Players know they have to post big numbers in their free-agent year in order to get that lucrative multiyear deal.
Everyone has to keep up with the Joneses after all, so the team concept often gets thrown out the window in pursuit of greener pastures.
But Ray Durham has proved to be the exception to the rule this year, in what could be his final season with the White Sox.
Since moving down from the leadoff spot, Durham has been forced to give himself up more to move along runners, a role he’s unaccustomed to playing. Yet Durham entered Monday’s game with a league-leading five sacrifices, only two shy of his career high of seven, set in 1996.
Durham spent extra time practicing his bunting during spring training, knowing he’d have to advance Kenny Lofton on occasion.
Never regarded as a top-notch bunter before, Durham has improved significantly since Lofton’s arrival.
If the extra bunting takes away from some potential RBI opportunities and affects his offensive numbers, Durham said he doesn’t care.
“I’m not worried about that,” Durham said. “I’m more worried about winning ballgames. My job in the No. 2 hole is to get Kenny to second base any way I can.
“I had some chances early in the year and wound up hitting into two double plays. If I ever get to where I’m swinging the bat well and he’s on first, it’s definitely at my discretion. If I’m struggling and trying to find my timing, what could be a more perfect time to do it?”
Durham was 1-for-11 in the Oakland series, but had a single and a double on Monday.
Star trip: All-Star voting is under way, but don’t look for Paul Konerko’s name on the ballot.
It’s not there.
Because of the lack of a designated hitter on the ballot, Frank Thomas is listed as the Sox’s first baseman, while Konerko has once again been left off the ballot.
“It’s no big deal,” Konerko said. “It doesn’t matter to me.”
Konerko came into Monday ranked in the top 10 in the American League in batting average (fifth at .344), RBIs (third with 29) and hits (third with 42), while his 18-game hitting streak is the American League’s longest of the season. Players can receive write-in votes, but even with Internet voting, Konerko’s only realistic chance at making the AL squad appears to be as a reserve.
Big Herb update: Herbert Perry, a cult favorite on the South Side due to his penchant for coming up with clutch hits in the division-winning 2000 season, said he’s happy to be a Ranger despite a difficult, injury-marred start.
“It’s been the same thing that happened to us last year,” Perry said. “It’s almost been a carbon copy. We’re constantly having to adjust around things rather than getting into a rhythm and playing baseball.”
Perry, traded for minor-league pitcher Corey Lee last December, is hitting .233 in 30 at-bats after banging up his knee early in the season. He knew his days with the Sox were numbered last summer.
“You can read the writing,” he said. “It wasn’t a surprise. I’m just glad it happened as early as it did.”
Perry becomes a free agent after the season. Lee is 3-0 at Triple-A Charlotte with a 2.57 ERA, pitching for a team with a 10-20 record.
Sox files: Royce Clayton had a tooth pulled on Monday and was replaced in the lineup by Tony Graffanino. … Texas put reliever Dan Miceli on irrevocable waivers, and he becomes a free agent if he’s not claimed by Wednesday. Miceli was 0-2 with an 8.64 ERA. … Birmingham reliever Joe Valentin is 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA, with 20 strikeouts and only two walks in 14 1/3 innings.
