By Mark Gonzales
INDIANAPOLIS -- Despite not having to worry about filling out their starting rotation, general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen were careful not to declare the White Sox as the favorite in the American League Central heading into the 2010 season.
"Best team on paper? I don't know," Williams said. "The one thing I know for sure is when you start talking about the teams on paper, you start talking about something you just don't know about."
Said Guillen: "On paper I've got the best five starters. That's it. The best team, I don't know."
INDIANAPOLIS -- Despite not having to worry about filling out their starting rotation, general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen were careful not to declare the White Sox as the favorite in the American League Central heading into the 2010 season.
"Best team on paper? I don't know," Williams said. "The one thing I know for sure is when you start talking about the teams on paper, you start talking about something you just don't know about."
Said Guillen: "On paper I've got the best five starters. That's it. The best team, I don't know."
Guillen wasn't disappointed that Detroit free agent second baseman
Placido Polanco, a longtime Sox nemesis, signed with Philadelphia.
At the same time, Williams revealed that merely watching Jake Peavy pitch at the end of the season was a pleasant surprise.
"Even though I prefer he not pitch at the end of the season, he wanted to," Williams said of Peavy, who went 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three starts for the Sox after recovering from ankle and elbow injuries. "And I think it was good for all of our fans and teammates to see. There's a different kind of energy around him and when he's pitching."
Williams said the possibility of rookie Tyler Flowers becoming the primary backup catcher to A.J. Pierzynski becomes a strong consideration each day.
"As we sit right now, he's probably the leading candidate to be the backup," Williams said. "... Tyler Flowers is going to hit. And that's one thing we have to consider."
Another consideration is that teams are starting to sign catchers, even at eye-opening prices. The New York Mets doubled free agent Henry Blanco's salary by agreeing to a one-year, $1.5 million contract as a backup catcher.
The Mets have yet to land a starting catcher but are considering free agent Bengie Molina. The Sox had interest in Blanco but could shift their sights on Mike Redmond, a dependable contact hitter who was a member of Florida's 2003 World Series champion team, in which Guillen served as a coach.
The additions of backups Omar Vizquel increase the competition between Jayson Nix and Brent Lillibridge for a roster spot. Guillen said he values the opening because the Sox don't have a true speedster on the bench with the signings of Andruw Jones and Omar Vizquel.
Williams, meanwhile, didn't rule out re-signing Jim Thome although the Sox will well-stocked with designated hitter candidates and that they can play several positions.
Interest in Sox free agent slugger Jermaine Dye is expected to increase this week, with Texas looming as a possibility.
The Sox also tweaked some of their front office assignments. J.J. Lally and Del Matthews will both have the title/duties of Asst Director of Player Development & Amateur Scouting. Ryan Dorsey, manager of amateur scouting, will perform more scouting duties.
One National League talent evaluator described Brandon Hynick, whom the Sox acquired from Colorado for pitcher Jose Contreras, as a pitcher who relies more on command and control than his repertoire of pitches.
When asked if Hynick compared to Jeff Marquez, who was acquired in the Nick Swisher trade last winter but didn't make the Sox's opening day roster and later suffered arm troubles, the talent evaluator merely smiled.
At the same time, Williams revealed that merely watching Jake Peavy pitch at the end of the season was a pleasant surprise.
"Even though I prefer he not pitch at the end of the season, he wanted to," Williams said of Peavy, who went 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three starts for the Sox after recovering from ankle and elbow injuries. "And I think it was good for all of our fans and teammates to see. There's a different kind of energy around him and when he's pitching."
Williams said the possibility of rookie Tyler Flowers becoming the primary backup catcher to A.J. Pierzynski becomes a strong consideration each day.
"As we sit right now, he's probably the leading candidate to be the backup," Williams said. "... Tyler Flowers is going to hit. And that's one thing we have to consider."
Another consideration is that teams are starting to sign catchers, even at eye-opening prices. The New York Mets doubled free agent Henry Blanco's salary by agreeing to a one-year, $1.5 million contract as a backup catcher.
The Mets have yet to land a starting catcher but are considering free agent Bengie Molina. The Sox had interest in Blanco but could shift their sights on Mike Redmond, a dependable contact hitter who was a member of Florida's 2003 World Series champion team, in which Guillen served as a coach.
The additions of backups Omar Vizquel increase the competition between Jayson Nix and Brent Lillibridge for a roster spot. Guillen said he values the opening because the Sox don't have a true speedster on the bench with the signings of Andruw Jones and Omar Vizquel.
Williams, meanwhile, didn't rule out re-signing Jim Thome although the Sox will well-stocked with designated hitter candidates and that they can play several positions.
Interest in Sox free agent slugger Jermaine Dye is expected to increase this week, with Texas looming as a possibility.
The Sox also tweaked some of their front office assignments. J.J. Lally and Del Matthews will both have the title/duties of Asst Director of Player Development & Amateur Scouting. Ryan Dorsey, manager of amateur scouting, will perform more scouting duties.
One National League talent evaluator described Brandon Hynick, whom the Sox acquired from Colorado for pitcher Jose Contreras, as a pitcher who relies more on command and control than his repertoire of pitches.
When asked if Hynick compared to Jeff Marquez, who was acquired in the Nick Swisher trade last winter but didn't make the Sox's opening day roster and later suffered arm troubles, the talent evaluator merely smiled.
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