CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Inside a Hilton ballroom packed with anticipation was a stage filled with White Sox players of the present, the prospects of the future and the greats of the past.
First baseman Jose Abreu, a mainstay for the White Sox over the last five seasons, waved and smiled to the crowd as he strolled down a walkway. Infielder prospect Nick Madrigal, the 2018 first-round pick, shook hands with former manager Ozzie Guillen as he approached the group. The dozens all waited for the end as Harold Baines, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in December, received an applause from them all.
There was no superstar surprise like Manny Machado or Bryce Harper as SoxFest opened Friday afternoon in downtown Chicago, but what the White Sox did have was hope -- and it's finally becoming something real.
The White Sox welcomed in the first several weeks of the new year having seriously recruited both Machado and Harper in free agency while still being left waiting for word from both. What it all has revealed to general manager Rick Hahn is that his organization is poised for its time.
"When this entire process started, when this offseason began, I think most people viewed us as a longshot to land either of these premium free agents," Hahn said Friday afternoon. "I think in fact, at one point, Vegas posted the odds of the six or seven clubs more likely to land one of these guys, and we weren't even listed.
"The fact that we are now sitting here in a potential position -- or, at least, in a position where if we don't convert, people are going to be disappointed -- is an important step forward for this organization. We belong at the table in these negotiations. We belong as part of these negotiations for premium talent.
"I could not be prouder of this organization in terms of where we sit today in the ability to attract premium talent."
Since the White Sox began their rebuilding process in December 2016, starting with the deal of ace Chris Sale to the Red Sox for prized prospects in Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech, it has been Hahn attempting to temper expectations for the young talent that his organization accumulated. Whether it was Moncada, Kopech, Eloy Jimenez or any from the long list of prospects, Hahn reminded that development takes time. Here at SoxFest, he's willing to admit that time is now.
The White Sox aggressively pursuing players like Harper and Machado reflects a key step of their rebuilding process, which is complementing the homegrown prospects with premier players in their prime. Harper and Machado are both 26, with Harper already an six-time All-Star and the 2015 National League MVP and Machado a four-time All-Star selection and two-time Gold Glove infielder.
Harper or Machado could fortify the investments in time and resources developing Moncada, Kopech, Jimenez, Madrigal, Dylan Cease, Luis Robert, Dane Dunning and Blake Rutherford, each of whom have or do rank as top-100 prospects. Hahn is also fond of pointing toward under-the-radar prospects who could break out and help in the big leagues as well.
As Hahn has led the charge for the two top free-agent targets, White Sox players have felt the excitement, too. They realize what it means relative to the plan for which they were chosen.
"We're a team that's going to be really capable of winning here pretty soon," said Kopech, who won't pitch until 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery last September.
"It may not seem like it right now to some people, but we're going to be really good."
Jimenez, the third-ranked prospect in baseball on MLB.com, has been tracking the free-agent targets this offseason.
"I hope they sign here," Jimenez said. "I want to play with them."
The White Sox have added some veterans to their young core this offseason. Among them are first baseman Yonder Alonso and outfielder Jon Jay, players who are close to Machado (Alonso is brother-in-law to Machado and Jay a longtime friend) and also solid pieces who can help the White Sox flip the switch from rebuilding to contending at a higher level.
The 31-year-old Alonso understood when he was traded to Chicago on Dec. 15 that his arrival marked another step in the rebuilding process. A nine-year MLB veteran, Alonso is being asked to help guide this group along while making an impact with his bat.
Alonso can sense where the White Sox may be going.
"I definitely think it's heading in the right direction," he said. "Obviously, we've done it the right way by building from the minor leagues and the farm system. The future is bright and the future is now.
"Young. Exciting. They're just ready to go. They're all so ready. Just ready to go after it, ready to get going. They all want spring training to happen now.
"The winning comes now. The winning comes this year. I think we got to go get it. Obviously, our future is bright, but it starts now."
For all their work, the White Sox are prepared for the possibility that Harper or Machado spurn them. As the Phillies have zeroed in on Harper, Machado is considered the White Sox's more likely option to sign, though his and Harper's options appear limited as February and spring training loom.
Hahn conceded he would be disappointed if the White Sox went 0-for-2 in that regard, but he takes comfort knowing what was on the SoxFest stage Friday. The organization could soon thrive if all goes accordingly -- with or without a major addition this offseason.
"The path this club is on, the future that we have ahead of us is very bright," Hahn said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
