Nomar turnin into a no-go

[DBAHO]

Here it is,

White Sox fans might want to hold off on erecting that statue of Nomar Garciaparra at 35th and Shields.

 

Even if the proposed Alex Rodriguez-for-Manny Ramirez deal comes to fruition, baseball sources said Wednesday that major obstacles stand in the way of a trade that would send Garciaparra to the South Side for Magglio Ordonez.

 

One source went so far as to call the deal "dead."

 

Sox general manager Ken Williams, working from home while he battles the flu, declined to comment specifically on the Garciaparra rumors, citing tampering issues.

 

"Everybody thinks they know [what will happen], but until something's announced, nothing is official," Williams said.

 

What is known is that Williams won't trade Ordonez unless he is confident it will improve his club. Acquiring Garciaparra, a five-time All-Star, plus reliever Scott Williamson would help. But for the deal to make sense, Williams will need to complete at least one additional trade that will bring starting pitching and enough financial relief to sign another right fielder.

 

In other words, Williams won't pull the trigger on Garciaparra unless he has a favorable deal lined up for fellow shortstop Jose Valentin. A potential trade with Seattle fell through Wednesday after the Mariners signed third baseman Scott Spiezio to a three-year deal.

 

Carlos Guillen remains Seattle's shortstop after Omar Vizquel flunked a physical, nullifying a trade to the Mariners. But with Seattle committing $3 million per season to Spiezio, the Mariners are far less likely to trade for Valentin, who is due $5 million next season.

 

Another problem: If the Sox trade Valentin, their lineup would be exclusively right-handed, with the exception of leadoff man Willie Harris.

 

A potential deal with the Dodgers also doesn't appear likely, with a source saying Williams and Dodgers general manager Dan Evans haven't spoken since Saturday.

 

Although Los Angeles is desperate for a big right-handed bat, Dodgers officials stubbornly have refused to offer ace setup man Guillermo Mota or top pitching prospects Edwin Jackson and Greg Miller.

 

Williams' efforts to entice Evans in a deal for either Frank Thomas or Paul Konerko also have gone by the board. The Dodgers appear more likely to try to solve their hitting deficiencies by signing either Vladimir Guerrero or Ivan Rodriguez.

 

A Sox deal for Garciaparra would be a financial wash. Ordonez is due $14 million, about the same as the combined salaries of Garciaparra ($11.5 million, including $1 million deferred) and Williamson ($3 million through arbitration).

 

Williams would need to move at least one big-ticketed player to sign a replacement for Ordonez. Juan Gonzalez is believed to be Williams' first choice, but it could take well more than $5 million to sign him.

 

The Sox have another concern about Garciaparra. A source said the two-time batting champion has given mixed signals about whether he would welcome a deal to Chicago.

 

Garciaparra's agent, Arn Tellem, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Tellem also represents Frank Thomas and is said to have a strong relationship with Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.

 

Garciaparra, a native of Southern California, apparently has his heart set on playing in Los Angeles. That might make it impossible for the Sox to re-sign him before free agency calls after the 2004 season.

 

Don't forget that a Garciaparra deal is contingent on the completion of the Rodriguez-Ramirez trade. And that prospect was dealt a serious blow Wednesday when the players' union rejected Boston's proposed restructuring of Rodriguez's $252 million deal because it did not add any monetary value, as union rules dictate.

 

"We did suggest an offer the club could make to Alex that would not do that," union official Gene Orza told the Associated Press. "As was its right, the club chose not to make it."

 

Neither Orza nor Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, would detail Boston's proposal.

 

The last time the union became involved in such a negotiation, after the 2001 season, Mo Vaughn agreed to defer $8 million of a signing bonus and $13.75 million in salary after being traded from Anaheim to the Mets.

 

As part of the agreement, the money was deferred at 5.436 percent interest from 2005 through 2011.

 

Boras said he expects to meet with the union again Thursday. Texas owner Tom Hicks said there is a Thursday night deadline for an agreement.

 

Ordonez and Valentin soon will learn their fates. At least until the next blockbuster deal comes along.

[WHarris1]

Damnit.

[YASNY]

I still think it'll be a go. Does it benefit either New York or Boston? If yes, then MLB will make it happen.

[slick03]

I still think it'll be a go.  Does it benefit either New York or Boston?  If yes, then MLB will make it happen.

not to mention the pr nightmare it would be if it didnt go through...nomar pissed at boston, arod pissed at texas, maggs pissed at wsox...all the pissed off fans from 3 possibly 4 different cities (maybe la)

[YASNY]

not to mention the pr nightmare it would be if it didnt go through...nomar pissed at boston, arod pissed at texas, maggs pissed at wsox...all the pissed off fans from 3 possibly 4 different cities (maybe la)

Hmmm ... Having pissed of fans in Dallas, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles. Hey, that's better than normal. Besides, if the fans in New York are happy, then there is no problem.