This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin's White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

I appreciate the feedback from the first installment last week of “White Sox issues to ask Rick Hahn.” That feedback is directly related to Hahn’s candor during our conversation.

A few of you even suggested more catchy names than my current attention grabber for the segment, with “Wrath of Hahn” probably being my favorite, although I’ve seen just one movie or episode of Star Trek in my life. But Hahn wasn’t angry during this sit-down, so it doesn’t really fit at this point. Here’s Part 2 of this talk, which took place during the Yankees home series.

Money for Trade Deadline acquisitions
The White Sox have not played a fully healthy game since probably the second to last week of Spring Training. So, with right-handed hurler Lance Lynn and left fielder Eloy Jiménez on their way back in June, the team might be rolling around the Aug. 2 Trade Deadline. If additions are needed, the White Sox have a track record of trying to better a contending squad.

“Historically when we’ve had an opportunity to win, we’ve had the resources needed to continue to enhance that opportunity,” Hahn said. “And right now, we still have some work to do, but we certainly envision come July if we are where we believe we are capable of being and there are additions to be made, I suspect the conversations will be similar to the others we’ve had in those seasons where we’ve had realistic postseason aspirations.”

When asked about the “work to do” comment, Hahn said it was about the team and not any sort of economics situation.

“I’m not talking about the economics at all,” Hahn said. “I’m talking about the competitiveness and looking at this team and saying health and talent and performance wise, we have a real chance to win.”

Hahn understands the White Sox Minor League system is ranked near the bottom. He also believes they have talented prospects who could interest other teams if they don’t eventually help the White Sox.

“We’ve been first in those rankings, we’ve been 30th in those,” Hahn said. “Our low ranking most recently is a byproduct of a couple things. Obviously, graduations to Chicago or graduations via trade.

“Plus, the five-round Draft in 2020 and the 20-round Draft in 2021 were primarily high school focused at least toward the top, and many high school players as well as many of our Latin players didn’t have full seasons with a chance to develop. Many of the names that led to us being ranked at the bottom this year I think after a full season of Minor League play this year will be viewed a lot differently by the industry.”

Relationship with Tony La Russa
All good, according to Hahn, in dealing with the White Sox Hall of Fame manager.
 
“The thing I appreciate about Tony is you can discuss any element with him and there is mutual respect and understanding,” Hahn said. “He knows why we make certain roster moves. Whether it’s trade or free agency or even recalls or options, and he’ll speak candidly his opinion on those and in the end, respect whatever decisions are made.
 
“Similarly, we’ll have conversations about in-game strategy and understand his rationale behind it. If we see something differently, we’ll be able to speak candidly about that as well and in the end know that as the manager, he has responsibility for what goes on in the game.”

Social media influence
I also discussed social media’s present impact with Hahn, which probably hasn’t changed a great deal since Twitter, Facebook and Instagram came about. Hahn understands the positives, with fans connecting to players, teams, and each other, not to mention the team reaching a plethora of fans through their channels.
 
But when it comes to making moves, Hahn would prefer to operate under the radar without any rumors possibly disrupting deals. He did admit to me no deal has ever been squelched completely by a social media rumor.
 
“People don’t like us talking about things being on Twitter affecting our ability to be able to do things,” Hahn said. “But we are so much more effective when we are under the radar and people don’t know what we are doing. It doesn’t mean we are incapable of making the obvious move everyone is talking about or is getting publicity but quite frankly it’s easier to go undetected.
 
“A lot of the things that we’ve been successful at doing the last several years have been sprung upon people and avoiding the scrutiny or the added competition or the perhaps cold feet on the other side based on how things are perceived before they are official. When they leak, it makes life a little harder … We certainly prefer to be more stealth. It doesn’t mean we completely move in darkness and ninja mode as we prefer, but certainly makes life easier when we do.”