GLENDALE, Ariz. — At the annual Cactus League media day, a few tables away from where his counterpart A.J. Preller was celebrating his victory by awkwardly avoiding direct comment on the matter, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn held court for a second review in a few hours of his most public failure of the offseason.



This failed pursuit of bringing Manny Machado to the White Sox actually stretches back longer than this offseason if you’re old enough to remember the Sox kicking the tires on dealing for Machado during the 2017 winter meetings. (Remember the idea that a year inside the organization might further serve to sell the star infielder on the gospel of the rebuild?)



By the end of Monday night, Hahn knew he’d likely be giving a summation of that pursuit at the Glendale Civic Center on Tuesday afternoon. And whereas Kenny Williams was wearing sunglasses to hide his shock, and Jerry Reinsdorf was “mildly surprised,” Hahn...