In approximately two weeks, the All-Star left fielder will be getting married in Palo Alto, Calif. He also received an American League Silver Slugger award on Thursday for the first time in his career, finishing off his breakthrough 2008 effort with the White Sox.

But the best piece of news delivered by Quentin during a Friday conference call with Chicago media dealt with his overall health. Quentin fractured a bone in his right wrist during the ninth inning of a game on Sept. 1 in Cleveland, slamming his hand on the bat after missing a pitch from American League Cy Young winner Cliff Lee and hitting it foul.

Quentin's season ended with that ill-fated moment of frustration. He talked to MLB.com about trying to have himself ready for even the first round of the playoffs moments after the White Sox beat the Twins to win the AL Central, and said that he would have been ready for the American League Championship Series if the White Sox advanced.

On Friday, Quentin categorically stated there were no lingering after-effects from the injury and ensuing surgery that have hampered his early 2009 preparation.

"Everyone knows I would have been ready to go if we continued on with the season," Quentin said. "After we finished, I took two or three weeks off to make sure we had everything right with the wrist. There was no need to do anything else with it at that point with a chance to re-injure it.

"I hit about a week ago, and it was a non-factor. I have not felt it in my swing and doing the one-handed stuff. I like using that one-armed bat, taking everything out of the equation to make sure my wrist is fine. And it responded great."

As the White Sox were trying to stave off ALDS elimination at the hands of the Rays, Quentin already had begun to take batting practice off live pitching. His results -- spraying line drives to all fields -- had general manager Ken Williams ready to explore Quentin's availability if the White Sox battled back to advance to the ALCS.

Instead, Quentin was left with a season befitting of Most Valuable Player consideration. The 26-year-old hit .288 with 36 home runs, 100 RBIs, a .394 on-base percentage, a .571 slugging percentage and an AL-most 20 times hit by a pitch. Those noticeable home run and RBI numbers probably would have gone over 40 and into the 115-120 range, respectively, without the wrist problem.

Individual accolades don't matter to Quentin, so coming up short when the MVP results are announced on Nov. 18 won't exactly put a damper on Quentin's upcoming nuptials. He did appreciate the Silver Slugger recognition, especially when factoring in the voting comes from Major League Baseball coaches and managers.

"When talking about guys around the game or who are involved in the game, when they can sit there and acknowledge you for having a good year and appreciate what you accomplished, I just can't thank them enough," Quentin said. "Since the start of last season, I've set small goals of really just getting on the field and then staying on the field and this award was never in my mind. But it's special."

At least one new outfielder will be lining up next to Quentin next year with Thursday's trade of Nick Swisher to the Yankees, although Swisher basically had been ruled out as the team's 2009 center fielder. Quentin took a pragmatic approach concerning the deal, speaking of how he hopes the trade was done for the good of his former teammate and the White Sox. Quentin also pointed out how it was a trade last December from Arizona that ultimately gave him the chance to shine in Chicago.

An always intense and focused individual on the field, Quentin was relaxed and in good humor on Friday. He even joked about the role of Brian Anderson, his friend and White Sox teammate, in his upcoming wedding.

"I'm looking forward to have him park cars," said Quentin, having a little fun at Anderson's expense. "He was very excited about that job."

Factoring in his 2008 success and his wrist being fully healed as Quentin moves toward a repeat performance in 2009, it's easy for Quentin to laugh.