The White Sox added depth at first base and in the outfield, signing 29-year-old Conor Jackson to a minor league deal and optioning him to Triple-A Charlotte. Jackson, once regarded as a top prospect while with Arizona, had just three hits in 33 at-bats with the Rangers this spring before he was released.
Jackson spent the majority of his 2011 season with Oakland, posting a .315 OBP with five home runs for the A's. He also appeared in 12 games with Boston with a .227 OBP.
From 2006-2008, Jackson was a solid offensive player for Arizona, compiling a .371 OBP thanks to nearly as many walks (166) as strikeouts (184). But he came down with a case of valley fever in 2009 and hasn't been the same since -- his batting eye (74 walks, 96 strikeouts) has been as good as ever, but his hitting ability has escaped him (.232 batting average, eight home runs).
Jackson will presumably join Greg Golson and Jordan Danks in Charlotte's outfield, although he may see some time at first base if Dan Johnson ends up DH'ing for the Knights.