White Sox like Vaughn at DH, but Cruz would give them a proven commodity

When last heard from, yes, general manager Rick Hahn did indicate the White Sox roster is set to start the season.

"If this is our group, we're very happy with it and we'll go to camp with these guys and we'll sort it out there," Hahn said two weeks ago.

Then again ...

"It's always another move we feel we can make to get us better," Hahn said. "We're going to continue to explore to see if something lines up, but there's no guarantee it will."

During an off-season that's already been much busier than most American League teams', the Sox filled their hole at closer with all-star Liam Hendriks. The right-hander signed a four-year, $54 million contract on Jan. 15.

In December, Hahn acquired starting pitcher Lance Lynn in a trade with Texas and brought back right fielder Adam Eaton on a one-year, $8 million contract. The free agent also got an $8.5 million club option for 2022, with a $1 million buyout.

The White Sox could still use a seasoned starter, and they could definitely use a proven designated hitter.

The latter spot has been an issue since Hall of Famer Jim Thome exited in 2009, but Hahn has strongly hinted Andrew Vaughn is capable of filling the role.

"Andrew Vaughn, we project him to be a pretty good offensive player in the not too distant future and therefore is a consideration when we try to figure out how all this fits together," Hahn said.

Last year's shortened season took a toll on every player, especially rising prospects like Vaughn.

Instead of getting needed playing time in the minor leagues, Vaughn had to settle for taking batting practice and playing simulated games at the team's alternative training site in Schaumburg.

That doesn't mean the season was a total waste.

Vaughn - a first baseman by trade and the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 draft - showed enough to warrant consideration as the White Sox DH this year.

"The results here have been really impressive and we hope to build off them," said director of player development Chris Getz, who kept a close eye on Vaughn in Schaumburg. "What he's been able to do against some of this elite pitching, it's very impressive. Can't say that I'm surprised, just because he's that talented of a hitter."

If the Sox decide Vaughn needs more work before joining the roster, they could turn to a proven commodity.

Nelson Cruz is still on the free-agent market, and the 40-year-old designated hitter is seemingly getting better with age.

Last season, Cruz hit .303/.397/.595 with 16 home runs and 33 RBI over 53 games with the Twins, finishing sixth in MVP voting.

In 2019, Cruz slashed .311/.392/.639 with 41 homers and 108 RBI in 120 games as Minnesota's DH, finishing ninth in MVP voting.

Signing Cruz makes sense for the White Sox simply based on the damage he's done against them.

Last year, the right-hander had 9 home runs and 14 RBI in 10 games vs. the Sox. In 2019, Cruz had 8 homers and 24 RBI in 16 games.

The latest word on Cruz is he's holding out for a two-year contract in the $25 million range. He's also waiting to see if the National League is going to have the DH again this season, which does not seem likely.

Given his age, the Sox would undoubtedly prefer getting Cruz on a one-year contract.

But the competitive window is wide open, so the White Sox might decide investing in Cruz is a move they have to make to get them to where they want to go.