With the White Sox miles from contention and effectively playing out the string of a lost season, how many players get traded and when will be topics of conversation. Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet already have been mentioned as trade chips in national reports, and other veterans figure to be moved before the deadline.
Manager Pedro Grifol insisted he’s not focusing on the market and how it could impact the Sox.
“To execute a trade in the big leagues, it takes a little bit of time on both sides, especially when there’s really good players involved,” Grifol said Saturday before the White Sox beat the Red Sox 6-1. “So I’m not focused on that. I’m focused on this time right here today. I want these guys completely focused on the job they have, that they have in front of them. Just be where your feet are. That’s all I want them to do. And the rest you can’t control.”
Grifol said there has been communication between him and the front office, but not just about trades.
“We talk about our players all the time. We are constantly evaluating,” Grifol said. “This is a game of evaluations. We talk about our players. We talk about the present. We talk some about the future. It’s just good baseball conversation. Where we are right now, where we want to be. It’s just good dialogue all the way around.”
Picking off momentum
In the fifth inning with the Red Sox ahead 1-0, Tanner Banks inherited runners on first and third with one out when he replaced Nick Nastrini. Before throwing a pitch, Banks picked Jarren Duran off first base for the second out.
Duran stole two bases in the first inning and looked ready to run in the fifth. But Banks caught him leaning to short-circuit their inning.
“I’ve always had that in my back pocket, not to give away any secrets,” Banks said. “If I see a guy that’s too far off the bag, it’s a little quicker than a leg lift and a throw. If I can steal an out however I can, I’ll take it. That was huge for the momentum of the game.”
Banks then struck out pinch hitter Jamie Westbrook to end the fifth.
Health updates
Grifol said Andrew Benintendi (left Achilles tendinitis) and Tommy Pham (left ankle sprain) are doing well in their respective recoveries.
Both are expected to play in the Arizona Complex League this week to get at-bats before the team determines their next steps.
Mike Clevinger (right elbow inflammation) was scheduled to throw a bullpen session, but Grifol said he had a “kink” in his neck. Clevinger went through his normal routine, but the session was moved to Sunday.
Robert was not in the lineup, but it was a scheduled day off. He returned from the injured list Tuesday after suffering a right hip flexor strain April 5.
Bottle episode
A Sox spokesperson said security is continuing to review video of the incident that briefly delayed Friday night’s game, when three plastic mini-bottles were thrown onto the field during the fourth inning. Fans were also interviewed Friday night.