Shakeup In White Sox Front Office: Williams To Become Team VP, Hahn Moves To GM After Season

By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 20, 2012 9:20PM

Huge news coming from 35th and Shields. USA Today sports reporter Bob Nightengale reports that GM Kenny Williams will be promoted to vice president of baseball operations at the end of the season. Taking Williams' place as GM will be current assistant general manager Rick Hahn.

Williams promptly sent an email to Tribune White Sox beat reporter Mark Gonzales that didn't exactly dispute Nightengale's report.

"No one's 2013 status, not even mine, will be discussed while we are singularly focused on winning a Championship and more immediately, tonight's game," Williams responded Thursday in an email.

If these promotions do happen it would serve as a stunning reversal in fortune for Williams, who at this time last year was facing a make-or-break season after a 2011 campaign highlighted by his feud with former manager Ozzie Guillen. This year's Sox team benefited from rebound years from veterans Jake Peavy, Adam Dunn and Alex Rios; a career year at the plate from AJ Pierzynski; the emergence of Chris Sale as one of the great young pitchers of the game; and the steady contributions of young pitchers like Addison Reed and Jose Quintana.

Williams helped his cause by trading for Kevin Youkilis, Francisco Liriano and Brett Myers. All have become impact players, none more than Youkilis, who has played like a man on a mission since changing Red Sox for White. Fifteen of his 19 homers have come in pale hose and his defense at third base strengthening an already solid infield.

Hahn has been on the short list of many baseball teams looking for a general manager in recent years and Williams has slowly added to his responsibilities. The reported promotions would be similar to how the Bulls promoted John Paxson to vice president of basketball operations and Gar Forman to GM.