Most of the White Sox players will use the low expectations on the 2012 team as motivation for when spring training starts later this month.

However, veteran Paul Konerko seemed to be the only player that cared more about the reality of the situation, and the fact that the White Sox have digressed since winning the 2005 World Series, especially in the eyes of their fan base.

"I would say it won't matter (what we tell them) until July or into August," Konerko said, when asked if there was anything to even say to White Sox fans at this point. "We've kind of just given back ... you get what you earn and we haven't earned anything with our fans over the last couple of years.

"Truth be told, there was that little glimmer at the end of '08.