knightni Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Moronotti Strikes Again Fans would sing different tune minus Maggs April 16, 2004 BY JAY MARIOTTI SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Teammates mobbed him. Batboys hugged him. Sportscasters shoved microphones and cell phones in his face. And the fans? There weren't many of them Thursday at the Ballmall Formerly Known As Comiskey, but they sure weren't going home until they serenaded the slugger who made their afternoon complete. ''Ohhhhh weeeeee ohhhhh!'' went the familiar chant over the public-address system. ''MAGGGGGG LEEEE OHHHHHHH!!!'' the happy folks answered, over and over. Unfortunately, the one person who should have greeted Magglio Ordonez after his latest MVP impersonation -- a walk-off home run in the 10th inning to finish a sweep of the Kansas City Royals -- was nowhere in sight. This would have been an ideal time for White Sox boss Jerry Reinsdorf, who has let a terrific ballplayer and model citizen wander perilously toward free agency, to settle contractual matters and announce he has struck a long-term deal with Ordonez. Shoot, Reinsdorf should have jumped into the quivering mosh pit of white jerseys, handed Maggs a pen and done the deed right there at home plate. But, of course, he didn't even meet him by the clubhouse door. For all the recent optimism from Sox management that Ordonez will sign a standing four-year offer in the $50 million range, I won't hold my breath. Otherwise, my face will turn bluer than an empty upper-deck seat. Fact is, they aren't close to a deal at all, with Ordonez on record as seeking $70 million for five years -- in his words, Vladimir Guerrero money and Miguel Tejada money. Given his monster start this year, it's reasonable to assume he'll command at least that much financial love if he and his two bulldog agents, Tom Reich and Adam Katz (both of Sammy Sosa negotiating fame), enter the open market next winter. So why would Reinsdorf, a hardliner for life who isn't one to succumb in April to any extension demand, suddenly break down now and give him a fifth year? You'd like to believe Jerry and his public-relations-challenged franchise would seize this unique opportunity to forge early-season goodwill with a dwindling fan base. You know, step out of their frugal box, recognize Ordonez's big-picture value and shock Soxdom with a lucrative package that would add more fireworks -- and ticket sales -- after the team's rocking 6-3 start under Ozzie Guillen. Certainly, Maggs is worthy of such a deal. Only 30, his production is automatic, his durability unquestioned and his attitude superb. Better still, he is a homegrown player who has achieved icon status among fans who appreciate his work ethic and quiet, classy, low-maintenance ways. He should have been locked up in the offseason, preserved as a treasure who will deliver into his mid-30s and with more consistency than Frank Thomas. Instead, in typical Sox style, Reinsdorf and general manager Ken Williams tried to ship Ordonez to Boston in the three-way megadeal that would have sent shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to the South Side and Alex Rodriguez to the Red Sox. The brass viewed Ordonez' $14 million salary as an albatross and decided it could do without him as a right-field cornerstone. In all likelihood, Garciaparra would have been dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers or Anaheim Angels for pitching, and Ordonez would be playing for a World Series contender in Fenway Park. Only a hangup involving the players union saved Williams from his latest bonehead deal. Scary thing is, the Red Sox are still very interested in Ordonez and could throw big money at him next offseason. For that matter, the Cubs could look his way with the impending departure of Moises Alou, which could push Sammy Sosa to left field. Last weekend in New York, Maggs created his own waves by suggesting he easily could see himself in a Yankees uniform. Not until the Sox returned home did he reiterate his general desire to stay on the South Side. ''It would be sad,'' Ordonez said. ''If I went someplace else, then this team won the World Series, I would kill myself.'' Seeing how the Sox have thrown a World Series since they last won one in 1917, I wouldn't worry about Maggs jumping off the Triboro Bridge or Prudential Building. In truth, any franchise that lets a talent of his magnitude get away won't be winning any championships. He is poised to lift his game to a new level this season, having won the American League Player of the Week Award last week and continuing his torrid pace with the game-winning homer off D.J. Carrasco. Maggs is hitting .351 with four homers, 11 RBI and a .740 slugging percentage. He also is diving and sliding around right field as we've never seen him. For now, Ordonez would prefer to let his smoking bat carve out his bargaining leverage. He knows his one big payday in baseball is coming, and if the Sox don't reward him, someone else will. ''I want more years,'' he said. ''This is going to be my last big contract, and I have to take advantage of that. It's my last opportunity. ''I want to stay here. Both sides are trying real hard ... to get something done.'' But the Sox aren't trying hard enough, which is alarming considering they were lucky not to lose Ordonez twice before. Eight years ago, they failed to protect him after an above-average season in Class AA and were fortunate that no other team claimed him in the Rule 5 draft. When he was a teenager in Venezuela, Ordonez almost went home when a Sox scout, the late Oscar Rendon, showed up hours late for a personal workout. Fortunately, Rendon arrived in time to inspect an impressive prospect, which led to Ordonez's first minor-league contract. That he is still here, as a four-time All-Star and annual lock for 30 homers and 100 RBI, obviously means he should remain in a Sox uniform for the rest of his career. I realize Thomas likely will exercise his $8 million option next winter, while the Sox have decisions to make on Paul Konerko, Esteban Loaiza and Jose Valentin. Still, it would be a very lame statement if the Sox can't afford to keep their best and most popular player. ''If they give me something fair and the years I want, I'll be fine,'' Ordonez said. ''If not, I guess I'll have to go free agency.'' Whereupon the fans will chant, ''MAGGGGGG LEEEE OHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOO!!!'' All this great winning and he brings up the contract crap. Can't he let Maggs and the ownership work it out without comments from "Mr Sox" Mariotti? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Leave it to Kotex Boy to throw cold water on a Sox sweep. :fyou Moron!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I can do without this yutz' invectives and obvious disdain for the Sox, but in so many words he has reiterated the frustration we're all feeling. 4 years/$50M is not an insulting offer considering it's JR, but if that won't get it done I hope we add a year and up the stakes just a bit and that it would be enough for Magglio to want to stay with a team he loves. I wouldn't sell the farm based on a torrid first month, and it's good to hear both sides say they're trying to get something done. But the closer we get to the deadline, especially if we wall off the pace, the more precarious that situation is going to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I think it boils down to whether or not we make the playoffs or not Here's how I think it'll break down. No playoffs: 25% chance of him resigning Round 1 exit: 50% Round 2 exit: 75% WS appearance regardless of result: 100% Just my $.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Timing is bad of course, seems like he has a knack for that, but he's right in the sense that they should just sign him and move on, but that won't happen with this management. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Good ol Kotex boy. Leave it to him to contradict everything that both sides have said on how close they are on a deal. Both the Sox and Maggs have said it is close, but Kotex boy knows more than all of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 You just said it yourself on the Frank thread that management doesn't do this kind of thing. So which is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 You just said it yourself on the Frank thread that management doesn't do this kind of thing. So which is it? Maggs deal isn't a renegotiation. It is a new contract extension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I am going to side with Mariotti on this one... Reason being is I've heard all the B.S. from players in the past that "we're close" on a deal and it never happens. Last off season Colon expressed his "desire" to stay with the Sox. Guess we found out how much of a "desire" that really was... My point is, as much as I love Magglio, he's putting on a PR stunt (like many players do) in order to keep fans on their side in order to 1) keep fans on their side about their future with the club and 2) bargain for the best deal possibly by making these negotiations public... Now don't get me wrong, I love Magglio and I'd love to see him sign a deal with the Sox more than anything, but the way you get it done isn't by public negotiations. All it does is excite us as fans, only to be brought down swiftly when we figure out later that the player has bolted for greener pastures (see Bartolo)... JR needs to step up, give Magglio what he wants and be done with it. Otherwise, I see a huge backlash from Sox fans and if you thought Soxfest last year was ugly, wait until next year if we don't retain Magglio.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 f*** him...that douchebag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Maggs deal isn't a renegotiation. It is a new contract extension. Ok. I wondered if I misunderstood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I am going to side with Mariotti on this one... Reason being is I've heard all the B.S. from players in the past that "we're close" on a deal and it never happens. Last off season Colon expressed his "desire" to stay with the Sox. Guess we found out how much of a "desire" that really was... My point is, as much as I love Magglio, he's putting on a PR stunt (like many players do) in order to keep fans on their side in order to 1) keep fans on their side about their future with the club and 2) bargain for the best deal possibly by making these negotiations public... Now don't get me wrong, I love Magglio and I'd love to see him sign a deal with the Sox more than anything, but the way you get it done isn't by public negotiations. All it does is excite us as fans, only to be brought down swiftly when we figure out later that the player has bolted for greener pastures (see Bartolo)... JR needs to step up, give Magglio what he wants and be done with it. Otherwise, I see a huge backlash from Sox fans and if you thought Soxfest last year was ugly, wait until next year if we don't retain Magglio.... I can't disagree with that. But, Marrioti, please! If JR jumped in the huddle to have Ordonez sign an extension, Kotex boy would have written a story about how Reinsdorf was taking advantage of the situation. He's a jackass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I'm reading the article and it all makes sense to me. How many millions should any Sox player give up to play for the White Sox? If you were Maggs, would you give up $3 Million? $6 Million? $12 Million? Colon received an extra year gauranteed, at his salary. Should he turn down all those millions? Last time I looked the White Sox weren't a charity. Maggs deserves that level of compensation. He has been, and will continue to be a class act. He should be the cornerstone of the Sox franchise for the next 5 or 6 years. Build the team around him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I can't disagree with that. But, Marrioti, please! If JR jumped in the huddle to have Ordonez sign an extension, Kotex boy would have written a story about how Reinsdorf was taking advantage of the situation. He's a jackass! I won't disagree that Mariotti is surely a prick, but in a sick twisted sort of way I hope he keeps ripping the Sox to only put more pressure on the management to make something happen...Remember they read him all the time, as this was obvious when Hawk made it such a big deal to call Mariotti out at Soxfest...I think the more the media talks about this, the more incentive there is to get something done and get it off the rumor mill.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I'm reading the article and it all makes sense to me. How many millions should any Sox player give up to play for the White Sox? If you were Maggs, would you give up $3 Million? $6 Million? $12 Million? Colon received an extra year gauranteed, at his salary. Should he turn down all those millions? Last time I looked the White Sox weren't a charity. Maggs deserves that level of compensation. He has been, and will continue to be a class act. He should be the cornerstone of the Sox franchise for the next 5 or 6 years. Build the team around him. Exactly, which is precisely why a great player can bargain for what he wants, if he doesn't get it from the Sox, someone else will give it to him. JR is too hard line on his stance sometimes which is why I have a bad feeling about this whole situation. This isn't a deal that is somewhat important for the Sox, it's MONUMENTAL and in my opinion speaks volumes about where this franchise is going in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 This is the part that ruffles me... For that matter, the Cubs could look his way with the impending departure of Moises Alou, which could push Sammy Sosa to left field. Why write that? The Cubs have never displayed any interest in Mags. What an asswipe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I didn't even waste my energy when I saw the title. The worst part was the radio (97.9 to be exact). The Sox sweep and Wolf barely mentions that the Sox win yesterday and never mentioned it was a sweep but yet talked twice the amount of time about the Cubs winning two in a row. I pretty much avoid Moronotti's columns as much as I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quade36 Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 again, why even waste the time anymore. I am sure if the Sox even won the world series he'd have something negative to say. Let him be. He has his opinions on the Sox, I have mine on him. Enough said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorthsox Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Not sure why anyone would've bothered getting past the first paragraph of this tripe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorthsox Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 This is the part that ruffles me... Why write that? The Cubs have never displayed any interest in Mags. What an asswipe Alot of scrub fans have been drooling over the possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I actually read it and didn't think it was all that bad, the jist of it is right. He's saying what we've all been saying, GIVE MAGS HIS DAMN MONEY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan562004 Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Didn't we go through this situation with Maggs about 3 years ago when Peter Gammons reported that the Sox had all but traded him, then the next day they signed him to the extension he is under now? It even got Gammons to write a column apologizing to KW and JR. So let's sit back and see what happens. The two sides weren't even talking awhile ago, so there's progress on that front at least And as far as Mariotti goes, screw him. Both sides have said they were talking (JR on the Score and Maggs in the clubhouse), and Maggs said they were close. He just tries to stir up controversy, and it seems to have gotten personal with him and JR. With Anderson's extension this week at 12m a year I think Maggs is signable. The thing that pisses me off the most is that Mariotti flat out BS's in his article when he said that Maggs didn't really talk about staying in Chicago until he got back here. That's just flat out wrong. His statements in NY were all prefaced with things like "I want to stay in Chicago," "I would like to come to NY if things don't work out in Chicago." Now some may argue it's all PR on Maggs part, but he did say those things, so for Mariotti to omit this is ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorthsox Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I actually read it and didn't think it was all that bad, the jist of it is right. He's saying what we've all been saying, GIVE MAGS HIS DAMN MONEY! He has does nothing but stake out a relatively safe and defensible position from which he launches an attack upon the Sox, the Org, and its fans. Be very wary or you'll find yourself a stooge to his mallice of forethought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisebri Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I love Maggs too, but what are we all going to be saying in a year or two when we don't have any money for pitching? Also, I love that fact that Maggs just goes out and does his job, but there are tons of other players out there with similar stats (G. Anderson, B. Giles, L. Berkman, etc) that make around the 12.5 million the Sox are offering. I have no problem offering 60 million for 5 years, but not 70. He is not in the same class as a Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I love Maggs too, but what are we all going to be saying in a year or two when we don't have any money for pitching? Also, I love that fact that Maggs just goes out and does his job, but there are tons of other players out there with similar stats (G. Anderson, B. Giles, L. Berkman, etc) that make around the 12.5 million the Sox are offering. I have no problem offering 60 million for 5 years, but not 70. He is not in the same class as a Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols. You are absolutely right to say he is not in the same class as Bonds. Maggs has too much integrity and respect for the game to disgrace it by shooting himself full of roids and acting like a jerk to the fans. Bonds has no class, no integrity, no charisma and when he gets caught shooting up he wont have any records either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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