The White Sox haven’t made any determinations on which direction they’ll take as the trade deadline nears, GM Rick Hahn told reporters, including the Chicago Tribune’s Colleen Kane. As Kane notes, the South Siders closed out the first half on a 9-3 run, giving the club a bit more optimism about its chances. “Certainly if I did it from an emotional or fan standpoint, we want to be aggressive we want to add,” said Hahn prior to yesterday’s double-header versus the Royals (the two sides came away from the twin bill with an even split). “However, it’s part of the responsibility of this position to be objective and look at the long-term benefit of the club and do what makes the most sense objectively given the situation that we’ve played ourselves in.” Jeff Samardzija’s name, at present, is the most commonly mentioned as a possible trade chip for Chicago.
Here’s more from the AL Central…
- Indians left-hander Nick Hagadone suffered what appears to be a serious elbow injury when pitching in a rehab assignment for Class-A Mahoning Valley this week, writes Cleveland.com’s Zack Meisel. Hagadone, who was rehabbing from a minor back injury that landed him on the DL, had Tommy John surgery in 2008. “It looks like he did it again,” Cleveland skipper Terry Francona told Meisel. “…This isn’t something that’s [just] a week with no throwing.” Hagadone will seek a second opinion on his elbow before any determination is made, though the present outlook certainly appears to be grim.
- Twins general manager Terry Ryan expressed disappointment that the team wasn’t able to reach an agreement with second-round pick Kyle Cody, who will return to Kentucky for his senior season, writes MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger. There’s been some speculation that health concerns impacted the negotiation, but Ryan said otherwise: “That wasn’t the most important thing. We just couldn’t come to a conclusion, is all. He’s healthy. It’s not a factor.”
- Also from Bollinger, Twins right-hander Ricky Nolasco underwent his ankle surgery as planned on Monday during the All-Star break. Nolasco has a bone fragment removed from his right ankle and will be fitted with a walking boot. The team won’t know until the boot is removed whether or not Nolasco will be able to pitch again in 2015, and Bollinger characterized that evaluation as “weeks away.” Whether he pitches again this season or not, 2015 will mark a second straight disappointing season for Nolasco, who signed a four-year, $49MM contract with Minnesota prior to the 2014 season.
That’s a shame for Hagadone. It’s going to be a long, hard road for him getting back.
The Sox are not hitting, and have not really hit all season so I’m not sure what Hahn is expecting in the second half. Can this team really go on multiple 9-3 type runs for the rest of the season? Can this staff keep only giving up 3 runs or fewer each game (like that helps Quintana any)? Based on past experience of Robin led clubs, I doubt it. There are some bright spots, at least Saladino has looked pretty good with the glove and bat. It appears Sanchez has improved with the glove and is getting more hits with an ‘inside out’ swing. I think the Sox are finally stabilizing in the infield (as long as Alexei is not on it anyway) but I still do not think this team or coaching staff can win it all. It just seems like more ‘ifs’ than positives right now. One 9-3 Run in such a awful season cannot sway you.
It’s interesting that Ozzie was up for the 10th anniversary celebration. The Sox played find D under him for years. And the first year Ventura managed they were still one of the best – if not the best – defense in the AL (depending on what stat one looked at). But once Robin settled in, that team stopped play D, running the bases well, or getting clutch hits.