--OF Jermaine Dye remained a subject of trade talks, but the problem is that none of that talk has been coming from the team or from Dye's camp. While there is no doubt that Dye still could be moved, the White Sox don't seem to think they have to trade him this offseason. With a boost of young pitching on the cusp of reaching the majors, they seem more confident in possibly moving a pitcher like Javier Vazquez and keeping the power bat of Dye in the lineup.
--RHP Bobby Jenks remained a hot trade rumor from outside sources, but it seemed news to the Sox. "I don't hear anything from Kenny (Williams on a trade)," manager Ozzie Guillen recently told the Chicago Tribune. "If I was a GM or manager (for another team), the way baseball is desperate right now about closers, I would ask for him, too. But we're going to have a shot to win this year." --3B Josh Fields is already set to begin baseball activity after having his knee 'scoped at the end of the season. As of right now, Fields is being considered a leading candidate to start at third base for the Sox if he can beat out 19-year-old Dayan Viciedo, but there is also a possibility that the Sox could use Fields in a package to acquire the speed they still lack at the top of the lineup.
--SS Orlando Cabrera -- who is a free agent -- is starting to be courted by several teams for a multiyear contract. One team that won't be in the hunt is the Sox, who seemed to be fed up with Cabrera's one year on the South Side by the end of the season.
--C Toby Hall was hoping that the Sox would come back to him with a less expensive deal after they declined to pick up his $2 million-plus option for the 2009 season, but GM Ken Williams now seems content in going in a different direction for a backup to A.J. Pierzynski. The Sox do not have a catcher in the system that seems ready, but one could emerge in spring camp.
BY THE NUMBERS: 12 -- Home runs given up by RHP Octavio Dotel last season -- and a big reason why the Sox need RHP Bobby Jenks to remain their closer, rather than relying on Dotel.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Last year, I was disappointed with Josh, because he went backwards a little bit defensively. I saw all the work he put in (during spring training), 6 in the morning every day, and all of a sudden you forget about what you did. We talked to him and told Josh, 'Make it easy for Kenny (Williams, the GM) and myself. We want to play you there.'" -- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, on Josh Fields being the starter at third base this season.
