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Doug Padilla recaps the White Sox and looks at what changes might be in store for 2014.

A group that played defense as well as anybody in 2012 was nowhere near that good just one year later. Kevin Youkilis came to the White Sox during the 2012 season and settled the left side of the infield. This year, Jeff Keppinger was unable to take control of the third-base spot, while Conor Gillaspie showed flashes of solid defense early but wasn't able to maintain it. On the right side, Gordon Beckham and Paul Konerko both spent lengthy stays on the disabled list with injuries.

The good: When he was healthy, Beckham showed that he could be ready to be much more consistent at the plate, but that star potential that was being talked about when he broke into the league no longer is mentioned. When Gillaspie was acquired in a trade with the San Francisco Giants in spring training, he looked like a solid left-handed bat off the bench. He showed that if he continues to develop he can be much more than that. He admitted early that defense has never been his strength, but showed enough solid plays to make it clear that he should get better in that area. Nobody was touting Joe Crede as a solid defender either and he developed into a steady, if not spectactular, fielder.

The bad: It was obvious to see the defensive miscues on the infield that spelled doom for the White Sox, like Alexei Ramirez's 22 errors, which led all American League shortstops. The real issue is that nobody on the infield rose to the occasion offensively. Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn started all but 16 games at first base and yet White Sox first basemen finished ninth in the American League in home runs with 23 and 12th in RBIs with 77. Their 62 runs scored were 13th. At second base, the White Sox had a .306 on-base percentage, 11th in the AL, while at shortstop (essentially Ramirez), they were 12th in RBIs with 51. The biggest trouble spot was at third base where the 60 runs scored were 13th in the AL and the .287 on-base percentage was 12th. The White Sox only had 15 home runs from their third basemen, but four teams (Royals, Twins, Yankees and Angels) were actually worse.

Who's next: Marcus Semien was impressive as a September call-up and could push Gillaspie for playing time at third base next season. Keppinger is expected to revert back to his expected role of utility man. Could the White Sox be interested in trading Beckham this offseason? And if they do, what could they get in return for him? Semien, a natural shortstop, also has a little second base on his resume, while Keppinger can play there as well. If the free agent Konerko doesn't return, Dunn is expected to take over at first base full time.

2014 outlook: It doesn't seem like it can get any worse for the White Sox, but that's not just the story of the infield, that pertains to the entire roster. More is needed from Ramirez offensively and defensively. Early in his career, Ramirez was pushing his way into Gold Glove talk. At this point, the White Sox would be satisfied if he simply got his defense back to the middle of the pack.

CHICAGO -- At least one Chicago White Sox decision for 2014 already has been made.

Manager Robin Ventura said the Opening Day starter next year will be Chris Sale. Outside of that, Ventura acknowledged that any and all changes could be made from a club that nearly lost 100 games for the first time in 43 years.

“There's a fair chance of anything,” Ventura said.

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The role of team leader might be open with the unknown status of White Sox team captain Paul Konerko. The veteran free agent will not decide until November if he will play next season. Regardless of his decision, a changing of the guard in the Sox locker room is inevitable.

Gone are the days of Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski and Jim Thome being the go-to guys inside the Sox clubhouse. Veteran designated hitter/first baseman Adam Dunn will automatically become a go-to guy. That said, Dunn has only one year remaining on his four-year, $56 million contract. Others in the organization point to Gordon Beckham as the next voice of the White Sox clubhouse.

“I think there are guys here that have the ability to [be a leader]," manager Robin Ventura said. “When things are going tough like this year, it is harder to do that. When it is going well for a guy, it is easy to do that. Usually at times like this, you see the true character of people. Guys like Gordon have stepped up and have been responsible and accountable."

The natural passing of the leadership baton from Konerko to Beckham would make sense in a few different ways. The 26-year-old second baseman has been a close friend and student of Konerko’s since he arrived on the major league scene in 2009.

"That is not something that is just going to be given to you," Beckham said. "You have to earn the respect of your teammates. The leader role will take care of itself. Some guys will be involved in managing the team, and that will evolve in due time.”

Beckham has established himself as a Gold Glove-caliber second baseman. He reinvented his batting stance in 2013. Working out of a deep crouch, he was able to have a more direct route of the bat to contact, taking away the loop in his swing. The end result was a batting average of above .300 for the first four months of the season. Having to deal with a leg and wrist injury altered his approach and cut almost 35 points off the season average.

Learning at the knee of the accomplished Konerko has prepared Beckham for the next step in his role with the White Sox.

"Going back to my time [at the University of] Georgia, that [leadership skill] was in me then," he said. "It hasn’t left me; it has been a matter of taking a back seat to the veterans like Paul, Dunn and Jim Thome. We let them run what was rightfully theirs to run. I have learned a lot from Paul. We spend a lot of time together, on and off the field. I am confident I have learned as much as I can from him in terms of how to handle the media stuff or just everyday things in here. I know he has taught me the right way to do it."

The maturity that Beckham has gained as a ballplayer has also helped in his off-field life, seen in his commitment to his religion and his pending marriage in November.

CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox fell 6-1 to the Kansas City Royals on Friday, their 22nd loss in their past 28 games.

How it happened: The Royals scored three runs in the first inning off White Sox ace Chris Sale and never looked back. The White Sox scored their lone run in the sixth inning on a solo home run from Gordon Beckham, his fifth. Sale gave up four runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings.

What it means: The White Sox still need to win one of the past two games against the Royals to avoid their first 100-loss season since 1970. The defeat guarantees the White Sox will lose at least 98 games, assuring them the fifth-most losses in franchise history. One more defeat and the White Sox will tie the 1934 team with 99 losses. The 1948 team lost 101 games, the 1932 team lost 102 and the 1970 club dropped 106.

Outside the box: Sale finished the best season of his young career with a 3.07 ERA after starting the night with a 2.97 mark. His 11-14 record was nowhere indicative of how well he pitched. The left-hander went 214 1/3 innings this season with 226 strikeouts and 46 walks. His strikeouts total improved by 34 over last season, while he walked five fewer batters. He ended 2012 with a 3.05 ERA.

Offbeat: Perhaps the White Sox had some extra fireworks to explode before the end of the season, because they put on a display in the sixth inning. Alexei Ramirez hit a drive to deep left field that sent Royals outfielder Alex Gordon climbing the outfield fence. Realizing the ball wouldn’t travel that far, Gordon dropped from the fence while catching the ball. It all looked so deceiving that the home run fireworks show started, with Ramirez making it almost to third base in his home run trot before realizing what happened.

Up next: The White Sox will send right-hander Erik Johnson (2-2, 2,82) to the mound on Saturday for his last outing of the season. The Royals will counter with right-hander Yordano Ventura (0-0, 1.59) in the 6:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.

CHICAGO – It appears as if the Chicago White Sox can’t even master the art of a losing season as they have put together a winning stretch this month that could downgrade their draft pick slot next June even further if it continues.

The Houston Astros, who are in town for a three-game series, have already drafted No. 1 overall in each of the last two seasons and look to have a third consecutive top pick already wrapped up as they started the day with a baseball-worst 43-86 record.

At the start of August, the White Sox appeared to be headed for a high pick as well, as they were 29 games under .500 as of Aug. 4. At that time they had a firm hold on the second worst record in baseball and were gaining on the Astros’ stranglehold of the No 1 selection with a 10-game losing streak.

Since that point, though, the White Sox have delivered a 14-6 record and now have the third worst record, moving past the Miami Marlins in the overall standings. They were a half game behind the Cubs for fourth worst at the start of play Monday, while they were three behind both the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays, and 3½ behind the San Francisco Giants.

While the players push forward with improved play, the concept of downgrading their draft pick is not lost on them.

“Obviously that makes sense, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to go lose,” Gordon Beckham said. “The more we lose the better pick we have in the draft; that’s a no-brainer, but that’s not the way you play sports. That’s not the way handle things.”

If there were more guarantees in the baseball draft, perhaps it would make more sense to call off the dogs. High baseball draft picks are less of a sure thing than in football or basketball.

And the White Sox’s own history shows that the best players don’t have to come from the top five picks in a draft. Paul Konerko, one of the best offensive performers in franchise history, was a 13th overall pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1994. And he was also drafted as a catcher.

Frank Thomas, who could be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when the voting is compiled this winter, was a No. 7 overall pick in 1989. One year earlier, Robin Ventura was a No. 10 overall selection.

Those numbers, though, have nothing to do with the White Sox’s desire to play better. A winning environment through the end of the season has its own value as the White Sox have already given playing time to Avisail Garcia, and plan to do the same with Leury Garcia. Both were obtained in trades over the last month.

“Both those guys have come over from teams that have won,” Ventura said. “It’s just part bringing them in and being able to win games. That’s good. They’re winning-type players and I think (GM) Rick (Hahn) did a good job. You’re getting guys that are coming here, playing hard and can do the right thing.”

Besides, the White Sox have already shown some head-scratching play, from the bullpen’s early struggles, to the poor defense and base running, all the way to the inconsistent offense. They know they have a better brand of baseball inside of them and they are finally showing it.

“I think it’s important to finish the season strong for a lot of reasons but mainly because we have some younger guys in here that are trying to get some confidence,” Beckham said. “In my mind it’s important for everybody to finish strong and try to do the right things: hit the cutoff man and do things that will end up being big things down the road.

“I think we just need to keep doing what we’re doing because we’re playing well. We’re still making errors every once in a while but we’re picking the other person up and I think that’s important. You just have to keep grinding it out but I think we’re in a great spot to really finish up strong and hopefully carry that into next season.”

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox's 5-2 victory Sunday finished off the series triumph over the Texas Rangers.

How it happened: John Danks held the Rangers to two runs over six innings while Jordan Danks hit a home run. Josh Phegley also went deep one day after his game-ending single in the bottom of the ninth inning. Adam Dunn had an RBI single and the White Sox scored twice more in the third inning when Rangers center fielder Craig Gentry had a Gordon Beckham line drive hit off his glove for an error. The White Sox overcame Alexei Ramirez's 21st error of the season. Addison Reed closed out the ninth inning for his 35th save.

What it means: Make that four consecutive series victories for the White Sox, two of which came against first-place teams. The White Sox won two of three from the Tigers at home (Aug. 12-14), then went on the road to win series at Minnesota and Kansas City. The Rangers are the leaders in the AL West. Going back to the start of the last homestand when they faced the Yankees, the White Sox have won five of their last six series. The only series they lost was at home against the Twins (Aug. 9-11). With the non-waiver trade deadline now in the rear-view mirror, the White Sox are 14-6 since Aug. 5.

Outside the box: According to Elias, Jordan Danks' home run with John Danks pitching was the first time a brother had hit a home run in support of his brother since 1955. The Kansas City A's Billy Schantz was the last to do it in support of brother Bobby. Jordan Danks entered the game in the top of the fourth inning and hit his home run a half inning later.

Off beat: Bench coach Mark Parent was gone before the first pitch as he was ejected during the pregame lineup card exchange. Avisail Garcia made it to the fourth inning before he left the game after crashing into the right-field fence. Garcia appeared groggy as he walked off the field.

Up next: The White Sox will send right-hander Andre Rienzo (1-0, 3.56 ERA) to the mound Monday against Houston in the opener of a three-game series. The Astros will counter with left-hander Brett Oberholtzer (3-1, 2.91) in the 7:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.

A quick look at the Chicago White Sox’s 2-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

How it happened: Gordon Beckham gave the White Sox a first-inning lead with his fourth homer of the year and they didn’t look back. John Danks shut down the Royals, going eight innings, scattering seven hits and one walk. The White Sox added a run in the second inning when Paul Konerko scored on a passed ball by Royals catcher Salvador Perez. Konerko had doubled to start the inning and advanced to third on a single from Avisail Garcia, who was 3-for-4. Addison Reed picked up the save in the ninth after allowing a leadoff single to Billy Butler.

What it means: Following a season-high 10 game losing streak the White Sox have won four straight and 10 of 15.

Outside the box: Danks ended an eight-start winless streak in which he went 0-5 with a 4.70 ERA.

Up next: The White Sox send Andre Rienzo (0-0, 3.70 ERA) against the Royals’ Jeremy Guthrie (12-9, 4.15) Wednesday in a 7:10 CT start.

Here's a quick look at the Chicago White Sox's 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday at Target Field:

How it happened: Pinch-hitter Chris Herrmann drove in Doug Bernier with the winning run in the ninth inning off Ramon Troncoso to continue the Twins' mastery of the Sox this season. Making his fourth career start, Andre Rienzo allowed one earned run -- a home run by Trevor Plouffe -- and left with a 3-2 lead after six innings. The Twins tied the game 3-3 in the eighth inning when Justin Morneau drove home Joe Mauer with an RBI single off Nate Jones. The Sox jumped out to an early lead on an RBI single by Adam Dunn and a sacrifice fly by Paul Konerko scored Gordon Beckham for a 2-0 lead.

What it means: The Sox's struggles against the Twins continue. After dropping three of four games last weekend at U.S. Cellular Field, the Sox lost the opening game of this four-game series to fall to 3-10 against Minnesota this season.

Outside the box: Beckham left in the fourth inning after suffering a quad strain and was replaced by Jeff Keppinger.

Next: Jose Quintana (6-4, 3.70 ERA) will start for the White Sox against the Twins' Kevin Correia (8-8, 4.59) in the second game of the series at 7:10 p.m. CT Friday.

Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham left Thursday's game against the Minnesota Twins with a right quad strain, the team announced.

Beckham, who was replaced by Jeff Keppinger, was 1 for 2 and scored on a sacrifice fly by Paul Konerko in the first inning.

Beckham is batting .310 with 3 home runs and 17 RBIs this season.

CHICAGO -- Finally elevated enough to be able to look down at rock bottom, the Chicago White Sox were able lament Wednesday's missed opportunities against the Detroit Tigers while still knowing that a better brand of baseball has arrived.

The White Sox just completed their first winning homestand in three months, and while it might not prove that things are permanently on the rise, it is finally a sign that the club wasn't as bad as their recent 10-game losing streak, and 13 defeats in 14 games suggested.

Bottoming out never is a graceful thing to do, and the healing process can have its issues as well, but in going 6-4 in the last 10 home games, the White Sox look to be in a better place, even though they lost four veterans in trades and, more recently, just left 15 runners on base in a 6-4 defeat to the Tigers on Wednesday.

"It's kind of a different team right now," manager Robin Ventura said. "We have some new players and it becomes a different mix of who you're playing. It's good. It's good they're starting out this way."

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CHICAGO -- Although Paul Konerko is the Chicago White Sox’s team leader and captain, sooner or later the torch must be passed on. The likely heir apparent to the role is Gordon Beckham.

Beckham and Konerko have spent many hours talking hitting and the game of baseball in general the past few years.

“This is not anything to talk about now,” Beckham said. “He’s our captain for a good reason. He understands the role. He understands what it takes to be successful. He is always there for (teammates) to talk to about the game. He has a lot more left in the tank and there is no reason to talk about that -- he is the guy.”

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CHICAGO – Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura played around with the lineup Saturday and not all changes were directly related to Alex Rios’ departure via trade one day earlier.

Alexei Ramirez was in the No. 3 spot for the second consecutive game, which was Rios’ old spot, but Gordon Beckham was in the leadoff spot for just the second time this season as Alejandro De Aza was given the day off. Conor Gillaspie batted second for the first time.

Newcomer Avisail Garcia also got his first start, playing in center field while batting sixth.

“Going forward, once you don’t have Rios here, things start moving around a little bit more than before just because of changes and personnel,” Ventura said. “As of right now, it’s there. It’s subject to change obviously.”

Garcia, who said he has no preference of where he plays in the outfield, was back in center field. It will be his 27th major league game in center. He has played 24 games in right and five in left.

“There is a different element to it that you have some younger guys up here that you can move around and just see what they can do,” Ventura said. “This is a process of moving forward that you’re kind of assessing more things than you were before.”

Causing even more of a lineup shuffle was the fact that Dayan Viciedo was a late scratch for the second consecutive day with a sore left thumb.

Saturday’s final lineup against Minnesota Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey:

1. Beckham, 2B
2. Gillaspie, 3B
3. Ramirez, SS
4. Adam Dunn, DH
5. Paul Konerko, 1B
6. Garcia, CF
7. John Danks, RF
8. Josh Phegley, C
9. Blake Tekotte, LF

Andre Rienzo pitches.

CHICAGO -- The loss of teammates due to a lost season on the field was no surprise to the Chicago White Sox players who remain on the club.

Alex Rios is the latest casualty of a horrendous baseball campaign that has management changing the fabric of the 25-man roster on the fly.

Rios was traded to Texas Friday for a player to be named later who is expected to be infielder-outfielder Leury Garcia. The long faces in the clubhouse after a 7-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins in the first game of a doubleheader were part mental fatigue and part the realization that another baseball brother had to be sacrificed for the future.

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CHICAGO -- All it took for the Chicago White Sox to awaken their senses was the traveling circus known as the New York Yankees.

The White Sox limped home on a 10-game losing streak and were met by Alex Rodriguez’s controversy and the pending retirement of Mariano Rivera, not to mention Derek Jeter’s trip to the disabled list.

The White Sox also were facing, in succession, Andy Pettitte, Hiroki Kuroda and CC Sabathia, a trio that in any other year would surely spell doom.

It ended up as a Chicago three-game sweep, with the punctuation mark the fact that the White Sox have now swept the Yankees in consecutive series of at least three games for the first time in 100 years.

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CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox pulled off the three-game sweep of the New York Yankees, rallying for a 6-5 victory in 12 innings.

How it happened: First the White Sox crashed Mariano Rivera’s farewell party on the South Side as a pair of two-out hits in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Hall of Fame-bound closer a blown save. It was Rivera’s third blown save this year and the 77th of his career. Gordon Beckham doubled with two outs in the ninth and Adam Dunn tied it on a pinch-hit RBI single. After the Yankees took the lead in the 12th on a home run from Robinson Cano, Alejandro De Aza won it with a two-out, two-run triple off reliever Adam Warren. Beckham had two RBIs in the game, while Paul Konerko had an RBI double. The White Sox trailed 4-0 after four innings. Hector Santiago had a rocky start for the White Sox, giving up four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

What it means: In his last outing at U.S. Cellular Field, Rivera failed to do what he does best. Entering the game to a standing ovation and asked to protect a one-run lead, Rivera got fly outs from Alex Rios and Paul Konerko before Beckham and Dunn got their back-to-back hits. His career save total at U.S. Cellular Field will remain at 21. He has 41 saves in his career against the White Sox. Rivera was recognized Tuesday with a framed box score of his first outing at U.S. Cellular Field in 1995 and a photo collage from when the Yankees played in Chicago in the first game after play was suspended because of 9/11. The White Sox also donated $4,200 to the Jackie Robinson Foundation in Rivera’s name.

Outside the box: Santiago, a native of Newark, N.J., had been on a roll until facing the Yankees. He gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks in his 5 2/3 innings of work. It was the first time he had given up more than three earned runs in an outing since June 28 against the Cleveland Indians. He entered with a 2.75 ERA over his last six starts.

Off beat: It took a century and needed a pair of improbable comebacks to do it, but the White Sox have finally swept the Yankees in consecutive series of at least three games. The last time it happened was in 1913 when the White Sox swept a four-game series after sweeping a three-game set in 1912. The White Sox swept the Yankees at home in August of last season and did it again this week. It was the White Sox’s first three-game sweep since May 24-26 when they turned the trick against the Miami Marlins.

Up next: After a day off Thursday, the White Sox will return to action Friday with a day-night doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins. John Danks (2-9, 4.52 ERA) will start in the 1:10 p.m. CT opener, while Charlie Leesman (0-0, 0.00) will make his major league debut in the 7:10 p.m. second game.