Five newest Sox not exactly spring chickens

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Out with the old and in with the ... old?

As the White Sox prepare to open spring training, they'll be moving forward without three key veterans - designated hitter Jim Thome and outfielders Jermaine Dye and Scott Podsednik.

The Sox also cut ties with a pair of established pitchers: 36-year-old Octavio Dotel and innings-eater D.J. Carrasco. Both relievers signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates during the off-season.

Naturally, the White Sox filled the vacancies, but don't be expecting an infusion of young blood.

Entering his 10th season as general manager, Kenny Williams has always preferred going with veteran players and this year is no different.

Williams made a late run at 36-year-old outfielder Johnny Damon, but a reported one-year, $6 million offer was pulled off the table Friday.

So as training camp opens Sunday at Camelback Ranch, let's meet the new Sox (in order of importance):

Juan PierreHe played in 145 games with the Dodgers last season but made just 76 starts.That raised some obvious red flags when Pierre was acquired in a Dec. 15 trade for pitching prospects John Ely and Jon Link.The 32-year-old outfielder appears to be on the decline, but Pierre did bat .308 with Los Angeles a year ago and is confident he can handle leadoff duties for the White Sox."Just do what I've done basically my whole career," said Pierre, who leads all active players in stolen bases (459) and bunt hits (165). "I think that will be good enough."Mark TeahenTeahen has a rifle arm, which should serve him well as he moves back to third base on a full-time basis after playing four positions with the Royals last season.Range is a much bigger concern, but the Sox didn't hesitate putting Teahen at third following the Nov. 6 trade for Chris Getz and Josh Fields.Teahen and the White Sox are confident that playing just one position will result in better offensive numbers.J.J. PutzPutz says he's healthy following his one injury-prone season with the Mets.If that's true, the 33-year-old reliever is likely to be a major upgrade over Dotel. Putz's mere presence has already seemed to motivate embattled closer Bobby Jenks.Andruw JonesThe former wunderkind has batted a combined .198 in three seasons while playing for three different teams.Two months shy of his 33rd birthday, Jones has plenty to prove, and Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, Jones' former teammate in Atlanta, knows how to push his buttons.Omar VizquelClosing in on his 43rd birthday, Vizquel is still a better shortstop than most as he keeps extending the end of the line.It looks like he'll be a player/de facto coach, and shortstop Alexei Ramirez and second baseman Gordon Beckham should benefit the most.