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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 -- If Paul Konerko returns for another season, nobody who knows him well will really be shocked. The Chicago White Sox first baseman will make up his mind at some point over the next six weeks and then sit down with Sox officials to determine what role he might play in the team’s future.

Konerko has expressed an openness to a possible new chapter in his major league career, which began in 1997. Physical limitations have planted the seed in Konerko’s thought process that a part-time role might be the way to go.

If Konerko wants to take one more year before a career in carpooling his kids begins full-time, then mentoring teammates and playing a couple of times a week may be a sufficient way to end his baseball career.

The good news for Sox fans is that Konerko’s wife, Jen, has been totally supportive of Paul deciding when he wants to retire. That kind of hall pass from home is huge for an aging player with young children to raise. Konerko plans on taking his family on more road trips next season if he does decide to play. The role of player –coach does not appeal to him, yet some of his responsibilities would fall into that area if he returns as a supplemental player.

Whenever Konerko takes his final curtain call, which may have happened Sunday, he will be the last player to leave who played on the 2005 World Champion White Sox. Konerko is content with the knowledge that many great players never got to grab the brass ring like he and his teammates did eight seasons ago.

“The last-man-standing thing is not that big of a deal,” said Konerko. “When you look around and you see that team and that year you remember how fragile and how tough it is to get one of those things. You look around and not to just pick just his name, but you see Todd Helton. He is awesome -- great guy, great career, and he didn’t get one (World Series ring). He deserved one. I look at guys like that and realize that is the highlight. It is not the All-Star Games or this game or that game, it is not even close to winning a World Series.”

Konerko’s legacy has grown among the fan base after returning twice for less money. He had chances with Baltimore and Arizona to make more cash when free-agent opportunities were presented after the 2005 and 2010 seasons. He has always been “The Man” of the blue-collar White Sox fan base.

“I could have left a couple of times but I stayed,” he said on Sunday. “I will always take pride in that. There are numbers and statistics that everybody has, but for me, I was 2-for-2 on that.”

A good bet at this time is that Konerko and the Sox brass make it 3-for-3 as he approaches the next phase and final chapter of his stellar baseball career.

CHICAGO -- Nothing went as planned this year for Paul Konerko, so why should the final day of the season be any different?

After straining his back Saturday night, Konerko played just two innings Sunday in what could have been his White Sox farewell as his contract expired at the completion of the season.

The longtime team captain came to the plate in the first inning to a standing ovation from the crowd of 22,633 and fouled out, but even that was appreciated. Konerko received another modest ovation as he returned to the dugout.

In the second inning, Konerko took his position at first base, but was replaced by Conor Gillaspie before the first pitch. As he jogged off the field, he received yet another standing ovation, and then received a curtain call after getting back to the dugout.

“It always feels good,” Konerko said of the ovations. “The fans here have treated me great over the years. In a year like this, they treated me better than probably I deserved, really the whole team when you think about it. There were moments where they hung in with us where I knew they were antsy about what was going on (with the team).

“(Fan appreciation) always feels good. It certainly feels better when you're doing World Series parades but I don't take it for granted at all. It's always good, but this year was a little different circumstances.”

Now comes the waiting game. The White Sox are expected to be interested in re-signing Konerko, but their offer will likely come with a pay cut from the $13.5 million ($7 million deferred) he earned in 2013.

Konerko wants to take at least a month to decide if he even wants to play anymore, although at 37, he knows the itch will come with a vengeance soon.

General manager Rick Hahn already said that the team plans on having a face-to-face meeting with Konerko possibly in early November, if not earlier, and Konerko said he expects to have lunch with chairmain Jerry Reinsdorf in Arizona around that timeframe as well.

Because everything is in limbo, Konerko felt sheepish about getting so much attention from fans. He went through the same thing after his contract expired following the 2010 season and ended up returning.

“People treated me so well (in 2010) and it was such a big deal at the end, when I came back I felt like I kind of played with people's emotions even though that was nothing intentional,” Konerko said. “It was such a big deal at the end there and it was similar to that today where I didn't want to make a big spectacle out of it.

“There's no escaping it kind of at the end here when there is some unknown about what's going to happen. But I definitely had that in mind because I didn't want to be out there tipping my hat every time I moved a muscle and all that kind of stuff. I totally love it and the fact they're behind me, but I feel a little awkward not knowing.”

About the only thing Konerko does seem to know at this point is that if he does return in 2014, that will certainly be his final season.

If Konerko fans are able to find a silver lining from a miserable season it’s that struggles like this don’t necessarily inspire somebody to walk away.

“I feel probably like most of you people that have been around here and everybody I've talked to that this just doesn't seem right, the way this has gone down, so that lends itself to playing,” Konerko said. “But I also don't know about the team and all that kind of stuff so you still have to throw that in and say that's a possibility, that even if I want to that they don't want it.

“Nonetheless, they've given me more over the years and it’s not about this one day. Baseball's never summed up in one day. That's what great about baseball, it’s summed up over a whole season of games, a whole career of games. That’s how it is with me and the fans.”

With his two young sons waiting in the clubhouse while Konerko wrapped up his final interview of the season, he was asked if he just needs to get away from things for a while before deciding on the future.

“As soon as I walk out of here, regardless of what I want, it’s family time; I have to be a dad,” Konerko said. “Which reminds me, is anything on fire back there? I haven’t seen (my kids) in a while.”

If you had to get a read on Konerko on the final day of the season, the clues point to him wanting to return, with the White Sox his preferred destination.

“I have some trips planned, some things going on here, and (the downtime) does wear off,” he said. “That’s why I said the other day that there’s no doubt the next couple of weeks, month, the needle is going to move to wanting to get back here. That’s the nature of our habits as players. We were born to do this.”

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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CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox closed out the season with one more defeat, falling 4-1 to the Kansas City Royals to finish the season with a 63-99 record.

How it happened: In what could be his final game with the White Sox, Paul Konerko started at first base and had one at-bat before he was removed. He received standing ovations when he came to the plate in the first inning and again when he left his position in the second inning. He fouled out in his only at-bat. Alexei Ramirez hit a home run for the White Sox, but the Royals were paced by two-run home runs from Salvador Perez and Brett Hayes. White Sox starter Jose Quintana gave up four runs in seven innings during his last outing of the season. The season ended when Marcus Semien struck out with the bases loaded.

What it means: The White Sox finished with 99 losses, tied for fourth most in franchise history with the 1934 team. The only White Sox teams that lost more games in a season were 1948 (101 losses), 1932 (102) and 1970 (106). The .389 winning percentage is the seventh worst in franchise history.

Outside the box: White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia headed into the offseason just how the team hopes he will start things in 2014. Garcia, who was acquired from the Tigers in the July three-team trade that sent Jake Peavy to the Red Sox, went 1-for-4 in the finale, but in the previous 10 games he batted .317 (13-for-41) with a triple, three home runs and eight RBIs.

Off beat: Semien apparently likes returning favors quickly as the rookie gave back what he received in the third inning. After reaching base when Perez had trouble tracking down his wind-blown popup, Semien was then doubled up when he rounded second base on an Alejandro De Aza fly ball and failed to re-touch second when returning to first base.

Up next: The White Sox are five months away from spring training with a lot of changes left to be made. Two of the most obvious changes are to hire a new hitting coach and to talk to free agent Konerko about a possible return. Konerko said he will take a month before deciding if he wants to play again, at which point he would evaluate any offers.

CHICAGO – Here we go again, as Paul Konerko gets set to embark on what could be his final game in a Chicago White Sox uniform.

The White Sox will close out a dismal season Sunday at home against the Kansas City Royals, but instead of the brutal won-loss record, fans can focus all their attention on Konerko instead.

This has happened before, of course. The White Sox’s World Series-clinching victory in 2005 could have been Konerko’s last hurrah, but the first baseman signed a new five-year deal, turning down a more lucrative offer from the Los Angeles Angels.

Again, at the end of the 2010 season, White Sox fans poured their heart out in support of Konerko, who somewhat surprisingly signed a new three-year deal, even after Adam Dunn was signed presumably as his middle-of-the-order replacement.

Now Konerko stands at another crossroads. The 17-year veteran will play, he will likely get a video tribute and at some point be will be removed from the game so he can walk across the field and soak in the admiration from White Sox fans all over again.

In 2010, Konerko said that nobody really deserves to be treated that well once, much less multiple times. Well then, call Sunday a bonus admiration day that might make him cringe a little.

After Sunday, things will get complicated for Konerko, who said he will take a month to decide whether he wants to retire or wait for offers. The White Sox would be his preferred destination to return, and he says it is the only team for which he will consider for a part-time reserve role.

Ultimately, a season when he failed to meet his own personal expectation, as well as team expectations, will weigh heavily on him.

“That’s huge; it’s maybe the biggest thing,” Konerko said. “You only get to go through these kinds of things once, a career once, so you try to rely on advice from other people. You try to talk to the people who have been through it. The majority of them are always, ‘If you can play, play, do it the way you want to do it. Go back to the drawing board. Go get ‘em.’ And I get all of that.

“The other side of it is, this is how careers are supposed to end. Not everybody gets to do it exactly how they want to do it. It’s supposed to kind of be not the best because that’s what closes you out, when you say, ‘OK, I’ve had enough of that, and they’ve had enough of me.’ So I can see it both directions. I can tell you more of me is the first one. And the advice I get is more the first scenario, but that doesn’t mean it’s right either.”

If he sounds confused, it’s because he is. Konerko even admitted as much.

Sunday shouldn’t be as confusing. Konerko will play and the fans will finally have something to cheer in a season that has gone all wrong.

Konerko will one day have his number retired by the White Sox and a statue is sure to be placed somewhere on the concourse. That’s what you get when you are a fan favorite whose offensive numbers are only eclipsed by an offensive machine like Frank Thomas.

When the day is over, it will all get confusing again, especially for Konerko.

“I don’t really have answers, I just know what’s happening,” Konerko said. “I think taking a month off, a month away from this, which I know if I do that, the more you don’t play, the needle will always move toward wanting to play. That’s what I feel would happen, that’s what people tell me. I just have to make sure I know what’s real and what isn’t.

“I could go fish out 20 guys in that clubhouse that don’t feel like playing a baseball game right now, and I’m probably right there with them. But how much of that is real, because I guarantee you as November clicks in, December, they’re going to want to play again and so will I. But I’m in a different situation. I have to figure out of it’s really real, if that’s something I want to do. I don’t know that answer right now.”

The fate of Paul Konerko and his future in Chicago is not any clearer now than it was before he completed a 23-minute news conference on Friday. Winding down a forgettable season on a personal and team basis has the 15-year White Sox veteran contemplating his next career move. The four-time All-Star will take at least a month to decide if he has anything left in the tank physically and mentally.

If Konerko does decide to play again, he is hoping that the White Sox are interested in his return. For the first time on Friday, he said he might be interested in a part-time role in 2014. Konerko did say if he plays next season, it would definitely be his last season as a player. The message he sent to Sox brass was a strong one. Prior to today, the team's executives had no idea if the 37-year-old first baseman would accept a lesser role than in the past. After the Sox's iconic player put that possibility out there, general manager Rick Hahn, vice president Kenny Williams and chairman of the board Jerry Reinsdorf are suddenly in a more comfortable position to decide on the Sox's approach to an aging player's delicate situation. The club is off the hook for having to pay Konerko anything close to the $13 million he made in the last year of his most recent three-year contact.

With that smartly placed concept in place, both the player and the club have a tremendous amount of wiggle room to figure out what works for everyone’s best interest. Leaving baseball on the worst team he has ever played for most assuredly would leave a bad taste in Konerko’s mouth.

“That may be the hugest thing,” he said. “You only get to go through these careers once. The majority of the advice you get from guys who have been through it is, if you can play, play. The other side of it is, this is how careers are supposed to end. Not everybody gets to do it the way they want to do it.”

Former star players like Jason Giambi and Mark Kotsay have filled those lesser-type roles for clubs in 2013. The White Sox are getting younger; having the sage advice and presence of Konerko for one more season could help manager Robin Ventura and his staff turn things around in 2014.

Numerous injuries and two chronically weak hips might be the deciding factor in Konerko’s decision. That final word on his playing future will come sometime in November. Attempting to pass Frank Thomas for the franchise home run and RBI crowns will not be the motivation for the player if he returns to the Sox in 2014. Konerko wants to go out with a feeling of accomplishment, despite the fact he has nothing more to prove in establishing himself as one of the best players in franchise history.

The only injustice would be if Konerko plays for another club next year. He should have the right and Sox fans should have the chance to celebrate this wonderful player's great contributions with a yearlong tribute. The Yankees did it the right way with Mariano Rivera. Hopefully the White Sox and Konerko can get it right in the final act of a great career.

CHICAGO -- Here is a quick look at the Chicago White Sox's 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday at U.S. Cellular Field:

How it happened: Catcher Bryan Anderson threw away a bunt allowing the Royals to score what proved to be the winning run in the seventh inning. Kansas City's other runs came on David Hough's two-run homer in the fourth. The Sox scored their runs on solo home runs by Paul Konerko in the second and Adam Dunn in the sixth. Dunn's homer was his 33rd of the season and was estimated to travel 442 feet.

What it means: The Royals' 84 wins are the most by the franchise since 1993. Regardless of the outcome of the next three games, the White Sox will finish under.500 at home for only the fourth time since they began playing at U.S Cellular field in 1991. The other sub-.500 years were 1999, 2007 and 2011.

Outside the box: The Sox have made 51 more errors this season than they did in 2012. Konerko will hold a news conference to take questions about his future on Friday afternoon. A source said Monday that Konerko would not make up his mind about whether to retire or keep playing until November. General manager Rick Hahn will also give his state of the team address Friday.

Up next: Kansas City sends James Shields (12-9, 3.21 ERA) to the mound to face the White Sox's Chris Sale (11-13, 2.97 ERA) in Friday's 7:10 p.m. CT start.

CHICAGO -- Paul Konerko gave a nod toward the future Tuesday, as long as the conversation did not center on him personally.

Declining to talk about what could happen once his contract expires in a few weeks, Konerko did talk about the organization's farm system and the young players that are potential impact guys or players who have taken advantage of an opportunity.

"There's definitely guys who have made strides like Jordan [Danks] now that he's gotten to play," Konerko said. "He'd been up here a lot but never had played a whole bunch in a row. So it's nice to see him -- great guy, great hitter -- kind of hitting his stride and starting to feel comfortable because it's tough to feel comfortable when you're not in there all the time."

Another position player who has caught Konerko's eye is Marcus Semien. The two first played together at Double-A Birmingham, back when Konerko was on a rehab assignment for a lower back injury. Konerko eventually returned to the major leagues, Semien was promoted to Triple-A Charlotte and Birmingham went on to win the Southern League championship anyway.

"I should get a [championship] ring," Konerko joked.

Semien, who turned 23 on Tuesday, would be more deserving in that department. He batted .290 with a .420 on-base percentage at Birmingham. His 110 runs led the minor leagues, and he was even named Southern League MVP despite playing at Birmingham only until the end of July.

Adding his time at Charlotte, Semien finished the year with a .401 on-base percentage in the minor leagues.

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CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn did not see the disaster of 2013 coming when he signed a three-year contract to run the team last October. Nonetheless, the 39-year-old Chicago area native is ready to roll up his sleeves and start to rebuild his ballclub for next season and beyond.

A total collapse of the offense was certainly a shock to Hahn & Co. as the team muddled its way through one of the franchise's worst seasons since 1976.

"I think our most glaring issues have been our offense, our defense and our baserunning," Hahn said. "All of which calls for improvement on the position-player side of things. I think it is safe to say we are very aware of where we fell short. We are also very aware of where we need to get better. All of that would entail significant improvement among the players we have or new faces."

The White Sox have more than $50 million coming off the payroll heading into 2014, with the trades of veterans and other contracts such as Paul Konerko's coming off of the books. It's unclear what the payroll for next season will be. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf usually gives his department heads their budgets in early November. The club will have to investigate the free-agent market as part of the formula for improvement. Atlanta catcher Brian McCann may be the perfect fit for Chicago. McCann has outstanding power, to go along with his leadership skills and game-calling acumen.

"You have to be real careful," Hahn said, speaking generally about the free-agent market and aging players in the mix. "We do have the benefit in the American League of the DH. If whoever you are buying is a bat, at least you have a spot to move him to if his defensive skills start to erode, which is usually first to go. You do have to be careful but you also want to look at each guy individually."

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CHICAGO -- As the playing time comes for Chicago White Sox prospects, so does the losing, which makes for an awkward learning environment.

Kids like Marcus Semien and Erik Johnson have the opportunity to play, yet all around them are veterans who look sluggish and worn down from a demoralizing season.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura isn’t worried that the situation might become counterproductive. If the undesirable game results become a negative influence, then the White Sox’s top young talent isn’t as headstrong as the team thought it was.

“If we’re just sitting there handing out time, that would be one thing. But you're looking at guys, you're trying to get an evaluation of how guys play,” Ventura said. “For them, it's their future. If they want to come up and waste it, that's on them, and you move on and go to [somebody] else. This is the big leagues, and it’s about what you do and how you go about your business.”

Johnson has hit some snags trying to replicate his solid minor league season at the big league level. The former second-round draft pick, who has emerged as the top pitching prospect in the organization, has a 4.66 ERA after two starts and has been plagued by poor defense behind him.

So far, Johnson insists he is not demoralized by veterans struggling on defense behind him, and the White Sox won’t pass judgment on him at this early stage.

Semien has taken full advantage of his chances, putting up a .316 batting average and .350 on-base percentage in his first six games.

Another member of the roster taking advantage of his opportunity is reliever Jake Petricka, who came up just before rosters were expanded but is getting an extended look in September. In 10 appearances, he has allowed just two earned runs, giving him a 1.46 ERA.

Pitcher Charlie Leesman took his lumps recently, when he wasn’t able to retire any of the seven batters he faced Thursday against the Cleveland Indians. All seven came around to score.

“If you’re going to do something to make us better in the future, that’s how you evaluate it,” Ventura said. “I think a lot of guys that have played a long time, they’ve been on good teams, they’ve been on teams that were bad, they’ve been on teams that were not going to be in the hunt. The year doesn’t change how you play the game.

“There are things that are going to be different now because we’re playing some young guys, but you go out and play hard and the effort still has to be there.”

Ventura said just because the young prospects have reached the major leagues, it doesn’t mean the learning process has ended.

“I think the younger guys learn as much from the players they're around than they do from us telling them what to do,” he said. “When you see a Paul Konerko work or an Adam Dunn work, you're seeing the amount of work that goes in and how they go about their business and how they treat each other, what it takes. That doesn't change.”

CHICAGO -- It wasn't the 14-3 score, or the loss Thursday to the Cleveland Indians that stung the Chicago White Sox most. The game magnified the total collapse of 2013.

Bad pitching was the least of the Sox's worries this season. Despite a poor performance from John Danks, a total breakdown of the defense and baserunning helped augment the debacle on Thursday. Manager Robin Ventura was so distressed with the outcome, he cut his postgame press conference down to 9.8 seconds.

"We are still looking at a lot of the people that were here last year," Ventura said Friday. "You know what they are capable of and you know they could be better at it."

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CHICAGO -- Here's a quick look at the Chicago White Sox's 14-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians at home on Thursday:

How it happened: The White Sox were looking to play spoiler against the Indians, who started the day 1½ games out of the second wild-card slot. Left-handed pitcher John Danks looked lost in the first inning, surrendering a solo home run to Nick Swisher and a three-run long ball to Ryan Raburn. Chicago area native Jason Kipnis doubled home a run in the second inning. The White Sox got on the board with a solo home run -- Paul Konerko's 11th of the season, off Cleveland starter Corey Kluber. Danks gave up seven runs on nine hits in four innings. Rookie Charlie Leesman had a nightmarish fifth inning; he faced seven hitters and walked four while giving up a home run and two singles. Leesman threw 35 pitches without registering an out; Cleveland scored seven times in the fifth, sending 11 men to the plate.

What it means: Cleveland has won 12 of 14 games against Chicago this season, including a franchise-record nine straight. Danks recorded his 13th loss of 2013. Raburn, a longtime Chicago nemesis, has 17 career home runs versus the Sox and just 70 lifetime.

Outside of the box: Chicago continues to lead the world in errors. The White Sox have committed a major league-high 111 errors (three of those coming on Thursday). Robin Ventura's club has made 21 errors in its past 13 games.

Up next: White Sox LHP Hector Santiago (4-8, 3.44 ERA) and Cleveland RHP Danny Salazar (1-2, 2.92) pitch in a rare Friday afternoon game at 1:10 CT.

CHICAGO -- A dozen years later, 9/11 still feels like yesterday to Chicago White Sox captain Paul Konerko.

The White Sox were in their New York hotel the morning two planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers and Konerko is the last remaining player from that team to endure the experience.

"It's one of those things you can say you were there which you don't say it with any amount of pride," Konerko said on the eve of the 12th anniversary of the national tragedy. "It was a beautiful day, I remember that. Not a cloud in the sky. It was a very warm, nice day for September."

The White Sox had just arrived in New York after playing in Cleveland the previous night. They would leave the city on buses at 6 a.m. on Sept. 12 having not played a game against the Yankees.

"You know, the morning there, we got in so late the night before, a lot of the team we kind of slept through all of it and kind of woke up in the aftermath of it at 10 or 11 a.m.," Konerko said. “At that point, if you remember, there were still some planes that were unaccounted for in the air, all over the country. No one knew what was going on there. We were standing right there [in the hotel] connected to Grand Central Station. A lot of guys just wanted to get out of there and get into the streets. Me and a couple of guys, we walked all the way down as far as we could go to the towers, where they were.

"We got close enough to where you could see smoke and debris and stuff. Just basically walked where it had already been hit. We figured that was the safest place to be. The rest of the day was kind of a lot of walking around and the next morning we were out of there."

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CHICAGO -- There is an unwritten rule in baseball that a manager should only air out his struggling team on the day his best pitcher is on the mound.

It gives his tirade the best chance of reaping rewards, of course.

And so it may have been with Chicago White Sox captain Paul Konerko, who brought up the American League Cy Young Award race Monday night at the best time to get his teammate some recognition.

White Sox left-hander Chris Sale had just delivered a dominating victory over the Tigers' Max Scherzer when Konerko summed up the night.

"It was nice to give [Sale] a win against a guy who will probably win the Cy Young," Konerko said after the White Sox prevented Scherzer from winning his 20th game of the season.

There are few more careful with their words, so it isn't out of the question that Konerko was merely trying to get the Cy Young conversation started at the best time to benefit Sale.

At first glance, Sale's 11-12 record doesn't hold a candle to Scherzer's 19-3 mark, but recent history (see Felix Hernandez's Cy Young Award season in 2010 with a 13-12 record) has shown that a won-loss mark can be ignored.

It's the internal numbers that tell the better story and Sale has more than a decent case for award recognition.

Sale's current 2.90 ERA is fourth best in the American League behind the Tigers' Anibal Sanchez (2.61),the Rangers' Yu Darvish (2.84) and the A's Bartolo Colon (2.85). Scherzer is seventh, tied with Hernandez at 3.01.

In strikeouts, Sale is third with 207, behind Scherzer (215) and Darvish (246). In WHIP, Scherzer leads the AL at 0.96, while Sale is second at 1.04. Diving even further, Sale has the best quality start percentage in the AL at 0.81, while his strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.05 is only bettered by the Rays' David Price (5.55). Sale’s WAR also leads the AL at 7.1, far ahead of Scherzer's second-place mark of 5.5.

"Chris is better than his record is," manager Robin Ventura said. "On the other side, people are taking shots at Max for a good record having runs scored [for him]. Max is a good pitcher regardless of how many runs they score for him."

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