CHICAGO -- Dane Dunning figured he would be part of the White Sox rotation in 2021, contributing to the team’s push to its first American League Central title since 2008 and possibly moving beyond.

After all, there was strong interest in the rookie right-hander at the 2020 Trade Deadline, but the White Sox decided to stay with him as they battled with Minnesota and Cleveland during the abbreviated campaign. So the 26-year-old was a bit surprised when he was traded to the Rangers -- along with Minor League hurler Avery Weems -- as part of the Lance Lynn deal on Dec. 8, 2020.

The transaction took place four years after Dunning was traded to the White Sox from the Nationals (with fellow right-handers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López) in exchange for right fielder Adam Eaton at the outset of Chicago’s rebuild.

The trade to Texas wasn’t Dunning’s lone surprise during his four seasons with the White Sox organization; the final surprise, on Oct. 1, provides some of the basis behind the deal.

Dunning started the deciding Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series against the A’s following an impressive regular-season effort in which he recorded a 3.97 ERA and 35 strikeouts over seven starts (34 innings). The excitement and nervousness of his first postseason appearance lasted only four hitters and 15 pitches; then-manager Rick Renteria removed him with runners on first and third and two outs in the first inning.

The idea was to have left-hander Garrett Crochet face the left-handed-hitting Matt Olson and then have Crochet work two or three additional innings. Dunning understood the plan, but he was glad he didn't know of it in advance.

“I’m happy they didn’t tell me that, just for the fact that I’m going in there expecting I’m going to have to go five, six, seven innings, that was my plan,” Dunning said during a recent interview. “I was going out trying to attack hitters and get early outs.

“I want the ball in my hand. I want to be on the mound every day. If I could, I definitely would. I was a little surprised, but I got the situation, and I quickly tried to rally myself and support the team. It was all hands on deck. This isn’t ‘If we lose, oh well.’ It’s win or you go home. So I completely get the situation.”

Understanding the White Sox goals and direction for 2021 provides more understanding of general manager Rick Hahn's tough call to trade Dunning. Dunning underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2019 and still was somewhat limited when he made his big league debut this past Aug. 19. Even as his innings total and pitch count rose, his full repertoire wasn’t quite as complete as it understandably should be this year as he moves further beyond his recovery.

But the 2021 White Sox have been built with a “World Series or bust” mentality. They already have burgeoning young arms in Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech, and Carlos Rodón and López have returned, leaving high expectations but also uncertainty for the rotation’s final two spots.

Lynn, one of the more durable and frequently dominant arms in the AL, pairing with Giolito and Dallas Keuchel creates a trio that matches up favorably against any other team’s front three, especially when playoff opportunities arise.

Meanwhile, Dunning will apply the experience he gained with the White Sox as he starts every fifth day for the Rangers.

“I’ve been out in Arizona already and working out at the [Rangers'] complex,” said Dunning. “I’m the new guy, so I have to learn all the names and faces and how things run. I’ve had some talks with a couple of the pitchers, and just talking about how we want things to go this next year and get better, and I love it so far.

“It has been awesome. I have nothing but respect for the Chicago White Sox and the organization. … It was just a great learning experience,” added Dunning, who has high praise for what he learned from former teammates such as Giolito, Keuchel, José Abreu and Tim Anderson. “It’s a really good opportunity for me to go with the Texas Rangers.”