The White Sox yesterday "filled two big holes" in their roster by acquiring P Jeff Samardzija in a trade with the A's and signing free agent P David Robertson in "one of the craziest nights in franchise history," according to Paul Sullivan of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. White Sox Senior VP & GM Rick Hahn made the two moves that "put the Sox back in the mix" in the AL Central while "proving that last season’s poor attendance was not an impediment to offseason spending." At the GM meetings last month, Hahn said that the club "didn’t need to make a big splash, but that’s exactly what he did" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/9). Sullivan in a separate piece writes under the header, "White Sox Make Biggest Splash On Day 1 Of Winter Meetings" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/9). USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale writes the White Sox' new additions make it "cool to wear those Sox black and white colors once again" (USA TODAY, 12/9). MLB Network’s Ron Darling said the White Sox “seem to come out as a team that is willing to spend some money." Darling: "I don’t think they want to let the Cubs take all the news, they want to make some news themselves” (“MLB Now,” MLB Network, 12/8). Meanwhile, the Cubs yesterday signed P Jason Hammel to a two-year deal while continuing to pursue free agent P Jon Lester, and FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal wrote it is "refreshing to see both clubs back in business." Rosenthal: "This is the way big-city, high-revenue teams are supposed to act. Both the White Sox and Cubs see a window of opportunity, though the White Sox are operating with perhaps greater urgency by taking on Samardzija in his free-agent year" (FOXSPORTS.com, 12/9).
TIMING IS EVERYTHING: White Sox Exec VP Ken Williams yesterday said of Chair Jerry Reinsdorf reportedly not granting him permission to discuss the President & CEO position with the Blue Jays, "I talked to Jerry, he just felt it was not the right time. He did tell me he did not deny permission. But he did not grant it at this particular time, either, because we have White Sox work to do. I completely understand that and support that." He added, "I like my role. I still oversee every aspect of the baseball operations and take pride in that." Williams said his relationship with Reinsdorf, who stood nearby, "has not changed." Williams: “There was a misunderstanding whether permission was granted, denied, delayed or whatever. He quickly explained that to me and I completely understand his position" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/9). Williams said that he was "flattered by the interest from the Blue Jays and spoke fondly of his time with them" as a player from '90-91, but he "assumes the organization has moved on." He said that a move up in title likely "would have to be to CEO, as a president of baseball operations title would be considered a lateral move." Williams said that if a bump in title were to come, he "wouldn’t mind it happening" with the White Sox (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/9).
