CHICAGO WHITE SOX (41-45; T4TH PLACE, AL CENTRAL)
BIG PICTURE
The White Sox began the season with high hopes after an offseason free agent shopping spree in which they signed closer
David Robertson, left fielder Melky Cabrera and designated hitter Adam LaRoche. They also traded with the Oakland Athletics for right-handed starter Jeff
Samardzija.
Though the White Sox are tied for last in the American League Central, a 13-8 finish to the first half after an eight-game losing streak has them 51⁄ games out of a playoff
2 spot.
The White Sox expect to hit better in the second half: They are 12th among the 15 AL teams with a .241 average and last in the league with 60 home runs despite the presence of reigning AL rookie of the year Jose
Abreu, LaRoche and Cabrera.
BEST PERFORMANCE
Left-hander Chris Sale was the White Sox’s lone representative in the All-Star Game, marking his fourth appearance in a row. Despite starting the season on the disabled list after breaking his right foot in an accident at home during spring training, Sale has gone 8-4 with a 2.72 ERA, striking out 157 in 1191⁄ innings and walking 23. He
3 has had double-digit strikeouts in 10 of his last 12 starts.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
No one doubts left-hander Carlos Ro
don’s talent: The White Sox made him the third overall pick in last year’s draft. The surprise was they called him up in April and started his service-time clock. Rodon has been solid, going 3-2 with a 3.80 ERA in 14 games, including 11 starts.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Left-hander John Danks continues to yield no value in his fourth year of a fiveyear, $65 million contract extension. He is 4-8 with a 5.30 ERA in 16 starts this season and 22-37 with a 4.96 ERA during the life of the contract.
TRADE DEADLINE FORECAST
The White Sox, at least for now, are not sellers. However, if they changed their minds, they’d have an attractive trade chip in Samardjiza, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season and would bolster any number of contenders’ rotations.