Sox GM Williams putting puzzle pieces together for 2011

General manager Kenny Williams said he didn't really get a chance to enjoy the White Sox' World Series victory parade in 2005 because he was too busy working on the 2006 roster.

Five years later, Williams is taking a different approach.

Before mapping out a plan for 2011, Williams said he needs to step away for a while.

“I need to give myself a little break here for a couple of weeks because over the last month I have literally been going through countless permutations every day and every night, Williams said.

“‘How can we get it right? Which of our young players fit in? Which of our veterans fit in? Who is going to be available via trade? Who is going to be available via free agency? How much money do we have to spend, and how should we allocate it?'

While he has plenty of questions to answer and the status of free agents Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski top the list Williams actually is optimistic heading into the off-season.

“There's not that great of a gap from where we are to where we need to be, Williams said before the White Sox wrapped up the 2010 season Sunday. “And it's a nice blend of veterans and youth. The problem is we need, as I've always said going way back now, we need to have some balance from the left side.

“So whether that's A.J. coming back, whether that's going out on the free-agent market or making a trade, we have to have some balance in the middle of our lineup or at least around the fifth or sixth spot.'

Mark Kotsay was the Sox' primary left-handed DH this season, but a .239 batting average, 8 home runs and 31 RBI in 327 at-bats did not get it done.

Williams made a run at left-handed slugger Hideki Matsui last winter. “Godzilla wound up signing a one-year, $6 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels, and he batted .274 with 21 homers and 84 RBI in 482 at-bats.

Matsui won't be returning to Los Angeles next season and appears to be a viable option for the White Sox at a reduced price.

“We're going to try to get the best hitters on the market from an offensive perspective, Williams said. “We certainly have to get a left-handed hitter in here who can do some damage.

“But just as equally as important as anybody that can do some damage, do you need power in the middle of the order in the American League? I've always believed that.

“But one thing you have to keep in perspective is we now have a team, or are evolving into a team, that will have power throughout the lineup. And it will be spread out because (third baseman Brent) Morel, as you see, is going to hit with a little more power and is going to grow into more of that.

“Alexei (Ramirez) has his share. (Gordon) Beckham has his share. (Tyler) Flowers is going to be a guy who can do that. (Dayan) Viciedo, (Alex) Rios. You've got it throughout the whole lineup, and I think we just need somebody to balance us out in the middle.

Williams will be keeping a close eye on the bottom line this winter, especially after the Sox ranked a disappointing 17th in major-league baseball in attendance this season at 2,194,378.

The 2010 payroll was $104 million, and that figures to drop next season.

“I'll get the initial (budget) number in the latter part of October, and then there will be another projection in November, and then as we head to the winter meetings in December, Williams said.

“Again, come the first of the year, when we start opening it up for season tickets, I'll get another number. So it's kind of an evolving number. I think after 10 years, Jerry (Reinsdorf) has now built in the Kenny Williams' overbudget number, and I get to him at the end and ask for one last move. There's always one last move.

As for the pitching staff, Mark Buehrle, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Edwin Jackson and Jake Peavy are set to return to the starting rotation, which could force out Freddy Garcia.

Chris Sale looks like a future ace, but the impressive rookie could very well wind up as the White Sox' closer since there is no chance Bobby Jenks returns.

The big question is Peavy, who tore his right latissimus muscle in early July and missed the rest of the season. Peavy could be ready to pitch in spring training, but the injury is rare and there's no set recovery time.

“That would be nice, Williams said about Peavy coming back healthy. “What do you think? That hurt a little bit. You lose one of the best pitchers in the game, it might affect you. It would be nice to have him.