Levine: White Sox GM Not Throwing In The Towel
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The continued mediocre results of the Chicago White Sox have been frustrating to the front office and fan base alike.
Despite the fact that they are seven games out of the first wild-card slot and six games out of the second playoff entry, changes won't be made at this time.
"Until there is an X next to our name, we are going to approach this like there is a shot," general manager Rick Hahn said. "The 25-man roster and the coaching staff will not change their approach. As for us who sit in the front office, we must be cognizant of where we sit in the standings. We need to know how each loss makes that (playoff hope) more difficult. We are aware of the situation and what potentially needs to be done in the coming weeks."
The waiver wire continues to be an area where the team can make a statement. Those additions or subtractions can be made more for the future than the last 50 games of 2015. With the White Sox entering play seven games under .500 on Monday, the reality of a lost season should be setting in, even for the most competitive player.
"It is certainly disappointing coming out of July and the way we have played," Hahn said. "The positive news is we have a lot of schedule left. We still have an opportunity here."
In order to win 85 games, Chicago will have to win 65 percent of their remaining games. Although that's a possible number, it's not likely, especially considering the White Sox have been over .500 once this season (18-17) and at the .500 mark twice.
The sporadic offense of the first four months of the season has been replaced by spotty pitching performances in August, from the top end of the rotation. After two below-average outings, ace Chris Sale and the hitters finally were in sync on Monday evening in an 8-2 win against the Angels.
Sale was back to his dominant form that earlier produced nine straight games of 10 or more strikeouts. The hitters produced four home runs, including a pair from Avisail Garcia.
More of that combination will be necessary if the team wants to be taken seriously. This is the part of the year where baseball gets into the championship weeks of the long season.
"We are not yet at the point where we are looking strictly at the future," said Hahn, who still holds out hope for his group. "As we get deeper in August and things don't improve, that is something we will look at seriously. At this time, we will have the same approach of looking for long-term fits."
Anything short of a Blue Jays-like run (winning 11 of 12) for the White Sox will mark the end of the road for 2015. The blowout of the Angels in the first game of a three-game set is a good start.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.