GLENDALE, Ariz. — Carlos Rodriguez listed tradition, legacy and the fan base as some of the appealing factors in joining the Chicago White Sox as an assistant general manager. “It’s an organization with tremendous legacy, and I’m hoping to really be able to contribute in whatever way we can make the city proud of their organization,” Rodriguez said Monday at Camelback Ranch. The Sox announced Rodriguez’s hiring Dec. 19. He spent the previous 16 seasons (2010-25) with the Tampa Bay Rays, the last six as a vice president. “I had a bunch of conversations with (Sox general manager) Chris (Getz) over time,” Rodriguez said. “Just felt we are really aligned on his vision for the organization, the people, the process in place. Kind of got caught up in thinking about the possibilities, the upside. “Just felt there was a lot of momentum going into what he was building. Thought I could be added to the process.” Photos: An inside look at Chicago White Sox spring training The Rays had promoted Rodriguez to vice president/assistant GM in November 2022 after he served as vice president of baseball operations in 2022 and vice president of player development and international scouting from 2019-21. “It was a very collaborative process,” Rodriguez said of his time with the Rays. “And just the relentless pursuit of trying to find different ways to get better. We were a higher-transaction team, but it does require the old cliché: great scouting, great player development and the ability to get the most out of those players. Whenever you are transacting, making sure that you nail some of those traits. “Really it just goes down to the basics when it comes to building something you can sustain. I’m excited we have a pretty notable pick in the draft (No. 1) and I’m hoping that can be something that really elevates the organization.” Rodriguez’s role with the Sox will allow him to “touch a lot of the different areas.” “It starts with the ability to add talent to the organization, whether it’s people, working with players, whether it’s building tools for the coaches and players to use — and obviously about players,” he said. “The one thing I feel is the North Star for us is the player. The player comes first. The player drives everything that we do. “And so that incorporates nutrition, that incorporates programs. And so whenever we look at the different areas in which we’re going to try to augment, it’s all about doing the things that we’re going to hopefully allow the players to get better. “As far as what excites me? Just being able to share with the different people. And right now, a lot of the focus, obviously, is on the major-league roster, but I’m sure throughout the course of the season, there’ll be opportunities to touch a lot of the other different areas.” Rodriguez sees momentum going into the spring for the major-league team with such signings as slugger Munetaka Murakami and reliever Seranthony Domínguez. “The end of last season, I think the roster here made some real notable strides,” Rodriguez said. “And talking to (manager) Will Venable and the major-league staff, there was genuine belief and excitement in the group and the talent. And the ability to add a real offensive force in Murakami was a really big stride and helping to solidify the offense, the younger group around it. “And we know that we need to continue to improve, and that is something that we are just top of mind, every opportunity. And I don’t think just because we’re in spring training necessarily means that we’re done trying to improve the roster, so I’m hoping that in a few months from now, we’ll look back and say, ‘Wow, we were able to continue to make those strides and move forward.’” ...read more read less