The way White Sox General Manager Larry Himes sees it, speculation about his future will continue until his contract is either extended or expires at the end of this season.
The most recent speculation came late Monday, when ESPN guessed that Himes would be replaced next season by Ron Schueler, the Oakland scout and former Sox pitcher and pitching coach.
”I would say that as time goes on, there`s going to be more speculation, not less speculation,” Himes said. ”Speculation is always there until something is concrete.”
Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said there is ”no truth” to the report about Schueler, with whom he`s had only two casual conversations in a year.
”With respect to the issue of Larry, there is nothing new there,”
Reinsdorf said. ”When I think it`s time to discuss the situation, Larry and I will discuss it.”
Schueler`s name apparently arose because he is close to Oakland manager Tony LaRussa, still a Reinsdorf favorite.
Himes did not see the ESPN report, but he heard about it moments after it aired when a friend called him at home.
”I have not followed up on the story to find out if it`s true or not,”
Himes said. ”I don`t waste my time doing that.”
Perez predicament: Manager Jeff Torborg said he hasn`t considered sending slumping Melido Perez to the bullpen, but that might be changing. Torborg, asked again on Tuesday if Perez would stay in the rotation when Eric King returns this weekend, said: ”See what Wayne Edwards does. I think we need Melido to win.” But Torborg later added: ”Would we be a better ballclub with him in the bullpen? I don`t think so. He`s going to win some big games for us.”
Perez has lost four of his last five decisions; his ERA is up to 4.52 from 3.75.
Stark reality: Matt Stark has tied Birmingham`s club record of 108 RBIs.
To err is . . . Right-fielder Sammy Sosa committed his 12th error of the season Monday night. That`s one more error than shortstop Ozzie Guillen has.
New time: ESPN has ordered the Sox to change the start of their Sept. 5 home game against Kansas City to 7:35 p.m.