Rozner: White Sox' winning winter keeps getting better

Four years ago this month, the White Sox went "all in," creating a huge buzz and much excitement among the faithful.

"We just didn't want to be in the middle," GM Ken Williams said at the time. "The decision was that if we were going all in, we were going all in. It's been difficult to find the revenue to support the payroll, but we're out there on a limb. We think it's important."

Little did the Sox know that Ozzie Guillen had already quit on the team - for reasons that defy even Guillen's form of logic - but didn't officially bolt until the final days of the season.

Fast forward to the present and the Sox have again gone all in, a result no doubt of owner Jerry Reinsdorf's desire to win - and win quickly.

The latest addition came Sunday morning, when the Sox agreed to a three-year deal with free agent Melky Cabrera for more than $40 million.

It seems no matter what you ask of GM Rick Hahn this off-season, he finds it, and make no mistake about who's asking. It's not just the fans. Rest assured, Williams and Reinsdorf are all in on the process.

So consider where the Sox were when the season ended - having so many needs and a decent amount of money to spend - and think about where they are now.

A rotation dominated by lefties needed a right-hander, preferably top half of the rotation. They picked up a No. 2 in Jeff Samardzija and gave up little to get him, relatively speaking.

The Sox were a disaster in the late innings last season. No problem. Spend $46 million on David Robertson, the best closer available in free agency.

The bullpen needed veteran arms, specifically left-handed if possible. Fine. Sign free agent Zach Duke and trade for Dan Jennings.

They needed to get more left-handed in the order, preferably a power bat to hit between righties Jose Abreu and Avy Garcia. Enter designated hitter/first baseman Adam LaRoche.

Need to get better in left field, on offense and defense? Need a No. 2 hitter behind Adam Eaton, one who bats left-handed? Someone who handles the bat well and gets on base? Go out and get Cabrera.

That is some month for Hahn.

He has checked off so many boxes already that it seems absurd to ask for more, but don't bet against the Sox finding upgrades.

No teams are perfect and the Sox could live with what they have at second base, third base, catcher and on the bench, not to mention the bullpen, after what they've already accomplished, but don't be shocked if Hahn continues to look for improvements in those areas.

At least as crucial, Sox fans are optimistic and talking about their team again.

"I would think this would get White Sox fans excited. I know from a baseball standpoint, we're all excited," Hahn said in San Diego at the Winter Meetings last week. "I also know that as a fan base, they want to see from us a club that's going to go out there and contend.

"There should be, I hope, a level of appreciation for the aggressiveness that comes from Jerry Reinsdorf. He's the one that has been pushing us to get better to where we're trying to address these needs in the biggest way and best way we can, and especially in the free-agent market.

"That's played a role in us stretching beyond where we initially thought a couple of these things were going to wind up, or where we wanted them to wind up."

And though the last few weeks have been better for the Sox than perhaps any team in baseball, winning this month does not guarantee you a happy September.

"We know they don't give out any championships in December," Hahn said. "They don't give out any 'winning the winter,' so to speak."

Hahn, no doubt, remembers the last time the Sox went all-in.

"In recent years, it's been more of a curse than actually translated to success," Hahn said. "It doesn't mean we're not going to try to win the winter, but at the same time we know you've got to prove it on the field in the summer."

It also puts more pressure on manager Robin Ventura, who had a difficult 2014 season, sometimes managing like he had no idea how to use a bullpen.

Granted, it's tough to look smart with the worst bullpen in the American League, but Ventura will have to show this season that he knows what he's doing.

And Ventura said he welcomes the pressure that comes from expectations.

"That would be fine," he said in San Diego. "I hope so."

Well, it's there. The Sox' payroll soared past $100 million and still the task will be tough in a Central Division that sports four potential playoff teams.

Nevertheless, it's been quite the off-season for the Sox - and it's far from over.

brozner@dailyherald.com

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