Don Cooper is optimistic Jake Peavy will be ready by Opening Day

Padilla @ ESPN:

… Cooper is optimistic that Jake Peavy will be able to return by Opening Day, although some conservative estimates have his 2011 debut pushed back as far as mid-May. And what if Peavy isn’t ready when the season starts?

“We will be able to get somebody that will do what we need them to do until Peavy is ready,” Cooper said. “I remember the days when we had to find a No. 3, 4 and 5 starter. We will be able to get somebody.”

Since Cooper doesn’t make final player personnel decisions, he is looking at in-house candidates to bridge the gap until Peavy’s return. He named Charlie Leesman, Lucas Harrell and Tony Pena as starting candidates. …

Cooper doesn’t like the idea of shifting Chris Sale from the rotation to the bullpen during the season.

White Sox agree to 2 year, $4 million deal with LHRP Will Ohman [UPDATE]

Merkin @ CWS:

The White Sox and left-handed reliever Will Ohman have agreed to a two-year, $4 million deal, pending a physical, as confirmed to MLB.com on Saturday by a source close to the situation. The team has yet to comment.

Ohman, 33, fills the need of a left-hander sought out by the White Sox to complete their bullpen changeover, possibly being used in a situational role or in the middle innings. That 2011 changeover includes the addition of fellow free agent Jesse Crain and the departure of Bobby Jenks, Scott Linebrink and J.J. Putz.

This addition of Ohman sets up White Sox relievers extremely well against a team with significant left-handed punch, such as the defending American League Central champion Twins, featuring Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel, with Ohman joining fellow southpaws Matt Thornton and Chris Sale.

UPDATE: Scot Gregor @ DH:

The White Sox’ bullpen shapes up like this: Chris Sale is your closer, Matt Thornton and Jesse Crain are the primary setup guys, Sergio Santos is behind them, Tony Pena is the long man and Ohman the left-handed specialist.

UPDATE #2: Ohman will earn $1.5 million in 2011 and $2.5 million in 2012 (from the press release).