Ventura: White Sox must be hungry and prepared to play

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Chicago White Sox are not biting, on either side.

They're not making any bold proclamations after USA Today projected them to go 90-72 and win the AL Central this season.

The Sox aren't conceding a fourth straight losing year, either.

"We've seen, even last year, there were high expectations and it didn't go that way," manager Robin Ventura said on Friday after White Sox pitchers and catchers completed their first workout of spring training at Camelback Ranch. "For us, I think it's just better to be hungry and be prepared to play. Believe me, we have expectations. I'm excited about what this group can do, but expectations don't mean anything.

"You've got to be able to play and produce and I think that's what we're looking to do. Projections aren't going to help us."

Proven newcomers Jeff Samardzija, Adam LaRoche, Melky Cabrera, David Robertson and Zach Duke joined the Sox before last season, and expectations were running extremely high. But the Sox never came close to reaching them, and they finished fourth in the AL Central with a 76-86 record.

"If you look at the game in phases, we didn't ever get playing real good in multiple phases at the same time," starting pitcher John Danks said. "If we went out there and put up 6, 7, 8 runs, we found a way to give up 9. It's a team game and we've got to all do our part. Last year we weren't able to consistently do that."

Hitting was the biggest problem for the White Sox last season, but there were numerous blips with the pitching staff and defense as well, and the baserunning was consistently awful.

As for the newcomers, LaRoche and the since departed Samardzija were huge flops, and Cabrera, Robertson and Duke did not perform as well as expected.

This off-season, general manager Rick Hahn added power-hitting third baseman Todd Frazier, second baseman Brett Lawrie, catchers Dioner Navarro and Alex Avila and starting pitcher Mat Latos.

Hahn said he is still open to adding another bat - either in right field or at shortstop.

"You're always looking to find ways to get yourself better, whether it's the guys already in that clubhouse or potentially acquisitions from other clubs," the Sox' GM said.

What about the glut of free agents that are still on the market, including shortstop Ian Desmond and outfielder Dexter Fowler?

"The notion that there's hesitancy to jump into it (free agency), I don't think is entirely accurate," Hahn said. "Regardless of the time of year, whenever you're negotiating or courting a free agent, it does take a meeting of the minds on both sides and that doesn't always happen. Sometimes it's because of economics, sometimes it's because of fit or role or simply geographic preference or playing history. There are a number of factors that play into it. I don't think us being hesitant to make a move is one of the factors."

In Frazier and Lawrie, it appears that Hahn has added players that are going to bring some needed life to the field and the clubhouse.

"You go through a couple of seasons like we've had, and you get some guys with not only their talent, but their energy and leadership and personalities," ace starter Chris Sale said. "I think that's another thing that makes this ballclub more exciting. We are going to have some attitude out there."

• Follow Scot's reports on Twitter@scotgregor.