GM Hahn: Deals were for payoff, not payback
In response to a fan’s question, general manger Rick Hahn insisted Chris Sale and Adam Eaton weren’t traded because of any off- the- field issues.
“Let me be clear: Those trades had nothing to do with anything that happened outside of the lines,’’ Hahn said Friday at SoxFest.
Sale’s temper got him in hot water with management last season when he called out vice president KenWilliams for interfering in the Adam LaRoche saga during spring training and when he tore up throwback uniforms during the season because he didn’t want to wear them in his start.
“Chris Sale is an elite starter who will probably pitch in October this year, and Adam Eaton is an elite defender and very talented player who will help his team contend for a championship,’’ Hahn said. “The reason they were moved is we weren’t in a position to contend with them on our roster.’’
Hahn said he expects all seven prospects acquired in the trades for Sale and Eaton to start the season in the minor leagues.
‘ White SoxWay’
New manager Rick Renteria has been talking this week about the “White SoxWay.”
During the first question- andanswer session with fans, Renteria shed some light on what that means.
“The way we do this is by holding our players accountable for the actions they take or don’t take,’’ Renteria said. “There are many ways to play the game.
“The ‘ White SoxWay’ is to back up bases, bust your rear end out of the [ batter’s] box and play with maximum effort.’’
The explanation received instant applause from the audience.
Renteria, who was manager Robin Ventura’s bench coach last season, says five to seven teams in the majors play like that.
“That should be everyone’s way,’’ he said. “We’re going to try and make it the ‘ White SoxWay.’ ’’
OF Bourjos in the fold
Peter Bourjos was signed to a minor- league contract and figures to have a shot at making the major- league roster. The fleet Bourjos, 29, who owns a career .243/. 300/. 382 slash line with the Angels, Cardinals and Phillies, can play all three outfield positions, and the Sox could stand some protection and depth with prospect Charlie Tilson looking like a front- runner to start in center.
Four Sox set forWorld Classic
Jose Quintana ( Colombia), Miguel Gonzalez ( Mexico), Nate Jones and David Robertson ( U. S.) are set to play in theWorld Baseball Classic inMarch. Robertson is on the U. S. provisional roster.
Frazier dealing with sore finger
Todd Frazier reaggravated his left index finger lifting weights but insists he’ll be ready for spring training, saying the finger looks worse than it is. Frazier initially injured the finger on a swing during the last week of 2016 and had a second MRI exam.
“No tear,’’ Frazier said. “I’m just worried about swinging. There might be a slow process at the beginning but I’ll get going here a couple weeks in.’’
Abreuonboard
In a quiet market for power hitters, Jose Abreu’s name hasn’t surfaced much in trade rumors, which is fine by the Cuban slugger.
“I want to play for this team for a very long time,’’ Abreu said through translator Billy Russo.
Abreu said the trades of Sale and Eaton “were the right moves for us at the time.’’