Chicago White Sox Rumors: Tracking Hot Updates, News and Reaction

Much like their rose-colored counterparts in Boston, things haven't gone quite according to plan for the Chicago White Sox in 2015. Yet despite facing a double-digit deficit in the race for the American League Central, the White Sox are within six games of a wild-card berth heading into the season's second half.

Because of that, a mass exodus of players from the current roster isn't in the cards, as the team's former general manager and current executive vice president, Ken Williams, told USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

"I don't want to say my expectations were too high," Williams said, "but certainly we were optimistic. We certainly see the potential, it just hasn't manifested itself yet. But just because it hasn't come to fruition yet, it would be short-sighted to tear it down and go for a total rebuild."

While the team may ultimately decide to sell off a few pieces, with starter Jeff Samardzija the most obvious candidate, the White Sox could decide to stay the course if they get off to a hot start coming out of the All-Star break.

Whichever path the team ultimately decides to follow, keep it here for the most up-to-the-minute rumblings about the White Sox, along with analysis and everything else that comes with it. The post date will always show as July 15, but simply click to the next slide to see the latest from the rumor mill.

Done Deals

Matt Marton/Associated Press

July 24: Traded IF Conor Gillaspie to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations

July 30: Acquired IF Justin Sellers from the Pittsburgh Pirates; cost not yet known

White Sox Are on the Hunt for Offense

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Thursday, July 30 at 3:42 p.m. ET

USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweets that the White Sox are "aggressively" trying to add a bat and are checking in on pretty much anyone that might be available, including Detroit's Yoenis Cespedes.

Other impact bats that could potentially be on the team's radar include Cincinnati's Marlon Byrd and Jay Bruce and San Diego's Justin Upton, among others.

The Latest on Jeff Samardzija

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Update: Monday, July 27 at 8:53 p.m. ET

CSN Chicago's Dan Hayes says that Toronto is making the biggest push to acquire Jeff Samardzija from the White Sox, while noting that San Francisco has recently thrown their hat into the ring as a possible landing spot.

--End of Update--

Update: Wednesday, July 22 at 6:20 p.m. ET

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman believes the most four most likely landing spots for Jeff Samardzija are with the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.

While there's still no word on what the White Sox are looking for in return, it's fair to assume that controllable pieces that are nearly major-league ready are at the top of their wish list.

--End of Update--

Update: Wednesday, July 15 at 8:52 p.m. ET

We can add the Houston Astros to the list of teams with interest in Samardzija, according to the Houston Chronicle's Evan Drellich.

The Astros could be an interesting trade partner for the White Sox as they have a number of prospects that could potentially fill holes in Chicago, including third baseman Colin Moran and catcher Max Stassi. Additionally, pitching prospect Mark Appel, the first overall pick in the 2013 draft, could also be available.

--End of Update--

Few pitchers have done more to raise their value as a trade chip in recent weeks than Jeff Samardzija, who has pitched to a 2.40 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over his last six starts, holding the opposition to a .225/.277/.288 slash line in the process.

While those numbers are what you'd expect from an ace—and Oakland traded a pair of quality prospects to the crosstown Cubs (Addison Russell and Billy McKinney) at last year's deadline to land Samardzija—can the White Sox really expect to bring in a similar haul?

Seeing as how he's been linked to pretty much every team that considers itself a contender, the answer to that question might be closer to yes than anyone thinks.

With scouts from multiple teams consistently in attendance at his starts, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo opines that Samardzija could very well be the first pitcher moved, helping to open the floodgates of activity while setting the market for front-line starters.

White Sox Are Still on the Fence

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

Rick Hahn needs to make a decision.

Saturday, July 18 at 11:20 a.m. ET

Before Chicago split a doubleheader against Kansas City on Friday, general manager Rick Hahn remained undecided about which direction he was leaning as the trade deadline draws near.

“Let’s see how things play out,” Hahn told the Chicago Tribune's Colleen Kane. “In the end we’re going to have to do what makes the most sense, based upon how we’re playing, the number of teams we have to jump over and the likelihood of being able to jump over them. Certainly if I did it from an emotional or fan standpoint, we want to be aggressive we want to add."

Heading into Saturday's games, the team sits 11 games back of Kansas City for the AL Central lead, with both Minnesota and Detroit ahead of them. While they're only six games out of a wild-card berth, they'd have to jump over five teams to get there.

Neither outcome seems likely at this point.

While nobody's advocating that Hahn completely tear down what he's building, trading Jeff Samardzija for a package of talent is a far better option than holding on to him, hoping that the club can go on a run, only to fall short and watch him depart after the season as a free agent.

The White Sox aren't that far off from being contenders—but they're not close enough to stand pat (or buy) at this year's deadline.

Hahn needs to sell—and he should look to do so before other teams on the fence make the same decision.