@scottmerkin Thanks buddy. Its my Bday today. Tell all my fans I said I'll catch them next year for sure.—
Jermaine dye (@JermaineDye) January 29, 2012

LILLIBRIDGE ON HIS APPROACH TO HITTING: “When Manny (Ramirez) was here, it was great to pick his brain because he’s an amazing hitter.  He said he looks for a spot, not a pitch.  Doesn’t matter if you watch two strikes go by, wait for your spot.”

Brent Lillibridge seems to be the Gordon Beckham fallback plan:

Hahn adds Lillibridge is probably the fallback plan if Beckham falters. #SoxFest—
White Sox Talk (@WhiteSoxTalkCSN) January 28, 2012

Fan: How do you deal with struggling high salary players? Robin: Invite him to the bench.—
Doug Padilla (@ESPNChiSox) January 28, 2012

No more ‘Can’t bench/disrespect the veterans’?

The White Sox assistant GM recounted that post in a seminar Saturday, noting that the Sox have liked OBP for years — just like every other team in baseball:

Although, if Hahn had his way, he’d like the perception that the Sox don’t use advanced stats to persist. “It makes it easier for us to maneuver when they don’t know where we’re going to go,” Hahn said.

also,

RV says he's in middle in sabermetrics vs. personal evaluations.—
Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 28, 2012

When I asked Kenny Williams about Cespedes he said: "Who's that? Is he a pitcher? Is he Japanese?"—
Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) January 28, 2012

but

Don't let Williams' comical misdirection fool you on the Cuban players. White Sox have interest: Concepcion could be the most likely target—
Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) January 28, 2012

KW says Nestor Molina could reach majors as early as mid-2012.—
Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 28, 2012

Kenny says no money left, not even to add a utility guy. This is your team Sox fans.—
Doug Padilla (@ESPNChiSox) January 27, 2012

1. Nestor Molina, RHP     [NEW]
2. Addison Reed, RHP     [Previous Rank: 2nd, no change]
3. Simon Castro, RHP     [NEW]
4. Tyler Saladino, SS     [Previous: 9th, +5]
5. Trayce Thompson, OF     [Previous: 3rd, -2]
6. Jacob Petricka, RHP     [Previous: 4th, -2]
7. Hector Santiago, LHP     [Previous: 16th, +9]
8. Keenyn Walker, OF     [Previous: 7th, -1]
9. Eduardo Escobar, SS     [Previous: 6th, -3]
10. Dylan Axelrod, RHP     [Previous: 19th, +9]
11. Jared Mitchell, OF     [Previous: 5th, -6]
12. Andre Rienzo, RHP     [Previous: 11th, -1]
13. Jhan Marinez, RHP     [NEW]
14. Gregory Infante, RHP     [Previous: 14th, no change]
15. Erik Johnson, RHP     [Previous: 17th, +2]
16. Charlie Leesman, LHP     [Previous: 15th, -1]
17. Pedro Hernandez, LHP     [NEW]
18. Andy Wilkins, 1B     [Previous: 13th, -5]
19. Scott Snodgress, LHP     [Previous: UNR]
20. Brandon Short, OF     [Previous: 12th, -8]
21. Jeff Soptic, RHP     [Previous: UNR]
22. Kevan Smith, C     [Previous: 24th, +2]
23. Ozzie Martinez, SS/2B     [NEW]
24. Ryan Buch, RHP     [Previous: 18th, -6]
25. Michael Blanke, C     [Previous: 32nd*, +7]

http://smellslikemascot.blogspot.com/2012/01/tiger-central.html

Ventura was asked about a few key matters during an interview session with White Sox beat reporters on Thursday and came up with a few pre-Spring Training solutions. The White Sox starting rotation, which looks to be one of its strongest suits, seems all but set with John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Chris Sale and Jake Peavy. According to Ventura, Philip Humber has the advantage at No. 5 over any of the young newcomers such as Nestor Molina or returnees such as Zach Stewart or Dylan Axelrod.”Phil would be that leader heading into the clubhouse,” Ventura said of Humber, whose breakout 2011 effort resulted in a 9-9 record and 3.75 ERA. “I don’t see anything changing with that at this point. We will see during Spring Training, but I’m confident in Phil in doing that No. 5 position.”Humber posted an 8-5 record with a 3.10 ERA and .218 opponents average against in the first half, but had a 1-4 mark, 5.01 ERA and .287 average against after the All-Star break.

Reliever Matt Thornton‘s season was slightly reversed, as the left-hander posted a 2.45 ERA over 52 games after May 1 following an 8.64 ERA in April. Thornton also had blown saves in his first four chances, although he didn’t have the best of luck behind him. Even with that slow start, Ventura tabbed Thornton on Thursday as his leading 2012 closer candidate over rookie Addison Reed and Jesse Crain. “I’m leaning on Matt doing that,” Ventura said. “I don’t think those type of things are concrete. I would like to see him do that, but we’ll see how that goes in Spring Training with him and how he feels.”

In Ventura’s estimation, the team doesn’t have a true utility infielder at this point. Brent Lillibridge earned high praise from Ventura for his versatility and talent, but he wasn’t identified as a possible backup shortstop. Ventura said that Alex Rios could see time in both left field and center field, and as of now, Alejandro De Aza looks to be the leadoff man. Of course, it’s just late January and things could change by the end of Cactus League action. “Gordon [Beckham] could probably do it depending on how he feels about that and how he looks in Spring Training, as far as getting on base,” Ventura said of the leadoff slot. “He has more power than normal leadoff guys, but he’s one of them.”

The Chicago White Sox, Comcast SportsNet, WGN-TV and WSCR-AM 670 (The Score) have announced the team’s 2012 spring training broadcast schedule.The White Sox will have six Cactus League games televised from Arizona (five on Comcast SportsNet and one on WGN).  WSCR, the club’s flagship radio station, will air nine games (including four interactive broadcasts).  The Sox also will webcast 12 additional spring training games free on whitesox.com, up from nine in 2011.

The first televised spring training game is by WGN on Friday, March 9 at 2:05 p.m. CST when the White Sox face the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch – Glendale.  Comcast SportsNet will televise the first of its five spring games on Friday, March 23 when the Sox face the Arizona Diamondbacks at 9:05 p.m. CDT in Glendale.  CSN will close out their spring broadcast schedule on Tuesday, April 3 when the White Sox play the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park at 7:00 p.m. CDT. …

complete schedule follows:

J.J. Stankevitz:

The Stuff

His fastball rates plus with mid-to-late 90s velocity and tailing action into right-handed hitters.  He spot his heat at both sides of the plate and shows above average command of all his pitches.

The slider has been labeled a plus-plus pitch by some scouts.  Terrific downward biting action.  He throws it with great confidence.  A true swing’ n’ miss offering.

His change-up has been called average. which in fine since his likely destination is the bullpen and the fastball/slider combo is plenty good enough there.  It’s a pitch he could show from time to time to give left-handed hitters something to think about. …

Stats: B-R, FG, SC

Fans of the late Chuck Tanner’s 1972 White Sox squad, featuring Dick Allen, Bill Melton and Wilbur Wood, to name a few, will get a 40-year memory jog this year on Sundays at U.S. Cellular Field when the 2012 team wears uniforms similar to those that group wore.

The uniforms will feature the red pinstriped jersey with the iconic “Sox” script over the chest, red numbers (front and back) and a White Sox patch on the sleeve, along with the popular red cap with its unique variation of the Sox script. The White Sox will wear the throwback uniforms on 13 Sundays this season, starting with April 15 vs. Detroit.

Other White Sox links:

• James looks at the spring training non-roster invitees, and the Prince Fielder signing by Detroit.
• J.J. looks at what the Prince Fielder signing means to the Sox, and looks back at the 1972 Sox.
• Addison Reed ranked #100 on MLB.com’s Top 100 prospect list compiled by Jonathan Mayo.
• NotHawk details what Hawk’s answers interview to Daryl van Schouwen really mean. Here’s a hilarious point:
  DVS: What do you like about this team?
  NH: I like that the season hasn’t started yet.

With Eduardo Escobar already on the fringes of the big-league roster and Tyler Saladino on the horizon, why wouldn’t Ken Williams consider sending Ramirez and [Gavin] Floyd to Boston in a package for as much 25-and-under talent as possible?

One rumor bouncing around says Ramirez isn’t the White Sox regular the Red Sox are eyeing for the shortstop opening they created when they traded Marco Scutaro to the Rockies. It says they think Gordon Beckham is capable of regaining his ability as a run-producer and returning to the position he played at the University of Georgia.

Eduardo Escobar playing 2B? I don’t see this happening.

Looks like a slimmer Adam Dunn will be at Sox Fest next week. Heard he's lost 30 pounds.—
Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) January 21, 2012

But today Daryl Van Schouwen tweets:

Dunn has been working out — and swinging bat for the first time in offseason — but rumors of significant weight loss greatly exaggerated—
Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) January 25, 2012