Levine: Hahn Frustrated After No Deals Materialize For White Sox
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The end result of 105 ballgames in 2016 is frustration for the Chicago White Sox organization.
The team expected to be major sellers with the non-wavier trade deadline approaching and then passing Monday afternoon but only had one deal to show for their efforts -- a Sunday trade of reliever Zach Duke to the Cardinals for prospect Charlie Tilson, a speedy outfielder. Amid much speculation, the White Sox held onto aces Chris Sale and Jose Quintana.
General manager Rick Hahn expressed some frustration and restraint in his marathon meetings with all 29 teams over the past six weeks.
"There are certainly multiple pieces that are capable of playing important roles on a championship club," Hahn of his 25-man roster. "It is very frustrating for all of us that it has not played out, other than the first month of the season. We share that disappointment and frustration. We feel on this roster we have some very special talent. We share that frustration with Sox fans."
Chicago did get local product in Tilson, a Wilmette native who will be called up for Tuesday's game at Detroit and will often be the regular center fielder in the final two months.
Hahn considered serious offers from the Dodgers, Red Sox and Rangers for Sale and Quintana. The rest of the roster didn't generate the type of young, contract-controllable players back who would move Hahn and company to pull the trigger on a deal.
"There were certainly some offers that, if a certain club made a different decision on a package or targets they were holding back, things could have progressed more quickly," Hahn said. "That could have helped in the end, leading to a deal."
The next phase for the White Sox brass is to move some players during August in waiver deals. It's not the easiest process but is doable. The big chips like Sale and Quintana will most likely have great value in the offseason, as the free-agent market for pitching is barren going into this fall.
"We are going to remain open-minded in the next few weeks" Hahn said. "With this in mind, we hope to improve ourselves in the long term. The players teams were reluctant to part with this week may be available in the offseason."
The White Sox have almost the entire 25-man roster under contract control for next season. Moving past 2017, the position player control lessens. Outfielder Melky Cabrera, third baseman Todd Frazier and second baseman Brett Lawrie are set to be free agents ahead of the 2018 season. Both catchers Dioner Navarro and Alex Avila are free agents this fall.
At 51-54, the White Sox are seven games out of the second wild-card spot in the American League entering play Monday.
"Our approach of trying to piece things together to try and contend each year has not gotten us to where we have been able to have sustained success," Hahn said. "It hasn't let us achieve at the level we want to."
Hahn feels his team is in a good position for the offseason. That could also mean vast changes on the roster and coaching staff. Manager Robin Ventura is in the final year of a two-year extension. His future status will be determined quickly as the season comes to a close.
"In order to dip into our core of players, we were only going to (make deals) if it would have a longer positive effect on the ball club," Hahn said. "That, we felt, did not occur during this market."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.