White Sox general manager Kenny Williams is singing a different tune after this recent rush by his team, which has produced nine wins in its past 10 games.
Williams was considering major changes to the White Sox’s roster two weeks ago. But the GM, whose team nine games under .500 in early June, is no longer in selling mode.

“It was like sharks in the water and buzzards hovering over,” Williams said of other executives inquiring about players. “Generally, I’m one of the buzzards hovering over other teams. It’s been an interesting experience being on the other end. I can’t say I enjoyed it, but I certainly didn’t expect us to be back to .500 this quickly. So this team has responded and shown some resiliency. Those efforts should be commended and acknowledged in the form that … we’ve got to see what the possibilities are to help them out.”

That help could come in the form of a left-handed hitter such as Washington’s Adam Dunn, Houston’s Lance Berkman or Baltimore’s Luke Scott.

The White Sox also are in need of another left-handed reliever -- though Williams boldly stated that No. 1 draft pick Chris Sale could be ready to help the White Sox sometime this summer. Sale officially signed a contract today for $1.656 million. He was picked by the White Sox with the 16th overall pick earlier this month.

“At first we were negotiating with [the White Sox],” Sale said. “But the most important thing is playing baseball. No one can get better figuring out a contract. I like to play and we were both ready. We thought it was a good deal, now we’re ready to get this ship sailing.”

The plan is for Sale to go to Class-A Winston-Salem and prepare himself as a reliever under the tutelage of former Sox closer Bobby Thigpen.

“He’ll be a great person to be around and a great person to learn from,” Sale said.

Notes
• White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen presented a cigar humidor the size of a large suitcase to Braves manager Bobby Cox, who is retiring after 20 years leading the team. Guillen played for Cox in 1998, and has a close relationship with the future hall of fame manager. The humidor was designed by former White Sox slugger Ron Kittle, who specializes in baseball woodwork and furniture.