CHICAGO (AP) -White Sox general manager Ken Williams has seen enough poor play and decided it’s time to make changes with his lethargic team.
Last week, Williams said he would hold off on making trades because there was a chance his underachieving club might show some life, and players who have struggled might pick it up once some injuries healed.
But after watching the White Sox score only two total runs in consecutive losses to the crosstown rival Chicago Cubs, Williams is ready to shake things up.
“Something’s got to happen. I’m tired of watching this,” he said Sunday. “Change needs to happen and change is going to happen. When that happens, I don’t know.”
A Chicago Sun-Times story Sunday said the White Sox could be on the verge of trading left-hander Mark Buehrle, who can become a free agent after this season. According to the report, the Boston Red Sox are the most serious suitors right now.
Asked Sunday if Buehrle was going to be traded to Boston, Williams replied: “Not today.”
Is it a possibility?
“Not today,” Williams said.
Williams said there were 10 players on his roster that other teams had asked about recently. The White Sox had lost 21 of 26 games before Sunday, fallen 12 games under .500 and were 13 1/2 games out of first place in the AL Central. Outfielder Jermaine Dye can also become a free agent after the season.
“We have some players that a lot of teams want. And people are starting to be very aggressive,” Williams said, adding that it wouldn’t be easy to trade some of the club’s top players.
“The thought of trading people that, for instance, just helped you win the World Series two years ago, makes my stomach turn,” Williams said.
Buehrle passed on an offer of a contract extension last year at midseason, and Williams said there are no current negotiations.
Asked if he could see any way Buehrle would still be around after the July 31 trade deadline, Williams said: “Sure. Sure. Sure. Sure. I do. I don’t know how realistic that is. I’m still trying to do some math to see how we can get back into this thing.”
Williams reiterated that manager Ozzie Guillen’s job is safe.
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