• There’s no better holiday present than the Chicago White Sox new ticket package, “The Ozzie Plan.” Better yet, there’s no better way to promote it than with a commercial featuring the man himself.

• I was happy to hear that the Reds’ decided to extend Jay Bruce’s contract, which of course means that Mevs was beside himself with excitement.  Be sure to read his sincere thoughts on the Bruce’s new contract and the impact it will have on the organization.

• Speaking of extensions, the folks at Splashing Pumpkins analyze the risks of locking up the Rookie of the Year, Buster Posey, with a contract extension.  Although the idea is beyond tempting, it might be potentially detrimental to the development of the entire organization.

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The Chicago White Sox signed third baseman Dallas McPherson, 30, who was once one of the Los Angeles Angels top prospects…..played for the Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate in 2010….. hit .267/.339/.541 with 22 home runs in 354 plate appearances. [Baseball America]

The White Sox are willing to hear offers for RHP Gavin Floyd…..would expect a substantial return considering Floyd is a proven 2^nd or 3^rd starter…..Floyd made 31 starts for White Sox in 2010 and went 10-13 with a 4.08 ERA…..had a career best 49% groundball rate…..was 3-1 with a 0.80 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in July. [MLBTR]

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• Rumors continue to swirl regarding Paul Konerko’s potential suitors…..even if the White Sox resign him, they would still like to acquire a major left-handed bat…..Dayan Viciedo could be the homegrown solution to a void left by Konerko. [MLB.com]

• Ozzie is preparing himself for a team and life without free agents A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko…..Bobby Jenks career with the White Sox is looking like it’s over…..team might have interest in American League’s top closer, free agent Rafael Soriano. [ESPN]

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• White Sox have picked up Matt Thornton‘s $2.25 million option for 2010…..Thornton says he’s only getting better with age and believes that he deserves an opportunity to close…..he’s prepared for anything that Kenny Williams throws his way….. [Scott Merkin/MLB.com]

• Ozzie Guillen plans to debut his new website[OzzieGuillen.com] by SoxFest on Jan. 21-23…..site will allow fans to “communicate” with the White Sox manager…..his sons will be running it and all content will be pre-approved by Major League Baseball……[Chicago Breaking Sports]

• Aaron Rowand and Juan Uribe won another World Series ring, this time as members of San Francisco Giants…..Rowand even got the feel-good start in Game 5…..Juan Uribe is still the same old Juan Uribe….. [Sox Machine]

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On Wednesday, Alexei Ramirez of the Chicago White Sox was named the shortstop on The Sporting News American League All-Star Team, as voted on by a panel of 326 major-league players, 25 managers and 24 general managers.

Ramirez, 29, hit .282 with 29 doubles, 18 home runs and 70 RBI in 156 games with the White Sox in 2010.  He is just the third shortstop in White Sox history to be honored by The Sporting News and the first since Luis Aparicio in 1970.

After a slow start to the 2010 season, Ramirez ultimately led all AL shortstops in average (.282), home runs (18), slugging percentage (.431) and total bases (252) and ranked second in RBI (70), third in runs scored (83) and tied for third in doubles (29).

He also led the league with 768 total chances, the most by a Sox shortstop since Ozzie Guillen in 1989 (806), as well as assists (499) and range factor/games at SS (4.79).

Ramirez joins South Side legends Aparicio (1968, ’70) and Luke Appling (1936, ’40 and ’43) as the only three White Sox shortstops to receive the prestigious recognition.

Next up for Ramirez is the Silver Slugger.