Throughout the offseason, we'll be taking a look at the top news and rumors from the Hot Stove League.
RUMOR: The White Sox want to sign either Alex Gordon or Yoenis Cespedes, but only if they're willing to take a three-year deal or less.
REPORTED BY: USA Today's Bob Nightengale
THE DETAILS: Having already made two big trades this offseason, the White Sox are trying to further strengthen their roster in the suddenly competitive AL Central. Gordon and Cespedes have both played in the division before, but Chicago is unwilling to give either of them a massive contract.
The White Sox have Melky Cabrera and Adam Eaton starting in center field and left field, respectively, but have expressed interest in trading projected right field starter Avisail Garcia. Both Cespedes and Gordon are listed as left fielders, but Sox officials must believe they're capable to right over because Cabrera is strictly a left fielder.
LAST SEASON: Gordon, while struggling through injuries, finished with a .271/.377/.432 slash line with 13 home runs and 48 RBIs. It was his worst statistical season since 2010, but the 31-year-old should be a solid bounce-back candidate next season.
Cespedes, on the other hand, dazzled with the Tigers and then helped get the Mets to the playoffs. His production tapered off during the postseason, but he finished the regular season with a .291/.328/.542 slash line, 35 home runs and 105 RBIs.
OUR TAKE: The additions of infielders Brett Lawrie and Todd Frazier made the Sox a contender. The rotation could use help behind ace Chris Sale, but adding Gordon would put the Sox in the discussion for best lineups in baseball.
Star first baseman Jose Abreu is trying to recruit Cespedes over to Chicago's South Side and might get his wish. If Chicago fails on both Cespedes and Gordon, the Sox could turn their attention to Justin Upton, which is not a bad consolation prize.