CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Saturday that even if the organization sells off assets at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, he would remain committed to his team.
"No, I think there's, for one reason or another, there's a whisper that because (of the team struggles) that I'm not going to come back," Ventura said. "That's the furthest thing from the truth. For me, I'm in it for as long as I'm in it and then you go from there.
"A situation like this, I would be ashamed to walk away just because it's tough. I think that's part of being in it with these guys. I'm here as much as they are as far as turning it around and being ready to go."
Speculation has run rampant that the White Sox could trade established players for prospects or salary relief if the team is still struggling next month. The White Sox have lost 10 of their last 11 games heading into Saturday's contest against the red-hot Oakland Athletics.
General manager Rick Hahn didn't rule out the scenario of trading away established players when asked about it in late May, but said the team was nowhere near making that type of decision just yet.
Ventura's managerial contract with the White Sox runs through the 2014 season and some eyebrows were raised when the news was revealed this offseason that the team offered him an extension that he turned down.
When asked about it during spring training, Ventura stressed that once the three years were up he wanted to make sure he was still the right person for the job. Instant speculation, though, centered around Ventura wanting to keep an exit door available in case he wasn't enjoying the job or the team's chances for success looked bleak.
Ventura was asked to clarify his commitment to this year's club. Was he saying he wasn't going to walk away during this season, or was he talking about not wanting to leave at the end of his contract?
"Any of it," he said. "It's just one of those where I know I have my contract and it's going to go (to the end) and then you talk again. But because of this situation, I'm not going anywhere."