DBAHO Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 Very interestin article which shows u that KW hands r tied, After turning down a one-year offer worth about $2.5 million from the White Sox last month, Roberto Alomar signed with Arizona on Tuesday for about a third as much. A colossal blunder, right? Far from it, contends Alomar's agent, Jaime Torres. "Robbie has saved enough in his career to live off the interest," Torres said. "He wanted to sign where he would be happy." Torres said the 12-time All-Star turned down five offers that were more lucrative than the one he signed with Arizona, which guaranteed him $1 million, $350,000 of which will be deferred without interest until 2009. "Robbie walked away from $7.5 million over two [years], $3 million over one, $2.5 million over one, $2 million over one and $1.5 million over one," Torres said. Torres wouldn't say which teams offered what, but St. Louis, Los Angeles, Colorado and Montreal were known to have had interest. Torres doesn't count the Sox among the final group. He said the proposal he discussed with Sox general manager Ken Williams—a one-year deal worth $2 million plus $1 million deferred without interest—was not a solid offer because it was contingent on Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's approval. "Kenny said, 'If I can sell it to Jerry,'" Torres said. "When an offer is made with a condition, then it's not an offer." The Sox have a different perspective, contending Williams and Alomar verbally agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million during a one-on-one discussion in August. When Williams called Torres to hammer out the agreement, Sox officials say the agent sought two years. Williams, while saying he regrets that he couldn't re-sign Alomar, was surprised to hear Torres' contention that a formal offer was never extended. "I'm disappointed that it didn't work out, but I'm even more disappointed that Robbie felt that at some point he was disrespected or not communicated with," Williams said. "This he said/she said thing is not worth my time. I'm not going down that road. I'm more interested in seeing Robbie in spring training and embracing him. I still care about him." While haggling over money with Torres in early December, Williams knew he had an alternative at second base in Willie Harris. And Harris won't cost the Sox much more than the $300,000 minimum. "There was plenty of time to work it out if [the Sox] had serious interest," Torres said. "They wanted to sign him to a deal without my involvement. "I respect Kenny and we'll work [together] again. But signing with Arizona might be the best thing for Robbie." Alomar has spent much of his off-season in the Phoenix area, working with fitness trainer Mark Versteegen and looking to buy a home. At 35, Alomar has decided to recommit himself to the game, Torres said. Perhaps that's a result of two consecutive subpar seasons. A lifetime .301 hitter, Alomar batted .266 in 2002 for the Mets and .258 last year, a decline that could hurt his chances of being elected to the Hall of Fame. "It's a commitment to training and getting the best he can get out of his body for the next 3-4 years," Torres said. "Robbie took a little longer [to do that] than he should have. He wants to finish his career the right way and get back to those numbers he produced in Cleveland." Because Alomar was convinced a fresh start in Arizona was the answer, he basically threw himself at Diamondbacks owner Jerry Colangelo. It wasn't the first time Alomar has taken less money. He gave up as much as $2 million per season to sign with Cleveland in 1999 so he could play with his brother, Sandy Jr. But the Indians' five-year deal still was worth $37 million, a far cry from Arizona's offer. "He told me, 'Jaime, I understand your job is to get me the best contract,'" Torres said. "He apologized to me. I said, 'No, my job is to get you where you're going to be happy and everything will fall into place.'" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxfan420 Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 that article makes me miss him even more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastime Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 I know Kenny loves being a general manager, and he always dreamed of that and all, but how much more can he take? His hands are tied and he can't assemble the kind of team he wants to. I don't know how much more he's going to take - a person can only take so much before they explode ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Rector Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 Why is it such a blunder for the Sox that we didn't resign that archaic character to an inflated price? I'm glad that he's not coming back. Not because that means that Harris will be our new 2b, but because R. Alomar is on the downside of his career and we already have enough problems as it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Tizzle Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 This is why he isn't happy here...... The Sox have a different perspective, contending Williams and Alomar verbally agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million during a one-on-one discussion in August That "one-on-one" discussion during August occured when Robbie was sick. Sure some of you remember how Robbie didn't like the notion of KW trying to create a deal with him (in his sick state) without consulting his agent first. Besides that, why would JR pay Robbie 3 million when good ol' Willie only cost $300,000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 This is why he isn't happy here...... That "one-on-one" discussion during August occured when Robbie was sick. Sure some of you remember how Robbie didn't like the notion of KW trying to create a deal with him (in his sick state) without consulting his agent first. Besides that, why would JR pay Robbie 3 million when good ol' Willie only cost $300,000. He didn't like it so much he shook hands on it... Kenny opened his trap when he shouldn't have. Surprise, surprise.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted January 8, 2004 Author Share Posted January 8, 2004 I'm still suprised that a team would offa Robbie a 2 year 7.5 million dolla deal. I think that would either be the Tigers bf they signed Vina, or the St. Louis Cardinals. Still he wants to win, and Arizona's a good situation for him ova there. The utility guy Karva will learn a lot from him especially how to bunt and get on base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Tizzle Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 He didn't like it so much he shook hands on it... Kenny opened his trap when he shouldn't have. Surprise, surprise.. Well, Pulitzer prize winning author Hal Vickery (of much beloved WSI) failed to mention that little tidbit in his article titled, "Dirty Dealin'?" I should of known not to consult WSI as a credible source of information. http://www.whitesoxinteractive.com/rwas/in...egory=2&id=2415 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 Well, Pulitzer prize winning author Hal Vickery (of much beloved WSI) failed to mention that little tidbit in his article titled, "Dirty Dealin'?" I should of known not to consult WSI as a credible source of information. LOL.... Kenny was quoted in the papers right after the WS that him and Robbie had a "hand shake agreement" in August but that talks had stalled. I don't remember Robbie being sick. At Jimbo's after the final home game is when the Robbie rumor I was told at the begining of September was confirmed. Bill Melton and Sandy Sr are tight and when Bill told me of the "hand shake" I took it as gospel... then read about it coming out of Kenny's mouth 2 weeks later. IMO, Kenny says things that he shouldn't to try to look like he's something more than he is. I'm not saying the way that JR manages that part of the business is correct.. and I do believe that KW was placed there to be JR's puppet.. but you'd think he could be a little better one, wouldn't ya? Kenny is stupid, IMO. He was given a title without authority (because, IMO, he can't handle the job) and continues to insert his foot in his mouth with each and every statement he makes. Edited to add... Sorry I name dropped again.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 And once again, why are idiots like this still a part of this organization? If he is driving off players, and sabatoguing our image with the rest of baseball just can his ass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 I'm convinced were screwed. If Alomar seriously rededicates himself, he will have another two or three very productive seasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshPR Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 I'm convinced were screwed. If Alomar seriously rededicates himself, he will have another two or three very productive seasons. Hey but many here are happy he's gone.... This team will do jack s*** untill Reinsdork and his goons are outta town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 Why does a guy who gets paid $8 million a year have to rededicate himself? He and/or his agent misread the market, and are trying to save face with the tried and true "winning situation" response. The fact that he does have to rededicate himself indicates a serious character flaw, if you ask me. I'm glad he's gone, and expect Willie Harris to shock the world this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hex Rudler Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 If he is going to rededicate himself, then he must have undedicated himself. Does everyone have one of those switches? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxfan420 Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 Why does a guy who gets paid $8 million a year have to rededicate himself? He and/or his agent misread the market, and are trying to save face with the tried and true "winning situation" response. The fact that he does have to rededicate himself indicates a serious character flaw, if you ask me. I'm glad he's gone, and expect Willie Harris to shock the world this season. um after how ever many years he has been playing baseball it is easy to get tired of it and not want to put in the extra practice him rededicating himself means he wants to play the game still Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshPR Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 Why does a guy who gets paid $8 million a year have to rededicate himself? He and/or his agent misread the market, and are trying to save face with the tried and true "winning situation" response. The fact that he does have to rededicate himself indicates a serious character flaw, if you ask me. I'm glad he's gone, and expect Willie Harris to shock the world this season. Why does a guy who gets paid $8 million a year have to rededicate himself? Why??? 3000 Hits, Hall of fame... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 Why does a guy who gets paid $8 million a year have to rededicate himself? Why??? 3000 Hits, Hall of fame... As hawk would say..."I love it when you analyze" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 um after how ever many years he has been playing baseball it is easy to get tired of it and not want to put in the extra practice him rededicating himself means he wants to play the game still He didn't need to rededicate himself to collect that paycheck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted January 10, 2004 Share Posted January 10, 2004 Why does a guy who gets paid $8 million a year have to rededicate himself? Why??? 3000 Hits, Hall of fame... That's fine. My point is he is getting paid a lot of money, more per year than most people will earn in a lifetime for the privelage of playing Major League Baseball. Getting paid the ungodly sums of money, and knowing full well you only have a limited time to play the game, you should be motivated enough to always be dedicated. Robbie Alomar has admitted he has had an attitude problem, and has not put in the sufficient work needed to play at the high level that was expected when his employers paid him a total of $16 million the last 2 seasons. Now he decides he wants to work hard. There is no defense for what he has admitted. He is a bum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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