Lawrie says White Sox have World Series-caliber talent

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Brett Lawrie reported to his new spring home on Monday, and he is already feeling good about being with the Chicago White Sox.

How good, you ask?

"You look at the number of guys and you look at who's in this room," Lawrie said. "We've got so much talent, it's World Series-caliber, 100 percent. It's just about refining that and coming together as a group and having some fun out there. Any time we play against the White Sox, you know who's over there and the damage that they can do."

Maybe Lawrie doesn't realize the Sox posted losing records in each of the last three seasons. Or, after being acquired in a Dec. 9 trade from Oakland for minor-league pitchers Zachary Erwin and J.B. Wendelken, maybe Lawrie is just trying to be a good teammate.

Perhaps it's a blend of both, but Lawrie's potent bat is a major upgrade for the White Sox at second base.

"He seems to be a little high-energy," manager Robin Ventura said. "We like that. I think guys in the clubhouse will have some fun with that. But it's more how he plays. Playing against him the last few years of him in Toronto and even in Oakland, he brings a little fire to the table."

With the A's last year, Lawrie had 16 home runs and 60 RBI while batting .260.

The Langley, British Columbia, native has been traded two times in two years. He went from the Blue Jays to the A's in the Josh Donaldson trade.

"You know what, I'm keeping it moving and I'm meeting new people," Lawrie said. "I'm getting new opportunities all the time. That's the biggest thing. I'm getting new opportunities to play for new teams, meet some new guys. Ultimately, just go compete at the highest level for a new team and for new guys as well. I enjoy that."

Reporting day:

The Sox have their first full squad workout of spring training on Tuesday.

With Lawrie and Melky Cabrera reporting to camp on Monday, right fielder Avisail Garcia is the only position player who had not yet arrived. Considering he's coming off a poor season and the White Sox have been rumored to be shopping for a replacement all winter, Garcia was expected in earlier.

General manager Rick Hahn doesn't think there is a problem.

"If a guy is not here when he's asked to be here, that is an issue," Hahn said. "Guys showing up early, that's great. But I'm not going to hold it against a guy for following the letter of the invite when he was told to be here on a certain day and that's when he shows up."

Rest and recovery:

Adam Eaton had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder as soon as the 2015 season ended.

While he initially couldn't lift his arm up over his head, Eaton said he's gradually getting the shoulder back to 100 percent, and it only bothers him throwing.

"It's definitely not normal, but I'm getting more strength," Eaton said. "I'm getting it to where it needs to be."