White Sox keeping tabs on Tigers' moves

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Like any other team this time of year, the White Sox are mostly consumed with improving their own roster.

But general manager Rick Hahn admits he is acutely aware of what the Detroit Tigers have done this offseason. The Tigers signed free agent outfielder Torii Hunter last month and are expected to get Victor Martinez back after he missed all of last season with an injury.

Detroit also is in talks to sign their free agent pitcher, Anibal Sanchez, and has been the subject of other speculation. Hahn said hes very aware of what the defending American League champions have done. But he also noted hes happy with how the White Sox, who were in first place for 117 days last season and won 85 games, stack up against their rivals.

We have to be aware of what were chasing, Hahn said. It certainly factors into the team we want to build. We cant look at ourselves and say, as we look around our room and talk to our scouts and coaches and look at our clubs and say maybe were an 80-82 win team. We cant think in good faith thats going to capture the Tigers, given what theyve accomplished and the players theyve added.

Fortunately, we dont look at ourselves that way. We like our team. We like the fact were bringing back Jake Peavy. We like the fact Chris Sale will be a year deeper into his career. Our bullpen will have experience under their belt from last year, that well add our opening day starter from last year John Danks who really didnt factor in much from last year. So we factor in ourselves much better. But we still have some areas we need to improve to compete with the Tigers.

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