Guillen, Williams like team's tone so far
TUCSON, Ariz. -- General manager Kenny Williams likes what he's been seeing from the White Sox so far this spring, and he said the business-like attitude is really noticeable on the morning practice fields.
Late Saturday afternoon, after the Sox' offense had another big game in the Cactus League, manager Ozzie Guillen also gave a big thumbs-up.
"We've been playing pretty good,'' Guillen said after the White Sox won their third straight exhibition game, a 12-8 decision over the Diamondbacks in front of a big crowd (9,296) at Tucson Electric Park.
The Sox were awful last spring, going 10-22. They weren't much better in the regular season (72-90).
"I think we have to set the tone right way,'' Guillen said. "We have to set the tone how we're going to play all year long right away.''
The White Sox have been doing just that, especially on offense. After getting 18 hits Saturday, they are battling a mind-boggling .390 in the Cactus League while averaging almost 9 runs.
The Sox have a lot to prove following last season's debacle, and Guillen thinks the pieces are quickly falling into place to make it happen.
"Everybody talks about everybody's lineup and all of the sudden, they're not talking about our lineup,'' Guillen said. "Maybe because we are the Chicago White Sox with a manager they hate, or they don't like the general manager. But if you see this team Kenny put together, from the top to the bottom, it's pretty scary.
"I know Detroit has a great lineup and Cleveland has a good lineup. Good, talk about them. But I love my lineup and I think we're going to score a lot of runs.''
Joltin' Joe: The White Sox' offense has been pounding the ball in the first four Cactus League games, but they only have 1 home run.
It came Saturday, and Joe Crede supplied the power.
Looking more and more like he's well on the way to making a full recovery from back surgery, Crede crushed the first pitch he saw from Arizona reliever Max Scherzer over the left-field fence in the fourth inning.
Crede has hit 108 regular-season home runs with the Sox, but Saturday's exhibition blast might be the most memorable.
"It felt good to make solid contact up there,'' Crede said. "(Thursday), when we played the Rockies, things just didn't feel comfortable. It's still going to take a little while, but I'll be ready by Opening Day.''
Which leads to the obvious question -- where will Crede be on Opening Day?
With Josh Fields coming into his own and Crede eligible for free agency at the end of the season, trade speculation has been rampant. The San Francisco Giants need help at third base and they had a scout at Saturday's game watching Crede.
"I usually just block it out,'' Crede said. "I'm here playing with the White Sox. This is the organization that gave me the opportunity to play in the big leagues and I love being here. I hope I'm here for the rest of my career.''
While he is a big Fields booster, manager Ozzie Guillen said it's premature to say Crede is headed elsewhere.
"Sometimes, fans think with their hearts because we won with Joe and everybody loves Joe, and I respect that,'' Guillen said. "In the meanwhile, I have to let the fans know we're doing this for them. We're going to build the best ballclub for us to win. No matter who we take, that's the one we think is going to be the best for us.''
White Sox 12, D'backs 8
At the plate: Paul Konerko was 3-for-4 with 4 RBI. Joe Crede hit the Sox' first Cactus League home run. Catcher Cole Armstrong doubled, tripled and drove in a run.
On the mound: Starter Gavin Floyd pitched 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits. Bobby Jenks pitched 1 scoreless inning. Boone Logan allowed 3 runs on 3 hits in 11/3 innings.
Next: Javier Vazquez starts against the Diamondbacks today in Tucson. Nick Masset starts against the Diamondbacks in Hermosillo, Mexico.
-- Scot Gregor