KANSAS CITY -- Manager Ozzie Guillen listed three things the White Sox must do to win consistently in 2008: Have the current players perform, bring in some new players this winter that contribute, and change the approach in Spring Training.

The White Sox, 66-86 entering Thursday, are a half-game ahead of the Royals for fourth place in the American League Central. Chicago will likely have its worst finish since 1989.

After the season, the organization will sit down and discuss personnel for 2008. Few players are under contract for 2008 and several names -- notably Jose Contreras and Jon Garland -- have been discussed in trade rumors. Bobby Jenks is considered the only surefire candidate in the bullpen. Guillen will enter the meetings with a plan for a new team -- but doesn't know what kind of players he will have.

"I will shoot for the moon," he said. "I think it is hard to say, 'This guy comes back and this guy doesn't.' It's hard to say that, because I really don't know what is going on. We are going to see after the season is over, and see where we go and what kind of ballclub that we have.

"No matter who we bring or what we bring, we are going to add something to help them to get better. We are not going to just bring people in to please the fans and lie to the fans and hope."

Still, the current players will need strong bounce-back seasons if Chicago expects to contend. The White Sox, hurt by a dormant offense that ranks last in the American League in runs, have several players who have had seasons below their career norms. Some pitchers, most notably Contreras (10-16, 5.51 ERA), haven't been productive either.

"We have three or four players that are the face of the ballclub," Guillen said. "If they do what they are supposed to do and we bring in people that we help them to win, then we will win. We will come to the top."

Several players have discussed a larger emphasis on winning in Spring Training. That is also something Guillen will employ.

"Spring Training will be different," Guillen said. "I already told them that. We have the plan and we are going to go by the plan. They just have to be ready."

Guillen will focus more on teaching the younger players.

"We are going to have a couple sections to emphasize [situations]," he said. "You have to have the right people. If you talk with Jim Thome, Jermaine [Dye], [Paul] Konerko about hitting and running, then we are wasting time.

"We are going to have to have the right people together every day, every single day. We have to have the small guys, like [Jerry] Owens, [Danny] Richar, the small guys who hit Nos. 1,2,5,6,7,8,9 in the lineup.

"We are going to have a little get together and tell them to read the scoreboard and tell them what we want from them in certain situations. Things like that to get better right away."

Ozuna possibly to return: Pablo Ozuna could return to the team before year's end. Ozuna, who has been on the disabled list since May 28 with a fractured right fibula, is on the current road trip. He has been participating in resistance running, baserunning and sliding. However, Guillen doesn't want to rush Ozuna.

"He might play," the manager said. "I would like to do that, but he has not played any games yet. It is [hard] to start right away with big league games."

Ozuna usually plays winter ball in the Dominican, but the team would like him to stay with the club trainers for at least a week.

"We were thinking about sending him to instructional league for a couple of days to get the right treatment right after the game," Guillen said. "If he goes to the Winter League, the trainers there, they don't know what to do to give the right treatment after the game and before the game. He has worked so hard to come back."

Ozuna hit .244 with no homers and three RBIs in 27 games this season.

Bunts: Alex Cintron was a late scratch to Thursday's lineup because of a bruise between his left thumb and index finger. Juan Uribe hit second and Andy Gonzalez played third base. ... Thome reached 30 homers for the 11th time in his career Wednesday night. ... Even after the White Sox hit Brian Bannister for seven runs in five innings, Guillen still endorsed Bannister for AL Rookie of the Year. Bannister is 12-9 with a 3.61 ERA, best among American League rookies: "He has my vote," Guillen said.

Coming up: Two aces match up Friday night at the Metrodome. Mark Buehrle (9-9, 3.55 ERA) faces Johan Santana (15-12, 3.14 ERA) and the Twins. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CT.