SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — That was then.
This is now.
The White Sox made it clear last season that they ‘‘belonged at the table’’ of heavy hitters and would pursue Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, the two biggest free agents in the baseball land.
They talked a good game and lost.
So it came as no real surprise at the general managers meetings Tuesday that GM Rick Hahn talked in lower-key tones about the Sox’ intentions to sign free agents this offseason. Be assured the Sox will pursue them. But we won’t know how hard and with how much cash until deals are made — or not.
‘‘In the end, it’s my experience that people aren’t too interested in hearing about the labor; they want to see the baby,” Hahn said.
Many Sox fans probably would cheer that statement.
In the fourth year of the Sox’ rebuild, Hahn also cautioned it can take five years for rebuilds to bear fruit. That’s something that won’t get as many cheers.
‘‘But we’re certainly not ruling out the possibility that this all comes together in a big way next season,’’ he said.
Hahn noted the Sox have won offseasons before. Remember the nice buzz after the Sox acquired David Robertson, Jeff Samardzija and Melky Cabrera during the winter before the 2015 season? Hahn was confident he had assembled a winner.
‘‘How was your offseason?’’ he asked, beaming at the news conference introducing those players.
How was the season that followed? The Sox finished 76-86.
‘‘We’ve won offseason championship belts before,’’ Hahn said. ‘‘Not talking about free agents. Not talking about trades we might be doing.’’
Hahn said it was important last season to tell everyone the Sox wanted in on the market.
‘‘But part of what we were trying to do and make clear was that the eye level has changed around here, meaning that we are a logical destination for premium talent,’’ he said. ‘‘Players want to come play for us, play for the White Sox, play on the South Side, play for [manager] Ricky [Renteria] and be part of what we’re building.’’
We’ll see whether they do.
Among the things Hahn did talk about:
• Without mentioning prized free-agent third baseman Anthony Rendon — to whom the Sox already have been linked — by name, Hahn didn’t rule out moving Yoan Moncada to second base or the outfield. But he made a strong case for Moncada staying at third.
‘‘He’s an MVP-caliber player over at third base, and you don’t want to upset the apple cart with that,’’ he said.
• About free-agent first baseman Jose Abreu, Hahn said: ‘‘There’s a lot of love. There’s a lot of mutual admiration and desire throughout the organization, right on up to [chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf]. Jose certainly knows how we feel, and we’ll remain in contact until he figures out where he’s going to play next year.’’
• It’s too soon to declare right-hander Michael Kopech ready to break camp out of spring training. And with left-hander Carlos Rodon not due back till midseason, the Sox are targeting two starting pitchers for upgrades.
• Besides two starting pitchers, the Sox also are targeting a right fielder and a designated hitter. Hahn seemed resigned to acquiring a right fielder who might be a bat more than a defensive type, even though below-average defender Eloy Jimenez is in left and rookie Luis Robert might be in center for most of the season.
• Hahn indicated it might be difficult to justify keeping Gold Glove second baseman Yolmer Sanchez at an expected cost of $6 million, considering prospect Nick Madrigal is close to taking the position and making Sanchez a utility infielder.
NOTE: The Sox named Scott Coolbaugh assistant hitting coach. Coolbaugh, 53, was the hitting coach for Class AAA Oklahoma City in the Dodgers’ organization last season and was the Orioles’ hitting coach in 2015-18.
