White Sox player development staff to remain intact in 2010

The Chicago White Sox on-field player development staff will return entirely intact for the 2010 season.

Among the managers returning to their respective minor-league affiliates in 2010 are Chris Chambliss (second season) at Class AAA Charlotte, Ever Magallanes (second season) at Class AA Birmingham, Joe McEwing (second season) at Class A Winston-Salem, Ernie Young (third season) at Class A Kannapolis, Chris Cron (fourth season) at Advanced Rookie Great Falls and Ryan Newman (second season) at Advance Rookie Bristol.

Jerry Hairston of Advanced Rookie Bristol, the White Sox all-time leader with 87 pinch hits, is one of the organization's six hitting coaches returning to the same post in 2010, while former Sox All-Stars Richard Dotson (Charlotte) and Bobby Thigpen (Winston-Salem) headline the group of pitching coaches which also returns intact.

Buddy Bell, who spent 18 seasons in the major leagues as a player and nine as a manager, returns for his second full season as the Sox director of player development. Bell's entire player development instruction staff also returns to its same positions in 2010.

The White Sox six minor-league affiliates combined to go 425-346 (.551) in 2009, the third-best winning percentage among all organizations. Four of the six teams reached the postseason, Birmingham going 92-47 to establish franchise records for wins and winning percentage (.662).

White Sox outright Cole Armstrong to class AAA Charlotte

The Chicago White Sox have outrighted catcher Cole Armstrong to Class AAA Charlotte.

Armstrong, 26, batted .252 (62-246) with 10 home runs and 32 RBI in 69 games with Class AAA Charlotte in 2009. He was selected by the White Sox from Atlanta in the 2005 Rule 5 Draft.

The White Sox 40-man roster is at 40.

White Sox agree to terms on one-year contract with pitcher John Danks, avoiding arbitration.

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.45-million contract with left-handed pitcher John Danks, avoiding arbitration.

Danks, 24, was 13-11 with a 3.77 ERA (84 ER/200.1 IP) and 149 strikeouts in 32 starts last season. He set career highs in wins and IP and limited opponents to a .245 average, fourth-lowest among American League left-handers.

Danks has gone 25-20 with a 3.55 ERA (156 ER/395.1 IP) and 308 strikeouts in 65 starts over the last two seasons combined.

The White Sox have no remaining arbitration-eligible players.

2010 Sox Pride Club memberships now available

CHICAGO - The 2010 Sox Pride Club, the official online fan club of Chicago White Sox baseball, features all the of the membership privileges provided in the past, but now with a new membership level and more exclusive offers and perks.

Members of the "Home Run" and "Grand Slam" groups will continue to receive an individual game-ticket presale and other exclusive ticketing opportunities throughout the season, along with a membership card, a 2010 subscription to mlb.com Gameday Premium (including mlb.com Gameday Audio), a special Sox Pride Club headquarters on whitesox.com and much more.

New in 2010, the "Ultimate" membership level includes guaranteed tickets to a 2010 White Sox regular-season prime game, a postseason ticket opportunity, along with special day-of-game promotional opportunities and more. Plus, all Ultimate and Grand Slam members will receive a special gift following the season.

The new Ultimate membership costs $134.95, while the Grand Slam and Home Run cost the same as they did in 2009, $34.95 and $24.95. respectively.

Fans interested in signing up for a 2010 Sox Pride Club membership, or giving it as a gift, should visit soxprideclub.com for complete details. Fans attending SoxFest 2010 this weekend at the Palmer House Hilton also can purchase 2010 Sox Pride Club memberships at the whitesox.com booth, located on Level 4 outside of the State Room.