Demoted second baseman Steve Sax said Saturday he expects the White Sox to try to trade him soon.
Sax, a five-time All-Star who come to the Sox from the Yankees a year ago for three pitchers, has struggled in Chicago and was told Friday he had lost his starting job to Craig Grebeck.
“I know the writing’s on the wall,” said Sax. “They’re not going to keep me around just to sit on the bench.”
Sax is signed through 1995 and is guaranteed $7.8 million for the next three seasons. He originally signed with the Yankees after the 1991 season for four years at $12.4 million.
He said his demotion was “not a good feeling. But nobody’s bigger than the game. I took somebody’s job when I came up.
“It’s just really frustrating. I can’t figure why I’ve played so poorly. With the Yankees I led the league in fielding and double plays, and I come over here and stink up the place.”
Actually, Sax was second in the league in fielding percentage at second base and third in the league in double plays in 1991. But his point is valid.
– General Manager Ron Schueler gave up three pitchers who are all on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, including Bobby Wickman, who was 6-1 with the Yankees last year and has a 0.60 earned-run average this spring, and Melido Perez.
– The Sox will make their next round of cuts Sunday.The Sox have 39 players. They have to be down to 25 by Opening Day and are expected to take 28 to 30 when they go to Las Vegas for three games to wrap up spring training next weekend.
– Visiting teams usually get more cheers than the White Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. About the only Sox player who regularly draws loud applause is Bo Jackson. At least, until Carlton Fisk started playing. Fisk got a rousing ovation when he was introduced in just his second game Saturday. He responded by going 3 for 4 with a run batted in, two runs scored and a stolen base.
– Grebeck was 1 for 3 with an RBI in his second consecutive start at second base. Since being told he would be the starting second baseman on Opening Day. Grebeck is 4 for 7 at the plate.
– When he told Grebeck he had the starting job at second base, Sox manager Gene Lamont also told utility infielder Joey Cora to expect a good amount of playing time. Cora started at short Saturday and was 1 for 2 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI. He is batting .410 with a .500 on-base percentage, four stolen bases and just one error.
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– Jack McDowell started and got the victory Saturdy against Texas. He gave up one run on three hits and struck out four in six innings. The victory raised McDowell’s spring record to 4-0 and lowered his ERA to 3.32.
– Outfielder Warren Newson, who looks as if he could be squeezed out for a spot in the outfield, extended a hitting streak to six games with a single to center in the seventh inning. He is batting .393 (11 for 28) in 15 games.