NBC`s Tony Kubek mentioned Richard Dotson and Floyd Bannister as prime trade bait on Saturday`s nationally televised game. It`s an indication of the kind of impact those pitchers have had on the trade rumor circuit. The Sox hold a couple of big cards, but a deal hardly is imminent.
The White Sox had another early workout Saturday. Manager Jim Fregosi said the team will continue to hold early spring training-type drills when it comes back home Monday. ”We`ll have a lot more time to get things done at home,”
Fregosi said. ”We always have early hitting anyway.”
Fregosi and hitting coach Deron Johnson had an extensive tutoring session with rookie Ron Karkovice before Saturday`s game. He is scheduled to start Sunday. He`ll go into that game hitting .067 with 33 strikeouts in 75 at-bats. He has only one hit (1 for 37) since May 9. ”We`re trying to get him to swing down on the ball,” Fregosi said. ”We`re trying to get him to a level swing
(he`s uppercutting now). Sometimes you have to overexaggerate a bit. Before you hit a line drive, you need to hit a ground ball.”
If the Sox send Karkovice to the minors, the likely catching candidate to be called up is Bill Lindsey at Double-A Birmingham. He was the mysterious
”player to be named” in last year`s Yankee trade. Lindsey, 26, has thrown out 31 of 32 would-be basestealers.
Even with Karkovice starting, Carlton Fisk still might not get a rest Sunday. He could be in the lineup for either first baseman Greg Walker or designated hitter Harold Baines. Lefty Frank Viola is starting for the Twins.
If there`s one constant for the Sox, it`s Jerry Hairston as a pinch-hitter. He connected for a three-run homer in that role Friday, giving the Sox a 5-4 lead. However, they lost 7-6. Hairston is 7 for 21 (.333) as a pinch-hitter with two homers and six RBIs.
