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White Sox GM on new additions: 'We have a very special feeling today around here'

Troy Taormina / USA TODAY Sports

Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn could scarcely contain his excitement Tuesday as he introduced Jeff Samardzija, David Robertson and Melky Cabrera at U.S. Cellular Field - three offseason additions expected to accelerate the club's return to relevance.

"We have a very special feeling today around here," Hahn told MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. "Quite frankly, any one of these three individuals being here by themselves or announcing their acquisition for the club would have been huge news for us."

Cabrera finalized a three-year, $42-million deal with the White Sox prior to Tuesday's introductory press conference, punctuating an aggressive offseason overhaul that should bring the club back into contention in the American League Central.

"It is a good decision because looking at the talent that we have - we have Robertson, Samardzija and we also have (Adam) LaRoche - and we're going to work together to bring a championship to Chicago," Cabrera said. "To me it's a great decision."

Hahn's busy offseason has dramatically improved a team that managed just 73 wins one season ago, but the acquisition of Samardzija wields some sentimental value, too, as the 29-year-old right-hander spent his childhood watching games on the south side of Chicago. 

"Growing up in northwest Indiana, I came to a lot of (White Sox) games," Samardzija said. "You get those nine-buck tickets and get to sit right in that second deck. A lot of old memories. So to be able to come here and play and be a part of it, it's really exiting. I feel like I've come full circle in my professional career. I'm just excited to be here and take advantage of all the emotions and excitement that I have and just let it all out on the field."

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

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