The White Sox went from a joke in 2007 to Central Division champions in 2008, but general manager Ken Williams has refused to sit on his hands this winter. That reconstruction started with Nick Swisher sent to New York in a trade and Javier Vazquez 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 signing of free agent Bartolo Colon is really the only move of note. Williams, however, is still looking.
BIGGEST NEEDS: Speed, speed and more speed. The White Sox need a true leadoff hitter as well as some rabbits near the bottom of the order. The pitching has a solid core with Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd and John Danks plus recently added veteran Bartolo Colon. That leaves Jeff Marquez and Clayton Richard battling for the No. 5 spot, at least until Jose Contreras shows signs of returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon. The bullpen could use one more veteran arm, but that's an unlikely pickup. ARRIVALS: 3B Dayan Viciedo (free agent from Cuba), RHP Kelvin Jimenez (claimed off waivers from Blue Jays), INF Wilson Betemit (trade with Yankees), RHP Bartolo Colon (free agent from Red Sox).
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), C Toby Hall (free agent, signed minor league deal with Astros).
FREE AGENTS: SS Orlando Cabrera, 3B Joe Crede, 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: None.
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.
