July 31--About four hours before Friday's 3 p.m. trade deadline, it was still unclear whether the White Sox would be showing up for their series opener against the Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field with the same team as they had Thursday against the Red Sox.
The Sox have had a complicated deadline week as seven straight victories against the Indians and Red Sox thrust them back into the American League wild-card hunt and potentially changed their strategy.
Rumors Friday remained that the club is looking to upgrade an offense that, despite scoring 56 runs on their eight-game road trip, still ranks 27th in the majors with 366 runs over 100 games this season. Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was put forth as a potential target in reports.
It's a different tune than earlier in the week, when the trade watch centered on right-hander Jeff Samardzija, who will become a free agent after this season. The idea was that the Sox could get a decent return of prospects if they handed Samardzija out as a two-month rental player.
But if the Sox believe they are contenders, keeping Samardzija and adding on to the lineup would seem to be a more ideal course. They also could continue to field the team as is and see where it goes, attempting to extend Samardzija or receiving a compensation draft pick if he turns down a qualifying offer, if nothing else.
Sox manager Robin Ventura and the current players have done well to not let the trade deadline talk disrupt their recent run. Ventura wouldn't reveal his expectations for Friday after Thursday's lone loss of the road trip.
"We're flying home with the same guys," Ventura said. "We'll show up with the same guys tomorrow."
