Guillen puts Nix, Lillibridge on notice

Just in case Jayson Nix and Brent Lillibridge missed Ozzie Guillen's warning in Detroit during the final weekend of the regular season, the White Sox' manager put it out there again on Tuesday.

Guillen wants Nix and Lillibridge to be the Sox' utility infielders in 2010, but there is a catch.

"I expect those two guys to change their games and play the way we think they can play," Guillen said. "They have to go out and give us better at-bats. If they don't, we have to go a different way."

Nix played in 94 games with the White Sox this season and batted .224 after going hitless in his final 15 at-bats.

While finishing third among American League rookies with 12 home runs, Nix struck out 64 times in 255 at-bats and finished with a .308 on-base percentage.

Lillibridge opened and closed the season with the Sox, but he spent most of the year with Class AAA Charlotte. In 46 games with the White Sox, Lillibridge batted .158, struck out 26 times in 95 at-bats and finished with a .273 OBP.

On the move? A natural shortstop, Gordon Beckham played third base for the Sox as a rookie and his defense improved as the season progressed.

Alexei Ramirez, meanwhile, was erratic in his first season at short, but Ozzie Guillen on Tuesday again said Beckham isn't going to return to his old position in 2010.

"I'm not saying he's not a good shortstop," Guillen said of Beckham. "I think if he moves somewhere, it should be to second base. The last three months, (Ramirez) played pretty good."

Rumor mill: Beefing up the bullpen is a priority this winter, as Ozzie Guillen pointed out again Tuesday.

If Bobby Jenks is traded and Matt Thornton moves into the closer's role, the Sox could sign veteran lefty Will Ohman.

Last week, the Los Angeles Dodgers declined their $2.2 million option on Ohman, who had a 5.84 ERA in 12 games before being sidelined for the final four months with shoulder and elbow injuries.

Ohman, who was targeted by the White Sox in the past, had shoulder surgery in September but is expected to be ready for spring training.

Orignally drafted by the Cubs, the 32-year-old lefty was 4-1 with a 3.68 ERA in 83 games with the Braves in 2008.