Disheartening Article: Magglios GAWN in 05.

[Flash Tizzle]

This topic is no longer speculation or conjecture. I honestly don't appreciate this information breaking within the media this point in the season. Everything within the clubhouse (far as chemistry) is fine, then here comes Cowley reporting Magglio admits negotiations have broken. He is a reporter, and its his jobs to report news, but he appears to ignore the implications of this article. Just wish Magglio would of continued to deny the claims of New York media outlets, for atleast a couple more months. One thing's for sure: this revelation is sure to begin an uproar among Sox Nation.

 

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/ds.../pro/111sd1.htm

 

Magglio Ordonez insisted Thursday he will be back from knee surgery by early July to play the last three months of the regular season.

They likely could be his final three months in a White Sox uniform.

 

Ordonez confirmed Thursday that he and the Sox have broken off talks on a long-term contract, adding that he and his representatives are returning to the plan they had this offseason. That plan is to explore the free-agent market after this season.

 

Ordonez said he didn't want to get into the details of why the talks broke down. But a source close to the situation told the Daily Southtown "it's no longer a workable situation."

 

"Unless there's a big change of heart, and a change of heart on both sides, then Magglio will walk in the offseason,'' the source said. "Once he becomes a free agent, there's almost no chance that the Sox will get him back. They know that and they are preparing for that."

 

The source said Ordonez's contract situation is the primary reason why the Sox have been dragging their feet on a trade for a No. 5 starter. Knowing Ordonez likely won't be back, the Sox feel they will need two of their younger outfielders to step up next season — one to fill Ordonez's position in right field and another to play center field on a consistent basis. Aaron Rowand and Timo Perez had shared playing time in center field before Willie Harris took over when Rowand was moved to right because of Ordonez's injury.

 

Teams including Seattle have been asking for Triple-A outfielders Joe Borchard or Jeremy Reed in exchange for pitching. The Sox don't want to part with either prospect.

 

"(Sox general manager) Kenny (Williams) is in a tough place right now," the source said. "He has to think, 'Can I win this without giving away too much of our future?' I bet he's having some sleepless nights."

 

Williams, who said at the start of the season that he wouldn't discuss the Ordonez contract talks, said recently that Ordonez will not be traded.

 

A New York newspaper reported two weeks ago that Ordonez was offered a five-year, $70 million deal — the contract Ordonez was seeking last winter. Ordonez called the newspaper report "a lie."

 

According to the source, Ordonez was 100 percent correct in that assessment, because the Sox never put that type of offer on the table. The source said the Sox and Ordonez's representatives couldn't even come to an agreement on the number of years on a deal, let alone get into the financial aspect.

 

For now, the Sox are getting a look at life without Ordonez. The four-time All-Star had a small tear in his left knee surgically repaired on June 5, and he is expected to be out four to seven weeks. Entering tonight's game against Atlanta, the Sox are a .500 club (7-7) without Ordonez in the lineup. Overall, the Sox are 31-25.

 

Ordonez, however, is saying he might be able to return before the July 12-14 All-Star break.

 

"My left knee has no pain in it at all," he said.

 

Then he winked.

 

"Actually, my right knee has more pain in it than my left one."

[beck72]

Cowley isn't the one to blame. He asked a question that Maggs didn't have to answer, or at least give a non-answer to.

[FlaSoxxJim]

Well... damn.

 

It's not fair for me to blast the org without knowing all the details I guess, but if a deal fell through because of deferred money BS I'll be really ticked off.

 

As far as people getting mad at Cowley or any other local reporters for breaking the story, sometimes these guys can't win either way. The local media has been on the hot seat to either confirm or deny the substance of the New York piece, and now that someone of known credibility has cleared up at least soem of the story, people are going to be mad at him for that.

 

I just know a future without Magglio is bleak prospect. If he was being remotely reasonable about money and years we should be building around him, not without him.

[Flash Tizzle]

For anyone looking to bash JR, please understand our financial situation. With a self imposed payroll of 60 Million, Sox can't afford to field a balanced team with 25% going to one man. Magglio's not an ace pitcher, or Barry Bonds; his asking price of 14 million for 5 years might settle in New York (were money is freely spent), but for the White Sox this sort of contract is crippling to our future

 

I'm not looking forward to life without Magglio, but it remains evident that an outfield of Lee/Borchard/Reed is more cost effecient then Lee/Rowand/Magglio. Think of it this way: Magglio stays, most of the team is torn apart and KW will spend the offseason bargain hunting. Add up the numbers, and nearly 27 million will be off the books for 05 with Magglios departure. Consistent hitters, quality relief, #2,3 pitchers can all be acquired within that amount.

 

Damn, I just hate this whole issue rising up right now. Why must Sox fans draw any more venom towards management in the light of a great season. Mariotti is going to have a f***ing field day. Hopefully no drillrod fans will take it within themselves to boo Magglio on his arrival from the DL. This guy has been great for us, and is a total class act. May he press onward towards an MVP year......after that he's no concern of mine. With or without Magglio I'm still a Sox fan and will continue to support this team.

 

 

 

What a start to the day.

[slick03]

Thats sucks. But you never know what could happen. Who knows, maybe they wont get the offers they think theyll get and then the sox end up signing them. When i see the press conference with Maggs holding up another team's jersey, then I'll be disappointed. Until then, I just want to enjoy the season.

[beck72]

With the uncertainty about Maggs returning, it makes sense to play for this year, even at the expense of losing Borchard or Reed.

 

I'd even say it makes more sense to try an acquire a guy like Beltran for this year as well. [As long as the price for him and SP help was either Borchard or Reed, not both] That way, they could have the inside track at signing him. A CF is harder to replace than a RF anyway. Worst case scenario, they lose both [and gain 4 first round picks as compensation] Best case, they sign one and strike a deal by playing one off the other.

 

One thing overlooked is the impact playing for Ozzie will have on FA's to be in coming to the Sox. while the Sox won't give the most money, the working conditions and atmosphere created by Ozzie would be hard to match by other teams like the Yanks, Red Sox, etc.

 

Yet thinking too much about what happens after this season will only detract from enjoying the Sox this season. We fans can speculate. Yet the guy who will lose sleep over this revelation is Kenny as he tries to build his team now and for the future. Maybe its time for him to see a psychic.

[FlaSoxxJim]

For anyone looking to bash JR, please understand our financial situation.  With a self imposed payroll of 60 Million, Sox can't afford to field a balanced team with 20% going to one man.  Magglio's not an ace pitcher, or Barry Bonds; his asking price of 14 million for 5 years might settle in New York (were money is freely spent), but for the White Sox this sort of contract is crippling to our future

 

I'm not looking forward to life without Magglio, but it remains evident that an outfield of Lee/Borchard/Reed is more cost effecient then Lee/Rowand/Magglio.  Think of it this way: Magglio stays, most of the team is torn apart and KW will spend the offseason bargain hunting.  Add up the numbers, and nearly 27 million will be off the books for 05 with Magglios departure.  Consistent hitters, quality relief, #2,3 pitchers can all be acquired within that amount. 

 

Damn, I just hate this whole issue rising up right now.  Why must Sox fans draw any more venom towards management in the light of a great season. Mariotti is going to have a f***ing field day.  Hopefully no drillrod fans will take it within themselves to boo Magglio on his arrival from the DL.  This guy has been great for us, and is a total class act.  May he press onward towards an MVP year......after that he's no concern of mine.  With or without Magglio I'm still a Sox fan and will continue to support this team. 

 

 

 

What a start to the day. 

Your financial assessment is dead on, sadly. But those present realities can change – with the unlikely event combination of the Sox excelling on field and management doing all the right things off-field. Either one without the other will not get appreciably more people through the turnstyles. In the JR Bizzaro world of 'Come to the park first and then I'll spend more on the team,' our payroll situation will not improve without management doing the right things here and the team staying firmly in the hunt.

[Flash Tizzle]

When i see the press conference with Maggs holding up another team's jersey, then I'll be disappointed.  Until then, I just want to enjoy the season.

Agree.

 

You understand this, but what about that "fan" sitting on their couch reading the newspaper? This person might not have the knowledge of the Sox we have on this site, and doesn't know the financial burdens this team faces. Instead, he/she looks at the Cowley column as evidence JR continues to pinch penneys and disrespect players.

 

I've always professed its the "casual fan" marketing does a poor job of drawing to the Cell. The casual fan's might be the 5,000 or so who are on the fence whether or not to attend a ball game each night. This does not help the cause. Maybe I'm overanalyzing the situation and Sox fans will understand why we can't afford to sign Magglio long term.......

[aboz56]

I said this a while ago, whats the news?

[Texsox]

Why continue to support a team that cannot retain it's best players? We're no better than Montreal in that regard.

[beck72]

You understand this, but what about that "fan" sitting on their couch reading the newspaper?  This person might not have the knowledge of the Sox we have on this site, and doesn't know the financial burdens this team faces.  Instead, he/she looks at the Cowley column as evidence JR continues to pinch penneys and disrespect players.

 

I've always professed its the "casual fan" marketing does a poor job of drawing to the Cell.  The casual fan's might be the 5,000 or so who are on the fence whether or not to attend a ball game each night.  This does not help the cause.  Maybe I'm overanalyzing the situation and Sox fans will understand why we can't afford to sign Magglio long term.......

I don't think the casual fan will stay at home after reading Cowley's article. If the Sox don't resign Maggs then they might. The Sox win this year, people will come out. Most people don't worry about next year. Just us diehards and those who work for the Sox and want to keep their jobs.

 

The key is getting the Sox to win this year, with a plan for the future. My guess is we'll all see it soon as trades are made to improve the club for the playoffs. I'm not too worried about the OF situation. Brian Anderson should soon be in AA, and Ryan Sweeney isn't far behind as a 19 year old.

[EvilJester99]

They were reporting on the Score about this breakdown. I guess Cowley reported that when Mags denied the report of him turning down the 5yr $70 contract offer. Mags was telling the truth because the Sox never had an offer like that even on the table. Typical Sox on this, trying to low ball their superstar. If the Sox end up losing Mags, hopefully they will trade him and get something for him instead of letting him walk next year.

[Texsox]

They were reporting on the Score about this breakdown. I guess Cowley reported that when Mags denied the report of him turning down the 5yr $70 contract offer. Mags was telling the truth because the Sox never had an offer like that even on the table. Typical Sox on this, trying to low ball their superstar. If the Sox end up losing Mags, hopefully they will trade him and get something for him instead of letting him walk next year.

Trade him? In the middle of a pennant race?

 

No one will take him after the season, he's a free agent. That would mean trading him mid season. Who's going to grab him for 1/2 a year and giveup something comperable.

 

No, all we'll get is a I'm going to miss Chicago, the fans, and all my team mates.

[Steff]

I said this a while ago, whats the news? 

No kidding...

[israel4ever]

Why continue to support a team that cannot retain it's best players? We're no better than Montreal in that regard.

The issue is not whether the Sox CAN retain it's best players, but whether the WANT to.

 

JR and his investors have more than enough money to sign Mags and (other) high-priced free agents; but they (ownership) choose NOT to cut into their profit margin.

 

In the meantime, if they aren't gonna sign Ordonez, they NEED to trade him by the trade deadline.

[aboz56]

The issue is not whether the Sox CAN retain it's best players, but whether the WANT to.

 

JR and his investors have more than enough money to sign Mags and (other) high-priced free agents; but they (ownership) choose NOT to cut into their profit margin.

 

In the meantime, if they aren't gonna sign Ordonez, they NEED to trade him by the trade deadline.

I'd rather have my two sandwich picks and a shot at the division than a White Flag trade, which is what shipping away Maggs would be.

[Queen Prawn]

If the contract offers are accurate that have been reported, I don't blame the Sox one bit.

[Texsox]

The issue is not whether the Sox CAN retain it's best players, but whether the WANT to.

 

JR and his investors have more than enough money to sign Mags and (other) high-priced free agents; but they (ownership) choose NOT to cut into their profit margin.

 

In the meantime, if they aren't gonna sign Ordonez, they NEED to trade him by the trade deadline.

I'm not so certain that trading him at the deadline is a good idea.

 

A. Whatever contender is willing to give up for a 1/2 season Maggs isn't going to help our team.

 

B. We have a chance to at least reach the play-offs. Isn't a playoff run wrth more than a couple AA prospects and a couple million in the shareholder's pockets?

 

C. Whichever contender we trade him to is obviously more interested in winning this year than we are, what message does that send to the fans?

 

All we will have is a tear filled press conference on his way out of town.

[Wedge]

It sucks to lose Maggs, but we've got a good core of talent now. The new kids like Olivo & Harris are really stepping up. Hopefully Crede can play. Carlos Lee is really coming into his own.

 

Yeah, it sucks to lose Maggs, but I think we can really use the savings from his salary to get a good pitcher. Between him and Koch, we'll save $20 million, 1/3 of the current payroll! We'll most likely spend some of that on resigning Loaiza, but I think we're going to be OK.

[Texsox]

It sucks to lose Maggs, but we've got a good core of talent now.  The new kids like Olivo & Harris are really stepping up.  Hopefully Crede can play.  Carlos Lee is really coming into his own.

 

Yeah, it sucks to lose  Maggs, but I think we can really use the savings from his salary to get a good pitcher.  Between him and Koch, we'll save $20 million, 1/3 of the current payroll!  We'll most likely spend some of that on resigning Loaiza, but I think we're going to be OK.

We'll be ok. Which is nice. My grandfather went to his grave saying "wait until next year, the team is ok."

 

Dammit, I want a WS before I die.

[Wedge]

We'll be ok. Which is nice. My grandfather went to his grave saying "wait until next year, the team is ok."

 

Dammit, I want a WS before I die.

I was just saying, losing Maggs isn't the end of the world.

[Texsox]

I was just saying, losing Maggs isn't the end of the world.

I agree 100%. Actually of all positions, outfield is the systems deepest spot. If this was starting pitching, we'd be in a heap of trouble.

 

It's the process I've been seeing since BV's rent a player days. Could you see the Cubs lose Sosa? To me it's on the same level.

[slick03]

I agree 100%. Actually of all positions, outfield is the systems deepest spot. If this was starting pitching, we'd be in a heap of trouble.

 

It's the process I've been seeing since BV's rent a player days. Could you see the Cubs lose Sosa? To me it's on the same level.

Why do I have a bad feeling that Maggs will end up with the cubs?

[quickman]

I think this is actually ok strategy.If I am an owner why would I want to negotiate with a player that is injured? makes no sense. I would want this player to come back and play and play hard and help us win the division. If he does that, I still can reach to him after the season. He won't get 15 million. This way makes the most sense. Lets see if he comes back and comes back strong. If he leaves, Like colon did, then we turn to other options. There are plenty of players including our farm players ready to play and play well for less than Magglio.

 

if magglio leaves we will replace him and get a pitcher in the off season. Koch and his 5 million will be gone, Valentin and his 5 million will be gone. There is alot of money that is sitting there to get good players. Lets just win this year, and let next year take care of itself.

[Wedge]

So this has got me thinking. Of all the contending teams in MLB, which are the most likely to rent Maggs?

 

I think the Mets are one team. Maggs for Leiter?

 

The Brewers need outfielding, but they're not really contending. They might toss him in on a Sheets trade, ya never know.

 

It's tough. I don't think we can get much in a trade for Maggs. A contender won't want to give away pitching. A seller won't want to rent a player.

 

I guess we're "stuck" with him for the year.