WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF JANUARY 4, 2016 “Inbox: Will Sox hang on to Frazier, Abreu?” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “With eye on long term, White Sox build for 2016” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox look to focus on positives in 2016” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Source: Robertson not part of Yanks/Sox talks” … Cash Kruth, MLB.com “Righty White Sox prospect Hansen ‘special’” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox scout creates ‘Miracles’ for kids” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Why Hawk Harrelson wants to call White Sox games for 4 more years” … Staff, CSN Chicago “Report: Talks between White Sox and Yankees feature Jose Quintana, David Robertson” … Staff, CSN Chicago “Report: Pirates – Owners of two top-10 prospects – trying to trade for Jose Quintana” … Staff, CSN Chicago “Why the Yankees are the perfect trade partner for White Sox Jose Quintana” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Alex Avila back with Tigers after one season with White Sox” … Staff, Chicago Tribune “Deck the Hauls: Quintana deal would adorn Sox’ prospect list” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun- Times “Is Raines’ long wait for Hall of Fame finally over?” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “3 teams that might take White Sox’s high price for Quintana” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “As 2016 comes to a close, White Sox look toward uncertain future” … James Fegan, The Athletic “Slow trade market not worst thing for White Sox” … James Fegan, The Athletic “Leinve: White Sox pushing teams in hot pursuit of Jose Quintana” … Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago “White Sox Scouting Director Nick Hostetler: Communication, Analytics have been key in scouting department progress” … Staff, CBS Chicago “Top five White Sox prospects: Giolito, Moncada spur rebuild” … Jeremy Deloney, USA Today “MLB Hot Stove rumors: Yankees working on trade to get Quintana and Robertson” … Dayn Perry, CBS Sports Inbox: Will Sox hang on to Frazier, Abreu? Beat reporter Scott Merkin answers questions from fans By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | January 3rd, 2016 CHICAGO -- A belated Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone. And remember, only 40 days until White Sox pitchers and catchers report. Let's get to the questions. Young teams benefit from some veteran presence. Do you foresee the White Sox extending Todd Frazier and keeping Jose Abreu through the rebuild? -- David, Denver, @david_e_larson I talked to Frazier late last season about the possibility of being a veteran presence on a rebuilding team and he genuinely seemed ready to embrace the role. He's an outstanding clubhouse influence and certainly could help younger players. Abreu recently released a statement through the team concerning his excitement to play with Yoan Moncada and mentor his Cuban countryman, which sounds like a player who will be with the White Sox at the very least at the outset of 2017. But remember this rebuild is fluid, as in fluid from hour to hour, let alone week to week or month to month. If the right deal arises, either one of these veterans could be moved. There is a need for veterans in the mix, though, with this high-end youth. Do you expect Jose Quintana to be traded before the start of the season? I'll hang up and listen. -- Reggie, Chicago, @HashTagReggie The answer I've received from a couple of people who seem to be in the know stands as 50-50 before the start of Spring Training. How's that for me being non-committal? The asking price is high and with Quintana's ability, tremendous temperament and team-friendly contract, those demands shouldn't budge. Shouldn't Quintana get the same haul as Chris Sale, or 90 percent of it? Contract is very favorable. -- Paul, Chicago, @cronebender See the above answer, Paul. In a word, absolutely, without a doubt. Any free agent, one-year-deals on Rick Hahn's radar? -- Joe, Elk Grove Village, Ill., @joeybats5 While all the focus, all the fan adrenaline and buzz, comes from the top prospects added, the White Sox still plan to field a Major League roster in 2017. A number of power bats remain available, and the White Sox could add one at the right price into the designated hitter mix. Do you see Moncada as the White Sox Opening Day second baseman? -- Tim, Chicago, @TimBingham21 I do not. I see Moncada's arrival to mean he's in the Majors to stay, barring anything unexpected. My guess would be more midseason or a bit earlier. With all the arms the White Sox have now, should trades focus on position players or just best package available? -- Charles, @RUN_CBC Trades should focus on the best players available, and remember, the White Sox have thoroughly researched who they are targeting. It's not like they are going through MLBPipeline's Top 30 Prospect lists for each team and yelling out "Oh, yeah. I forgot about him." As the old adage goes, a team can never have enough pitching. With eye on long term, White Sox build for 2016 Offseason makeover has set South Siders on different course By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | December 30th, 2016 CHICAGO -- The White Sox have a long-term goal of contending for, and hopefully winning, numerous World Series championships. In order to reach that goal, they will be taking a new approach during the 2017 season. The South Siders started what many believed to be a long overdue rebuild by trading Chris Sale, one of the game's top starting pitchers, to Boston, and by trading multi-threat outfielder Adam Eaton to Washington during the Winter Meetings. Their return of seven solid prospects, including MLBPipeline.com's No. 1 player in Yoan Moncada and No. 1 pitcher in Lucas Giolito, instantly jumped Chicago's Minor League system from outside the Top 20 to inside the Top 10. The White Sox also started building up much-needed depth in the farm system. 2016 Year in Review And the process has only just begun. With this rebuild firmly in mind, here's a look at five big questions to be answered about the 2017 season. 1. How deep is the rebuild? The White Sox could supply a frontline starter such as Jose Quintana or a power-hitting third baseman such as Todd Frazier or a steady closer in David Robertson to a team more likely to contend in '17 or '18, but only if their often-times lofty demands are met in return. General manager Rick Hahn proved in the Sale and Eaton deals there will be no settling in regard to the prospects received. In a case such as Quintana, teams not only would add an All-Star hurler but also a pitcher under favorable team control through 2020 with a pair of team options. 2. Who will catch? One of the glaring openings on the roster is behind the plate. Zack Collins, the team's top pick in the 2016 Draft, remains one or two years away as he refines his catching craft, while Omar Narvaez earned a roster spot with a strong finish to '16, but he probably isn't considered the starter. Free agents could deliver a year or two until Collins is ready, while providing veteran guidance for Collins. A catcher also could come via trade. 3. When will top prospects arrive? There's rarely been a time when the White Sox held back prospects if they were deemed ready to compete at the big league level. See Sale or Carlos Rodon as prime examples. But some promotions have looked a little rushed or forced, and Hahn already has made it clear current prospects won't be brought up because there might be an opening at fifth starter or at catcher, as examples. Moncada, Giolito and pitcher Reynaldo Lopez already have a small amount of big league experience, and they figure to be the fastest arrivals from the rebuild moves. Even in this instance, though, it could be a few months into the season. Keep an eye on Zack Burdi, the team's 21-year-old closer of the future and 26th pick overall last year, who could break camp with the team or reach the Majors at some point in April. 4. Will Rick Renteria make a difference? Renteria already has earned rave reviews for his offseason work and the energy brought to the team. Players are familiar with him from one year as bench coach, and he has rebuild experience from his managerial campaign with the Cubs. 5. Can Rodon become a rotation stalwart? Rodon, the third overall selection in the 2014 Draft, had a 4.67 ERA at the end of July last season but produced a 3.11 ERA over his final 11 starts, covering 66 2/3 innings. Rodon fanned 70 and walked 20 during that stretch, so signs of dominance and -- more importantly -- consistency existed for the southpaw. A similar finish took place for Rodon in '15, but remember, the 24-year-old has 51 starts of experience in his career. If Quintana is moved, Rodon could become the team's Opening Day starter. But as part of this rebuild, the pressure won't exactly be intense in '17 as Rodon continues to develop his changeup and command, while developing as a pitcher. White Sox look to focus on positives in 2016 With some top prospects acquired in trades, club starts rebuilding phase in ’17 By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | December 28th, 2016 CHICAGO -- A number of positive results transpired for the White Sox during the 2016 season. Jose Quintana became an All-Star for the first time in his steady career, often bordering on spectacular, while the southpaw also notched a career-best 13 wins, a 3.20 ERA and 181 strikeouts over 208 innings.