wasn't really carrying. I was just about to round first base, I saw (coach) throw his arms up. I look to right-center and saw it leave.

•Crede: Just the sound of that stadium. That's the loudest I've ever heard a stadium — NFL, NBA. To be a part of that moment … I was so happy for him.

•Reinsdorf: I'm sitting next to (general manager) Kenny (Williams), and (Podsednik) hits that ball and Kenny says, 'You gotta be bleepin' me.' We were absolutely stunned. The guy hit no home runs during the regular season.

•Podsednik: I've watched it quite a few times. I get emotional. This real neat feeling shoots through me. I've had two kids, but in terms of competition and excitement and emotional highs, obviously that was as good as it was ever going to get.

•Jenks: I just blew the . So, everyone, you're welcome for his home run.

Former White Sox player Scott Podsednik on the 2005 World Series. •Podsednik: When we took the field (after Konerko's grand slam), I remember standing out in left field looking at Paul between pitches. My eyes were just locked on him, and all this time I'm replaying in my mind, "What is it like to be that man right there? He just hit a grand slam to put his team up by (two) in the World Series." It was kind of weird that I was standing there thinking about what Paul was feeling.

•Konerko: We blew a lead in this game, we were losing early in this game, (but) we were going to find a way to win this game. We're going to win this series. It was just really urgent.

•Podsednik: I remember looking up at Ozzie. I wanted to swing 2-0. He shook his finger and said, "Don't even think about it; take one." So I took a strike right down the middle. I stepped out and said to myself, "He's probably not going to throw that 2-1. You look for that exact same pitch and be ready for it." I was sitting all the way. I got one right out over the plate, put a good swing on it and, fortunately, just didn't miss it.

•Konerko: I don't think I saw him swing. You hear the crowd and try to find the ball in the air. Most times when a ball goes up there it's a ball that goes down the line and you're trying to find what's wrong with it, like it's going to hook foul. So when it's in the air you're thinking, "Well, that can't get out." You're not thinking it's going to be what it is.

•Guillen: I don't really care about the celebration. I care about the guy who was wrong. The first thing, when he hit the home run, everybody jumped in the pile looking for Podsednik. I was looking for Bobby (Jenks). I said, "You are my man tomorrow. Be ready for that."

•Pitcher Mark Buehrle: All I remember is running out, and Pods' bat was sitting right there, and in my mind I'm like, "I'm sure he's going to want this." I grabbed it and I was in the celebration pile with the bat off to the side, like, "No one's going to take it. I'm going to give this to Pods after the game."

•Podsednik: I think I surprised everybody in Chicago that night, including myself.

Unlikely hero

Podsednik's home run wasn't the only surprise of the series. , who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Padres, took advantage of his only World Series plate appearance when he homered in the top of the 14th inning of Game 3, a 7-5 Sox victory and the longest game in Series history. Buehrle, the ninth Sox pitcher of the game, earned a save, and may or may not have had a beer or two in the clubhouse before pitching a third of an inning.

•Reinsdorf: I never saw Geoff's home run. When Geoff hit the home run, somebody got on base to lead off the inning, Konerko hit into the , I got ticked off, got up from my seat and walked back into the suite behind me. I looked at a monitor and I saw a ball going over the fence. That's all I saw.

•Blum: PK hits into that double play, and this is going to sound terrible, but there was an extreme sense of relief because there was going to be nobody on, no bunting situation. So I said, "I'm going to take at least one pitch so they have enough video to prove to my kids I actually played in the World Series."

Timing is everything. It has changed my life. My kids appreciate me a little bit more. I put the ring on and say, "Now go brush your teeth."

•Rowand: I was standing on deck when this guy went deep. It wasn't like I was surprised. It's almost like going through an entire season of seeing things like that, it gets to the point where you almost expect something to happen.

•Blum: After I think I ripped Aaron Rowand's arm off on a high-five, I looked up and I blew a kiss in the direction of where I thought would be my wife and relatives. Now, my mom and my brother are up there, they got it. But my wife, believe it or not, was in the Astros' wives' lounge. My daughter was too tired. The home run happened at 1 a.m. Central. (My wife) needed a place to go. She said it was a little noisy in the room, but as soon as the ball went out of the ballpark it went dead quiet.

•Rowand: After he hit the home run he came around and I gave him a big bear hug. I'm thinking to myself, "My at-bat doesn't mean anything now."

•Williams: Ozzie said, "All I think we need is one little thing, for this particular role." We brought up Geoff's name (at the trade deadline) and he said, "Perfect. That's the guy."

•Blum: Just to be in that ballgame, for most people that was probably a shocker. In the 13th inning a double-switch came up and I was actually playing second base, officially, which might be a little more shocking than me hitting that home run. I was in a little bit of a panic mode thinking about what was going to be expected of me. … It just so happened I got to a 2-0 count. He missed his spot by a foot-and-a-half and I just hammered it. I knew I could hit that pitch out.

•Guillen: He wasn't on the lineup card. (Pablo) Ozuna was on the lineup card because I have to make a double-switch. One of my sons says, "Blum is ready." He wasn't telling me. He was telling someone behind me. I said, "Hold on." I called Ozuna back and Blum hit the home run. All of a sudden I look up and see Blum at second base on the lineup card and I got confused.

•Pitching coach Don Cooper on Buehrle possibly having beers: That's the rumor.

•Rowand: I'm not a pitcher. I know nothing.

•Right fielder : I don't even know about that. Buehrle was ready to come in at any point — pinch run, pinch hit.

•Buehrle: I remember telling Coop during the game, "Are you going to need somebody else to go down there?" Because we used a lot of pitchers. I didn't think I was actually going to be used. A lot of it was me kind of wearing him out, asking him every inning for five innings straight. I think he got to the point where he was like, "Just get the heck out of my face and go down there. We're not going to use you, but I'm tired of you asking me." I was pretty numb the whole way running to the mound. I don't remember too much of it.

•Guillen: I don't know. I'm not a baby-sitter. I don't care what my players do (off) the field.

Dye is cast

With a 3-0 series lead, the Sox felt confident about finally bringing a championship to Chicago. World Series MVP Dye drove in the only run of Game 4 on a up the middle that scored in the eighth. One play after dived into the stands for the second-to-last out, the threw out Orlando Palmeiro at first, closer Bobby Jenks embraced A.J. Pierzynski and the 1-0 victory was secured. The team partied into the morning with Journey lead singer Steve Perry, who sang "Don't Stop Believin''', which the Sox had adopted as their theme song that season.

•Dye: I told (hitting coach) I was going to sit on a slider from (Astros pitcher Brad) Lidge. He said, "You're stupid. He throws 95 and you're going to sit slider?" Then he told me that's why I make the big bucks. There was a lot of adrenaline when that ball went up the middle. I wasn't really thinking that was going to be the run that wins the game.

•Williams: I immediately turned around to find Jerry. I was sitting in his suite. As long as I've known this man, that has been his greatest desire, to win a World Series. It was kind of an-out-of-body moment to finally see that happen. As I talk about it, it gives me chills. That one thing really stands out, along with Konerko giving him the ball at the celebration. And he says, "This is the greatest moment of my life."

•Reinsdorf: I got in a lot of trouble with that with my wife. She says, "So that was the greatest moment of your life." So I lied and I did the only thing you can do, I said, "You didn't hear me right: That was the greatest moment of my professional life."

•Williams: We're all sitting, champagne-soaked. No one had showered at that point. A few guys were sitting around a table and this other guy was sitting there. We're telling stories about the whole season and one of us asked, "Who's this guy over here?" Somebody said it was Joe (Crede's) brother or Aaron (Rowand's) brother, Aaron's cousin. Oh, OK. Forty- five minutes goes by and everyone has asked the question, "Who is that?" and has gotten a different answer.

There was somebody — and this person is probably still in Chicago telling this story — and he was in the White Sox World Series locker room, hanging out with players and everybody, telling stories and nobody believes him. But he was there, and none of us knew who he was.

•Buehrle: It was actually a little disappointing because we went back after to the hotel and were looking to continue partying, but everything was closed down. We were ready to celebrate, but it was kind of a rude ending.

•Pitcher Jose Contreras: Back in spring training, the first day that Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez was there with us, the sportswriters were around him and they asked him, "What do you think about this team?" And he said, "This is a team that will win the World Series." I was like, "Do you really think that?" He said, "Yes, I'm here to win the championship." After the World Series he said, "Hey, I told you we win the World Series."

•Jenks: (Blum and I were) doing an autograph session and one of the magazines came by and it's him jumping on my back, with his hand like this. It looks innocent, right? For about two months I had an actual claw mark in my shoulder. I had a handprint bruise and literally five finger dents in my shoulder.

•Second baseman : It's great to get to the clubhouse and see Ozzie happy and joyful and drunk at times.

•Guillen: I was not numb, not shocked, because I know what we have. I just wanted to stay away the most I can from the ballclub, like a proud papi watching their kids having success.

•Reinsdorf: It seems like yesterday. My whole life seems like yesterday. I remember I used to be the youngest kid on the block; now I'm the oldest.

•Jenks: It's fulfilling a lifelong childhood fantasy from when you're this tall. Being able to take that last inning, you can't put it in words.

•Dye: (The MVP trophy) still has all the champagne spots on it. I haven't polished it. I keep it in my game room, right next to my Gold Glove. It could have gone to anybody. It just so happened I got it. I have the bat from Game 4. Still have my jersey and my cleats. I don't have the ball.

•Pierzynski: ("Don't Stop Believin'") kind of started out as a joke. We were in Baltimore during the season, and a bunch of us were in the hotel lobby bar, and they had a piano singer. We were yelling at her to play some Journey, as a joke. And the next day in Baltimore it was a close game and they started playing "Don't Stop Believin''' and we ended up scoring, like, five or six runs. And we were like, "Yeah, play some Journey!' And it kind of just took off from there.

Time to reflect

Upon returning to Chicago from Houston, the Sox were greeted by well-wishers at the airport. A few days later, an estimated 2 million people lined the streets for the downtown victory parade. Not long after the tears of joy came tears of sadness when Aaron Rowand was traded to the Phillies.

•Guillen: I'm very freaked out to fly. The captain called me to be in the cockpit. He flew by Midway and I saw the people down there before we landed. I started to get sensitive and I started crying. I cannot believe this ballclub made so many people in this town so happy and so proud.

•Rowand: Disbelief. To see people 19-20 deep on the side of the street. That parade was probably one of the greatest days of my life. I took the time to make sure I took it in.

•Dye: We couldn't believe we clinched every series on the road. We didn't really get that good celebration with our fans until the parade. We flew back home the next day and I think it was myself and Aaron Rowand, Scott Podsednik and Frank Thomas. We all hung out on the patio at this bar on Rush Street from brunch till nighttime celebrating with all the fans.

•Rowand: Most people don't want to wear the mic. You have a wire running up your back. It's uncomfortable with your belt. I didn't realize till after we won that I was the first player to ever do it (in a World Series), so the microphone's actually in the Hall of Fame. … I'm glad I said yes.

•Guillen: When I come to my house, I have a beer and I closed the door and I fall asleep for three or four hours. It was draining. I was tired without playing.

•Konerko: We just squeaked in and then normal happened and that was it. That's how I look back at it. It's different when you're going through it, you don't know all that, but when you look back well, all that happened is we just played our game and we beat teams that weren't probably as good as us. Pretty simple.

•Rowand: We get done with the World Series and they ask Joe (Crede) and I to come back here to do the DVD unveiling when the World Series DVD came out. It was at a movie theater. All the reporters are there asking, "What about this? What about that?" And I'm going, "I wanna spend the rest of my career in Chicago." I get in the cab the next morning to go to O'Hare and I hear Bruce Levine on the radio talking about a trade rumor to Philly for . I'm like, "Yeah, right. He's way too good." Sure enough, about five days later I get a phone call from Kenny (Williams). There were tears on both ends. I didn't want to leave.

Cubs or Sox: Who's winning the WAR?

Rebecca Halleck and Kyle Betts, Chicago Tribune July 16, 2015

The White Sox won the first battle of the City Series at Wrigley Field, but when analyzing each team’s core of young players, the Cubs might be in a better position for the long haul.

Though debatable, a player’s prime years usually begin around age 27, so the data below seeks to measure the value each team is getting from players 26 and under right now. This is no guarantee of future success, but it indicates a strong foundation is in the works.

Wins Above Replacement (WAR) sums up a player’s total contribution to their team, which is represented in the number of wins the player adds or subtracts compared to a replacement-level player (0.0 WAR).

WAR is a combination of hitting, pitching, fielding, and other stats, and players with a high WAR often have a large quantity of playing time. For reference, an MVP-level player will usually have a WAR of at least 8.0 over a full season, while an All-Star player will be around 5.0 and a regular starter at approximately 2.0.

At the midpoint of the season, the Cubs rank near the top of the league in WAR accumulated from their young players, while the White Sox are in the middle of the pack. How each team got to this point, however, highlights the stark differences in their organizational philosophies.

Since Theo Epstein joined the Cubs' front office in 2011, the organization has been committed to rebuilding on a foundation of young position players like Anthony Rizzo (4.0), (2.9) and (1.2). Considering Jorge Soler (0.3) suffered a monthlong injury and Starlin Castro (- 0.3) is struggling, there’s even more value to be gained.

On the other side of town, White Sox GM Rich Hahn has been filling holes in the roster with veterans, making it no surprise the Sox are at the bottom of the league in this category. Only Adam Eaton (0.9) has provided statistically significant positive production this season.

What the Sox lack in young hitting talent they make up for with pitching, specifically starting pitching. Chris Sale (3.4) and Jose Quintana (2.0) lead the staff, and rookie Carlos Rodon (0.7) has shown flashes of top-of-the-rotation talent.

Kyle Hendricks (1.4) has the most value among the few young pitchers on the Cubs’ roster. Hard-throwing relievers Justin Grimm (0.9) and Neil Ramirez ( 0.0) have been limited by injuries, but they could provide more production out of the bullpen in the second half.

Top 10 Batters

1. : 6.2

2. : 5.9

3. Manny Machado: 4.8

4. : 4.2

5. : 4.1

6. Anthony Rizzo: 4

7. : 3.8

8. Kevin Kiermaier: 3.7

9. Kris Bryant: 2.9

10. Kevin Pillar: 2.9

Top 10 Pitchers

1. Sonny Gray: 4.4

2. : 3.4

3. Chris Sale: 3.4

4. Carlos Martinez: 3

5. : 2.8

6. Gerrit Cole: 2.7

7. : 2.6

8. Michael Wacha: 2.2

9. Matt Harvey: 2.2

10. Jose Quintana: 2

It has been a long three years on the North Side as the Cubs have been patiently rebuilding through trades and the draft, and it looks like they are starting to feel the impact at the major-league level behind Rizzo and Bryant’s bats.

The White Sox have one of the league’s best young pitchers in Sale, but can an offense devoid of young talent give the rotation enough support in the coming years?

In either case, the Cubs and Sox are being outpaced by division rivals in the Cardinals and Royals, respectively, so both front offices still have work to do in the short and long term.

Memories of Sox championship season still smolder

John Kass, Chicago Tribune July 16, 2015

're going to Sox Park for a game this weekend, Betty, the boys and me.

With the White Sox facing the , our baseball eyes will look to the field.

But our baseball hearts will be unstuck in time, because that other, special White Sox team is being honored on the South Side this weekend.

2005. World Series champions. White Sox.

That was the season when our psychic baseball wounds were healed and the Sox lifted that trophy. Remember?

Put it on the board, Hawk Harrelson, and believe it.

So with this World Championship Reunion Weekend at the ballpark, a question:

What do you remember about that wonderful, gut-wrenching 2005 season that ended with so much joy (not so much for Cubs fans)?

Do you remember Ozzie Guillen's mouth? Mark Buehrle's titanium left arm? Paul Konerko's swing?

One thing isn't said often enough. Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf doesn't get enough credit. So thanks, Jerry. And thanks for sending the World Series trophy over to me at the Tribune Tower for an afternoon that year, when Tribune Co. still owned the Cubs.

I dared Tribune senior executives to touch the precious. They wouldn't go near it. Ah, that felt good.

Sox fans remember Konerko with that grand slam, his right arm up in the air as he rounded first. And El Duque snapping off what was left of his elbow, throwing with the bases loaded in the playoffs against Boston.

Can you see Jermaine Dye making that throw to third from deep right field against the Angels? His body torquing, the arm swinging over and down; the ball from his hand was pitiless in that Southern California night sky.

Uribe in the hole. Big Bobby Jenks throwing smoke. Joe Crede throughout, so quiet, so clutch.

But it isn't just the baseball of 2005 that we're searching for, is it? There was something else, too.

It was a validation of the South Side, since ours was the part of town that was always kicked around, the people treated like mutts by official Chicago. Generations of us were born in two-flats, or bungalows, near the mills, near the stockyards, when there were real jobs in Chicago to raise a family. And later, others of us were born in the suburbs, what was once thought of as "the country."

But city or suburbs, it's all White Sox country, and threads run through it: family and neighborhood.

So I can't go to Sox Park this weekend to honor that great 2005 team without thinking of my cousins Peter Pipikios and Johnny Katsaros.

They took me to my first game from our neighborhood around 52nd and Peoria streets. Pete was the hard-right conservative. John was the hard-left liberal. But they shared a blood, they loved each other and they loved the White Sox.

Peter died some 11 years before the South Side World Series, and I interviewed Johnny about him during the 2005 playoffs.

"I can just see him, now, with tears of joy," Johnny said then, "looking down at the White Sox, at his kids who love the Sox, at the grandkids who love the Sox. He'd be so happy now for the team, for the fans, for everybody. I can see him."

Johnny got to see them win in 2005, at the ballpark. He was dying then, and now he's gone, too.

And my cousin George Panos. One year we sat through some 40 games together, a painful year before Ozzie came back to Chicago.

He's very much alive. His daughters are good players. He's still a Sox fan.

A World Series win is remembered not only in game highlights, but in the people we love, who brought us to the game, and those we brought to the game, sharing it with them, marveling at the excellence and heart we could see in that ball club that year.

When I was a little boy, too young to remember the '59 pennant-winning team, my mom would send me to the corner store for bread.

On the way back from Leo's, I'd have long, detailed conversations with the great White Sox shortstop Luis Aparicio.

He'd walk next to me in full uniform, and I could hear his spikes clicking on the concrete. Not the real Aparicio, but the one I'd conjured.

My sons think that's weird. It probably is weird. They'd rather remember reality, A. J. Pierzynski stealing first base, and Aaron Rowand crashing the center field wall.

Baseball is a game of ritual, and the boys had their rituals too. They'd hit the fundamentals deck, take some swings and watch the warm up.

Then Connie's Pizza in the first inning for the and nachos in the sixth. And a hot dog in the first and a funnel cake in the sixth for the lefty.

Betty and I remember how they'd fall asleep in the car on the way home from the ballpark, and carrying them upstairs, the walls covered with Sox stuff.

We don't have the season tickets any longer, and even though I'm crazy about soccer, we haven't given up on White Sox baseball.

We're still a Sox household. If a baseball game is on TV, it's the Sox or nothing. But I haven't been to Sox Park in a long time. Too long.

Now I can't wait. Is it like coming home to the old neighborhood?

Second chance for Chicago White Sox?

Scot Gregor, The Daily Herald July 16, 2015

If the White Sox come out Friday and pick up where they left off in the second half, they have a shot at salvaging the season.

If they come out and fall flat, look for big roster changes by the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline.

"Right now we're going to go into the break," manager Robin Ventura said Sunday after the Sox lost to the Cubs 3-1 at Wrigley Field to close the first half. "See what's there and see how we're playing coming out of it."

Even though the White Sox hit the all-star break with a loss, they won nine of their last 12 and are 5½ games out of the final wild-card spot.

Pitching sparked the surge, as the Sox allowed just 4 earned runs on 23 hits in 41 innings.

White Sox starters allowed 20 earned runs in 84⅓ innings heading into the break.

"We're pitching great," Ventura said. "Any time you can pitch like that you have a chance."

Over the final two weeks of the first half, the defense also clicked and that helped the pitching staff.

Shortstop Alexei Ramirez started fielding with a purpose, second baseman Carlos Sanchez continued his solid play, and new Tyler Saladino looked like a keeper after joining the Sox at Wrigley last Friday.

"Defensively, we're playing better," Ventura said. "I think that helps out with the pitching and limiting what the other side can get. And at that point you get opportunistic and you get a run here or there when you need it. You end up winning some games."

While winning 9 of 12 to end the first half, the White Sox continued to struggle scoring runs. They scored 3 runs or fewer in 5 of the 9 wins and still rank last in the major leagues with 292 runs.

"I don't know if it's baffling," Ventura said. "You like the feel of what these guys are bringing to the table every day. They haven't quit. They haven't given up on anything. That's what you can ask for."

Heading into the season, the Sox felt they had the pitching to win games by score of 2-1 or 3-2. But they also rank last in the American League in home runs (60), on-base percentage (.294) and (.355).

If the bats continue to snooze in the second half, the pitching is likely to collapse at some point.

"We're taking the pressure off the pitchers a little bit, but it's still not great," designated hitter Adam LaRoche said. "It seems like it's a 1-run game, 2-run game every night with very few comfortable leads."

The White Sox can't afford to relax when the second half opens Friday. They start with a day-night doubleheader against the AL Central leading Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.

After a four-game series against Kansas City, the Sox play a pair of interleague home games against the Cardinals.

If they can manage a 5-1 or 4-2 homestand while easing back into the season, general manager Rick Hahn might be encouraged enough to keep the roster intact the rest of the way.

If the White Sox stumble, players such as Jeff Samardzija, LaRoche, Ramirez and Melky Cabrera are likely to be wearing different uniforms in August.

"Sometimes you don't want the break to happen because you're playing well," Ventura said. "But it happens every year, so you have to be able to mentally stay with it.

"We have a doubleheader coming back into it, so we better be ready to go as soon as we come back. It's still not an easy road, but you continue to feel optimistic about what you saw in the last couple of weeks."

White Sox bat men can take pressure off Robin Ventura

Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times July 16, 2015

Without changing an easygoing demeanor, which his critics view as detrimental to managing, Robin Ventura has remained steady, and tough, through his most trying season as manager of the White Sox.

Ventura’s unshaking leadership and patience might be paying off. The Sox won nine of 12 games going into the just- completed All-Star break, and, armed with a legit starting rotation and capable bullpen, they might be evolving into the playoff contenders Ventura and general manager Rick Hahn envisioned five months ago.

With a mountain of teams above them in the wild-card race, Ventura has embraced a “we’re the underdogs” MO, and why not? It’s a tall order, and the “we’re a playoff team” tactic did nothing but turn an entire lineup into underachievers.

After one of the most deflating and disappointing first halves in Sox memory, Ventura is faced with the daunting task of quieting those who were calling for his job in May and June. Keeping the team around the 9-3 pace they charged into the All-Star break with will do it, but if this recent run turns out to be nothing more than a freak departure from the norm, fool’s gold if you will, Ventura’s detractors will cry out loud all over again, questioning if he’s the best man for a job he was hired to do almost four years ago.

Sox management has stood firmly in Ventura’s corner, but as Hahn said before the season, the manager would be evaluated in a different light with more talent to work with. When the Sox played horrible defense, ran the bases poorly and didn’t hit out of the gate, Hahn said everyone was accountable.

As much as Hahn, chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and vice president Ken Williams respect Ventura, “there’s always a possibility of change,’’ assistant general manager said this week. “I can’t think of anybody who hasn’t had to go through a change or a firing or adjustment. That’s just the way the game is. Robin knows that; Kenny [who hired Ventura] knows that; Rick knows that; I know that.’’

While Ventura’s second season, 2013, likely will be his worst with 99 losses, he was given a pass with a team in rebuild mode. This one, though, with veteran players forgetting how to hit and players young and old not knowing how to field, has placed blame at the manager’s feet, warranted or not.

While Williams and Hahn had Ventura’s back, fans and media called for him to be fired. Some wondered if he would step down.

“He has handled this as well as he possibly could,’’ said Bell, a former All-Star third baseman who managed six fifth-place teams in , Colorado and Kansas City. “He knows the game as well as anybody I’ve been around, and he knows how to deal with people.’’

Ventura has this much going for him. Bell says he’s the kind of manager he would have wanted to play for, a behind-the- scenes operator who has players’ backs and gives them the information and support they need.

To his credit, Ventura has tinkered at the helm, moving runners, bunting, trying to manufacture runs and moving slugger Jose Abreu from third to second in the lineup for a stretch, all in hope of getting a pulse from the American League’s worst offense. His patience with sure-handed second baseman Carlos Sanchez’s lagging bat seems to be paying off now that Sanchez is starting to hit. Ventura has even had a bit of an edge about him of late.

“I just can’t imagine Robin not managing this club as long as he wants to,’’ Bell said. “Because of what he stands for, what he expects from the club. Eventually he’s going to get the right pieces, and it’s going to work for everybody.’’

Sox fans hope “eventually” comes soon. Since the 2005 World Series championship that is being celebrated at a team reunion this weekend at U.S. Cellular Field, the Sox have been to the playoffs once.

Fans have seen one playoff win in the last 10 years.

Their patience is wearing thin.

White Sox, Bulls announce radio broadcast agreement with WLS

Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times July 16, 2015

White Sox radio broadcasts will air on WLS-AM 890 beginning next season, the team, in a joint announcement with the Bulls and Cumulus Media, Inc., said Thursday.

The Bulls will move to WLS beginning with the 2016-17 season. The agreement runs through 2021 with both teams and includes regular season and postseason games, some spring training games and weekly original programming.

“We are excited to partner with Cumulus Media and WLS AM 890 to broadcast White Sox baseball to our fans across Chicago and throughout the Midwest,” said Brooks Boyer, Sox vice president for marketing and sales. “We look forward to joining the Bulls and Notre Dame football and basketball to bring the passion and interest in Chicago-area sports to WLS AM 890 and its listeners.”

The contracts of radio (Ed Farmer, Darrin Jackson) and TV (, Steve Stone) broadcast teams are up after this season, and now that the radio deal is set, the White Sox will begin discussions them, according to Brooks Boyer, Vice President for Marketing and Sales.

“We have talked to all of our broadcasters and have told them that the priority in the first half of the season was to finalize a radio rights deal,” Boyer said in an email. “We have not had any extension conversations with any of the guys other than to make sure they understood that the priority was to get the radio deal completed. With the radio rights deal behind us, we can start those conversations.”

The Sox have aired on 670-AM since 2006.

“Cumulus Media and WLS AM 890 are honored to become the radio home of the Bulls and White Sox, two of Chicago’s very best sports brands,” said Peter Bowen, Vice President and Market Manager of Cumulus Media’s Chicago operations. “Adding both teams to our programming schedule allows us to continue to capitalize on the strong growth and success Cumulus is enjoying in the Chicago market. We cannot wait to bring year-round sports to some of the world’s greatest fans.”

Happy anniversary: 2005 World Series reunion weekend on tap

Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago July 16, 2015

The Chicago White Sox will take a trip down memory lane this weekend with the 10-year anniversary of their 2005 World Series championship.

A total of 15 players and six coaches will be on hand during the current club’s four-game weekend series against the Kansas City Royals.

The highlights of the weekend include a pregame on-field ceremony Saturday afternoon and a Sunday evening celebration at the Chicago Theater dubbed “A Season to Remember: A night with the 2005 World Series Champions.”

Former players expected on hand this weekend include: Brian Anderson, Geoff Blum, Joe Crede, Jermaine Dye, Carl Everett, , Willie Harris, , Orlando Hernandez, Paul Konerko, Scott Podsednik, , Aaron Rowand, Frank Thomas and .

Coaches expected on hand include: Ozzie Guillen, , Don Cooper, , Man Soo Lee and Greg Walker.

In addition to Saturday’s on-field ceremony and Sunday evening’s celebration, various players and coaches will be making in-park appearances all weekend, including availability at both #SoxSocial Lounges, located at Sections 154 and 524.

In addition, the second game of Friday’s doubleheader will include postgame fireworks, while Saturday’s game will include a replica championship ring for the first 20,000 fans 21 and over. The first 10,000 fans at Sunday’s game will receive a 2005-themed tailgate flag.

For tickets to this weekend’s games, as well as to the Sunday evening “A Season to Remember” celebration at the Chicago Theater, visit whitesox.com/reunion.

White Sox enter second half at a crossroads

Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago July 16, 2015

Not far removed from their lowest point of the season, the Chicago White Sox will look to build on some momentum they created for themselves as the first half came to a close.

The schedule will do them no favors, of course, as the Kansas City Royals arrive at U.S. Cellular Field for a four-game series to kick off the post All-Star break portion of the season. And to make matters even more challenging, the second half will start with a day/night doubleheader.

It’s not unlike how the season started, actually, although that time it was the White Sox who were visiting the Royals. When Kansas City swept that season-opening series by a combined score of 21-7, it signaled that some long days were ahead.

It took nearly six weeks of the season for Chris Sale to find himself and another month-plus for the rest of the team to start feeding off one of the more incredible pitching runs in baseball history, but the White Sox are finally looking like something of a cohesive unit.

Jeff Samardzija has also picked up his pitching game, while rookie Carlos Rodon is starting to emerge as a force to be reckoned with. The defense is better and the baserunning has stabilized itself too.

Yet two issues still face the White Sox and only one of them has to do with the offense.

The White Sox went into the break dead last in all of baseball with 292 runs scored and last in slugging percentage at .355. That means the White Sox are worse in slugging percentage than every club, which use pitchers in their lineups.

It brings the focus to the most chief issue of all: Whether the front office pulls up the stakes in the coming weeks and sends this traveling circus out of town.

The White Sox could keep the roster intact and hope the club still has time to make up ground in the standings. And by keeping the roster intact, it will give the White Sox the entire season to see how their nearly $120 million investment on player salaries actually would fare.

Or they could trade off assets now, add pieces to the farm system and call this year a lesson learned in the dangers of trying to rebuild too quickly.

As it turns out, the low point of the first half came on a sunny, late-June afternoon in Detroit when Samardzija was mowing down one of the league's better offenses only to see things slip from his control when the Tigers rallied in the late innings. The Tigers won with a game-ending home run against the bullpen.

The White Sox moved 10 games under .500 at 32-42, tied for a season low. Since then though, the White Sox have managed to pick themselves up and dust themselves off, going 9-3 to close out the first half.

It is far from surprising that after the White Sox’s demoralizing defeat at Detroit, it was Sale who started the turnaround. Two days later, he took the mound at St. Louis and started the White Sox toward a rejuvenating 2-1 victory in against the Cardinals.

The White Sox actually swept the brief two-game interleague series against the Cardinals and then won series against the , and in that order.

After the Royals come to town over the weekend, it won’t get any easier, as the White Sox will then play host to a Cardinals team that figures to be bent on revenge.

Odds for the White Sox to make the playoffs remain long. They will open the second half 11 games off the Royals’ lead and tied for last place in the division with the .

They are also 5 1/2 games out of a wild-card berth, which certainly sounds more reasonable, but they would still have to leapfrog seven American League teams just to become playoff eligible, the six that are trailing in the wild-card standings ahead of them and the one holding the final playoff spot.

The clue as to whether the White Sox are willing to keep the team as it is, and make a run that still looks improbable, came from executive vice president Kenny Williams two days before the club’s meltdown at Detroit.

“I’ve addressed it with [chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf] directly and his comment to me was, ‘Listen, I thought we were in a pretty darn good position when we left the winter meetings,’” Williams said. “We felt good where we were, but we felt good about where we were for 2015, ’16 and ’17. So we’re not going to abandon ship right now because of three months into what is a three-year plan.”

Who knows if Williams felt differently when the White Sox dropped that heartbreaker to the Tigers two days later. The facts, though, are that the White Sox were eight games under .500 (32-40) when Williams said he wasn’t prepared to abandon ship, and the club is four games under now at 41-45.

If the White Sox can continue to pitch like they are now, they will start to make things interesting ... eventually. But if they never figure out how to hit, they are going to bury the pitchers under the weight of all those pressure innings.

Bulls, White Sox reach deal with WLS AM 890

Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago July 16, 2015

The Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls have found a new radio home, with both heading to WLS AM 890 in 2016.

With the White Sox’s deal with WSCR AM 670 expiring at the end of this season, the team’s game broadcasts will be headed to WLS starting next year on a six-year deal.

The Bulls, who currently air on ESPN 1000, will have one more season under their present radio deal and then move to WLS for the start of the 2016-17 season.

Both deals will run through 2021.

The Bulls’ deal includes all preseason, regular season and potential postseason games. The White Sox’s deal includes select spring training games and exhibition games, regular season and potential postseason games, along with weekly original programing.

Cumulus Media Inc., which owns WLS, also owns WLS FM 94.7, WLUP FM 97.9 and WKQX FM 101.1 in the Chicago market. It was not made known which of those stations would be used in situations when both teams are playing at the same time.

“Our new partnership with Cumulus Media and WLS AM 890 will provide the Bulls and White Sox with an extensive radio platform to reach our fans,” Bulls President and COO Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. “This relationship combines our shared interest in innovation and our shared commitment to bringing our fans the highest quality game broadcasts and other team radio programming.”

White Sox moving into second half at 100 mph

Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago July 16, 2015

By all indications, a pair of 100-mph pitchers will see time with the Chicago White Sox during the second half of the season.

While right-hander is on an injury-rehab assignment at Class-A Winston-Salem, another right-hander, Frankie Montas, reportedly is paying the White Sox a visit this weekend.

Multiple reports say that the hard-throwing Montas will be coming up for a short major league stint, presumably as the extra 26th man for Friday's day/night doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals. It is unknown if he will remain with the club beyond Friday.

Montas, who was acquired along with Avisail Garcia in the 2013 trade that sent Jake Peavy to the , has emerged as a top pitching prospect in the White Sox's system. He pitched in last weekend's Futures Game at Cincinnati, and although he gave up three runs in two-thirds of an inning, he hit 101 mph on the radar gun.

Montas' Future Game outing does not tell the story of his season. He has a 2.47 ERA over 15 starts (73 innings) with 62 strikeouts and 29 walks.

Jones has also hit 100 mph on the radar gun during his rehab assignment. The right-hander has been out of action for over a year with back issues, followed by surgery. He has pitched three times in the , the most recent on Wednesday.

Jones would give the White Sox's bullpen an additional boost in the late innings. He had been pitching at the team's spring training complex at Arizona before his rehab assignment and it remains unknown how much time he will need at Winston-Salem before rejoining the White Sox.

White Sox: Five things to watch in second half

Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago July 16, 2015

In a season that has primarily been of the hide-your-eyes variety, the Chicago White Sox do have things worth watching in the second half.

Whether they can somehow get back into contention remains to be seen, but here are five things worth watching along the way:

5. How quickly can Carlos Rodon continue to improve? A peek at Rodon's walk totals and his high pitch counts, suggest a pitcher that is overmatched. The truth is that Rodon's stuff is so good he has a knack for overcoming his own inefficiencies. Catcher said Rodon definitely is not afraid of the strike zone against the game's best hitters, suggesting that the break on his pitches can be too good at times. Whatever the reason for his issues with the strike zone, when he masters it, the White Sox will have another dominating pitcher on their hands.

4. What's up with Jose Abreu? That power show Abreu put on during his rookie season in 2014 has only come in flashes this year. When Abreu was an all-star last year he had 28 home runs and 73 RBIs with a .630 slugging percentage. This season, he was not an all-star and he has 14 home runs and 46 RBIs with a .492 slugging percentage. His sore feet/legs seemed to have given up problems but not as much as an index finger injury that first surfaced while swinging a bat early in the season.

3. Will Adam Eaton turn it on in the second half again? Eaton's post all-star break production not only seemed to signal the club had a center fielder for the long term, it convinced them to offer a $23.5 million contract extension. Eaton has struggled to live up to that deal so far, but it's still early and now the second half awaits. How good was his close to the season last year? He batted .347 after the break with a .396 OBP. In the first half this year, Eaton batted .245 with a .309 OBP.

2. Can the bullpen actually get better? The White Sox don't have one of the best in the American League, but the group is much improved from last season and carried a 3.71 ERA into the break, just below the middle of the pack. If guys such as David Robertson and Zach Duke can iron out some early blips, and Jake Petricka continues to improve, they would only get better. And now Nate Jones looks close to a return as his presence would supply even more reinforcements.

1. Can Chris Sale win the Cy Young Award? Another 2 1/2 months of the kind of pitching Sale has delivered since mid- May would earn him pitching's most prized award. It would be an incredible achievement considering how poorly the White Sox's defense has played all season, and the lack of support the offense has given. Sale has managed to take defense out of the equation with 131 strikeouts over his past 12 starts and has eliminated the run support issue with a 1.76 ERA since May 12. More of that will require him to clear off a spot on the mantle for some hardware.

Today on CSN: Samardzija, White Sox square off with Royals

CSN Chicago July 17, 2015

Jeff Samardzija and the White Sox return to action as the Kansas City Royals come to town, and you can catch all the action today on Comcast SportsNet. Coverage begins with White Sox Pregame Live at 12:30 p.m. Then catch first pitch with Hawk Harrelson and Steve Stone. Be sure to stick around after the final out to get analysis and player reaction on White Sox Postgame Live.

Chris Sale: White Sox must play through distractions as deadline approaches

Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago July 16, 2015

The White Sox have put themselves in the position where the perception is they ultimately will sell off parts and Chris Sale knows this.

The four-time All-Star has seen his team headed this direction each of the past two seasons as the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline approaches. Outsiders believe they’ll soon be there again with a Jeff Samardzija trade almost certain.

While Sale has an advantage over most of his teammates -- he’s confident he won’t be traded -- he said he has learned to block out the noise. Not only do he and his teammates think they’re still in the postseason picture after winning nine of their last 12, but Sale wants to avoid any diversions to stay effective.

“I don’t have Twitter,” Sale said this week from the All-Star Game in Cincinnati. “I don’t have Facebook. I don’t have any of that crap. I don’t read it. I don’t pick up the newspaper. It’s all distractions, really. It’s a bunch of stuff that people write that don’t know what they’re talking about -- no offense. I don’t pay attention to it. I have a job to do and that’s be a pitcher for my team.”

The White Sox face an uphill battle to even be in consideration for the playoffs. They open the second half 5 1/2 games out in the wild-card race and currently sit in eighth place for the two spots.

Their performance has surprised opponents, who struggle to see how a team with such a strong rotation finds itself in the position it’s in.

“They’re a good team," said Pittsburgh ace Gerrit Cole. “We’ve all been in those situations where stuff doesn’t go your way. They’ve got really good players, good approach. I don’t foresee them playing like that the rest of the year. They’ve got a good squad. They’ve got the most dominant starter in baseball, they’ve got one of the best closers. Adam LaRoche and Melky Cabrera and Jose Abreu, they have a tremendous team. Unfortunately they’re where they’re at right now, but there’s plenty of baseball left. Anybody can get hot, especially with a team with those names. Don’t count them out because they’re really, really good.”

Josh Donaldson said it’s all about the pitching. Donaldson’s Toronto Blue Jays came to town last week with the hottest offense in baseball only to have Sale, Samardzija, Jose Quintana and hold them to eight runs in four games, three of which they lost. Few teams have done that to Toronto this season, Donaldson said.

“When you walk out of there you realize they have some top-of-the-line starters,” Donaldson said. “To me their pitchers are pretty darn good.”

David Price said the have endured a similar struggle as the White Sox this season. He believes Detroit, which has won seven of the teams’ 12 meetings, is better than their current 44-44 record. But given how many talented teams there, he’s not surprised when any team struggles or when another unexpectedly flourishes, like 49-40 Minnesota.

“It’s just whether or not they come together and do it night in and night out,” Price said. “On paper (the White Sox) have a very good team and that’s always surprising, just like the Tigers right now. We’re not a .500 ballclub by any means. We haven’t played our best baseball yet.”

Sale thinks the only way that will continue to happen for the White Sox is if they avoid the distractions. Over the previous two weeks, Sale said White Sox players had begun to do the little things necessary to win. He believes they’ve gotten over the shock of their poor start and “everything has just kind of been clicking,” he said.

The key now is for them to continue to play the same way and shut out what everyone else has to say.

“That’s kind of the mindset we should all take is let’s not worry about what this guy says or that guy says,” Sale said. “Let’s worry about what we as a group are doing and do that together and if we keep winning it’s going to be hard to split us up.”

How the A's have fared in Jeff Samardzija deal with White Sox

CSN Chicago July 16, 2015

The trade winds are starting to blow in baseball.

On the South Side, nobody knows which way those winds are blowing for the White Sox, either as buyers or sellers.

But the one trade general manager Rick Hahn made in the offseason that will have an impact on the future of the Sox was the deal that brought pitcher Jeff Samardzija back to the Midwest and with his childhood team, the White Sox.

Samardzija has pushed aside a rough start to the season, posting a 6-4 record with a 4.02 ERA in 18 starts with the Sox.

But with every trade there are two sides to the transaction.

Infielder , catcher , first baseman and pitcher were the pieces Hahn shipped off to the to complete the deal.

A half season certainly isn't long enough to determine who won the trade, but let's take a look at how some of the ex- White Sox players have done so far with their new team.

Marcus Semien (.256/.301/.395 8 HR, 22 RBI, 7 SB)

Semien was thought to be the key piece to the deal. With the White Sox, he never got consistent playing time but he had the flare for the dramatic, coming up in the clutch during games. Now that he's got consistent playing time (started 85 games this year), we are able to see more of what kind of player Semien could possibly become. Unfortunately for the A's, he hasn't provided a lot of production. The worse part for the A's has been his defense. Semien leads the majors with 28 errors. In comparison, White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez has made only 10 errors this year.

Josh Phegley (.269/.318/.487 5 HR, 18 RBI)

Phegley seemd to have been a victim of the numbers game with the White Sox last season. Tyler Flowers wasn't going anywhere and the team also signed Geovany Soto to be the back-up. Phegley, the 38th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, has started 34 games for the A's this year and has provided some pop in the lineup. The biggest issue for Phegley is he's behind on the depth chart. Vogt made the AL All-Star team this year and has done a lot of damage for the A's. While Phegly may have given Flowers and Soto some competition, it's hard to say whether he would've outplayed the two veterans enough to catch Robin Ventura's eye and make him the starter.

Chris Bassitt (0-2, 2.93 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 17 K)

The right-hander may be the one piece of the deal that has turned out okay so far for the A's. He's only started three games and made eight appearances but he's provided some good innings for the A's. With some injuries in the A's rotation, Bassitt will be counted on to help the pitching staff to start the second half of the season. The White Sox have plenty of young, promising pitchers in their minor league system and on their major-league roster so parting with Bassitt hasn't turned out to be a huge mistake for the South Siders just yet.

Rangel Ravelo (.357/.438/.571 HR, 3 RBI)

Ravelo missed the early portion of the season after undergoing wrist surgery. The infielder recently ended his rehab stint with the Arizona A's Rookie League team, where he registered 14 hits in 25 at-bats in nine games. According to MLB.com, he's the team's 14th rated prospect in their system. Ravelo was taken in the 6th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the White Sox.