WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF JANUARY 18, 2017 “Hawk alarm clock headlines Sox '17 promotions” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Michael Kopech hit 110 mph during his first max-velocity workout of the year” … Michael Clair, MLB.com “Many forces at play in GM's Quintana plans” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox Trio Lands on MLB.com’s Top 10 RHP Prospects List” … Scott Krinch, CSN Chicago “The Last White Sox Rebuild: Bobby Howry Remembers Aftermath of '97 'White Flag' Trade” … JJ Stankevitz, CSN Chicago “Hopeful Tim Raines awaits Hall of Fame vote” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times Hawk alarm clock headlines Sox '17 promotions By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | January 17th, 2017 CHICAGO -- It's 6 a.m. on a cold Chicago morning and it's time to get up for work or school. Your alarm goes off, but instead of hearing a buzzer or music, the following sentence reaches your ears. "You can get up out of bed … Yes!!" Or maybe, "Mercy, you better get moving." Sound strange or impossible? Well thanks to the White Sox, you can wake up every morning to the words of the team's iconic television play-by-play announcer Ken "Hawk" Harrelson. The team will be giving away a Ken "Hawk" Harrelson talking alarm clock on Saturday, May 13. The first 20,000 fans will be able to wake up to the five-time Emmy Award winner, with fireworks at Guaranteed Rate Field to top off the night against the Padres. Fans and media alike immediately had a good time through social media upon the announcement of the Hawk alarm clock as part of the White Sox promotions schedule, which was announced on Tuesday. Other promotions include a Photo Book that the first 20,000 fans will receive on Homecoming Weekend on Sat., May 27 against Detroit. There's also a White Sox cap giveaway on July 15 against the Mariners, a 1917 jersey in honor of the 100th anniversary of the White Sox 1917 World Series championship on Sat. July 29 against the Indians and a water bottle on July 30 against the Indians. Free T-Shirt Thursday on Police & Fire Night takes place on Aug. 10 against the Astros. Theme nights feature the always popular Elvis Night on Aug. 25 against Detroit, Country Music Night on June 23 against Oakland, Christmas in July on July 28 against the Indians, Halfway to Mardi Gras on Aug. 8 against the Astros and Star Wars Night on Aug. 26 against the Tigers. Michael Kopech hit 110 mph during his first max-velocity workout of the year Michael Clair / MLB.com | January 17th, 2017 When the White Sox acquired Michael Kopech as part of the package for Chris Sale, they knew they were getting a pitcher with a blazing fastball. According to MLB Pipeline, Kopech sits at 96-98 mph and can even hit triple digits. They probably weren't expecting 110 mph, though. Now, sure, he wasn't throwing off a mound, but a) it's Jan. 17, so still a month away from when pitchers and catchers report; b) it was still over 4 mph faster than any throw in the Majors this year; and c) it's still 110 mph! Plenty to dream on there, Sox fans. Many forces at play in GM's Quintana plans Relenting from lofty demands could still yield impressive return before camp Scott Merkin / MLB.com | January 17th, 2017 CHICAGO -- Greed is good. We learned that lesson courtesy of Michael Douglas/Gordon Gekko in 1987. Where the current White Sox rebuild is concerned, greed becomes essential for general manager Rick Hahn. It's not really greed, as much as holding out for the near-perfect return on high-end, cost-controlled players. Hahn has done extremely well in trades of All-Star starter Chris Sale and outfielder Adam Eaton, assembling seven prospects. But in the case of a potential deal involving Jose Quintana, Hahn might have to decide when to bend just a bit. The focus of Hot Stove season hit Quintana in full force beginning in early December, shortly after the White Sox picked up infielder Yoan Moncada, outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe and pitchers Michael Kopech and Victor Diaz in a trade with Boston for Sale and pitchers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning from the Nationals for Eaton. The Pirates, Yankees and Astros are among the many teams who have shown interest in Quintana, who reached All-Star status last season for the first time in a career that includes three seasons of 4.0 bWAR or greater, and two above 5.2. All that, and he's only owed approximately $38 million over the next four years. Hahn's first two moves set the bar extraordinarily high. Moncada is considered the No. 1 overall prospect per MLBPipeline.com, and Giolito stands as one of the top two or three prospects among pitchers, not to mention five other players who have big league projections. Hahn clearly has held strong to his lofty demands regarding Quintana, since the southpaw is still with the team, but there may be some wiggle room in order to get the trade done before Spring Training and still get a significant return. Let's hypothetically send outfielder Austin Meadows, Pittsburgh's No. 2 prospect per MLBPipeline who supposedly stands off limits, to the White Sox. Or how about outfielder Clint Frazier as the headliner in a Quintana deal with the Yankees? Would either of those frontline youngsters convince Hahn to work with a three- instead of four-player return? Or would their inclusion in a deal help Hahn be willing to accept less of a sure thing regarding the second or third prospect? Until Quintana gets traded or the White Sox announce they no longer are in discussions to move the soon-to-be 28-year-old, it's a safe bet to say every day a team is talking about acquiring him. The White Sox never had untouchables, and in the case of a rebuild where deals can change so quickly, they certainly won't remove Quintana's name from consideration. But there's a huge level of respect for Quintana within the organization. He's a veteran who has done everything asked of him since the day he arrived. No pitcher in baseball has more no-decisions then Quintana's 58 since the start of the '12 campaign, and Quintana has never once complained. This ability to deal with adversity should allow Quintana to handle existing rumors if they continue throughout Spring Training. He'll get an introduction to the situation at SoxFest on Jan. 27 if a move has not been consummated. The White Sox won't want to leave Quintana to twist in the wind, meaning Hahn soon might have to decide, not necessarily to settle, but when enough is enough. White Sox Trio Lands on MLB.com’s Top 10 RHP Prospects List Scott Krinch / CSN Chicago | January 17th, 2017 The White Sox farm system has taken a complete 180 over the past calendar year. Gone are the days where the White Sox would be lucky to land a single prospect in Top 100 prospects lists. After undergoing an overhaul that saw franchise cornerstones Chris Sale and Adam Eaton shipped out for a bundle of prospects, the White Sox are soaring up MLB farm system rankings. As they will each day until the end of the January, MLBPipeline will release baseball's Top 10 prospects at each position. To kick off the countdown, the Top 10 right-handed pitching prospects were released on Tuesday, and to no surprise the list is White Sox heavy. Lucas Giolito (No. 3) and Reynaldo Lopez (No. 10), sent to the White Sox from the Nationals in a blockbuster deal for Eaton, both cracked the Top 10 list. Michael Kopech, who was a key piece along with MLB.com's 2016 top overall prospect Yoan Moncada in the White Sox haul from the Boston Red Sox for Sale, came in at No. 4 on MLBPipeline's rankings. Check out what MLB.com's Mike Rosenbaum had to say about each White Sox pitcher below: 3. Lucas Giolito, White Sox The prized right-hander of last year's class, Giolito saw his stock wane over the course of the season and especially in the big leagues, where apparent mechanical issues resulted in diminished velocity and hindered his control. He's shown the ceiling of an ace in the past, with the ability to command a mid-to- upper 90s heater, a knee-buckling curveball and a fading changeup, and now has renowned pitching coach Don Cooper on his side after joining the White Sox as part of the offseason Adam Eaton blockbuster deal. 4. Michael Kopech, White Sox Kopech began the year on the disabled list with a broken hand but made up for the time lost with dazzling performances in the Class A Advanced Carolina League and, later, in the Arizona Fall League. Acquired in the Chris Sale trade in December, the 20-year-old hits triple digits with ease and backs it up with a plus slider and a promising changeup. As he continues to make developmental strides, Kopech will move quickly in 2017. 10. Reynaldo Lopez, White Sox Overshadowed by Giolito headed into last season, Lopez proved the more effective of the duo in the big leagues before joining him in the offseason trade to Chicago. A more consistent and linear delivery resulted in improved strike-throwing ability for the 23-year-old righty, who can miss bats with his well above-average fastball, excellent curve and improved changeup.