Rios could still be dealt by White Sox
Despite rampant speculation and apparent interest, right fielder Alex Rios was not traded Wednesday.
Of course, he still could be dealt off waivers through Aug. 31.
"I don't know how deep they are going to go into whatever they want to do," Rios told the Chicago Tribune. "But as of right now, I'm part of the team and I'm going to do everything possible to win games and to do well. That's how I feel.
"It's just part of the game, and you have to just focus on what you have to do and wait until something happens because it's just only rumors until it happens."
The Pittsburgh Pirates, surprise leaders of the NL Central, had been heavily rumored as a possible destination. Such a trade would have sent Rios from the last-place White Sox (40-65) to a contender.
"We are not in the best situation right now," Rios said. "We are losing a lot of games, and this is not fun. If something had happened and I went to a winning team that was going to be able to contend, it would be nice. That's our goal. That's what every ballplayer wants to do. I think it would have been refreshing too. But I'm cool staying here. I like this place and everything about it."
Rios returned to the lineup Wednesday, a day after he fouled a ball off his foot. X-rays were negative. He went 1-for-5 with an RBI single and run scored in a 6-5 loss to Cleveland.
