Hahn wants right fit on right term
GLENDALE, Ariz.— The White Sox have room on the 40- man roster after outrighting Dylan Covey to Class AAA Charlotte, and they could bolster the 25- man roster with a hitter such as, say, recent surprise DFA Corey Dickerson and his $ 5.95 million salary or perhaps ex- Sox outfielder Melky Cabrera, a free agent.
Those names have been raised on speculation only, and Rick Hahn didn’t sound like a general manager with his shopping shoes on Tuesday.
“We’re having conversations with clubs, and there are a few free agents floating around, but we’re preparing right now [ to] choose the 25 from the group that’s in camp,’’ Hahn said.
That said, “if an opportunity arises for a piece that fits long term, we won’t hesitate to move on that,’’ Hahn said.
The Sox signed left- hander Hector Santiago to aminor- league deal last week, and that type of addition “to round out the roster a little bit in a way thatmakes sense” is a possibility, Hahn said.
The payroll figures to be amodest $ 70million. Asked if in rebuild mode they’d ‘‘ spend a little money’’ for a bigger piece, Hahn said, “the finances are there if we see the right move. There are no economic restrictions, but it’s a matter of getting the right fit on the right term.’’
Busy first week for Castillo
Signed to a two- year, $ 15 million deal as a free agent this winter, Welington Castillo should provide some thump in the middle of the lineup, but he’s also a welcome veteran presence behind the plate for an up- and- coming pitching staff.
Castillo has been getting to know pitchers’ stuff in bullpen sessions, both physical and mental, during the first week of spring training.
Of top prospect Michael Kopech and probable rotation piece Carson Fulmer, Castillo said, “they are really young, and the most problems they’re going to have are mental.’’
“They just get a little bit frustrated about making a pitch,’’ Castillo said. “All I said is, ‘ Hey, stay focused. It’s your first pen.’ ’’
Castillo, 30, batted .282 with a .490 slugging percentage, 20 home runs and 53 RBI for the Orioles last season. He led all majorleague catchers by throwing out 44.4 percent of base- stealers.
Working with pitchers is his main focus, especially early in camp. And there are a lot to get to know.
“The more I catch them, the more I talk to them, that relationship will come out,’’ he said.
This and that
Right- hander Tyler Danish, who was taken off the 40- man roster in November, will start the Cactus League opener Friday against the Dodgers, manager Rick Renteria said. Danish dislocated his left shoulder in a traffic accident in Florida while driving home from Charlotte, where he spent most of last season. Renteria said no scrimmages are planned in the days leading up to the games.
Workers began putting up screens above the dugouts at Camelback Ranch. The Sox announced last month that they will expand netting at Guaranteed Rate Field.