CHICAGO -- The White Sox Inbox has returned. Before we get to the questions, I want to wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

What does a playoff-caliber bullpen look like if they trade [Liam] Hendriks? -- @larrybeans1

Not as strong or deep, right? The White Sox have closing options in Kendall Graveman, Joe Kelly, Aaron Bummer and Reynaldo López, but Hendriks is built for ninth-inning success and has proven that fact true over the past four seasons.

It’s a different mentality in the ninth, and Hendriks has that mentality -- especially after an occasional blown save or rough outing. He also is a key clubhouse component, but his dominance in the ninth for a team planning on contending seems to indicate he won’t be moved for anything short of truly overwhelming.

What do you see as the White Sox next biggest need after the Andrew Benintendi signing: 2B, another OF, SP or other? -- @UncleRob1985

The White Sox have in-house options at second in Romy Gonzalez, Lenyn Sosa and Leury García. They have Oscar Colas, the No. 2 White Sox prospect and No. 95 overall per MLB Pipeline, who could take over in right field, with Gavin Sheets, García and non-roster invites such as Billy Hamilton and Victor Reyes as possibilities. I would say both could use additions of some sort, but I would go second base as the next move.

If all goes well in round 1, would you rather beat Ohio St for the second time this season sending them into a tailspin, or beat number 1 Georgia so there's no question as to who the best was? -- @Mark_in_Mi

I want the Michigan Wolverines to win two more games and bring home a National Championship with a 15-0 record. I never want to see OSU win, so a Michigan/Georgia final would be entertaining and my preference.

Tell me why I should have optimism for the White Sox in 2023. -- @GG0dfather

Journey’s Steve Perry once sang, "Don't stop believin', Hold on to that feelin’," and that sentiment pretty much says it all. OK, all kidding aside, the White Sox are as talented as any team in the American League Central and winning the division is the first step toward postseason success.

This group had a mediocre, disappointing season in 2022 and still managed to win 81 games, so improvement to a more normal production level from even a few of the nine or 10 guys being counted on to bounce back from injuries or underperformance will easily this team better.

Pedro Grifol looks to be a very good hire as manager and seems to be on the same page as the front office. It’s certainly not fair to blame manager Tony La Russa and his staff for last year’s shortcomings -- this is a players' game, as they will readily admit. But a change was needed.

I believe TA [Tim Anderson], [Dylan] Cease, Eloy [Jimenez], and Luis [Robert] all will not be on Sox roster in 4 or 5 years. Agree? -- @Pipeman122

If I could predict the future with that much accuracy, I would use my knowledge for the greater good well beyond baseball. An important part of maintaining success is identifying the players a team wants long-term -- which the White Sox have done well to date -- while also having capable players to replace them in case they move on to other organizations. By all accounts, Dansby Swanson really enjoyed his time in Atlanta, but now he will be the Cubs’ shortstop. Change happens.

It’s too difficult to predict what will play out for the 2023 season, let alone five years down the road. But the four players you mentioned presently reside as integral parts of the White Sox core.

Who would win in a White Sox media-themed Feats of Strength? You or James Fegan? #Festivus -- @nWI_Steve

We both bring the will to win on a daily basis. James was an accomplished tennis player in his younger days, but I played on a dorm championship softball team at the University of Michigan -- which I might have mentioned eight or nine times previously. Ultimately, I’d give the edge to James, but I do feel confident in a Feats of Strength battle with Jon Greenberg.

Why can't Sox fans see that if this rotation comes together, we should win the division? Get hot at the right time and sky [is] the limit. -- @wwilpaul

Many White Sox fans support the team’s rotation of Dylan Cease, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech and Mike Clevinger, although they probably would like more depth. There are some questions to be answered within the group, as there are in pretty much any rotation in baseball, but at their best, they can be one of the AL’s top groups of five arms.