Williams sidesteps report of waiver claim on Rios

General manager Ken Williams repeated Saturday he is ''always'' interested in waiver claims that might help the White Sox.

But a report that the Sox likely are the team that put in a claim for Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios drew a hedged response from Williams, who tiptoed around a topic that is supposed to be kept confidential among GMs.

''This time of year, you have to look at a couple of things,'' he said. ''You have to look at the players for the [current] season, maybe the 2010 season, along with blocking a player going to a team that maybe is in your division or maybe in your league where you don't want to see him end up. There are a number of things that go into the whole waiver process. They are not supposed to be talked about, and it's a shame -- whether it be executives of other major-league clubs or the commissioner's office or whomever -- that these things are talked about. It's not fair to the team and the fans because the fans don't understand the process and sometimes don't understand what your team is trying to do.''

The report on ESPN.com raised eyebrows because Rios, 28, still is owed the bulk of a seven-year, $69.35 million contract he signed in April 2008. The Blue Jays have until Tuesday to relinquish Rios and his hefty contract, work out a trade with the claiming team or pull Rios off waivers, which would make him untradable for the rest of the season.

Rios' price tag would be substantial for the Sox, who already have taken on the weighty obligation of the four years left on pitcher Jake Peavy's contract, unless the Blue Jays assume part of the remaining cost. But with Jermaine Dye in the last year of his contract should the Sox not pick up his $12 million option, Rios might be viewed as a future factor.

''Every day, there are a ton of players who go through waivers from every team,'' Williams said. ''Teams put a lot of guys on who they don't necessarily try to trade or move, but more so to disguise some of the guys they really want to or are trying to move.''

Counting on Jose

Jose Contreras is 0-3 with a 6.52 ERA in his last four starts, a trend manager Ozzie Guillen hopes to see end when Contreras faces the Indians today.

''Jose just needs to throw strikes,'' Guillen said. ''I want him to be more aggressive. He's not a pitcher, he's a thrower. It's too late to change his approach. He's trying to pace himself, save himself for late in the game. It's not working.''

Contreras said he has worked on keeping his shoulder from flying open and on his pitching rhythm.

''I feel good after working on those two things,'' he said through interpreter Lou Hernandez. ''I feel good. My confidence is there. I'm working on things I need to work on. I feel healthy and feel I can help this team down the stretch in the last two months.''

Contreras, who spent time at Class AAA Charlotte to work out some flaws earlier this season, said he remains confident about his situation in the last year of his contract.

''No matter what you are throwing, if it's in the [strike] zone, you'll be successful,'' he said.

No more Colon?

The Sox apparently have given up on Bartolo Colon returning to the team. Colon went on the disabled list again July 25 and hasn't been heard from. Williams indicated he doesn't care.

''We're covered [without him],'' Williams said. ''Let me know if you find him.''

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Photo: Scott Stewart, Sun-Times / Sox slugger Paul Konerko doubles over in pain after being hit by a pitch in the first inning Saturday against the Indians. ;