There are a couple reasons why third baseman Miguel Vargas isn’t bitter about seeing the Dodgers win the last two World Series championships after they traded him to the White Sox.
One of them is the personal happiness for former Los Angeles teammate Andy Pages, a fellow Cuban. An outfielder, Pages played a key role in the Dodgers’ two titles, including a season-saving catch in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7 of the 2025 World Series.
“Seeing a Cuban guy win the World Series means a lot for us,” Vargas told the Sun-Times. “I know how hard it is for us to get here and get this opportunity. Being on the biggest stage, he made every Cuban proud.”
Then there’s another equally valid reason: what the deal meant to Vargas’ career. Despite going from a powerful team to one on its way to losing a record 121 games, Vargas quickly embraced the change.
Because of the Dodgers’ immense depth, it was unclear how Vargas would slot into their lineup long-term. That wasn’t an issue for the Sox, who stuck with Vargas through his 2024 struggles and now have one of baseball’s most productive third basemen and a key piece of their future.
“It was a great opportunity for me. Coming here and having the opportunity to play every day and improve my game was a lot for me,” Vargas said. “This team gave me the opportunity, and they trusted me to play third base every day. I’ve been playing pretty well this year and this team has too, so we’re all really happy about it.”
Thanks, Dave
Outside of his father, Sox manager Will Venable said the Dodgers’ Dave Roberts is in the group of people who made the biggest impact on his career. That list also includes Chris Young and Nick Hundley, former Padres teammates and executives with the Rangers where Venable assisted manager Bruce Bochy.
When Venable was playing with the Padres, Roberts was a special assistant, first-base coach and bench coach. Venable said Roberts is somebody “you just look up to” for how he handles his work.
“You get the lessons on leadership. You get the skills, outfield play, stealing bases,” Venable said. “A number of things that he’s just set a great example for, with me, and taught me about.”
Roberts also offered Venable advice when he was interviewing for managerial jobs between the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Venable is now in his second year running the Sox and doesn’t need to job hunt, but Roberts is there to talk about being a big-league manager.
“[He’s] somebody still if I have questions about things or I’m interested in certain dynamics of the job, I can pick up the phone and he’s always there to help me out,” Venable said.
Not his day
Sean Burke went four innings, allowing four earned runs and two home runs while walking five. Over his past two starts, Burke has walked 10 batters and given up four homers in 8 1/3 innings.
Burke said he wasn’t in rhythm early, and his misses are too big.
“Execution doesn’t feel great right now,” Burke said.
Burke’s ERA rose to 4.15.