The White Sox went from a joke in 2007 to the AL Central champions in '08, but general manager Ken Williams has refused to sit on his hands this winter. The reconstruction started when OF/1B Nick Swisher was sent to the Yankees in a trade and RHP Javier Vazquez was sent to Atlanta, as Williams has added a surplus of talent to his farm system. As far as adding to the immediate major league team, however, the left side of the infield is free agents, and the GM insisted that in-house candidates will fill those roles, with the Sox incorporating some youth into the organization.
BIGGEST NEEDS: Speed, speed and more speed, as the Sox need a true leadoff hitter, as well as some rabbits near the bottom of the order. The pitching has a solid core, but they will at least take a look at adding a fifth starter with concerns about RHP Jose Contreras' ruptured Achilles. The bullpen could also use one more veteran arm. ARRIVALS: 3B Dayan Viciedo (free agent from Cuba), RHP Kelvin Jimenez (claimed off waivers from Blue Jays), INF Wilson Betemit (trade with Yankees).
DEPARTURES: RHP Javier Vazquez (traded to Braves), LHP Boone Logan (traded to Braves), OF Nick Swisher (traded to Yankees), LHP Horacio Ramirez (free agent, signed with Royals).
FREE AGENTS: SS Orlando Cabrera, 3B Joe Crede, C Toby Hall, OF Ken Griffey Jr., INF Juan Uribe.
The Sox declined options on both Hall for $2.25 million and Griffey at $16.5 million and have also said goodbye to reserve infielder Uribe, who is not in the team's immediate plans, according to GM Ken Williams. Cabrera was offered arbitration but will likely turn it down, while Crede will also walk away with no resistance from the club.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Bobby Jenks.
Jenks, the barrel-chested closer, will finally be getting the payday he has deserved, with his salary expected to jump up to $5 million after arbitration. The Sox were talking with Jenks last season about a contract extension, so they might revisit those discussions.
IN LIMBO: 1B Paul Konerko is the team captain and the face of the club in many ways, but because the Sox are so slow-footed in the middle of the lineup, they could explore the idea of asking Konerko to waive his no-trade clause if the right deal comes around. Expect them to talk to the Angels on that front.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Jose Contreras (ruptured Achilles tendon in August 2008) likely will be on the shelf until at least July, and he could miss all of 2009 if there are setbacks.
OF Carlos Quentin (fractured right wrist in September 2008) was cleared for full baseball activity in December. He expects to be fully recovered by spring training.
3B Joe Crede (back problems) was slowed most of the second half, and he will have to show his back is OK as he enters free agency.
