[Illusion]

Ken Griffey Jr. is trying to cool down rumors that trade talks about the center fielder between the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds are heating up.
I'm not going to Chicago," Griffey told The Dayton Daily News on Saturday night. "I'm in Pittsburgh with the Cincinnati Reds, and that's where I'm staying."
Radio and television reports in Chicago said that trade talks between the two teams are simmering.

The Daily News reported Sunday that the White Sox did call the Reds again this week about Griffey and even offered to take on more of Griffey's salary, but were refused.

The White Sox, despite having an AL-best 79-47 record, having scored just 585 runs, worst among the AL's division or wild-card leaders.

Griffey, who is having a renaissance season with 32 home runs and 89 RBI for the foundering Reds, would give the White Sox offense a much-needed shot in the arm.

However, Griffey continued to laugh off trade rumors on Saturday and said nothing new.

"The ballclub has not made a formal offer to me, so there is nothing to say. Will I accept a trade? I haven't talked to anybody on the club about it," Griffey told The Daily News.

The trading deadline to set playoff rosters is Aug. 31.