The arrival of Willie Harris on Friday meant the official start of the Ray Durham watch.
Until the end of the non-waiver trading deadline July 31, speculation will arise about Durham’s future with the White Sox. With the team treading water and continuing to struggle at the gate, Durham understands his name is going to come up in trade talks over the next six weeks.
The Sox told him in spring training they would not talk about a contract extension during the season, suggesting he’s a lame duck at second.
“Chicago will always be my first choice,” Durham said after Friday’s 8-4 loss to the Cubs. “I don’t think I’ll be shocked [at a trade] though, simply because it’s happened to my friends in the past. [Management is] high on them, and in one quick swoop, they’re out of there. I don’t look at it like it’s ever personal. It’s a business. That’s the way I’ll always look at it.
“I had nothing but great times here in Chicago. If it happens it happens.”
The only thing saving Durham may be the fact few contending teams are currently in the market for a second baseman. The only team with both the need and the money to spend may be Atlanta, the team for which Durham grew up rooting in North Carolina. Braves second baseman have combined for the lowest average on any National League team and they’re currently using rookie Jesse Garcia, with Marcus Giles on the disabled list with a sprained right ankle.
Durham is having a troublesome season on offense and defense after a hot start. He’s tied with the Yankees’ Alfonso Soriano for most errors (12) among American League second basemen and is hitting .269 with three home runs, nine doubles and 27 RBIs. Last year Durham finished with 42 doubles and 20 homers.
“I can’t worry about that,” he said. “It’s really out of my hands. I think it’s kind of hard. So much was expected out of me with it being my free agency year. So much was expected out of the team. We started out playing well and the last couple of weeks things haven’t gone our way. It definitely has been tough.
“I’ve done everything I can to get myself back on track–from hitting early to getting in extra batting practice. I’ve been working my butt off on ground balls. I’ve just had some bad luck. But I haven’t quit. I still think things are going to turn around for me and for the team.”
Harris made his White Sox debut Friday, popping out in the ninth inning against Antonio Alfonseca. Although he played both center and second base during spring training, Harris was used almost exclusively at second at Triple-A Charlotte. Harris was told that he would be with the Sox only for the nine interleague games in National League ballparks.
“I’m just going to be here for that and then I’ll be back in Triple-A,” Harris said. “Whatever they decide to do, I’ll just get my work in. I’m still going to have a season to play, whether it’s here or in Charlotte.”
But Harris isn’t likely to get much of an opportunity to play in the nine games, and manager Jerry Manuel couldn’t say when or if he would get a start at second.
“We have a pretty good situation with [Tony] Graffanino, [Jose] Valentin, Ray and Royce [Clayton] kind of floating around getting playing time,” Manuel said. “[Harris will] basically be used pinch-running, leading off an inning, that type of thing. . . . In his situation [getting a start] isn’t really a necessary thing right now. I view him as a guy who’s versatile, has some speed.”
Harris may have to wait a while for his opportunity. But with Durham’s future in doubt, that wait may not be very long.
