Rick Hahn Strongly Refutes Idea That White Sox Couldn't Offer Long-Term Deal To Yoenis Cespedes
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- White Sox general manager Rich Hahn on Friday offered a strong denial to the idea that he couldn't offer more than three years on a contract for free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who signed with the New York Mets on a three-year, $75-million deal last week.
During the free-agency period, the White Sox fell short in negotiations with high-profile outfielders Cespedes, Alex Gordon and Justin Upton, the latter two of whom signed with AL Central rivals in the Royals and Tigers, respectively.
Multiple reports indicated the White Sox weren't willing to go beyond three years in an offer to Cespedes, but Hahn refuted that.
"Let me make something really clear," Hahn said prior to the team's annual SoxFest convention. "There is absolutely no hard-line, dogma limit terms on free agents. The reason that we didn't sign any of the players that signed elsewhere, at the end of the day, was not about any contract terms."
The White Sox have made upgrades to their team in the form of All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier and second baseman Brett Lawrie. Speaking to the media at SoxFest, Hahn expressed his optimism that this team will be better than 2015, when the White Sox finished with a disappointing 76-86 record after a splashy offseason.
Hahn and his front office could pursue one more addition to the 2016 lineup. Outfielder Dexter Fowler remains available in free agency. While Hahn declined to address Fowler when asked directly and feels good about his current group, he did leave the door open to another addition in some form.
Hahn also made clear the White Sox were in the picture with several free agents until the end.
"We had numerous conversations with various parameters," Hahn said, "various structures up until the day or day before the players ended up choosing their ultimate destination."
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.