Pursued by Blue Jays, White Sox VP Williams says he's staying put

Since being bumped up to executive vice president in 2013 after a 12-year run as the White Sox' general manager, Kenny Williams has been pretty quiet.

Outside of personally scouting Jose Abreu in the fall of 2013 and strongly recommending the Sox sign the Cuban slugger - who wound up being unanimously voted American League Rookie of the Year this season - Williams' profile has been decidedly low.

That changed a bit on Sunday in the wake of reports the Toronto Blue Jays are interested in hiring Williams to replace president and chief executive officer Paul Beeston.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported the White Sox were "balking" at allowing Williams to interview with the Jays, where he was an outfielder in 1990-91.

When contacted early Sunday afternoon, Williams said he was done commenting on the report.

Earlier in the day, Williams told the Tribune: "That ship has sailed. I'm here at the winter meetings and working hard to help the White Sox."

In October, Williams was rumored to be a candidate to join the Los Angeles Dodgers as president of baseball operations. Tampa Bay's Andrew Friedman wound up getting the job.