Chicago White Sox News

Vizquel has Aparicio's number
Comment
February 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"When Omar Vizquel signed with the White Sox this winter, he immediately became a "numbers" problem. Not because the Sox had too many shortstops, but because they had too many No. 13s. The winner was, of course, manager Ozzie Guillen, who also wore 13 in his long Sox playing career. "He said, '13 is my number,' " Vizquel said Monday. "He knows I would love to wear it. ... (But) I know it's in good hands." So the inventive Vizquel did something more dramatic. He asked Luis Aparicio, the only Venezuelan in the Hall of Fame, if he could wear No. 11, which is retired by the White Sox. "One day I was hanging out with Luis Aparicio and I had the courage to ask if I could use his number," Vizquel ..."
Aparicio Lets White Sox Unretire His No. 11 So Vizquel Can Wear It in Tribute
Comment
February 9
New York Times
 
"In honor of another Venezuelan shortstop, Dave Concepcion, Vizquel and his new manager, Ozzie Guillen, had each worn No. 13 throughout his career. And with Guillen unwilling to give it up when Vizquel joined the Chicago White Sox in November, it took yet another Venezuelan shortstop to resolve the situation. Luis Aparicio, the only Venezuelan in the Baseball Hall of Fame, permitted the White Sox to unretire his No. 11 so Vizquel could wear it in tribute. Vizquel contacted Aparicio to see if he would be amenable, according to a White Sox spokesman, who added that the number would go back to being retired whenever Vizquel, who turns 43 in April, leaves the organization. "If there is one ..."
Potential difference-makers still on market
Comment
February 7
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"The Angels signed Bobby Abreu, the outfielder the Cubs and so many other teams passed on, one year ago Friday. He proved to be a difference-maker, helping Mike Scioscia's team to a first-round victory over the Red Sox after winning its fifth American League West title in six years. The Angels gave him only a one-year contract worth $5 million. There are similar deals to be made in the 2010 market, even as equipment trucks start to head out for camps in Arizona and Florida. The Twins' fine-tuning has been impressive — the additions of Orlando Hudson and Jim Thome solidified them as the AL Central front-runner — but here are some more players available who could have even more impact: • ..."
Reinsdorf against Cubs ticket surcharge
Comment
February 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has maintained a cordial relationship with the Cubs over the years, going so far as to join Tribune Co. in the formation of Comcast SportsNet. But Tribune Co. sold the Cubs and its 25 percent share of CSN to the Ricketts family last October and, three months later, the Reinsdorf-Ricketts relationship is suddenly in the spotlight. Reinsdorf told the Phoenix Business Journal the Sox were opposed to a plan to institute a surcharge on all Cactus League tickets to help fund the Cubs' proposed $84 million spring training complex in Mesa."
Dye could be headed for AL club
Comment
February 6
Foxsports.com
 
"Several baseball executives said Friday that they expect Jermaine Dye to sign with an American League club. That way, his at-bats could be spread among the maximum number of positions: left field, right field, designated hitter and perhaps first base. But that begs the question: Which AL team? As of Friday, it didn't appear that anyone had taken the lead in the pursuit for Dye. Perhaps teams will wait for Johnny Damon to sign before moving on Dye. That's how it happened with the second base market. Orlando Hudson signed with the Twins, then Adam Kennedy paired up with the Nationals."
Garcia key in Sox rotation
Comment
February 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Today we have a White Sox history lesson, so let's turn to chapter 2004 and the page on pitching. The statistics show a veritable black hole in the fifth spot of the starting rotation: a 5-15 record and 9.08 earned-run average in 25 starts. Now, let's jump ahead to chapter 2005, when the White Sox won the World Series with a rotation that had only two starters in the No. 5 hole as Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez and Brandon McCarthy combined for a 12-11 record and 4.90 ERA in 32 starts. Now close the book and look ahead to the 2010 season, when general manager Ken Williams — the architect of that championship team — believes history can repeat itself. He calls the rotation of Jake Peavy, Mark ..."
White Sox, ad firm work on Hispanic-focused campaign
Comment
February 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Chicago White Sox are expected to announce Thursday that the team has selected the San Jose Group/Chicago as its first Hispanic ad agency of record. The move is part of an effort by White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and the team's top management to grow a significant, loyal segment of the White Sox audience at U.S. Cellular Field, where on average about 14 percent of the crowd is Hispanic. Energy BBDO/Chicago will continue to handle White Sox general market advertising. The San Jose Group will work on a Hispanic-focused ad campaign that is expected to break in about four weeks. The finished campaign will include Spanish-language online work, as well as print, radio and television ..."
Teahen to add to camaraderie in Chicago White Sox's clubhouse
Comment
February 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"In addition to the five tools that scouts use to evaluate players, White Sox general manager Ken Williams has added another measuring stick. Camaraderie. In Mark Teahen, Williams might have landed a serviceable player who is familiar with the Sox's environment and can integrate humor to the clubhouse. Teahen already is comfortable that he is moving to his old position — third base. He also doesn't have to carry more than his share of the offensive load now that he is surrounded by more seasoned players than his previous five seasons with the Royals. At the same time, Teahen instantly ignited a fan following at the recent SoxFest, partly with his Twitter account that he said he started in ..."
Analysts snub White Sox's farm system
Comment
January 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"Gordon Beckham's rapid rise to the big leagues has left the White Sox without any prospects who rank highly in the eyes of many national analysts. In a subscriber-only piece on ESPN.com, Keith Law ranks the Sox's farm system last among the 30 big-league teams. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo didn't list any Sox players among his list of top 50 prospects, published Wednesday. The Angels, Cardinals and Mets were also overlooked on that list. You think the White Sox are worried? Hardly. They point to a .546 winning percentage for their six minor-league teams -- third best among major-league teams -- and their happiness with drafts in 2008 (Beckham, Daniel Hudson, Jordan Danks, Brent Morel and Charlie ..."
Sox like lineup versatility
Comment
January 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"Ozzie Guillen's emotions are similar to those of Hall of Famer Earl Weaver, but the White Sox manager doesn't like to wait for the three-run homer despite the Sox's past reliance on power. So when Guillen promised last week that fans might see some "crazy things" this spring, he at least will have the comfort of experimenting with plenty of options. "I think this lineup is probably the deepest we've had," said Greg Walker, who has been the Sox's hitting coach since the middle of the 2003 season with the likes of sluggers Frank Thomas, Carlos Lee, Magglio Ordonez and Paul Konerko. "We've had more power in the past, but this is a more athletic team and a lineup that Ozzie has wanted." To ..."
Twins add Thome's bat
Comment
January 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Jim Thome has smashed 57 career home runs against the Twins, more than any other opponent, but now they finally have the burly slugger on their side. Thome, 39, agreed Tuesday to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Twins that includes up to $750,000 in incentives, based on plate appearances. When the White Sox passed on Thome, the Twins saw a chance to bolster their inexperienced bench, figuring they could find enough spots for his lefthanded bat, even with Jason Kubel entrenched at designated hitter. Manager Ron Gardenhire, who recruited Thome personally, called him a future Hall of Famer and "one of the classiest acts in the game." Thome ranks 12th on the career list with 564 home ..."
Thome won't return to White Sox; Twins in mix to sign slugger
Comment
January 26
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters Monday that free-agent slugger Jim Thome won't return to the team this year, a decision that could clear the way for Thome to sign with the Twins. The Chicago Sun-Times reported the Rays and Tigers are also interested in Thome but called the Twins the favorite to sign him. Thome, 39, has hit 564 career home runs but hasn't played an inning defensively since 2007. Guillen is trying to keep the DH spot open to give additional at-bats to Andruw Jones, Mark Kotsay, Carlos Quentin and Paul Konerko. "To me, it was about at-bats," Guillen said in a conference call. "I don't want to go through a situation where Jim is not playing two or three days and ..."
Thome doesn't get call to return to Sox
Comment
January 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Ozzie Guillen's most glaring weakness as a manager probably has been parting ways with his White Sox players. Guillen often has tiptoed out of his office during cut-down days, leaving it to general manager Ken Williams or assistant GM Rick Hahn to play the Turk. Over the last four days, there was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Guillen had to make the final decision on veteran designated hitter Jim Thome -- and on Monday, he finally did. The Thome chapter is over on the South Side. ''It came down to getting enough at-bats,'' Guillen explained. ''I don't want a season where Jim sits three or four days in a row and the media comes up to him and asks, 'You're not playing?' This thing will ..."
Thome won't return to White Sox; Twins in mix to sign slugger
Comment
January 26
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters Monday that free-agent slugger Jim Thome won't return to the team this year, a decision that could clear the way for Thome to sign with the Twins. The Chicago Sun-Times reported the Rays and Tigers are also interested in Thome but called the Twins the favorite to sign him. Thome, 39, has hit 564 career home runs but hasn't played an inning defensively since 2007. Guillen is trying to keep the DH spot open to give additional at-bats to Andruw Jones, Mark Kotsay, Carlos Quentin and Paul Konerko. "To me, it was about at-bats," Guillen said in a conference call. "I don't want to go through a situation where Jim is not playing two or three days and ..."
Ken, Oz: Fester brothers
Comment
January 25
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Joe Cowley
"They've described their relationship as ''two brothers.'' Not the norm for a major-league general manager and manager, especially for two men whose big personalities are only overshadowed by their even bigger egos. But the relationship between Ken Williams and Ozzie Guillen is the exception or a powder keg waiting to explode. This season is being set up to test it, one way or the other. Before SoxFest began over the weekend, the roster was all but written in pen. Twelve quality pitchers, an improved defense, a more athletic offense and the designated hitter-by-committee. Unemployed veteran Jim Thome was in Guillen's heart, just not in his plans. Then along came Saturday's town-hall ..."
Reduced role might not sit well with Thome
Comment
January 25
Chicago Tribune
 
"White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen hinted Sunday his next conversation with free agent slugger Jim Thome might not be as pleasant as past chats. "Maybe what I have in my mind isn't convenient for him," Guillen said of his preference not to have a full-time designated hitter in 2010. After the conclusion of SoxFest, Guillen changed his travel plans and won't return to Miami until Monday, when he hopes to have a final decision on whether Thome will return in a reduced role. But while a return by Thome would give the Sox a left-handed power presence they currently lack, it would affect several areas. First, playing time earmarked for left-handed hitter Mark Kotsay and Andruw Jones would be ..."
Thome's popularity complicating Ozzie's plans
Comment
January 25
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Rick Morrissey
"Ozzie Guillen has always wanted to play the mad scientist with his lineup card, to pour the smoking contents of one beaker into the bubbling mixture of another. OK, Ozzie, it's your chemistry set. Go have fun with it. At the moment, he's having a hard time rubbing his hands together in gleeful anticipation. The Jim Thome situation is complicating things. Guillen looked torn as SoxFest wrapped up Sunday, but it was obvious the tear wasn't right down the middle. Guillen likes Thome, as do the slugger's former Sox teammates. He's as genuine, nice and polite as a person can be, which is a more difficult trifecta for a pro baseball player than the Triple Crown. But one thing is even clearer: ..."
Quentin focused on swing, not injuries
Comment
January 24
MLB.com
 
"Maybe it was the fact one month still remained in this current offseason that had Carlos Quentin all smiles Saturday afternoon at SoxFest. Then again, maybe it was the ovation Quentin received from the fans waiting to get his autograph at the Palmer House Hilton that had him in such an upbeat mood. Whatever the explanation, even the usually intense White Sox outfielder had to laugh when asked by a media member about his happy disposition. "It's the offseason. It's a little different," Quentin said. "You guys know it. You're smiling, too." There was an even better reason for Quentin to be downright giddy as the 2010 season approaches, centering on the positive report concerning the ..."
Sox torn pondering Thome return
Comment
January 24
Daily Southtown
 
"It's Ozzie Guillen's move. That was the message Saturday from White Sox general manager Ken Williams as the Sox continued to debate internally whether free-agent slugger Jim Thome - whom the Sox traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 31 - should be brought back. The Sun-Times reported Friday that Thome could return, despite Guillen being comfortable at this point with the idea of using a designated hitter-by-committee approach. Williams seemed in favor of bringing back Thome, who's very popular in the Sox clubhouse, but he didn't want to step on Guillen's toes. In a town-hall-type meeting with Sox fans, Williams let everyone know that Guillen has the final say on Thome. So does ..."
Could Paul Konerko and Derrek Lee be on their way out of Chicago?
Comment
January 24
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"One handed the game ball from the final out of the 2005 World Series to White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. The other played a major role in beating the Cubs in '03 and was about the only hitter who wasn't overpowered in the '07 and '08 playoffs when Lou Piniella's teams extended the agony that had befallen Dusty Baker, among other predecessors. In many ways, Paul Konerko and Derrek Lee have been the glue holding together Chicago's two Major League Baseball teams for a combined 17 seasons. They are consummate pros and reliable run producers whose few fallow months can be traced to the injuries they have endured. Yet neither is signed beyond 2010, and there has not been a clamor from ..."
Thome return up to Ozzie
Comment
January 24
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It's Ozzie Guillen's move. That was the message Saturday from general manager Ken Williams as the White Sox continued to debate whether to bring back free-agent slugger Jim Thome, whom they traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 31. The Sun-Times reported Friday that Thome could return even though Guillen is comfortable with the idea of a designated hitter-by-committee entering camp next month. Williams seemed in favor of bringing back Thome, who's extremely popular in the clubhouse, but he didn't want to step on Guillen's toes. In a town-hall-type meeting with Sox fans, Williams let everyone know that Guillen had the final say on Thome. Does Guillen feel the pressure is on him? ''No, ..."
Quentin's happy, healthy and ready for right field
Comment
January 24
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It was a new-look Carlos Quentin on Saturday at SoxFest: He was smiling. Now, the White Sox are hoping their talented, oft-injured outfielder can return to his 2008 form and finally step back and enjoy the game rather than be the tightly wired overthinker once described by former teammate Jermaine Dye as "weird.'' Last season, hitting coach Greg Walker suggested the Arizona Diamondbacks traded Quentin after the 2007 season because he was ''an overanalyzer.'' Walker called Quentin ''a student of the mechanics of the swing, sometimes to a fault.'' Quentin's hope is that he's a year older and wiser. His good mood was noticed on Day 2 of SoxFest, where Quentin was asked if it was because he ..."
Sox's Carlos Quentin healthy, happy
Comment
January 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"Never has Carlos Quentin looked as happy as he did Saturday at SoxFest. The often-serious Quentin smiled while discussing his move to his natural position in right field and his offseason recovery from injuries that hampered him last season. "My body feels well," said Quentin, who was plagued by plantar fasciitis in his left foot, a sore right knee and a pin that irritated his surgically repaired right wrist. The piece was taken out of his wrist shortly after the season. "The wrist feels 10 times better having the hardware out," Quentin said. "The old injuries that were in the past feel great.'' Quentin didn't want to make the wrist an excuse for his struggles but admitted the screw made ..."
White Sox could make decision on Thome by Sunday
Comment
January 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"While they were concerned about run production, Alexei Ramirez's defense, Alex Rios' offense and Bobby Jenks' effectiveness, what White Sox fans at SoxFest most wanted to know Saturday was who would be the designated hitter. The answer: You may know as soon as Sunday. During a sometimes-lively Q and A, general manager Ken Williams said bringing back Jim Thome "is not going to happen unless Ozzie comes to me and says it's going to work." So, Ozzie Guillen, is it going to work? "I'm still thinking about it," the manager said. "Sometimes when you think with your heart, you make the wrong decision. I should make the decision before I leave for Miami (Sunday)." Guillen reiterated it would not ..."
Juan Pierre knows what to expect from Chicago fans
Comment
January 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"General manager Ken Williams prefers White Sox players who are "Chicago tough." After what Juan Pierre has coped with during his baseball career — which included a 2006 stint with the Cubs during their 96-loss season — Pierre at least won't be blindsided by the expectations as the Sox's new leadoff batter. During Saturday's question-and-answer session with fans, Williams admitted the Sox think Pierre "is a better fit" than Scott Podsednik, who arguably was their best offensive player last season with a .353 on-base percentage, a .304 batting average and 30 stolen bases despite not joining the Sox until May 1. At the same time, Williams didn't sound like the biggest backer of Pierre's ..."
Jenks goes from simmer to slimmer
Comment
January 23
Daily Southtown
 
"Bobby Jenks spent the last three months losing weight. The White Sox closer then spent 10 minutes Friday in a closed-door meeting with general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen clearing his conscience. ''He looks the best I've ever seen him, and I'm really proud of this guy,'' Williams said. ''As a husband and father, he's great around his kids - but just sitting here and looking me and Ozzie right in the eye, addressing the issues head-on like men, I'm proud of him. Good for him. Sometimes you've got to push some buttons to ultimately get to that point.'' The ''point'' the two sides had reached at times looked ugly. Jenks was upset with criticism from Guillen about his ..."
Cubs possible home for ex-Red Gomes
Comment
January 23
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"While popular speculation has focused on Jermaine Dye, the Cubs appear to be focused on free agent Jonny Gomes in their search for a fourth outfielder, according to a baseball source with knowledge of the Cubs' interest. Gomes, who hit 20 home runs in 281 at-bats for the Cincinnati Reds before being non-tendered last month, is one of at least five outfielders the Cubs are looking at. Gomes, though, comes with the advantages of relative youth (29), a willingness to sign a one-year deal to fill a backup role and a strong desire to play for the Cubs. ''Absolutely,'' Gomes said, confirming discussions. ''I'm a big fan of the game, a student of the game, and I follow a lot of history. I'm not ..."
Loss already is turning into gain for Chi Sox' Jenks
Comment
January 23
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Bobby Jenks spent the last three months losing weight. The White Sox closer then spent 10 minutes in a closed-door meeting with general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen on Friday clearing his conscience. ''He looks the best I've ever seen him, and I'm really proud of this guy,'' Williams said. ''As a husband and father, he's great around his kids -- but just sitting here and looking me and Ozzie right in the eye, addressing the issues head-on like men, I'm proud of him. Good for him. Sometimes you've got to push some buttons to ultimately get to that point.'' The ''point'' the two sides had reached at times looked ugly. Jenks was upset with criticism from Guillen about his ..."
Thome's return to Sox '50-50' in spite of Ozzie
Comment
January 23
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The White Sox and Minnesota Twins are already in a battle, and pitchers and catchers are still a month away from reporting to spring training. A source close to Jim Thome's camp told the Sun-Times on Friday that the Sox are now rethinking the idea of life without the veteran slugger, despite manager Ozzie Guillen's wish to try a designated hitter-by-committee. Thome was traded from the Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 31 and is now a free agent on the Twins' radar. On Thome rejoining the Sox, the source said, ''It's 50-50 now, which couldn't be said [Thursday]. Jim is just waiting to hear.'' Even Guillen all but confirmed the possibility of Thome's return after saying Thursday the ..."
Guillen feels betrayed by McGwire
Comment
January 22
ESPN.com
 
"Ozzie Guillen said he feels betrayed by Mark McGwire's admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs, and the Chicago White Sox manager isn't buying the slugger's contention that they didn't help him hit home runs at a record pace. "That bothered me," Guillen told ESPNChicago.com columnist Melissa Isaacson on Thursday. "First of all, we competed against [McGwire's Oakland teams] in the '90s, and when I saw that, I was like, wow, I could have been in more playoffs, maybe I'd have had the chance to be in the World Series because we had a pretty good ballclub. "When people say, 'I don't know what happened,' we're lying to ourselves. I didn't see anyone doing it, but I know something ..."
Guillen doesn't envision Thome in Sox's plans
Comment
January 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was eager Thursday to start spring training, even with the likelihood of not having Jim Thome as the designated hitter in what aims to be a more versatile lineup. ''Nobody is a bigger Jim Thome fan than me,'' Guillen said at U.S. Cellular Field. ''But in the meantime, (Thome's departure) gives this ballclub an opportunity to give more people more at-bats and to be flexible in different ways.'' Guillen said Mark Kotsay, Andruw Jones, Paul Konerko, Omar Vizquel and Carlos Quentin can serve as the DH. "To me, it's easier and we get more production with the team we have now that way,'' Guillen said. Guillen pointed put that only a few teams, such as the Red Sox ..."
Big Z, Ozzie star in Venezuelan commercial
Comment
January 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"Ozzie Guillen believes Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano might have another career when his baseball days are over. Zambrano stars with Guillen and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Bobby Abreu in an amusing soft drink commercial shown during televised Venezuelan Winter League baseball games. The commercial shows Zambrano arguing with an umpire and getting ejected before tossing a baseball. Guillen and Abreu later join Zambrano, and the threesome share a laugh. ''They showed the real Zambrano,'' Guillen laughed."
Becoming second nature
Comment
January 21
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Beckham had been out and about one afternoon when he noticed a text message from White Sox teammate and good friend Chris Getz: ''There are rumors that I'm getting traded.'' ''I read it, and I was like, 'What? C'mon,''' Beckham recalled this week. ''I was thinking it was just another one of those wild baseball rumors, so I sent a text back to Chris and told him, 'Don't worry. No way that's happening. You're too valuable.''' Getz was traded to the Kansas City Royals on Nov. 6. Welcome to the show, kid, where it's big business. The reality of that can sting, especially when your fantasy football partner is involved. The deal brought third baseman Mark Teahen to the Sox and gave Beckham a new ..."
Thome keeps door open for a White Sox return
Comment
January 21
Chicago Tribune
 
"Jim Thome participated Wednesday night in the White Sox's ''Bring Me Home'' campaign that raised money to benefit foster families in Illinois. As far as Thome is concerned, he wouldn't rule out a return to the Sox's family. ''My door is open,'' said Thome, a free agent who spent nearly four full seasons with the Sox before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 31. ''Just call me.'' Thome said he understands the business side of baseball while praising the entire Sox's organization. ''I want to play baseball,'' Thome said. ''Right now we're talking to a few teams, and we'll see what happens. It's been a slow winter in the market.'' Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who started the ..."
White Sox say player-payroll formula still working
Comment
January 21
Chicago Tribune
 
"The formula of projected revenues minus projected expenses equaling player payroll is apparently working well for the White Sox this offseason. Despite a slight increase in prices, season-ticket renewals are "strong" and projections are ahead of what the Sox anticipated at this point, vice president/chief marketing officer Brooks Boyer said Wednesday. The result is that the Sox have 22 players signed for about $104.025 million for 2010. Even with $5.25 million coming from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals in trades, the Sox's cash obligations to players will exceed $100 million with the resources to add another seasoned player if needed."
Viciedo working out at first base for White Sox
Comment
January 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"Dayan Viciedo, one of the prized hitters in the White Sox's organization, worked out last week in Miami at first base. Viciedo's move from third base isn't permanent yet, said coach Joey Cora, who conducted a three-day camp that included shortstop Alexei Ramirez and Gordon Beckham, who will move from third base to second. But the Sox wanted to get Viciedo, 20, acclimated to first, a position that could give him the best chance of reaching the majors with newly acquired third baseman Mark Teahen signed for three more years and Brent Morel making a strong impression in the Arizona Fall League."
White Sox hope winter work pays off in spring
Comment
January 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"The White Sox planted seeds this winter in three areas they hope will help produce a successful 2010 following an 83-loss season. Coaches Greg Walker, Joey Cora and Don Cooper met with various groups this offseason to address the following areas — hitting, fielding and pitching. "You have to pay a price to win," Cooper said Tuesday, nine days after conducting a mini-camp in Glendale, Ariz., with a group of pitchers with assorted experience. "Each guy has to do his preparation.""
Dye, Nady drawing interest from Cubs
Comment
January 19
MLB.com
 
"The Cubs are looking at free agents Jermaine Dye and Xavier Nady as possible fourth outfielders. A high-placed team official confirmed that both Dye and Nady are on the team's radar. Dye, who turns 36 on Jan. 28, is coming off a season in which he belted 27 homers and 19 doubles for the Chicago White Sox while driving in 81. His average, however, dipped to .251. A career .274 hitter, Dye could play both corner-outfield spots as well as first base if needed. Nady, 31, missed most of last season after undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in July. A career .280 hitter, he has played for San Diego, Pittsburgh and both New York teams, most recently with the Yankees. He was ..."
Sox counting on Rios to rebound after rough 2009
Comment
January 19
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Five swings. That's all it took for Greg Walker to take a deep sigh of relief and realize that the enigma looked to be back to an All-Star. No holes. No mechanical flaws. No signs of a player who was carrying the weight of the South Side on his shoulders. Five swings. And now the White Sox hitting coach is only looking ahead. ''This was the first I had seen him,'' Walker described of the three-day hitting session last week with Alex Rios in Miami. ''He got away from baseball for the first part of this offseason, and rightfully so. I thought the time would be good for him, that some time off would help cure some of the problems that developed last season."
White Sox's Pena gets one-year, $1.2 million deal
Comment
January 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"The White Sox and reliever Tony Pena agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million contract Monday, leaving left-hander John Danks as their only unsigned arbitration-eligible player."
Sox's Danks focused on season, not contract
Comment
January 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"John Danks will find out Tuesday if he and the White Sox are close to reaching a deal when salary-arbitration numbers are released. But a bigger date awaits Danks on Wednesday when he is scheduled to be examined by team doctors in Chicago with the expectation that the circulatory problems in his left index finger are in the distant past. "I don't anticipate any problems," Danks said Monday after a workout. The investment in Danks is greater to the Sox than what he will receive in 2010, which could exceed Carlos Quentin's $3.2 million salary. Danks, 24, won't be eligible to become a free agent until after the 2012 season. He became the third pitcher in franchise history to make at least 25 ..."
White Sox John Danks awaits deal, medical report
Comment
January 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"John Danks will find out if he and the White Sox are close to reaching a deal Tuesday, when salary arbitration numbers are released. But a bigger date awaits Danks on Wednesday, when he is scheduled to be examined by team doctors in Chicago with the expectation that the circulatory problems in his left index finger are in the distant past. "I don't anticipate any problems," Danks said Monday after a workout. The investment in Danks is greater to the Sox than what he will receive in 2010, which could exceed Carlos Quentin's $3.2 million salary. Danks, 24, won't be eligible to become a free agent until after the 2012 season. He became the third pitcher in franchise history to make at least ..."
Konerko focused on upcoming season
Comment
January 18
MLB.com
 
"If a Major League Baseball primer exists concerning how to handle impending free agency as a player, then Paul Konerko probably contributed to that manual back in 2005. The White Sox first baseman addressed this possible foray into the open market before the memorable regular season began and then basically tabled all further discussions until shortly after the World Series championship parade came to a close. Konerko fielded serious offseason offers from other teams, such as the Angels, but ultimately returned to the White Sox via a five-year, $60 million deal. Although the money and possibly even the demand might not quite be the same for the White Sox captain, who turns 34 on March 5, ..."
White Sox's Konerko surprises Thome at benefit
Comment
January 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"For the 15th Joyce Thome Benefit for Children's Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, Andrea Thome decided to bring a few special guests -- White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. "There are not too many things that will get past me, put it that way," said former Sox slugger Jim Thome. "For them to take the time and come in like this, it's humbling. It means a lot."
Job market for Thome remains in flux
Comment
January 18
MLB.com
 
"Jim Thome has celebrated quite a few memorable "firsts" during the course of his illustrious 19-year-career. There was the first of his 2,138 hits, the first home run en route to his mammoth total of 564, the first of his 1,565 RBIs and the first walk drawn among his 1,619. And for a man whose goals are first and foremost team-directed, there was the first of his eight seasons to reach the playoffs with Cleveland in 1995. Currently, though, Thome is going through a first he would have gladly missed out on during his run to Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame. The prolific slugger stands as a man without a job as Spring Training fast approaches."
White Sox sign Bobby Jenks and Carlos Quentin
Comment
January 17
Chicago Tribune
 
"The White Sox cut their arbitration cases in half Saturday when they secured one-year contracts with Bobby Jenks for $7.5 million and outfielder Carlos Quentin for $3.2 million. Pitchers John Danks and Tony Pena are the only two Sox remaining for arbitration, where players not eligible for free agency have an impartial judge determine their salary. Jenks was the key because the Sox had hinted they might trade him this winter due to his potential salary, which figured to be about $8 million. Jenks, 28, fell one save shy of a fourth consecutive 30-save season. He already ranks third in Sox history with 146 saves."
Peavy gives Sox an ace lift
Comment
January 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"There was a time when Jake Peavy thought he wanted to be a Cub. More than a few witnesses saw him singing ''Go, Cubs, Go'' during the 2008 winter meetings in Las Vegas. There was a time when Peavy felt like he wanted to stay a Padre. After all, he exercised his no-trade clause in rejecting a deal last May that would've sent him from San Diego to the South Side. But as he sat in an airport Thursday afternoon, waiting for a flight back to the West Coast, Peavy acknowledged that the Cubs and Padres were more like temporary urges. He sounded like he had finally found his true home. ''I couldn't have imagined a better fit,'' Peavy told the Sun-Times in a phone interview. ''I talk to [general ..."
Infielder Bynum among Sox's camp invitees
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January 15
Chicago Tribune
 
"Veteran infielder Freddie Bynum is among 15 non-roster invitees to the White Sox' spring-training camp in Glendale, Ariz. In addition to Bynum, the Sox also have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with right-handed pitchers Greg Aquino and Daniel Cabrera, left-handed pitcher Erick Threets and outfielder Jason Botts. Ten players already in the Sox's system also received inviations, including outfielder Jordan Danks, 2009 first-round draft pick Jared Mitchell and infielders Brent Morel and C.J. Retherford."
White Sox GM calls Guillen-Jenks exchange 'business as usual'
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January 15
Chicago Tribune
 
"White Sox general manager Ken Williams attempted to downplay the public spat between manager Ozzie Guillen and closer Bobby Jenks in a story on ESPNChicago.com. Guillen called out Jenks during the last week of the season for being out of shape. Jenks took exception to the comments. "Open and honest comments have been inflammatory as they've come out to the public, but it's really men being men, and Ozzie and I being ourselves," Williams told ESPNChicago's Bruce Levine. "It's about us being honest with our guys first,and honest with you guys and the public second. We had many, many instances where we had differences with our players, and then the next day it's over and done with, and back ..."
Cubs are looking into adding OF Jermaine Dye
Comment
January 14
Chicago Tribune
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"To Dye for? The Cubs are looking into former White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, sources confirmed Wednesday, but they can't promise Dye as much playing time as he's accustomed to getting. If Dye were to sign, he would platoon with Kosuke Fukudome in right field and back up Alfonso Soriano in left and Derrek Lee at first. He also could DH for interleague road games in Texas and Seattle and at U.S. Cellular Field. Dye, the 2005 World Series MVP with the White Sox, still has his home in Chicago but is seeking a starting job."