Levine: White Sox GM Rick Hahn Has Been Busy

By Bruce Levine--

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- You have to admire the way the Chicago White Sox front office has gone about piecing its club together. General manager Rick Hahn has added three players since mid-February, and he doesn't appear to be finished. Currently, it's the Cincinnati Reds still knocking on Hahn's door.

The White Sox added starting pitcher Mat Latos for $3 million, shortstop Jimmy Rollins for $2 million and center fielder Austin Jackson for $5 million -- all on one-year deals. In this day and age of long-term commitments and buyer's remorse, Chicago has dangled the carrot of playing well and continuing a career as an incentive. Rollins had three hits Tuesday, including his first home run of Cactus League play.

If you think about the game from the purist point of view, you really appreciate veteran guys going out and playing for the love of the game. In the case of the 37-year-old Rollins, that's exactly what you get. He has won a World Series, been an MVP and a three-time All-Star. All that's left for Rollins is enjoying the game and trying to be a part of a winner again.

"We are a group of guys that pretty much have to jell in one year," Rollins said. "We all know what is on the line. We are putting together a team to try and win now. If this is the only chance, we have to make the most of it."

Hahn has added short-term position players to his long-term overview that includes young contract-controlled pitchers. The club-friendly deals he has astutely gave to Chris Sale and Jose Quintana have afforded the franchise to go after other players on a part-time, short-term approach.

This style is ideal if you can reach out and grab some lighting in a bottle.

"I am sure a lot of these guys would like to be here on more than a one-year deal," Rollins said. "Here is your chance to go earn it. When you win everyone looks that much better."

For around $120 million, the White Sox can mix and match a new group of position players in 2016.

Chicago could start as many as five new position players in the season opener. Depending on  manager Robin Ventura's choice, he could start as many as eight different defensive players from Opening Day 2015. Only Jose Abreu and Chris Sale appear a lock to be at the same position as last year when the season opens.

More changes also could occur before in Oakland on April 4. The Reds are intent on moving right fielder Jay Bruce, and the White Sox still would love to add a left-handed power bat like Bruce. The bone of contention appears to be Cincinnati insisting that any club that takes Bruce assumes most of the $12.5 million contract.

Teams like the White Sox can play the waiting game until the Reds get a little more realistic about eating some of the Bruce money. Two of the Reds' top scouts have been watching the White Sox play every day this spring.

The fact that Bruce is free agent at the end of 2016 also fits in with this "rent a player" theory the White Sox are clinging to. Right now, Dioner Navarro, Alex Avila, Jackson, J.B. Shuck, Rollins, Latos and John Danks are eligible for free agency after the season. Danks, who pitched three innings Tuesday, likes what he sees from his new teammates.

"I would say most of us don't need any extra motivation," Danks said. "If a guy does need that to get an edge, so be it. Contracts don't come up among us, but anything you need to motivate yourself-go ahead."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.