More, Please

The White Sox did a bit of housecleaning before yesterday’s 5-1 loss to the Cubs when they DFA’d Dallas “I’m a competitor” Keuchel, along with his 2-5 record and 7.88 ERA. By my calculations, they’re eating about $9 million in contract. Talk about money well spent. Too bad the moves will stop there, at least for now. Josh Harrison, batting .174 with three RBIs in 92 at-bats, is starting at second base today. That’s fine, in Charlotte or Detroit or some other place far from the major leagues. This team will not advance to the postseason with that version of Harrison. Unfortunately, there are no time machines or fountains of youth under the stands at 35th and Shields. Last night, a Sox runner was thrown out at the plate for the ninth time this season, tied for most in the majors. And what does manager Tony La Russa do? He told reporters after the game, “I patted Joe [McEwing, the third-base coach] on the back.” Do tell. Here’s why: “That’s one of the things you do when you’re struggling, man. You have to push. The ground ball that way, guy rushed it good, made a strong throw, so I thought you had to send him. They had to make a throw to stop it. [game story on team website]” Me, I’d think of replacing a coach who sent that many runners into an out that many times so early in the season. Then again, I’d also replace the person responsible for so much of the “struggling,” man.