Gregor: Veteran talent may be on the way for Sox

Random White Sox thoughts between the general manager meetings, which wrapped up in Phoenix last week, and the winter meetings, which run Dec. 8-11 in San Diego:

• The highlight of the GM meetings was this remark from Kenny Williams, who actually has been the Sox' executive vice president the past two years:

"I don't want to hear any more talk about rebuilding and certainly don't want to take it on the chin any longer," said Williams, the White Sox' general manager from 2001-12 before turning the reins over to Rick Hahn. "We've got to start making progress with more wins, and we're going to have to do what we've got to do to get there."

• The previous quote should be well received by Sox fans.

True, the farm system is in good shape with young talent such as Carlos Rodon, Tim Anderson, Micah Johnson, Francellis Montas, Courtney Hawkins, Tyler Danish and Spencer Adams, but the White Sox need to spend some money if they want to end a six-year playoff drought.

• With Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko, Gordon Beckham and Alejandro De Aza off the books, the Sox have plenty of money to spend this winter.

If they are looking for one big-ticket item, how about free-agent starting pitcher Max Scherzer?

He already turned down a six-year, $144 million offer to stay with the Detroit Tigers, so Scherzer is not going to come cheap.

He also is represented by Scott Boras, an agent the White Sox formerly wanted nothing to do with.

But Hahn and Boras have a very good relationship, as was demonstrated by the Rodon signing in last year's draft.

If you put Scherzer between Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, with Rodon eventually filling the No. 4 spot, you are looking at a playoff-caliber rotation.

• Alexei Ramirez's name is all over the rumor mill, but the feeling here is he stays with the Sox in 2015 and again in '16. Ramirez is a skilled two-way shortstop with a very reasonable contract ($10 million in 2015 and a $10 million club option for '16).

Anderson is a talented young player, but he needs a full year at Class AA Birmingham followed by a full year at AAA Charlotte before he's ready to take over for Ramirez.

• Speaking of Anderson, the White Sox' first-round draft pick in 2013, there have been some questions about his ability to handle shortstop in the majors.

Anderson, 21, has committed 53 errors in 144 minor-league games, but his confidence was high when I talked to him during a break in the Arizona Fall League.

"There's no doubt, I'm a shortstop," Anderson said. "This was my first full season as a shortstop. I played it in college (East Central Community College in Mississippi), but at a professional level, it's my first full season. I'm still growing. I still have a lot of work to, but I'm right where I want to be."

• The Sox still seem to be leaning toward going with a mix of relief pitchers who are capable of closing games. That can be a dangerous strategy, as the 2014 season painfully proved.

Look for the White Sox to make a serious run at free agent Luke Gregorson, one of the top setup men in the game. He also is a Chicago-area native, and his ERA has been under 2.75 for four straight years.

A reliable veteran is desperately needed at the back of the bullpen, and the 30-year-old Gregorson instantly stabilizes a Sox crew that was very shaky last season.

• The White Sox still need to add a left-handed bat to hit between Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia.

Victor Martinez is off the market and back with Detroit, so Adam LaRoche looks like the best free-agent fit unless the Sox decide to swing a trade.

• Follow Scot's White Sox and baseball reports on Twitter@scotgregor.