Renteria hiring first of significant moves to come

CHICAGO — During the final month of the 2016 season, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said the organization’s direction would become obvious from its first couple of offseason moves.

“Someone immediately pointed out last offseason that our first move was signing Steve Lombardozzi to a Minor League contract, which probably didn’t reveal too much about what we were about,” said a smiling Hahn during Monday’s press conference at U.S. Cellular Field announcing Rick Renteria as the club’s 40th manager.

“So maybe I misspoke a little about our first or second transactions. But certainly with our first major transaction, and the ones that follow behind, that will make it clear about which direction we intend to go.”

That first move involved Renteria taking over for Robin Ventura, who spoke with Hahn a little more than one month ago about making 2016 his last at the managerial helm. But providing a new voice on the field and in the clubhouse figures to be followed by a number of even more significant moves in a crucial offseason during Hahn’s tenure.

Monday’s news conference had its share of optimism tied to any new managerial hire. There was also a healthy dose of reality delivered by Hahn, as he spoke for another 20 minutes after the more formal portion of …

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