Sox' Guillen not worried despite no big additions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The White Sox packed up and exited the winter meetings at the Opryland Resort on Thursday, and the focus remains not on whom they added, but on whom the Florida Marlins subtracted.
On Tuesday, the Marlins traded star third baseman Miguel Cabrera and starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers, who instantly became the favorites to win the AL Central, if not the World Series.
"If the season starts tomorrow, I will be worried,'' Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said after the Tigers pulled off the blockbuster deal. "But the season doesn't start tomorrow. I don't think (general manager) Kenny (Williams) is going to bang his head against the wall. He's going to look for the best deals out there, the best players still out there, and try to make a team that can compete. I think we have a good club. It's up to the players to play the way they should be playing.''
The Sox added Carlos Quentin in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, and the 25-year-old outfielder could emerge as the starter in left.
Before the winter meetings, the White Sox acquired shortstop Orlando Cabrera in a trade from the Los Angeles Angels and signed free-agent relief pitcher Scott Linebrink.
In addition to his steady bat and solid glove, Cabrera is expected to bring some needed fire to the Sox' clubhouse.
"We need a player like Cabrera, a guy that can be a leader in the field,'' Guillen said. "He can do a lot of things besides catching the ball and throwing the ball and hitting the ball. I think he's a great teacher and I was really excited about getting this kid.''
The Sox are still looking for a center fielder, and they are likely to add a more-proven leadoff hitter than incumbent Jerry Owens,
They haven't shown much interest in Aaron Rowand, who is a free agent, because he reportedly is seeking a five-year contract.
But with Andruw Jones accepting a two-year deal from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rowand might eventually come down on the length and rejoin the White Sox.
After helping the Sox win the World Series in 2005, Rowand was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jim Thome.
The White Sox must also make decisions at third base and second base.
At third, Joe Crede is coming back from back surgery, and he is eligible for free agency at the end of the season. On Monday, Williams said the Sox have not talked to Crede's agent, Scott Boras, about a contract extension.
There was a rumor the Brewers were interested in Crede, but it was shot down by Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin.
Since he is coming off a major injury, Crede is likely to go to spring training with the White Sox. If he shows he's healthy, a trade could get done.
"Right now, there are a couple questions about Joe,'' Guillen said. "Joe should be ready for spring training. If he's healthy and we're going to have Joe in spring training, that's a good headache to have.''
Danny Richar is the Sox' starting second baseman for now, but Juan Uribe could push him for playing time if he's not traded.
Uribe, whose batting average has steadily declined the past three seasons, lost his starting job at shortstop to Cabrera.
• The White Sox acquired right-handed pitcher Santo Luis on Thursday in the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft.
Luis, 23, was selected from the Houston Astros in the Class AAA phase of the draft. He was 2-3 with 9 saves and a 4.66 ERA with Class A Lexington this season.