White Sox players prep with Deadline near

CHICAGO -- Robin Ventura was traded once on July 31, so the White Sox manager knows what his players have been going through as Wednesday's 3 p.m. CT non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches.

"It's just an anxious time," said Ventura, who was dealt on Deadline day in 2003 from the Yankees to the Dodgers. "You, as a player, you don't really know what's going on. You don't get a whole lot of information."

The trade rumors weren't nearly as prevalent back in 2003 as they are now, which makes it harder on teams and players -- especially the White Sox, who have numerous players hearing their names in the rumor mill. Among those are right-hander Jake Peavy, right fielder Alex Rios, shortstop Alexei Ramirez and a handful of bullpen arms.

Rios has reportedly been linked to the Pirates and Rangers, while Peavy's rumored suiters include the Red Sox, Cardinals, Braves, Orioles and A's.

"Sometimes it comes, sometimes it doesn't," Ventura said. "I don't know if there's a perfect science to it. No matter how many times you've been through it, if you're not in control it's a little difficult to go through sometimes."

Like Ventura, Peavy is a veteran of Trade Deadline deals, coming to Chicago on the day of the 2009 Deadline. So, as the White Sox prepared for Sunday's series finale against the Royals before embarking on a seven-game road trip beginning Monday in Cleveland, Peavy strolled into the White Sox clubhouse with multiple bags packed -- just in case.

"The rumors have been there enough that he's just prepared," Ventura said. "That's part of the way we played and what your record is, that's what it is. ... I don't think he wants to go, I don't want him to go, but he has to be prepared and that's where we're at right now. Going on the road, that's it. Again, he has the respect of everybody."

Ventura said general manager Rick Hahn hasn't keep him apprised of daily talks or whether this rumor has substance while that one doesn't. The manager also said he doesn't mind not knowing the numbers in Hahn's call log.

All Ventura and his players know is that it's going to be an anxiety-filled clubhouse for a few more days.

"There's an elephant in the room, and it's Wednesday [at 3 o'clock]," Ventura said. "That's going to be there just because all the rumors going around, players talking. That's the reality of it."