Guillen says Cabrera has a shot as a hard-throwing relief pitcher

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Daniel Cabrera has five-plus years of major-league experience and a career ERA (5.10) to match.

Maybe that's why there was a collective shrug when the White Sox signed the gargantuan pitcher on Jan. 28 and invited him to spring training.

In stops with the Orioles, Nationals and Diamondbacks, the 6-foot-9, 260-pound Cabrera was mainly used as a starter. Control trouble and stamina were frequent issues.

The Sox are looking at the hard-throwing righty as a relief pitcher, and Cabrera continued to impress manager Ozzie Guillen during Saturday morning's batting-practice session at Camelback Ranch.

"He's got a shot, a legit shot," Guillen said. "This guy's been showing us what he can do, and we like it. We've got an open spot and that's the reason we brought him here. He just needs to throw one pitch over the plate, hopefully two."

Cabrera was throwing fastballs and sliders Saturday to a group of hitters that included Gordon Beckham and Tyler Flowers.

If the White Sox break camp with 12 pitchers, seven would be relievers.

Bobby Jenks, Matt Thornton, J.J. Putz, Tony Pena and Scott Linebrink are locks, with Cabrera, Daniel Hudson Randy Williams, Freddy Dolsi and Erick Threets all vying for the final job or two.

Family affair: Kyle Williams, one of Sox GM Kenny Williams' five children, is at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

Kyle, who played wide receiver and returned kicks at Arizona State, is attracting interest for his versatility and is expected to be a fifth- to seventh-round pick.

Kenny Williams Jr., drafted by the White Sox on the sixth round in 2008, appears to be fully recovered from shoulder surgery and is in the minor-league camp. Williams Jr. batted .255 with 4 HRs and 27 RBI in 81 games for Class A Kannapolis last season.

Future manager? Omar Vizquel is going to be the White Sox' utility man this season, and he's also giving advice to shortstop Alexei Ramirez and second baseman Gordon Beckham.

When his playing days are over, the 42-year-old Vizquel wants to manage.

"That's something that I really want to try to do," Vizquel said. "I'm going to try to give it a shot. The knowledge about the game is something that is in me. I like to analyze.

"I like to go along with the game and see what kind of moves can be made at the end of the game to win it. It would be great some day to try to make that decision yourself."