LaRoche fired up about joining new and improved White Sox
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Time will tell if newcomers Jeff Samardzija, Adam LaRoche, David Robertson and Melky Cabrera blend in with holdovers such as Jose Abreu, Chris Sale, Adam Eaton and Jose Quintana.
Tuesday marked the official beginning of a very long season, but there was no mistaking the new, improved feeling at Camelback Ranch before and after the White Sox' first full-squad workout of spring training.
"Obviously, the last two years for us have been a little bit difficult, so I think something had to be done," third baseman Conor Gillaspie said. "The magnitude of the (front-office) push, the work they put in, the guys they did bring in, it's huge. I would say we probably made the biggest change to our team of anybody in the big leagues."
Right now the changes look to be for the best.
"You know, I'm still waiting for when the trophy presentation is on that one," general manager Rick Hahn said of all the off-season accolades. "Until there is one, we are probably not going to care too much about that. At the same time, we would rather be perceived as winning the winter, so to speak, than losing the winter, I guess.
"But, really, the focus is on trying to internally feel like we've addressed our needs in a way that is going to allow us to reach our ultimate goals, and that is contending for championships."
LaRoche was the second free agent to join the Sox during the off-season - behind reliever Zach Duke - signing a two-year, $25 million contract on Nov. 25.
Not only is he a left-handed power hitter slated to protect Jose Abreu in the cleanup spot, the 35-year-old LaRoche has played 11 major-league seasons and is well known for strong leadership skills.
"As a free agent, which I've been a few times, there's always talk of 'We're going to do more' or 'We are not finished yet,' " LaRoche said Tuesday. "Sometimes it works out. A lot of the times it doesn't.
"It was really neat as soon as I signed to start seeing a lot of that going on. And to keep adding pieces and building this club up, it was awesome. Again, you hear it a lot. It's one thing hearing it, and it's another thing for them going out and doing it."
Duke, who signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the White Sox on Nov. 18, was LaRoche's teammate with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009 and the Washington Nationals in 2012-13.
"He's the same person every day, always positive," Duke said. "If there's one way I can describe Adam LaRoche, he is a no-panic individual at all times. Whether he's hitting .180 or .300, he's the same guy.
"It's not easy to do that. It's a testament to him, trusting the work, and trusting the plan and believing in himself. He's a great teammate."
LaRoche is going to need every day of spring training to not only get in shape and familiarize himself with all of his new teammates but to get a feel for the American League. The son of former major-league pitcher and White Sox bullpen coach Dave LaRoche has played only six games in the AL, with the Boston Red Sox in 2009.
"Honestly, it's going to take me a little time to get to know the American League in general and the White Sox and our roster," LaRoche said. "Who has done what over the last couple of years, I'm still figuring that out.
"Just from everything I'm hearing and the excitement of the players, there were 30 guys here a week ago hitting and taking swings, so the excitement is there.
"And we are going to hear all kinds of predictions, but I've been around long enough to know that on paper that's one thing. We won't have an idea until we get out there and start the grind."
It started Tuesday.
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