Chicago White Sox Notes, Quotes

--RHP Bobby Jenks was the hot trade rumor for the Sox heading into the winter meetings, but those talks quickly died down as possible suitors added closers elsewhere. As it stands now, it now seems like Jenks will remain the closer for the Sox, and that's just fine as far as manager Ozzie Guillen is concerned. "We went through a lot of things with Bobby behind the scenes and he knows how much we love him, how much we support him," Guillen said. "Does he have to take care of himself? Well, he should know that because he can make another $30 or $40 million in his career."

--OF/DH Hideki Matsui is on the White Sox's radar, but general manager Ken Williams won't get specific with how serious they are about the free agent. According to several members of the Japanese media, Matsui's left knee has been cleared to not only be ready to play come spring training, but also play the outfield. That was the hurdle that the Sox wanted to see cleared. Matsui, who is rehabbing in California, also made it known that he was awaiting final word from the Yankees on their plans for him -- if any -- but if they only wanted him to DH, he would walk away. The Sox were atop the free agent's list, and he said that it was about opportunity, not money or years on the contract.

--OF/DH Milton Bradley of the Cubs is not in the White Sox's plans. GM Ken Williams made that very clear after there was a rumor floating around at the winter meetings that a Bradley-Scott Linebrink deal was out there. "The funny thing is I've had the pleasure of talking to Milton in the past and it saddens me to a great extent actually some of the things, some or the situations that he's been put in or put himself in," Williams said when asked about the Bradley rumors. "I would like to see this guy just be able to go out there without all the distractions and everything and do what he could do. This guy can play, he can play. I don't know if I see a fit for us, and I probably shouldn't even be talking about him because he's not our player, but Milton Bradley can play."

--LHP Matt Thornton said he was preparing for his setup role, but if the Sox do make a change and he becomes the closer, he will welcome it with open arms. "I'm comfortable in that role," Thornton added. "I enjoyed that feeling I had knowing that I was going into the ninth, I enjoyed that preparation. I like that routine. I enjoyed that sequence of, 'Hey, we have a lead, that's my inning.' In the same boat, if Bobby (Jenks) comes back right now I have no problem being the guy that gets Bobby the ball."

--3B Mark Teahen no longer has to worry about security the next three years, let alone arbitration this year. The Sox, who acquired him from Kansas City after the World Series ended, announced that they agreed on a three-year, $14 million contract with Teahen, avoiding arbitration. Under the terms of the deal, Teahen will receive $3.75 million in 2010, $4.75 million in 2011 and $5.5 million in 2012. He was eligible for free agency following the 2011 season. "I'm pumped, obviously," Teahen said. "I was pumped with the trade and now it's nice to have the arbitration process out of the way. It's nice to have it all wrapped up and ready to just concentrate on baseball."

BY THE NUMBERS: 19 -- The number of grand slams the Sox have the past two seasons, which leads the major leagues in that span.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Every year with Kansas City, I would try and convince myself we made the right moves. But we knew that we would have to have everything work out perfectly for a chance. The nice thing with Chicago with a team in place, guys don't have to overachieve. They just need to do what they're capable of doing. And with Chicago, you know as the year goes on they can add a piece." -- New third baseman Mark Teahen on his three-year contract and being a member of the Sox.