Nightengale: White Sox sign Robertson, deal for Samardzija
SAN DIEGO -- The Chicago White Sox are everywhere you look at these winter meetings.
They made a big splash on two big deals on day one of the winter meetings -- adding starter Jeff Samardzija via trade with the Oakland Athletics and reeling in All-Star reliever David Robertson with a four-year, $46 million deal.
The White Sox also get young right-hander Michael Ynoa. In return, Oakland receives infielder Marcus Semien, right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt, catcher Josh Phegley and first baseman Rangel Ravelo.
Samardzija's bargain price - he'll make around $10 million in his final year before free agency - and the relatively small toll paid in prospects to acquire him leave the White Sox with more options.
They don't plan dip into the high-priced Max Scherzer sweepstakes, but certainly are open to bringing in at least another free-agent starter.
All things White Sox: Latest Chicago White Sox news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
And, oh yeah, Ken Williams, their vice president of baseball operations, is being courted by the Toronto Blue Jays to be their CEO.
It's cool to wear those Sox black and white colors once again.
The White Sox, who have lost 188 games the last two years - finishing a combined 47 games out of first place - believe they can win the AL Central this year, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
They're absolutely convinced of it.
"I think we can contend next year,'' Williams told USA TODAY Sports. "We already have the young cornerstone type players. We know more what they're capable of than the rest of the league.
"If we can add a couple more pieces, I really like this team. Our level of optimism going into next year is sky-high.''
The White Sox now have Chris Sale, Samardzija and Jose Quintana on top of their rotation. They have a lethal heart of the order in Jose Abreu and Adam LaRoche, who signed a two-year, $25 million contract last month.
And now, Williams plans to hang around to see the team develop into a power in the AL Central.
Well, if nothing else, he'll at least be with the White Sox until they complete their makeover.
The Blue Jays reached out to Williams last month to gauge his interest to replace Paul Beeston as the CEO. Williams was certainly willing to explore the opportunity, becoming the first African-American to be the CEO of a baseball franchise.
Yet, since the team still is under construction, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf informed Williams that he's not quite ready to grant permission for him to interview with the Blue Jays.
Reinsdorf likely will let him explore a vacancy once the team's reconstruction is complete, but not quite yet.
"I talked to Jerry,'' Williams says, "he just felt it was not the right time. He did tell me he did not deny permission. But he did not grant it at this particular time, either, because we have work to do.
"I completely understand his position, and support that.''
Now that the White Sox landed Samardzija and have Robertson in place, Williams could be free to depart if he wishes. The White Sox already have LaRoche and reliever Zach Duke, and with the healthy return of outfielders Avisail Garcia and Adam Eaton, they could be ready for business.
"There's nothing more than I would like than win another World Series in Chicago,'' says Williams, the architect of the 2005 World Series team. "An opportunity like this hopefully will come down the line. Who knows, that would be the best of all worlds if that came right here in Chicago but I'm not going to lobby for it.''
Williams, who also was a candidate for the Los Angeles Dodgers' president/baseball operations job that went to Andrew Friedman, insists he is content. He adamantly dismissed any notion he will resign.
Sure, he misses the day-to-day grind after being promoted two years ago and turning the GM duties to Rick Hahn. He loved being in the trenches. He thrives on the highs and lows of a baseball season.
And yes, there are plenty of days he wishes he was a general manager again.
But if you get the chance to be a CEO, no matter what company, you've got to at least listen, right?
Williams believes the Blue Jays' position may be filled by the time he receives permission, but if it's still open, he's certainly willing to listen.
"I've been with the White Sox for 27 years, and I like what I'm doing,'' Williams says, "but are there other challenges in the game that I certainly am interested in? I'm flattered by their interest. I think one of the things that is lost in this is that there hasn't been an African American CEO in Major League Baseball.
"So, why would I not at least listen even if I am happy with my job and my family situation and everything else?
"It's part of my responsibility in being in this game, and the position I hold, to at least flesh out the possibilities.''
Really, it's no different than the philosophy he and Hahn are engaging in this winter. They are talking to virtually every team in baseball. They have spoken with almost every agent.
It has been three decades since the White Sox lost 85 or more games in three consecutive years.
They plan to keep it that way.
The only question may be whether Williams will be around all season to celebrate the revival.
"All I know is that my head and my heart is in Chicago,'' Williams says. "We've got some work to do here.
"And we plan on getting it done.''
GALLERY: OFFSEASON TRADES
