(670 The Score) White Sox general manager Rick Hahn is a graduate of Havard's law school and known to occasionally speak like a lawyer protecting a client.
But Hahn isn't using any jargon when addressing the expectations for his organization in 2021.
"As we sit here today, the goal is to win a World Series championship," Hahn said Wednesday as the White Sox pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. "If we fall short of that, it would be a disappointment.
"Having championship aspirations is to be expected ― and to a man, what people want."
After three challenging and losing rebuilding seasons, the White Sox went 35-25 and reached the playoffs in 2020 before losing in a decisive Game 3 to the Athletics in the wild-card round. Their belief, one shared by many across baseball, is that they're now ready to take another big step forward.
Though the White Sox reached their first postseason since 2008 and should have many more Octobers to look forward to, players like ace Lucas Giolito and shortstop Tim Anderson have recently lamented their finish to last season. The White Sox lost nine of their final 12 games, squandering a three-game lead in the AL Central and better positioning in the playoffs.
"We need to step on throats," Giolito said. "We need to try to kill other teams until the very end. It doesn't matter what our record is, doesn't matter if we're in the playoffs, leading the division. That doesn't matter at all. All that matters is that we go out there expecting to win a game every single day, no matter if it's April or September of the postseason, and we have that killer instinct, that killer mentality as a whole, and we just get the job done. I don't think there's anymore room for premature celebration, that's for sure."
The White Sox improved their roster this offseason with the acquisition of right-hander Lance Lynn in a trade with the Rangers and the signing of star closer Liam Hendriks to a three-year, $54-million deal. The White Sox are also hoping for a bounce-back season from third baseman Yoan Moncada, who struggled in 2020 after a bout with COVID-19.
The White Sox will once again face steep competition from the Minnesota Twins, who won the AL Central crown in 2020 with a 36-24 record -- one game better than Chicago. The Indians are expected to take a step back after trading star shortstop Francisco Lindor to the Mets, while the Royals should be more competitive after several seasons of struggles.
Hahn appreciates that his team is considered a World Series contender in 2021, but he also knows that the beauty of baseball is that a 162-game regular season offers an opportunity for every team -- and that means success must be earned.
For a team seeking its killer instinct, the White Sox won't be thinking about projections.
"That's out the window and it's time to get to work," Hahn said. "We all know we haven't accomplished anything until there's another banner above Guaranteed Rate Field."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.