CHICAGO -- The 2021 White Sox season certainly did not end the way the organization had planned, although that playoff shortcoming against Houston should not be taken as an overall failure.

But the White Sox are not satisfied by their first back-to-back playoff appearances in franchise history, nor did they view this competitive window as one and done. So, how will the White Sox continue to improve, in a quest for their first title since 2005? That goal is being worked on now by general manager Rick Hahn and the front office, and here are a few key questions potentially crystalizing some of those offseason ideas.

Which players are free agents?

Left-handed starting pitcher Carlos Rodón, right-handed reliever Ryan Tepera, outfielder Billy Hamilton, and infielder Leury García.

Are any of them likely to receive qualifying offers? What is the deadline for that?

Teams have up to five days to extend the qualifying offer after the World Series concludes and then the player has 10 days to decide whether to accept or reject. Rodón is the only candidate for this category for the White Sox and presents an interesting case.

The southpaw was one of the game’s most dominant starting pitchers in ’21 with a 2.37 ERA and 185 strikeouts over 132 2/3 innings. But Rodón also dealt with shoulder fatigue and soreness down the stretch, not going more than 90 pitches or five innings after July 18.

Rodón hurled only 42 1/3 innings combined over his past two seasons, so the soreness/fatigue is understandable. The White Sox are the only team Rodón has ever known, so he could take the $18.4 million estimated as the qualifying offer, but he also might want to explore his first foray into free agency. And do the White Sox feel comfortable coming to Rodón at that level, even for one year? Or would they be interested in a multi-year agreement?

Which White Sox players have contractual options?

The White Sox have a $16 million club option for reliever Craig Kimbrel, with a $1 million buyout, and hold a $6 million option on second baseman César Hernández with no buyout. These moves have to be made within five days of the World Series conclusion.

What will the White Sox do in these two situations?

Kimbrel’s option will be picked up, and as USA Today’s Bob Nightengale mentioned, the White Sox could then look to trade him. Kimbrel was virtually unhittable as the Cubs closer earlier this season and was the right move for the White Sox to make at the Trade Deadline even for the return of second baseman Nick Madrigal and reliever Codi Heuer. But the move ultimately didn’t pan out in ’21.

Hernández set a career-high with 21 home runs but only three of those came after he was traded from the Indians to the White Sox. The White Sox might not make a snap judgment on two rough months for Hernández, who is a solid overall player.

Do the White Sox have non-tender candidates among the arbitration-eligible?

Right-handed reliever Evan Marshall will undergo Tommy John surgery, per The Athletic, which leave him out of action for ’22. Left-handed reliever Jace Fry also would be a non-tender possibility with Aaron Bummer and Garrett Crochet ahead of him from the left side in the bullpen. The tender deadline is Dec. 2.

Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft?

Catcher Carlos Pérez earned rave reviews from manager Tony La Russa pretty much from the outset of Spring Training and might be the best pure catcher defensively in the organization. The 25-year-old hit .258 with 13 homers, 22 doubles and 59 RBIs between stops at Triple-A Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham and should be added to the 40-man roster. Right-handed hurler Kade McClure, the No. 19 White Sox prospect per MLB Pipeline, was named the 2021 White Sox pitching prospect of the year and also figures to be added.

What are other important offseason dates?

The GM Meetings run from Nov. 8-11 in Carlsbad, Calif. The Winter Meetings are scheduled for Dec. 6-9 in Orlando, Fla., with the Rule 5 Draft set for Dec. 8. And the CBA expires on Dec. 1.

What kind of help do the White Sox need?

In reality, the successful rebuild directed by general manager Rick Hahn has left this team as a pretty complete group from top to bottom. Some of the future decisions will be influenced by what the White Sox do with players such as Kimbrel, Hernández and Rodón, but any contending team always can use more pitching.

Marcus Semien, who the White Sox drafted in 2011 and know well, is a free agent coming off a 45-home run effort with the Blue Jays. If Semien is willing to play second, as opposed to shortstop, he would be a great fit. But the White Sox might not be operating in that high end of the free agent market.

Who might they be willing to trade?

Hahn could get bold and move someone such as left fielder Eloy Jiménez or Andrew Vaughn or even a talented pitcher such as Dylan Cease to possibly help in a couple of different areas with one move. But the White Sox should guard against overreacting to one bad playoff series in an otherwise good year.

All three of these players mentioned have major value on a championship-directed squad, as does someone such as Jake Burger. but Burger’s strong bounce back in ’21 could make him of interest to other teams if there’s no short term fit in Chicago.