Talking With Rick Hahn, White Sox VP and Assistant GM

     In an attempt to bring you some “straight from the horse’s mouth” thoughts and opinions on the current state of the Chicago White Sox, I jumped at the opportunity to join in a conference call with VP/Assistant GM Rick Hahn at the end of last week.  With some of the topics we’ve discussed and debated here, it was going to be good to hear the point of view of from the organization;  a peek inside, if you will.  Everything discussed was fully on the record and according to him, nothing was out of bounds.  Here are the highlights…

On Scott Linebrink’s Contract

     Hahn was immediately thrown into the fire as the first question was regarding struggling reliever Scott Linebrink’s 4 year deal.  The righty, once a premier bullpen guy, had struggled in San Diego in 2006 and was subsequently dealt in the middle of the following season to Milwaukee where his troubles continued.  He was a free agent the next offseason, and the White Sox quickly signed him to a 4 year, $19M contract.  The Sox have been known over the years to never go higher than 3 years for a pitcher, but for reasons only known to the inner circle, Linebrink received an extra year.  “There were some scouts within the organization that felt extremely strong about Scott’s ability to rectify some of the statistical trends…from a stuff standpoint, from a pure scouting standpoint…there’s still that degree of confidence,” said Hahn.  He cited some injury related issues that are hopefully in the past, and he also discussed a pair of mechanical issues that have also recently been worked out.  Hahn also brought up Linebrink’s first half success in 2009, but quickly noted that a full season of those numbers (1.93 ERA with 32 Ks in 33 2/3 innings) was the desired goal.  He sounded optimistic, but obviously, Linebrink’s struggles this spring are a concern.

Andruw Jones and the Rotating DH

     The question was asked in two parts — the first asking what the organization saw in Andruw Jones, a player who hasn’t hit more than .225 over the last 3 seasons with the second asking “What happens if this DH plan doesn’t work?”  Hahn was quick to praise Jones as a strong candidate for a rebound as well as being a fiscally sound option, noting that Jones was actually less expensive than what they were paying DeWayne Wise last season.  He said Jones, “…who has obviously reached an elite status…was extraordinarily motivated and…a real nice affordable answer.”

     The second part to the question was given a very matter of fact answer.  “If this does not work,” said Hahn, “rest assured we are going to do everything in our power to correct it, whether it comes internally…or if we wind up going outside.  There is already a list in place;  there are already conversations that have taken place.”  He would neither share names that were on said list, nor would he elaborate on possible conversation partners.

     A follow up was asked regarding the reluctance to sign Jim Thome, whom would have likely only cost roughly $3M for a one year deal and Hahn quickly shot down the notion that going with a bat like Thome’s over an extra utility guy like Brent Lillibridge or Jayson Nix or even a 12th pitcher was the right move for the team.  He pointed out the roster’s newfound flexibility, the ability to rest some of the regulars without losing on defense, how Thome would actually hinder that plan and reiterated the point by saying, “…having that flexibility at DH increases the production at other positions, not just what would Jim Thome give us.”  He used Paul Konerko and Carlos Quentin as his primary examples to illustrate the point, noting that both players should hopefully see an increase in their overall numbers with proper rest to keep them fresh. 

     I’d have to say that I agree 100% with Hahn and have preached that over the past month as well.  You folks that are still crying for Thome or Jermaine Dye are just going to have to trust the process.  You may not like it, but you’re going to have to trust it.  Atleast you can take some solace in the fact that there seem to be others within the organization that are skeptical about the DH plan, but that their voices haven’t gone unheard.  If the plan doesn’t work, it seems that the club will spring into action.    

On Dayan Viciedo

     With all of the work Dayan Viciedo is getting at first this spring, coupled with all of the criticism he’s received for his glove at third and the signing of Mark Teahen, the question was posed as to whether or not the club has abandoned the notion of using the Cuban import at the hot corner.  Hahn noted Viciedo’s work at first and even threw him a little praise as well, but quickly dismissed the idea of keeping him solely at first citing, “…some people feel strongly that we can still make it work over there at third.”  The fact is, Viciedo is still very young and should be able to get the opportunity to grow at, what was really his natural position.  Hahn did not say that Viciedo couldn’t get some work at first at some point, if needed, but would not close the door on third.

On Mark Teahen

     And speaking of Teahen, when asked about the reasons for signing him to a three year deal, Hahn fired off some of the monetary logistics, but added, “…we felt very strongly that this player, playing in our ballpark, at one position, in our lineup, where he’s not required to carry the load…is going to be a very productive player.”  Hmmmm.  Really?  Now where have I heard that before…?

On Tyler Flowers

     When asked about the long term outlook on prized catching prospect Tyler Flowers, Hahn immediately stated that it is the goal of the organization to keep Flowers behind the plate.  While some have brought up a potential move to first due to his frame (6′ 4″ 245 lbs), the organization, as a whole, was not prepared to groom him as anything but a catcher.  However, Hahn did leave the door ajar there when he also referred to Flowers as “a guy whose bat could conceivably help us in a different role at some point this season.”  I guess that gives us atleast one name on the apparent list they have in case the rotating DH plan doesn’t come to fruition.

On Our Youth

     When asked about some of the veteran contracts in place for guys like Teahen, Juan Pierre and even Alex Rios, the question was posed regarding the development and usage of players in the farm system such as Jared Mitchell, Jordan Danks, Viciedo and Brent Morel.  Hahn’s first response shed some additional light on the aforementioned list and noted that the “no fixed DH” plan allows for a younger player to break through easier.  If he’s tearing it up in the minors and needs a call-up, then they still have that roster flexibility.

     That quickly turned the focus towards Jared Mitchell.  Now this interview actually took place just prior to Mitchell’s devastating injury, so the praise I heard from Hahn led me to believe that there could have been room for Mitchell at some point this season.  Hahn said that Mitchell would “not be on the Gordon Beckham track”; that a more traditional rise through the minors would be used, but also noted that Mitchell was “talented enough to force the issue” this season.

     That was what I was getting at the other day when I reported Mitchell’s injury and impending ankle surgery.  Taking him out of the equation for 2010 was a huge blow to the Sox.  When we were discussing our plans for the youngsters, Hahn reverted back to the rotating DH conversation and discussed the usage of these players as either trading chips or, better yet, replacement parts, if a deal involves one of our current starting position players.  You could hear it in his voice that he was confident enough in his current crop of budding major leaguers, that he would be very happy to see some of them up with the big club as early as 2010.  I’d like to know how much confidence he is still sitting with now that his prized outfield prospect is on the shelf for the whole season.

     So that was the bulk of it — straight from the horse’s mouth.  Not a whole lot of talk about pitching, save for Linebrink and a quick note that the club is just being overly-cautious with Bobby Jenks’ calf issue, but that’s ok.  It means we all feel at ease with our staff.  But as for the rst of it, I like the fact that  the club has a plan and the club has confidence.  Now we just have to see if our on-field product has what it takes to prove the front office right.  As I’ve always stated, I’m a big fan of the more balanced approach, so for now I’ll sit back and let the club do what it’s doing.  But you can bet your ass I’ll be right there at the front of the line demanding solutions if it doesn’t.

Tags: Alex Rios, Andruw Jones, Bobby Jenks, Brent Lillibridge, Brent Morel, Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox, Dayan Viciedo, Gordon Beckham, Jared Mitchell, Jayson Nix, Jordan Danks, Juan Pierre, Mark Teahen, Paul Konerko, Rick Hahn, Scott Linebrink, Tyler Flowers, White Sox