Bob Nightengale

USA TODAY Sports

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The words spewed out of center fielder Austin Jackson’s mouth nearly the moment he scribbled his name on his Chicago White Sox contract last week.

“This is great,’’ Jackson told White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams. “Now, I don’t have to face Chris (expletive) Sale anymore.’’

Well, guess who had the cruel sense of humor the other day to make sure that a certain new outfielder just so happened to be in the same hitters group against Sale, who struck out more batters than any other pitcher in franchise history last season?

Jackson stood in front of Williams, and threw his arms up in the air in mock disbelief, as Williams howled.

Jimmy Rollins signs minor league deal with the White Sox

Welcome to the South Side, where you walk into the White Sox clubhouse, hear the laughter, see the swagger, and feel the confidence.

It may be only spring training, but there’s a completely different vibe around these White Sox, not seen in years.

“The energy, the personalities, even the coaching staff,’’ Sale said, “everybody seems to have just a notch more of something. I don’t know exactly what it is, or what you want to call it, but we have it. It’s something. And it’s something good.’’

Call it personality.

“We didn’t have that before,’’ Williams said, “but we have it now. It’s a different feeling here, a noticeable raise. The best way to describe is that I see a little swagger back in the clubhouse, a little bit of an edge.

“We’ve had some good teams over there the last few years, but the last few years have been tough. This more reminiscent of the days we had expectations to win.’’

It’s a whole new cast of characters, bringing in a whole lot of character.

All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier turns up the decibels the moment he enters the room. Second baseman Brett Lawrie grabs your attention like a double espresso. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins brings that swagger. Jackson’s hilarity expunges every last ounce of tension. And there’s the burning intensity and leadership from catcher Alex Avila.

“I’ve never been around a more diverse group of athletes,’’ White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton said. “You got a mafia guy in Todd Frazier. He’s got that smooth demeanor, but it can be loud and get guys going. You got a guy like Lawrie, who’s going to bring constant passion and fire to the game. You got J-Roll, who’s not rah-rah but brings that energy. And you got Avila. I call him the general because he’s calm, cool and leads by example.

“It’s crazy how diverse it is in here, but it works.’’

Certainly, something needed to change in Chicago. This is a team that drew the sexy headlines the previous winter, signing closer David Robertson, bringing in outfielder Melky Cabrera and first baseman Adam LaRoche, and acquiring starter Jeff Samardzija.

Colby Rasmus: Fun-loving Astros enjoy the game more

They were expected to possibly win the AL Central or at least contend for a playoff berth. They lost their first four games of the season, fell out of the race by early May and finished in fourth place with a 76-86 record.

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf called it their most disappointing season in 30 years.

No one collecting a White Sox check dared to argue.

“It was a huge letdown,’’ Eaton said. “With all of the expectations the ballclub had, it kind of put pressure on people, trying to do too much early, and it spiralled out of control.

‘To be honest with you, we just panicked. We had this huge group of talent, guys who had done tremendous things year after year, and when we got swept by Kansas City that first series (outscored 27-7 the first round games), it just played in our mind.

“We never did recover.’’

The White Sox front office had no idea the team’s psyche would be that delicate, and as the season evolved, it became evident to GM Rick Hahn and Williams that changes were needed. Lots of them. They not only needed more talent, but veteran leadership to handle the adversity.

“That won’t be a problem now, not with these guys,’’ Rollins said. "To win, you need bravado, you need swag, and you need that steady calmness. We got all of that. They did great job bringing in the right guys.

“We want to make sure that whatever was missing around here, isn’t missing anymore.’’

White Sox manager Robin Ventura sees it, too. Walking through the clubhouse or dining room. The crispness of the morning drills. The play on the field. And the energy that pervades the camp.

It’s lively. It’s loud. And it’s infectious.

Who knows if that translates into the White Sox’s first winning season in four years or their first playoff berth since 2008? But the clubhouse buzz is finally back.

“I don’t know what it is, but these guys seen to hit it off pretty good,’’ Ventura said. “They’re pushing each other in the right way. The last few years, we had a lot of young guys who were just trying to survive. I don’t want to beat up on the guys that we had last year, but they were just trying to make their mark in this game.

“These guys are veterans who have been to different places, done things, and won before. They’re taking it a little bit personal too’’

Who knew that after a shopping spree at Neiman Marcus for high-priced talent one year, the White Sox could find fabulous bargains at Target the next? They signed Jackson, Rollins, Avila and starter Mat Latos for a grand total of $12.55 million, with all but Avila signing just in the last month.

“It’s crazy, it’s like a new guy walks through that clubhouse almost every day,’’ Frazier said. “It’s been great to see. You never know who’s going to be next.

“We’re going to make some noise around here.

“And it’s going to be loud.’’

Follow Nightengale on Twitter and Facebook