White Sox GM not looking forward to Tucson trip

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox are going back to Tucson this spring.

General manager Kenny Williams is not looking forward to the trip.

“I wish we weren't part of it,” Williams said after pitchers and catchers went through their first spring workout. “I'm very short with my answer there but I wish we weren't a part of it.”

The Sox, who trained in Tucson from 1998-2008, will play a March 7 exhibition game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and all proceeds will benefit the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Fund.

Christina-Taylor, 9, was slain in the Jan. 8 shooting in Tucson that also claimed six other lives and injured 14 others, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

Christina-Taylor's father John is a Dodgers scout and her grandfather Dallas Green was a longtime major-league manager and general manager.

“I wish it wouldn't have happened, obviously,” Williams said. “And it's tragic. I just don't understand why we can't get some sort of regulation on gun control laws in this country and get a handle on mental health. Get a better hold on what that is all about and how we can effectively help people who aren't in position to help themselves sometimes.”

Great expectations: The White Sox are widely viewed as a legitimate playoff contender, and manager Ozzie Guillen understands why.

“We have a good ballclub,” Guillen said. “We are paying a lot of money to this ballclub. We show the fans we are for real. We want to win this thing. It shows Kenny (Williams) and Jerry (Reinsdorf) have pulled this thing together and showed the people how much we want to win it.”

Ozzie on Cabrera: The Detroit Tigers have a big problem on their hands after Miguel Cabrera, the club's best player, was arrested late Wednesday on suspicion of drunken driving in Fort Pierce, Fla. Cabrera has had alcohol issues in the past, and Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is worried.

“It was sad because I'm his friend,” Guillen said. “I'm surprised what happened. I wish it didn't happen to anyone. I feel bad for Miggy. Sometimes you are immature and hopefully he can learn from this.”

Name game: With Chris Sale staying put in the bullpen, the White Sox' staff sat down Thursday morning to discuss other alternatives if Jake Peavy is not ready to start the season.

“We have a couple names, but I forgot the names,” Ozzie Guillen said.

If Peavy can't go, Phil Humber, Charlie Leesman and Lucas Harrell are the leading candidates to take his spot.