Even if Sox fail to land him, Hahn defends pursuit of star free agent Machado

Dozens of fans braving the cold and snow chanted “Manny, Manny” Friday afternoon when White Sox general manager Rick Hahn was introduced during the opening ceremony of SoxFest.

One only could assume they weren’t congratulating him for Manny Banuelos, a minor-league pitcher Hahn picked up from the Dodgers this offseason to compete for a spot in the rotation.

The player on everyone’s mind, no doubt, was star shortstop Manny Machado, who may or may not wind up in a Sox uniform after the longest free-agent pursuit in franchise history.

Hahn doesn’t want to wind up emptyhanded. But no one knows what Machado is thinking, so the Sox can only make their best offer and hope for the best.

“When this offseason began, I think most people viewed us as a long shot to land either of these premium free agents,” Hahn said, referring to Machado and Bryce Harper. “In fact at one point Vegas posted the odds of the six or seven most likely clubs to land either of these guys, and we weren’t even listed.

“The fact that we are now sitting here in a potential position, or at least in a position where if we don’t convert people are going to be disappointed, is an important step forward for this organization. We belong at the table in these negotiations. We belong (to be) part of these negotiations for premium talent.

“And regardless of what happens over the next several weeks with either of these two players, we plan to continue to be at the table and continue to attempt to convert on these guys.”

Hahn added he would be “personally disappointed” if he doesn’t land either Machado or Harper but added “the trajectory and the path we’re on doesn’t really change based on one individual player.”

In that case, the Sox should just thank Machado and Harper for considering them and move on. The money they save can be used in November to throw at a premium player who already has hinted privately he wouldn’t mind signing with the Sox — former ace Chris Sale, who is entering his walk year with the Red Sox.

If there’s one thing the White Sox are good at, it’s reuniting with employees. The two former Sox who received the biggest cheers during Friday’s introductions were new Hall of Famer Harold Baines — who was traded in 1989, resigned, traded in ’97 and reacquired in 2000 — and Ozzie Guillen, who basically was pushed out the door as manager in 2011 only six years after winning the World Series.

Also appearing at SoxFest were Hall of Famers Carlton Fisk, whom the Sox rudely released in 1993, and Frank Thomas, whom then-GM Ken Williams traded and proclaimed: “We don’t miss his attitude. We don’t miss the whining. We don’t miss it. Good riddance. See you later.”

Time heals all wounds, at least when it comes to SoxFest.

Guillen said Friday that he was “humbled” to come “back to my family,” a reunion brokered by his son Ozzie Jr. and Sox marketing chief Brooks Boyer. Guillen flew in from Caracas, where he’s managing in the Venezuelan League, and teamed up with Williams on Friday night in a seminar recapping Mark Buehrle’s perfect game in 2009.

“I don’t remember it,” Guillen said with a laugh. “It’s kind of hard because there were a few vodkas between then and today.”

Guillen wants to return to the organization in some capacity but doesn’t want manager Rick Renteria to think he wants his job. Guillen said Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf was “like my father,” and claimed he and Williams always had a good relationship — despite their famous feud in 2011.

“We’re cool,” he said. “People think we bashed (each other). No, we had a job, and we were young. And when you’re young and you think you’ve got more energy than anybody else. … Me and Kenny are fine, but I guarantee you, he doesn’t remember anything either.”

Hmmm. The internet doesn’t forget anything, for better or worse.

But while Guillen and Williams were reliving the past, the Sox’s future was on display as well. Top prospects Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease took center stage, just as Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech did last year.

“I feel ready,” Jimenez said in English, adding it was not his decision whether he’ll make the team out of training camp.

In September, his agents complained when the Sox didn’t call up Jimenez after tearing up Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, a decision seemingly based on protecting the rights to Jimenez for an extra year. But Jimenez said he won’t complain if it happens again.

“It’s one of my goals, but if I don’t make the team I’m going to accept it,” he said.

Everyone was in a good mood despite the weather and the absence of Machado or Harper.

Is it too crazy to think this Sox team can contend after a 100-loss season, with or without adding a superstar?

“Why not?” new first baseman Yonder Alonso said. “I’ve seen a lot of teams do that in my career. It’s something you can’t think about — ‘Oh, what’s our record going to be in September or October or going forward?’

“We’ve got to take it day by day and be ready to play and get better every single day, and that starts in spring training.”