White Sox plans could clear up at Meetings

CHICAGO — White Sox fans have patiently waited for a sign of their team’s direction regarding 2017 and beyond. Any sort of hint would be helpful.

That information should be coming next week at baseball’s Winter Meetings, which begin on Monday. MLB.com and MLB Network will have wall-to-wall coverage of the event from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center outside Washington, D.C. Fans can watch live streaming of all news conferences and manager availability on MLB.com, including the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. CT.

The White Sox are expected to rebuild, trying to set up themselves up for multiple championship runs in years to come, even if it means taking a step or two back in the interim, according to general manager Rick Hahn.

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Plenty of current White Sox players would draw trade interest in case of a rebuild. The organization has had meetings and a considerable amount of time to figure out the value of each, especially where some of its bigger names are concerned. Moves could begin this week in what figures to be an ongoing process.

CLUB NEEDS

Catcher: Omar Narvaez received an extended look last season and proved he belonged in the future picture. Left-hander Carlos Rodon featured a 3.45 ERA in 12 starts with Narvaez behind the plate, raving about Narvaez’s game-calling ability, and lefty Jose Quintana had a 3.15 ERA in five games with Narvaez. Zack Collins, the team’s top pick in the 2016 Draft, stands as the catcher of the future, but the White Sox continue to look for a more everyday sort of backstop who could come via trade.

Designated hitter: Some internal options exist, with new manager Rick Renteria able to rotate players into this spot. But the White Sox could use a left-handed bat to balance the lineup.

Center fielder: Adam Eaton remains confident in his ability to handle center field defensively, but he proved to be a Gold Glove-caliber player in right field, where the White Sox would like to keep him. A healthy Charlie Tilson will get a look.

A true direction: The team has ruled out short-term additions and doesn’t appear to be spending big money on free agents. So the start of a rebuild appears to be at hand.

WHO THEY CAN TRADE IF NECESSARY

LHP Chris Sale: People …

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