(MCT) — White Sox general manager Rick Hahn acknowledged the competition to re-sign free agent third baseman Kevin Youkilis has become tougher.

“It’s not a shock that he has heard from a bunch of teams,” Hahn said Thursday of Youkilis, who reportedly has attracted interest from the Phillies, Dodgers, Marlins and Mariners. “It’s not a shock he’s popular. And it’s not a shock it’s going to be a challenge to bring him back. But we’ll continue to have dialogue with him and other options. It’s still early, so we’ll see where it goes.”