Hahn acknowledged Saturday one of those two starters could move to the bullpen in the short term, or even long term.

Transcription

1 WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF JUNE 5, 2016 Sale is sold: Shields dealt to White Sox By Scott Merkin / MLB.com June 4th, 2016 DETROIT -- The White Sox acquired right-handed starter James Shields from San Diego in exchange for Minor League starter Erik Johnson and infielder Fernando Tatis Jr., as announced by the teams on Saturday. San Diego also provided significant cash considerations with $58 million still owed to Shields. The White Sox will pay $27 million of what's remaining, with $5 million coming this season and $10 million in each of the next two seasons if the veteran hurler doesn't opt out after the '16 season, as he contractually can. A $16 million club option exists on Shields for '19, with a $2 million buyout. "We are quite pleased to add a pitcher of James' caliber to our rotation," said White Sox general manager Rick Hahn during a Saturday evening conference call. "It's going to provide some stability and depth to the rotation. James' presence is not only going to make that rotation stronger, but it's going to have a positive effect on the bullpen given his ability to go deeper into games and therefore leave fewer innings for the bullpen to cover on a weekly basis." "He's been around. He's a veteran. He's a workhorse. I think you know what you are going to get from him," said White Sox ace Chris Sale, who suffered the loss in Saturday's 7-4 setback to the Tigers. "Hopefully he hits the ground running. I think he'll mesh in well. Hopefully that's the spark we needed." Shields, 34, was scheduled to start Sunday night in San Diego against the Rockies, coming off of a dreadful 2 2/3 innings performance against the Mariners on May 31 in which he allowed 10 runs on eight hits, with one strikeout and four walks. Shields will join the team Tuesday in Chicago, but it's unknown when he will make his White Sox debut or whether he replaces Mat Latos or Miguel Gonzalez in the rotation. Hahn acknowledged Saturday one of those two starters could move to the bullpen in the short term, or even long term. According to one National League scout, Shields is believed to be a better fit on a team in contention, which is the case for the White Sox in the American League Central despite a 6-17 record over their last 23 games. Shields has nine straight seasons of at least 200 innings pitched, 30 starts and double-digit victories. "You have to have a lot of respect for him," Sale said. "It's not easy. You don't just roll out of bed and throw 200 innings. For him, it seems like it's that way. But it just takes stress off of everybody else. Takes stress off the next starting pitcher. Takes stress off the bullpen. He's going to give us some quality innings as well."

2 This season stands as win-now mode for the White Sox. And while they don't intend to mortgage their future in terms of trading away top prospects such as shortstop Tim Anderson or right-handed pitcher Carson Fulmer, they are definitely looking to enhance their chances for October baseball in a division race that looks as if it will go down to the final weeks. They still have prospects and budget room to work with while looking for a left-handed bat and potentially another reliever. "It's our expectation," said Hahn of making greater roster changes. "We obviously see the games like you all do and realize there are other areas of need on this roster potentially over the coming months. While the rotation was certainly a very important one, and frankly one we felt was going to be fairly difficult to address in the coming weeks leading up to the [Aug. 1 non-waiver] Trade Deadline given the supply and demand out there, we felt it was an important one to move on early. "But it's not the only need we see on this roster. Whether it's from a prospect standpoint or an economic standpoint, we do feel like we are in a position over the coming weeks and months to augment the roster if the opportunities arise." A White Sox connection exists for Shields, as he is the cousin of Aaron Rowand, the center fielder on the 2005 World Series champion and currently the organization's outfield/baserunning coordinator. Even though Shields adds a useful workhorse to the White Sox rotation, Saturday's trade may diminish his fantasy value. The right-hander disappointed owners during his Padres tenure, posting a 4.00 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP and a 1.4 HR/9 rate across 44 starts. Now set to face deeper lineups in the AL with the backdrop of homer-happy U.S. Cellular Field rather than pitcher-friendly Petco Park, the veteran could struggle to post stats worthy of a consistent mixed-league roster spot. However, AL-only owners should be happy to make a significant investment in a starter with a 9.1 K/9 rate since the outset of In San Diego, Erik Johnson could soon get a long look in the rotation. The right-hander should remain on mixed-league waivers for now given his 4.50 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP across 18 big league starts, but he's had solid Minor League success (career 3.23 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) and could contribute in deeper formats later this summer. Sale: White Sox better find way to win By Scott Merkin / MLB.com June 4th, 2016 DETROIT -- Chris Sale transformed from White Sox staff ace to frustrated team leader following Detroit's 7-4 victory Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park. Sale suffered his second setback of the season, allowing four runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings, and unable to get to 10 victories in his third attempt, during which he has given up 12 earned runs in 16 2/3 innings. But his ire was more team-wide as the White Sox lost for the 17th time in 23 games and slipped to over their last 11 series. "We need to start doing something. Just playing better all around. We need more. We have to stop losing games," Sale said. "It's plain and simple. You come in every day, you play. You either win or lose, there's no middle ground, and we need to start being a little bit more in the left column. "It's baseball. You can't really pinpoint. I don't know what it is, or how we do it. We better find it." The White Sox jumped out to an impressive start to the 2016 season, holding a six-game lead in the American League Central on May 9. With a loss to Justin Verlander and the Tigers Sunday, they will be in a virtual tie for fourth place -- albeit with 105 games remaining. Factoring in Sale's loss Saturday, White Sox starters are now 0-6 over their last 11 games. Help should be arriving Tuesday in the person of right-hander James Shields, who was acquired from the Padres for

3 Erik Johnson and Fernando Tatis, Jr. on Saturday. But the team needs to be better overall -- on the mound, at the plate and in the field. "We are putting in the work. We have the effort. We have the team. Everything is in line," Sale said. "We just have to find a way to win. Whatever it is, where it's going to come from, but we gotta go. We gotta go. "How can you not be frustrated? We are not winning. We are not playing well. It doesn't matter how you lose it or how you win it. You just got to win. It doesn't matter who does it. You can play great and lose and it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. You can play like crap and win, and you're happy. "This is very result-oriented," Sale said. "We need to start getting results." Collision, stiches part of Coats MLB debut By Scott Merkin / MLB.com June 4th, 2016 DETROIT -- It was the best of times and the most painful of times for Jason Coats during Detroit's 7-4 victory over the White Sox on Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park. Coats, 26, made his Major League debut, starting in left field for the visitors with his wife, Bradleigh, and his mom, Janie, in the stands. He walked against Tigers starter Mike Pelfrey in the second, was hit by a pitch in the fourth and then popped out to catcher James McCann in the sixth. There was no fourth at-bat for Coats. As he was tracking a long fly ball from Miguel Cabrera in the bottom of the seventh, center fielder J.B. Shuck's left shoulder collided directly with Coats' face as they converged to make the play. White Sox manager Robin Ventura and head athletic trainer Herm Schneider ran out to left-center to check on Coats, who had moments earlier held on to the baseball and had the presence of mind to throw the ball back in. The collision caused a laceration in Coats' mouth that required five stitches and left him as day to day. Tests for a concussion turned out negative. "It's not what I wanted, but I'm still happy I got to go out there today, and it kind of stinks I had to come out of the game, but I feel fine," Coats said. "I should be good to go. No problems. "I was more just dazed a little bit. I did some tests back there, and there's nothing wrong. Everything is coherent, no problems. It was just a little pain. I had a pretty good cut below my teeth, but otherwise I'm fine. I just felt like I got knocked on the chin a little bit." Cabrera's drive was "in the middle of no-man's land," per Coats, and the crowd's roar as the ball carried made it impossible for him to communicate with Shuck. "We both went to the ball," Coats said. "It was one of those ones that was going to fall in between. I'm happy I caught it and got it back in, so that's all that matters, but a little bit better communication would have avoided [the collision]." "He gets here ready to play, then he gets hit [by a pitch], and then runs into an outfielder," Ventura said. "Both of them are OK at this point." Prior to the contest, Coats praised hitting coach Todd Steverson and assistant hitting coach Greg Sparks for helping him stay steady during an outstanding Spring Training and equally strong start for Triple-A Charlotte. He also thanked his wife and mother for standing by him during this entire journey, beginning as a 29th-round pick of the White Sox in the 2012 Draft.

4 That journey ran up to Charlotte manager Julio Vinas delivering the news of his callup Friday evening. "I'm not a very emotional person, but when he told me that, I broke out in the biggest smile I think I've had in a long time," said Coats, who was hitting.335 for the Knights at the time of his promotion. "It was probably since getting married to my wife, seeing her walk down the aisle." Rogers: Shields move could pay big for Chicago By Phil Rogers / MLB.com June 4th, 2016 You always hear that baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. But look at it like an auto race, a long auto race -- say, the Indy 500, the Daytona 500. Yes, since the White Sox got off to a fast start, jumping from their starting position in the pack to shoot past the pole-sitting Royals and Indians, they've taken on some sheet-metal damage. They may even be experiencing engine problems. But they haven't lost the belief that if they get everything running right again, they'll be near the front of the pack -- if not in the lead -- heading down the final stretch. So they have briefly pulled into the garage to pick up parts, in this case one of baseball's most consistent innings-eaters -- a right-handed Mark Buehrle, if you will. With James Shields added to the rotation behind the 1-2 combination of Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, the White Sox will get right back out on the track to try to run down the Royals and Indians, who passed them while they were sputtering during a 6-17 stretch that included Saturday's 7-4 loss in Detroit. "An acquisition like this does have an impact in the clubhouse," White Sox general Manager Rick Hahn said on Saturday night. "Not only from the players realizing that the front office is focused to do everything in our power to help them win as many games as possible this year, but also in adding a guy who has been through these battles before, who has been a leader on successful clubs, the influence he can have, whether it's in difficult stretches like we're going through now or crunch time, when it's time for the playoffs." Yes, he said it. Of course he said it. Crunch time, when it's time for the playoffs. There's not a White Sox fan alive who wouldn't want to see the 2016 team battling in late September to win the American League Central, where wins might be enough to throw down against such teams as the Red Sox, Orioles, Rangers and Mariners in October. There's no reason the White Sox shouldn't be right there, with that chance. Assuming Sale and Quintana stay healthy and Jose Abreu doesn't finish the season with the.699 OPS he's sporting, the White Sox should come out of their recent funk and step up their season pace, which has them winning 84 games. They have the pieces to reach the postseason for the first time since Hahn and his bosses recognize that, which is why they struck when they saw a chance to get better. They're sending 26-year-old right-hander Erik Johnson and 17-year-old Dominican shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. to the Padres in a complicated transaction that brings Shields to U.S. Cellular, where, during the last weekend of the 2014 season, he helped the Royals clinch a postseason spot for the first time since Adding Shields in early June, when he still has time to make 20 starts and do much to take innings off a bullpen that has been overworked because of the inconsistency of Carlos Rodon, Mat Latos and Miguel Gonzalez (who took over when John Danks was released, a move that signaled the serious nature of White Sox management), was the kind of calculated risk that can pay huge dividends. You never like to give up young talent -- and the White Sox have given up more than their share of it -- but the potential return here outweighs the risk.

5 Make no mistake about it: The Royals don't reach the postseason in '14 without Shields, and if they don't break through, then they may not have won the World Series over the Mets last October. Shields is an impact guy, a force as much with his winning, grind-it-out personality -- he knows when to smile and when to sneer -- as with the arm that has won 129 games and thrown 2,180 innings for the Rays, Royals and Padres. Now that Buehrle isn't playing, Shields is the only starter in the Major Leagues who has thrown 200-plus innings each of the last nine seasons. But talent evaluators graded him harshly when he hit the free-agent market after He didn't land a deal until Feb. 11 and has gone with a 4.00 ERA in 44 starts for his hometown Padres. Shields is 34, and his fastball isn't what it once was. He's lost two miles per hour off it since (Although interestingly, at an average of 91.4 mph, it is only two-tenths off his average fastball in 2008, when he helped Joe Maddon's Rays win a pennant.) Shields was pounded by the Mariners his last time out -- and the White Sox would like you to know his season ERA was 3.06 before that outing sent it soaring to and has underwhelmed since signing a four-year, $75 million contract (with an option for a fifth year and an opt-out clause after this season). But here's what Hahn thinks he is, in a word: tough. Tough enough to stare down AL lineups and pitch regularly in a home park where fly balls sail into the seats in the summer months. Hahn believes Shields' toughness will make him an asset for a rotation that is third in the AL with a 3.64 ERA. "I think the most important factor in this acquisition, projecting out James, is he has a very long track record of durability and consistent performance," Hahn said. "Our scouts and our analysts feel that he is going to be able to provide us with a solid presence in that rotation." But here's a big point to consider. Whereas Shields was Tampa Bay's ace before David Price, the guy Kansas City skipper Ned Yost looked to as a No. 1 starter and a conquering hero expected to sprinkle magic dust around the Padres' clubhouse, the White Sox are already fueled by the twin pistons of Sale and Quintana. They aren't really looking to Shields to turn back the clock. "He has proven he can be an elite starter in the American League historically, but that's not necessarily what we're asking of him going forward," Hahn said. "Obviously, the higher quality his performance is going forward, the better. But at the same time, with the way our rotation sets up for the next few years, we just need him to be a nice, stabilizing presence in the middle of it. From our standpoint he's just an important, solid presence in the rotation going forward." Shields is a relatively low-risk financial option for the White Sox because the Padres are reportedly obligated to pay $31 million of the $58 million owed him. He's on the White Sox books at $5 million for the rest of this season and only $10 million in each of the next two, assuming he doesn't exercise his opt-out clause to go back on the free-agent market in the winter. Given that this is a thin, seller's market, Shields might do exactly that if he does solid work down the stretch. But the White Sox are OK with him having that right. Hahn says the low commitment for less than half of what Chicago saved when Adam LaRoche retired during Spring Training -- means he still has resources to add a bat (preferably left-handed) or maybe another reliever. If Shields opts out, the White Sox receive a compensation pick in next year's Draft. This is definitely a face-saving trade for the Padres -- cutting bait on Shields and landing a couple of interesting players in return. Johnson should immediately go into San Diego's rotation and could flourish

6 when given a second chance to pitch every fifth day in the Major Leagues. He showed his potential when he was International League Pitcher of the Year last season but hadn't gained the confidence of Hahn and White Sox manager Robin Ventura. He's a winner in this trade, for sure. We'll see about the White Sox. If they win, they can win big. Sale denied AL-best 10 th victory by Tigers By Jason Beck and Kyle Beery / MLB.com June 4 th, 2016 DETROIT -- Mike Pelfrey's first win as a Tiger came at the expense of White Sox ace Chris Sale, whose latest frustrating loss in Detroit was in part due to J.D. Martinez's go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning in a 7-4 Tigers victory Saturday at Comerica Park. Both Sale and Pelfrey settled down from early runs to trade zeros in a surprise pitching duel. Pelfrey, 0-4 for his career against the White Sox, didn't allow a runner into scoring position after Adam Eaton tripled and scored in the second to give Chicago a 2-1 lead. Pelfrey (1-5) tossed six innings of two-run ball, putting himself in line for his first win since last Aug. 12. "It feels like a long time," Pelfrey said. Sale held the lead until old nemesis Victor Martinez singled with one out in the sixth. J.D. Martinez, who drove in Detroit's opening run with a first-inning sacrifice fly, sent Sale's next pitch out to left for his 12th home run. Cameron Maybin added a run with an RBI single in the seventh, and Mike Aviles' safetysqueeze sacrifice bunt was part of a three-run eighth to provide a cushion they needed once Eaton's tworun double off Mark Lowe in the ninth drew the White Sox closer. It was the second loss in three starts for Sale (9-2), who had won his first nine outings of the year. He fell to 7-6 in his career against the Tigers. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Put it in the book: Before Saturday's game, J.D. Martinez talked about scaling back his well-known notetaking of at-bats against some opponents, having built up a memory bank against some pitchers. His 28th plate appearance against Sale was more than he has against any other Major League pitcher, and he was ready to jump a first-pitch fastball. Statcast estimated the drive at 423 feet, tied for Martinez's longest this season. Eaton does it early and late: Eaton drilled a 1-0 pitch from Pelfrey to right field for a triple to get the Sox started in the third. Tyler Saladino bounced out to shortstop, bringing Eaton in to give the Sox a lead. Eaton later doubled and drove in two runs in the ninth to finish a homer shy of the cycle. Pelfrey's great escape: Pelfrey gave up three consecutive singles to start his outing, giving the White Sox a 1-0 lead with a chance for more with the middle of their order up. But Pelfrey recovered for back-to-back groundouts from Jose Abreu and J.B. Shuck to keep the damage at that. "I thought my stuff was good, and in that first inning, probably the hardest-hit ball was the ground ball up the middle to start it," Pelfrey said. "I was thinking, 'Where's this luck that I need? I need some luck here.' I thought it was good to get out of that inning, especially with the way that it started." Coats exits debut after collision in outfield: Jason Coats made his Major League debut in left field for the White Sox on Saturday. It ended in the seventh inning, when he collided with center fielder Shuck while tracking down a fly ball off the bat of Miguel Cabrera. Despite the hard collision, Coats was able to hang on for the second out of the inning.

7 Coats suffered a laceration inside his mouth when his face hit Shuck's shoulder. He was evaluated after the game and given five stitches below his teeth. He said he feels fine and should be ready to go Sunday. It was quite the interesting way to make a Major League debut, he said. "It's not what I wanted, but I'm still happy I got to go out there today," Coats said. "It stinks I had to come out of the game, but I feel fine." QUOTABLE "How can you not be frustrated? We're not winning, we're not playing well, and we're losing a lot. It doesn't matter how you lose it, it doesn't matter how you win it. You've just got to win. It doesn't matter who does it. You can play great and lose, and it doesn't matter. You can play like crap and win, and you're happy." -- Sale, on the White Sox losing nine of their last 11 games. SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Victor Martinez singled twice to improve to 18-for-36 for his career against Sale. No active player with at least 20 plate appearances against Sale has a higher average, and only Kansas City's Alcides Escobar has more hits (21). REPLAY REVIEW Pelfrey was hoping he had escaped a self-inflicted threat with a pickoff of Todd Frazier, who had escaped an 0-2 count to draw a two-out walk in the fifth inning. Replay, however, showed Frazier got his hand back to first base ahead of Cabrera's tag, keeping the inning alive. Pelfrey recovered to get an inningending fly ball from Abreu. WHAT'S NEXT White Sox: The White Sox will send Jose Quintana to the mound in Sunday's 12:10 p.m. CT series finale at Comerica Park. Quintana, the AL ERA leader, has lost each of his last four starts after winning four straight prior to that. Tigers: Justin Verlander enters his start in Sunday's 1:10 p.m. ET series finale having allowed a 1.91 ERA and.155 batting average over his last five outings. He's 4-1 against the White Sox since the start of the 2014 season. White Sox acquire James Shields from Padres By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago June 4th, 2016 The White Sox acquired James Shields and more than $30 million in cash from the San Diego Padres on Saturday. White Sox minor-leaguers Erik Johnson and Fernando Tatis Jr. were included in the deal for the 34-yearold right-hander, who is owed roughly $58 million on his current contract. The teams have talked since last weekend about a trade for Shields, who is 2-7 with a 4.28 ERA in 11 starts this season. Shields ERA sat at 3.06 before his last outing in Seattle earlier this week, when he allowed a career-high 10 earned runs in 2 2/3 innings. He has a very long track record of durability and consistent performance, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. Our scouts and analysts feel he s going to provide us with a solid presence in that rotation. What we re hoping for from James is, he s proven he can be an elite starter in the American League historically, but that s not what we re asking of him going forward. The higher quality his performance is going forward, the better. But at the same time, with the way our rotation sets up the next few years, we just needed him to be a nice stabilizing presence in the middle of it.

8 Multiple National League scouts believes James would thrive playing for a contending team. One said Shields has been hurt by the Padres porous defense. Shields should fit nicely in the team s rotation behind Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. He went in nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals, including 14 games en route to an American League pennant in He has started at least 33 games a season since Hahn has made no secret he wants to try and add on to a team that has slumped of late after a very hot start. The White Sox are 6-17 since they won 23 of their first 33 games and sit in third place in the AL Central. One area he hoped to improve is the starting rotation beyond Sale and Quintana. The White Sox continue to have high hopes for Carlos Rodon, but they re also aware he could have ups and downs throughout his second season. They also need more production from the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation. Hahn said Saturday the decision on who is the odd man out of the rotation Mat Latos or Miguel Gonzalez hasn t been determined. He also said when Shields would debut is up in the air. Shields next turn in the Padres rotation was scheduled to come Sunday. Hahn also made it clear the White Sox have more needs than just the rotation. But he wanted to move quickly to solve that area and had financial flexibility to take on part of Shields contract because of the $11.5 million left after Adam LaRoche s abrupt retirement freed up $13 million (Miguel Gonzalez received $1.5 million in April). News of the talks surfaced between the sides last weekend. Part of the difficulty in negotiating the deal is the potential for Shields to walk away at the end of the season and become a free agent because he has an opt out in his contract. Shields is set to earn $21 million each of the next two seasons the Padres are on the hook for a large chunk of that and has a $2 million buyout on his 2019 option. While the free-agent market for pitchers is razor thin next offseason, whether or not Shields, who turns 35 in December, would find a more lucrative offer remains to be seen. We had to get to the point of being comfortable from an economic standpoint how he was going to fit in going forward given his projected performance and what we were hoping to be able to surround him with it, Hahn said. The scenario first on the talent and then what if he leaves, what if he stays. As always, the talent part takes a lot of work in an exchange and this one was more complicated by economic factor. The 2015 International League pitcher of the year, Johnson hasn t been able to stick in the majors with the White Sox. He had nice auditions with the club in 2013 and 2015, winning six of nine decisions in 11 starts. But Johnson struggled when given a chance to make the rotation in 2014 and hasn t been able to get on track this season. The former second-rounder out of Cal, Johnson is 7-6 with a 4.50 ERA in 18 major league starts. He s 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA in two starts this season. Tatis, whose father played for five teams and hit 34 home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1999, signed an international deal for $700,000 with the White Sox last July. Rick Hahn hopes James Shields trade is tip of iceberg for White Sox By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago June 4th, 2016 Nothing is certain, but don t count on James Shields being the last in-season acquisition the 2016 White Sox make. While the club has stalled out and been hurt by its current 6-17 run, the White Sox won t punt their season with 65 percent of the schedule to go as evidenced by Saturday s deal for Shields.

9 The White Sox feel as if they have addressed one of their more pressing needs by adding right-handed stability to their rotation in Shields. But White Sox general manager Rick Hahn is also quite certain the addition of a starting pitcher won t solve all his team s issues (see: left-handed bat and bullpen). He began moving the club in this direction with the release of John Danks last month, and it sounds as if Hahn is prepared to continue adding to his roster to make the White Sox a more complete club. There are other areas of need on this roster potentially over the coming months, and while the rotation was certainly a very important one and frankly one we felt was going to be fairly difficult to address in the coming weeks leading up to the trade deadline given the supply and demand out there we felt it was an important one to move on early, Hahn said. But it s not the only need we see on this roster, and whether it s from a prospect standpoint or an economic standpoint, we do feel like we are in a position over the coming weeks and months to augment the roster if the opportunities arise. Based on how the Shields deal is structured, the White Sox have both the ability to take on salary from teams looking to shed it or trade prospects to make more additions. Of the $14 million remaining on Shields current salary for 2016, the White Sox are only on the hook for $5 million, according to a baseball source. Between Shields and Miguel Gonzalez, whose split contract pays him a maximum of $1.5 million this season, the White Sox have so far used $6.5 million of the $13 million saved when Adam LaRoche retired. That could come in handy as teams look to dump players over the next two months. Either way, Hahn promises to be on the lookout, something he s made clear since his team began the season with a record. Hahn is hopeful the addition of Shields fires up the White Sox until he can make another deal. I think an acquisition like this does have an impact in the clubhouse, Hahn said. Not only from the standpoint of the players realizing that the front office is similarly focused as they are to do everything in our power to help them win as many games as possible this year, but also by adding a guy who has been through these battles before, a guy who has been a leader on successful clubs and the influence he can have when its in difficult stretches like we re currently going through right now or crunch time when it comes time for the playoffs. White Sox s loss to Tigers leaves ace Chris Sale frustrated By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune June 4th, 2016 The White Sox addressed one need when they added durable starter James Shields to their rotation Saturday. But the Sox looked like they needed help in all aspects of their game in a 7-4 loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park. Sox ace Chris Sale had an off game, the offense faltered and the Tigers pulled away against reliever Matt Albers in a sloppy eighth inning. The Sox's ninth loss in their last 11 games left Sale trying to find the words to vent his frustration. "We need to start doing something, just playing better all around," Sale said. " It's plain and simple. You either win or lose. There's no middle ground, and we need to start being a little bit more in the left column. "How can you not be frustrated? We are not winning. We are not playing well. We are losing."

10 In their second straight game without outfield starters Melky Cabrera and Austin Jackson, the Sox scored just two earned runs over six innings against Tigers right-hander Mike Pelfrey, who earned his first victory since Aug. 25. Sale gave up the go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth to J.D. Martinez, who also drove in a run in the first with a sacrifice fly to left field after Sale had loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. Cameron Maybin added an RBI single in the seventh inning that drove Sale from the game after 111 pitches. Albers gave up three runs in the eighth, two of them earned after Mike Aviles reached on a sacrifice bunt that Albers couldn't field for an error. Maybin hit a two-out RBI single during the surge. "They just keep coming at you," Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "They're always dangerous, being able to hit the ball out of the ballpark, and J.D. got that one pretty good. They continued to battle. They were better offensively than us today." General manager Rick Hahn recognized after the game the team's need to add more talent. "We obviously see the games like you all do and realize there are other areas of need on this roster potentially over the coming months," Hahn said. "Whether it's from a prospect standpoint or an economic standpoint, we do feel like we are in a position over the coming weeks and months to augment the roster if the opportunities arise." White Sox acquire veteran right-hander James Shields from Padres By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune June 4th, 2016 The White Sox made their first big move to shore up playoff aspirations when they acquired veteran righthander James Shields and cash Saturday from the Padres in exchange for a pair of minor-leaguers. While sending 17-year-old shortstop prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. and right-hander Erik Johnson, 26, to San Diego, the Sox hope they are obtaining a durable, consistent veteran whose ability to eat innings will help the rotation and the bullpen. Shields, 34, is an 11-year major-league veteran ( ) who has pitched more than 200 innings and won in double digits every season since He is 2-7 with a 4.28 ERA in 11 starts this season, his second with the Padres. His 2016 ERA is inflated in large part because he gave up 10 runs in 2 2/3 innings in his last start. That prompted Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler to blast the performance as an embarrassment. Sox general manager Rick Hahn said the club expects Shields to be a solid presence in the rotation given his track record, but he also noted they don't need him to be a front-line starter given they already have left-handers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. "He has proven he can be an elite starter in the American League historically, but that's not what we're asking of him," Hahn said. "The higher quality his performance is, the better. But with the way our rotation sets up the next few years, we just needed him to be a nice, stabilizing presence in the middle of it." Robin Ventura on new White Sox pitcher James Shields White Sox manager Robin Ventura discusses new pitcher James Shields. Shields could be with the Sox for just a few months or for the next few years, depending on his decision whether or not to exercise an opt-out clause in his contract after this season.

11 If he doesn't opt out, he is owed $58 million through 2018, but the Padres agreed to eat more than half of that. The Sox will be responsible for $27 million, $5 million this season and $10 million in both 2017 and The remaining $2 million would go to a buyout if the Sox don't exercise a $16 million team option in Hahn and Ventura wouldn't reveal what their plan is for the other starters, saying they still had to speak with the affected players. Shields could replace Mat Latos (6-1, 4.02 ERA) or Miguel Gonzalez (0-1, 4.09) in the rotation and Hahn said either of them could move to the bullpen. The Sox expect Shields to be in uniform Tuesday after the team's off day Monday. "He has been in some big games and big situations, and we're hoping that he can bring some of that here," Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "But there's also a mentality, and knowing that he can go deep in games and eat up some innings for you. The guy has been doing it for a while." The Sox hope the addition provides a mental boost too as Shields joins a team that has gone 2-6 on its current trip and has lost 17 of its last 23 games. "You don't just roll out of bed and throw 200 innings," Sale said. "For him, it seems like it's that way. But just take stress off of everybody else. Take stress off the next starting pitcher. Takes stress off the bullpen. "He still has a lot left in the tank. Hopefully that's the spark we need." Hahn said the deal leaves the Sox with money and prospects to look at other roster moves. Tatis Jr., the son of former major-league third baseman Fernando Tatis, was the No. 27 international prospect when he signed with the Sox last season, according to MLB.com. The trade ends Johnson's up-and-down Sox tenure, in which he went 7-6 with a 4.50 ERA over 18 majorleague starts. He was 2-1 with a 2.94 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Charlotte this year. Happy but painful debut for White Sox outfielder Jason Coats By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune June 4th, 2016 Jason Coats said he is not one to be very emotional, but when Triple-A Charlotte manager Julio Vinas called him into his office Friday, Coats broke out in "the biggest smile I think I've had in a long time." The outfielder made his major-league debut with the White Sox in left field on Saturday, but his smile turned to a grimace in the seventh inning when he collided with center fielder J.B. Shuck while making a catch. Shuck's shoulder caught Coats in the face, and he left the game with a bloody mouth, which required stitches, and a dazed look on his face. He walked and was hit by a pitch in his first two major-league plate appearances before that and is considered day to day after passing concussion tests. "It kind of stinks I had to come out of the game, but I feel fine," Coats said. "I just needed some stitches, just bleeding a little bit, but I should be good to go." Coats was filling in for Melky Cabrera, who was placed on the family emergency leave list Friday. He took the roster spot of Tommy Kahnle, who was optioned to Charlotte after Friday's loss. He was hitting.335 with 13 doubles, seven home runs and 24 RBIs in 43 games with Charlotte and credits his success to spring guidance from Sox hitting coaches Todd Steverson and Greg Sparks.

12 "Sometimes I try to do too much at the plate, and they told me, 'Don't worry about it. You are a good hitter. Just go up there and try to put together as many quality at-bats as you can,' " Coats said. "I took a little bit of pressure off of myself and just went up there not trying to do too much and staying within myself." Coats has worked his way up the ranks after tearing the ACL in his right knee his senior season at TCU, not long before the 2012 draft.the injury caused him to drop to the Sox's 29th-round pick. A year earlier, the Orioles had drafted him in the 12th round, but he returned to school. "I had to go through a little bit of adversity, fighting and clawing to stay in there," Coats said. "It has made me a better person and definitely makes it more rewarding to make it to this level." Saturday s recap: Tigers 7, White Sox 4 By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune June 4th, 2016 White Sox left-hander Chris Sale gave up four earned runs, including a two-run homer to J.D. Martinez, in a 7-4 loss to the Tigers on Saturday evening at Comerica Park. Sale gave up a single to Victor Martinez with one out in the sixth before Martinez s shot to left-center field, for his second and third RBIs of the game. Sale loaded the bases in the first inning on two singles and a walk before Cameron Maybin scored on Martinez s sacrifice fly to left field for a 1-1 tie. Maybin added an RBI single in the seventh inning that drove Sale from the game after 111 pitches. At the plate Adam Eaton, Tyler Saladino and Todd Frazier led off the game with three straight singles to pull to a 1-0 lead against Tigers right-hander Mike Pelfrey. But Eaton tripled to lead off the third and scored on Tyler Saladino s groundout to push the Sox ahead 2-1. On the mound Sale gave up four earned runs on nine hits with two walks and a season-low two strikeouts. Sox reliever Matt Albers surrendered three runs in the eighth as the Tigers pulled away. Injury report The Sox purchased the contract of outfielder Jason Coats from Triple-A Charlotte before Saturday s game, and Coats started in left field in his major-league debut. But he didn t make it through the game. While running to make a catch in left-center field in the seventh, center fielder J.B. Shuck crashed into Coats, who held on to the ball. Coats, who appeared to take Shuck s shoulder to his face, had a bloody mouth and walked off the field with a grimace on his face. Coats was filling in for Melky Cabrera, who was placed on the family emergency leave list Friday, and takes the roster spot of right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle, who was optioned back to Charlotte after Friday s 10-3 loss. Frustration builds for White Sox ace Chris Sale By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times June 4th, 2016

13 DETROIT Frustration is beginning to surface for Chris Sale, staff ace and team leader. How can you not be frustrated? Sale said after allowing four runs over innings in another White Sox loss, a 7-4 decision to the Detroit Tigers and previously winless right-hander Mike Pelfrey (1-5). We are not winning. We are not playing well. We are losing. Yes they are. The Sox are even losing in games that supposedly match up well for them. They lost for the fifth straight time when Sale or Jose Quintana, their other All-Star candidate, start. Sale s answers about his performance, not his best with a season-low two strikeouts and after the Tigers got him for a run in the first and two more in the sixth on J.D. Martinez s two-run homer. I was fine. Just a little erratic with my command. Just not good enough, he said. Sale (9-2) usually takes it all on himself, even when he doesn t deserve that. But he knows everyone in the Sox clubhouse needs to be better. This was their 17th loss in 23 games since that start. You can t really pinpoint, Sale said. I don t know what it is, or how we do it. We better find it. We need to start doing something. Just playing better all around. We need more. We have to stop losing games. It s plain and simple. You come in every day, you play. You either win or lose, there s no middle ground, and we need to start being a little bit more in the left column. Todd Frazier got caught in a rundown between first and second, helping Pelfrey escape with a one-run inning after the first three Sox singled. Matt Albers misplayed a squeeze bunt into an error, and the Sox mustered only two hits against Pelfey after the first. You can t win the game getting two runs in eight innings and fighting back every time, Frazier said. As hitters we have to have that step on your throat mentality after you get up 2-1. Nobody s going to win getting two runs. The Sox will try to salvage a win on Sunday s series finale with Quintana facing Justin Verlander. Two straight wins against the Mets, including the Albers game, seemed to provide a boost but they regressed again getting pounded 10-3 on Friday, then losing with Sale. We are putting in the work, Sale said. We have the effort. We have the team. Everything is in line. We just have to find a way to win. Whatever it is, where it s going to come from, but we got to go. We have to go. NOTE: Adam Eaton snapped an 0-for-15 skid with a triple, two-run double and single. *Cubs manager Joe Maddon on James Shields, whom Maddon managed in Tampa Bay. Purely competitively speaking, he just never wants to come out of a game. He thinks he can beat anybody. White Sox acquire James Shields for Johnson, Tatis By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times June 4th, 2016 DETROIT The White Sox bolstered their pitching staff Saturday by acquiring veteran right-hander and former All-Star James Shields from the San Diego Padres in exchange for right-hander Erik Johnson and 17-year-old infield prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. For a beat-up team holding firm to the belief it s a contender in the American League Central despite losing nine of their last 11 games, 17 of the last 23 and a 3-11 record against division foes not named the lowly Minnesota Twins, it was a welcome shot in the arm. These Sox need something anything to prop themselves back up seeing a start dwindle into

14 It s a good pickup, third baseman Todd Frazier said after the Sox with ace Chris Sale pitching lost to the Detroit Tigers 7-4 to fall to 2-6 on what broadcaster Ken Harrelson called the road trip from hell. For one, he s back in [familiar territory in the] American League and two it gives him a boost to push on and help us in this division. I can t wait to see what he has in store. I m sure he s fired up to play for a contender. With the Padres willing to eat $29 million of the $56 remaining on Shields contract, which calls for annual salaries of $21 million through 2018, the Sox were all in on landing an innings eater with plenty of postseason experience. White Sox will pay $27 million, including $5 million this season, $10 million in 2017 and $10 million in 2018 if Shields doesn t exercise opt-out clauses after the 2016 season. We believe this move makes the entire pitching staff stronger, and the club benefits in terms of pitching depth and quality, general manager Rick Hahn said. He has proven to be one of the most dependable and durable pitchers in the major leagues over his career. Hahn knows the Sox need to shore up the offense, bullpen and bench as well but felt it was important to move early on landing Shields, who is 2-7 with a 4.28 ERA this season, a figure that jumped by more than a full run after his last outing in which he allowed 10 runs against the Seattle Mariners. Hahn was more enamored with the 3.06 ERA posted over his first 10 starts. His addition to a rotation that includes Sale (9-2, 2.54), Jose Quintana (5-5, 2.13) and Carlos Rodon (2-5, 4.41) and right-handers Mat Latos (6-1, 4.02) and Miguel Gonzalez (0-1, 4.09) could mean a move to the bullpen for Gonzalez. Shields has made 30 or more starts and pitched 200 or more innings in each of his last nine seasons. He owns a career ERA of He was scheduled to pitch for the Padres on Sunday and when he pitches and how it affects the rotation was being discussed Saturday night. Johnson, 26, is 2-1 with a 2.94 ERA over eight starts at AAA Charlotte, where he was the International League Pitcher of the Year in He was 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA in two starts with the Sox this season. Tatis was signed as an international free agent for $700,000 in He is the son of former major league third baseman Fernando Tatis Sr. The Sox saved $13 million in salary when Adam LaRoche retired, and Hahn said there is still money to spend to improve the roster. We we are in a position over the coming weeks and months to augment the roster if the opportunities arise, he said. Jason Coats makes debut, OK after Collision By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times June 4 th, 2016 DETROIT White Sox left fielder Jason Coats left Saturday s game against the Detroit Tigers after colliding with center fielder J.B. Shuck near the left-center field warning track. Coats, making his major league debut after being called up from AAA Charlotte earlier Saturday, caught Miguel Cabrera s fly just before ramming hard into Shuck. for cheating after Bachelorette premiere Coats held onto the ball, got up and made a soft throw before falling back to the ground. He was bleeding from the mouth and was given concussion tests by trainer Herm Schneider. The Sox said Coats left with a cut in his mouth and is day-to-day. The collison left Coats feeling dazed but he appeared fine after the game.

15 I m good. Nothing too serious, Coats said. I just needed some stitches inside my lip, but everything else is fine. It s not what I wanted, but I m still happy I got to go out there today and it kind of stinks I had to come out of the game, but I feel fine. I just needed some stitches, just bleeding a little bit, but I should be good to go. No problems. Coats, a 26-year-old former 29th-round draft pick, was 0-for-1 with a walk in his first plate appearance and a hit-by-pitch. He was batting.335 with seven homers, 13 doubles, two triples, 24 RBI and 26 runs scored over 43 games with Charlotte. Coats leads the International League in average and ranks third in on-base percentage (.399), slugging percentage (.567) and OPS (.966). He has played 31 games in right field and 11 in left. He s 13-for-24 with three homers over his last six games. It was just like a dream come true, Coats said before the game. And lots of hard work paying off. I have to thank my wife and my mom for always being there supporting me so far through everything. And then just being blessed by God just to have this opportunity. Been through a lot but it s finally paying off right now. The Sox are already short on outfielders with starting left fielder Melky Cabrera away for the weekend on Family Emergency Leave and center fielder Austin Jackson battling a foot injury. The Sox 40-man roster increases to 39. Coats took the roster spot of right-hander Tommy Kahnle, who was optioned to Charlotte after last night s game. Here was the starting Sox lineup: Eaton CF Saladino SS Frazier 3B Abreu 1B Shuck CF Lawrie 2B Rollins DH Coats LF Navarro C Sale P Ostrowski: Abreu is the reason for recent White Sox dive By Joe Ostrowski / Daily Herald June 4 th, 2016 Fire manager Robin Ventura. Starter James Shields isn't enough pitching. It's time to bring up prospect Tim Anderson to be the every day shortstop. You've heard it all and it be would be hard to disagree with any of that. But the Sox's top priority doesn't have anything to do with those sorts of changes. It has everything to do with getting Jose Abreu back to what he was. In 2014, he was the AL rookie of the year, an all-star, fourth in AL MVP voting, and top five in just about every offensive category. Abreu is supposed to be a part of the White Sox's core that keeps them in contention for the AL Central title. The group that includes Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, and Adam Eaton. The Sox are in the division race in June in spite of Abreu.

16 One-third of the season is already in the book and Abreu's production has taken a nose dive compared to his averages over 2014 and The first baseman's batting average and on-base percentage are down over 50 points. His on-base plus slugging is down over 200 points. Abreu is on pace to hit 15 fewer home runs and drive in 19 less runs. According to FanGraphs' wins above replacement stat, Abreu is the 172nd best player in baseball. His WAR is the worst on the entire White Sox roster. That's how bad it is. The metrics are saying he's their worst player. Abreu is making nearly 12 million dollars, their second highest salary, and is under contract for the next three and a half years. Roster construction is why the Sox need the old Abreu. He is expected to be one of a few studs, but is playing more like a scrub. The offense has a ceiling since they only have three to four dependable hitters. A couple of players are out and all of a sudden the lineup is littered with humans named Jason Coats and J.B. Shuck. Their pitching had to be near perfect when they were winning consistently with a struggling Abreu. It may seem like Abreu is striking out and chasing pitches outside of the strike zone more often. Neither are the case. His strikeout rate hasn't budged. It's been at 21-percent all three seasons. He actually has a lower swinging strike rate and chases less pitches than he did in The issue for Abreu is the type of contact that he's creating off the bat. Two years ago, the first baseman's line drive rate was 23 percent. It's dipped down to 17 percent. His soft contact is up 6 percent and hard contact down 4 percent from two years ago. Just imagine the pitchforks if Greg Walker were still the Sox hitting coach. I can almost hear Bob on the South Side calling to scream, "Walker ruined Abreu!" Many will say general manager Rick Hahn needs to add more than Shields, but they aren't going anywhere with this version of Abreu. Chicago White Sox land workhorse starter James Shields in trade from Padres By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald June 4th, 2016 The Chicago White Sox haven't played like a contending team the past month, but they still consider themselves to be playoff worthy following a start. That's why, on Saturday, they acquired starting pitcher James Shields in a trade from the San Diego Padres. The Sox sent two minor leaguers -- Class AAA Charlotte starter Erik Johnson and shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. -- to the Padres. Shields was 2-7 with a 4.28 ERA for San Diego this year, but the 34-year-old right-hander is a career with a 3.76 ERA over 11 seasons with Tampa Bay, Kansas City and San Diego. "We're pleased to add a starter of James Shields' caliber to our starting rotation," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "We believe this move makes the entire pitching staff stronger, and the club certainly benefits from his addition in terms of pitching depth and quality. "He has proven to be one of the most dependable and durable pitchers in the major leagues over his career."