Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn says he expects the team will build for 2014 more through trades than through free agency, reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
White Sox will be more active in trades than free agency
The White Sox were one of the worst offenses in the majors last year and are hoping to improve upon that.
Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE
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The White Sox have been particularly focused on strengthening their lineup this offseason. The team scored 598 runs in 2013, one of just two teams who failed to crack the 600 runs mark. They also had the fourth-worst on base percentage and sixth-worst slugging percentage in the majors last season.
Chicago has already signed Cuban slugger Jose Abreu to play first base, making a big splash early on in free agency. They will likely focus their search for offense on the infield, including at catcher. Not one member of the White Sox' 2013 infield had higher than a 695 OPS. Designated hitter Adam Dunn led Chicago with a 762 OPS.
In addition, the team has reached out to first baseman Paul Konerko on a possible return to Chicago. Hahn and chairman Jerry Reinsdorg say that the choice to return rests in Konerko's hands at this point. Should he choose to re-sign, Konerko is probably stuck with a part-time bench role with Abreu at first and Dunn at DH.
The team has said recently they are willing to trade a pitcher in exchange for a bat, and that they have received some interest in such a deal. With a right-handed heavy lineup, the White Sox are hoping to acquire a lefty with power.
The White Sox say the only players they are not willing to trade are Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Avisail Garcia and Abreu. That still leaves pitchers like John Danks, Hector Santiago and Addison Reed available.
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