CHICAGO -- Trade rumors involving the White Sox have been swirling somewhat furiously after an extremely quiet week in Las Vegas for the South Siders back in early December.

A number of these rumors center on the potential new address for Jermaine Dye, the All-Star right fielder who has more home runs and RBIs than any American League outfielder since the start of the 2005 season. But the more the White Sox are talked about, the less general manager Ken Williams seems to respond.

Sure, there was an e-mail sent out by Williams two weeks ago through a White Sox media relations representative, stating how he had not talked with the Orioles since November. That message came on the heels of news out of Baltimore concerning a potential Gavin Floyd for Brian Roberts swap.

Otherwise, Williams has remained relatively quiet. Then again, maybe Williams' offseason comments to date hold up just fine without being repeated.

Many fans and media members alike have heard or read Williams' statements concerning an infusion of youth to the team's veteran core for 2009. And many of those same people still believe Williams holds a secret major trade or high-impact free-agent-signing card up his sleeve.

There might be another move or two ahead for Williams, trying to strengthen a group he already believes can contend for the American League Central title in its present state. But as mentioned many times before, the White Sox roster currently in place just might be the group reporting to Glendale, Ariz. in mid-February.

For starters, Williams has spoken of how the team currently is bumping up against its payroll limit. If a trade for Texas' Michael Young were to be even considered, as an example through a recent rumor, then a player such as Dye would first have to be moved. Young has $62 million owed to him over the next five years, while Dye is set to earn $11.5 million in 2009, with a $12 million mutual option for 2010.

Young naturally became connected with the White Sox after requesting a trade from the Rangers, as opposed to making the move from shortstop to third base. That rumor mill also was stoked by Ozzie Guillen's high level of respect for Young, who Guillen named as his favorite player in the game during a Q&A with MLB.com prior to the start of the 2008 season.

But having Young at shortstop would halt the move of Alexei Ramirez to his natural position. Having Young at second would block playing time for young candidates such as Chris Getz, Brent Lillibridge and Jayson Nix. Regardless of some level of skepticism emanating from the masses, Williams has made a commitment to give these players a chance.

"In terms of looking elsewhere, there are certainly sexier names, and I mean by that more popular names," said Williams, during a Halloween interview with MLB.com. "But I'm not sure there are better fits.

"Let me offer something up to you. If you don't reward guys like Chris Getz for playing the game the right way, unselfishly and hard-nosed every day, what does that say to your scouts and player development personnel who are out there teaching fundamentals to 175 Minor League players?

"What does it say if those players start to look around, thinking how we are being used for trade bait more than used to play for the White Sox?" said Williams, during the same interview. "How can you teach the White Sox way and expect young guys to buy into it, if you don't start allowing guys from the system? ... At some point, you have to look more from within and expect more from within than to always be looking for the next trade."

Turning 35 on Jan. 28, two days before the start of SoxFest, Dye wouldn't exactly be considered part of this youth movement. Along with his consistent production, though, Dye also stands out as the consummate pro on and off the field. That combination explains why Dye has been tied to interest from no less than six teams in the past two months, including a rumor the night before the start of the 2008 Winter Meetings that had Dye to Cincinnati in exchange for pitcher Homer Bailey as a done deal.

Tuesday brought another report involving Dye, with the Chicago Sun-Times speaking of interest on the part of the Angels that could bring back Chone Figgins. An informed baseball source told MLB.com that there is nothing imminent or even close in this situation, with the right-handed power-hitting heavy Angels in need more of a left-handed bat. Dye's home and road splits from 2008, when he hit .336 with 18 home runs at U.S. Cellular Field and .250 with 16 home runs on the road, also could serve as a minor red flag for potential suitors.

Figgins falls in the same basic category as Young, in that he has long been a favorite of both Guillen and Williams. Figgins would provide a veteran presence at the leadoff slot and could move to left field, with Carlos Quentin moving to right, if Dye was part of a deal.

Third base is another job filled on Figgins' resume, but Williams has been providing support and showing strong offseason confidence in a healthy Josh Fields taking over for Joe Crede. Dayan Viciedo and Wilson Betemit also are in the mix.

Some rumors involving the White Sox make more sense than others, as the above explanation illustrates. Others are so remote that they cause Williams to issue a roundabout denial through e-mail.

Regardless of the final moves on his offseason agenda, Williams won't be dissecting them before the fact. As he said with a laugh back in October, he will be available for comment but neither confirm nor deny the rumors.

"We'll continue to explore any and all options out there," said Williams back in October. "But I think it really hurt us, in terms of our fan excitement and perceptions, for our [last] offseason to be viewed as a failure vs. some of the little wins we had. We will try to avoid that as much as possible."