GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The White Sox will have some interesting decisions to make during the offseason, both in-house and in regard to possible additions. Here's a look at a wide array of questions the South Siders must deal with as they move forward in the rebuilding process.
Will the White Sox contend in 2019?
General manager Rick Hahn, during his season-ending state of the White Sox interview session, acknowledged the team should be more competitive after a predictably tough Year 2 of the rebuild. He wasn't willing to drop contend in yet, which seems about right at this stage.
How does the team improve after losing 100 games?
Young players such as right-handed starters Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito and second baseman Yoan Moncada gained valuable experience during their first full big league seasons. Giolito, as an example, was afforded the chance to pitch through an unexpectedly poor start to '18 and, in the process, made important corrections mechanically and with his mound mindset. Lopez, meanwhile, looked like a staff ace pitching in September after struggling mightily in August.
Those young players should build off the good and the bad experienced in '18. They don't have to become finished products, but Moncada needs to cut down on his 217 strikeouts and make other improvements.
The White Sox also figure to go outside the organization in the quest to become more competitive.

Is Avisail Garcia still part of this process?
The team holds one more year of contractual control over the right fielder. Garcia is only 27 and one season removed from an All-Star breakout campaign in '17, when he hit .330 with 80 RBIs. The '18 season was injury-riddled, with Garcia battling right knee pain and requiring offseason surgery pretty much from the outset.
Garcia could become a trade candidate, but there wasn't a huge amount of outside interest in him during his All-Star season. The team also could non-tender Garcia, who earned $6.7 million through arbitration, but it doesn't need to be in any rush to make that sort of final decision.
What players have team options for 2019?
Right-handed reliever Nate Jones has a $4.65 million option for 2019, with a $1.25 million buyout, while the White Sox hold a $16 million option for veteran starter James Shields with a $2 million buyout. The team has built in amazing payroll flexibility through the rebuild, so even with Jones battling injures over the past two years, there's a decent chance the White Sox bring him back. Shields was an extremely valuable clubhouse presence, not to mention topping 200 innings. But the White Sox almost certainly won't bring him back for that amount.
Is there any chance Shields returns?
Michael Kopech was being counted on as a major part of the '19 rotation, but he is now out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The White Sox will be looking for veteran arms, and Shields theoretically could be in the picture with a potential short-term deal.
Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster?
Dylan Cease, who was MLB Pipeline's Minor League Pitcher of the Year, is a veritable lock. Catcher Seby Zavala is another strong candidate, while pitchers Spencer Adams, Jordan Stephens and Kodi Medeiros also should be in consideration. The 40-man sits at 39 after the White Sox outrighted catcher Dustin Garneau on Tuesday, but there is room for the White Sox to maneuver.

Where will the White Sox look for outside help?
Hahn made pitching a point of emphasis during his latest interview. It wouldn't be out of the question to see them pursue one or two starters and one or two relievers either via free agency or trade. The White Sox currently have Adam Engel in center and Yolmer Sanchez at third, although Sanchez has value across the diamond, but also could look at additions at those specific positions.
Is Manny Machado included in that pursuit?
Even if the White Sox aren't yet in the position to make finishing rebuild moves, Hahn said they need to be opportunistic in the open market if the situation dictates. Machado's availability could be one of those situations.
Who could be coming in the next wave of prospect excitement?
Outfielder Eloy Jimenez, the No. 3 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, should be a White Sox fixture for most of the '19 season and beyond. Cease, who ranks No. 25 overall, should be on the move to Chicago within the '19 campaign, and keep an eye on catcher Zack Collins as the season progresses.