The Morel of the story: He can field, but can he hit?

The White Sox are a big-market team, and they usually act accordingly.

That's why few should have been surprised Sunday after 34-year-old relief pitcher Matt Thornton agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract extension.

Thornton's new deal doesn't kick in until 2012, but the Sox' payroll is still in the neighborhood of $125 million this season and five players — Jake Peavy, Mark Buehrle, Alex Rios, Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko — are making $12 million or more this year.

With high salaries come high expectations, and that's why chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, general manager Kenny Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen know this is very likely a make-or-break season for the White Sox.

But while the Sox obviously prefer proven talent and are willing to pay for it, they're not averse to injecting some young blood into the mix.

Two prime examples are second baseman Gordon Beckham, who played a grand total of 59 games in the minors before making the jump to the big leagues in 2009.

Last year, left-handed relief pitcher Chris Sale was just three months out of college (Florida Gulf Coast University) when he was summoned to the South Side.

This season, Brent Morel is the latest rising star to join the White Sox.

How good can he be?

As he showed in 21 games with the Sox last September, Morel is very good with the glove.

After Morel's 10th or so diving stop on the corner and bullet throw across the diamond, Guillen started comparing Morel's defensive skills to Joe Crede.

Not bad for a guy who played shortstop at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and five levels in the White Sox' farm system.

“It's something I've always taken pride in,” Morel said of his defense. “But I never got a full year in at third base until 2009. Just moving over there seems to be suiting me better. It's no longer just a short-term arrangement. It's long-term and I'm liking it over there. I feel really comfortable.”

Can he hit?

In his September showcase, Morel appeared to be frequently overmatched while batting .231 and striking out 17 times in 65 at-bats. Look for the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder to settle in at the plate as he moves forward.

Morel initially caught the Sox' attention after the 2009 season when he led the Arizona Fall League with a .435 (27-for-62) batting average.

He hit a combined .322 with 37 doubles, 10 home runs and 64 RBI in 130 games with Class AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte last year before joining the White Sox for the final month.

Mechanically, Morel is quiet at the plate and has the ability to hit the gaps. But he also could develop into a decent power hitter, and Morel hit 3 home runs in his brief stay with the Sox.

Who else is at third?

Mark Teahen returns, but you still have to think he's going to be traded before the end of spring training.

As good of a guy as there is in the White Sox' clubhouse, Teahen simply didn't get it done last year after coming over in a trade from the Royals.

Yes, he missed over two months with a fractured finger, but Teahen was a defensive liability at third base (10 errors in 124 total chances) and he didn't show much at the plate (.287, 4 HR, 25 RBI).

If Teahen and the remaining $10.25 million he's due over the next two seasons can't be moved, he can back up Morel at third and also play some right field and second base.

What about Omar?

He's going to be 44 on April 24, but Vizquel can still play the game at a high level and he proved that last season. When Teahen went down at the end of May. Vizquel stepped right in at third base and sparked the Sox to 25 wins in 30 games. If Morel struggles, Guillen won't hesitate to call Vizquel's number.