greasywheels121 Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Rumors swirling around Sox Rumors swirling around Sox Ordonez's future, Beltran possibility both distract club By Scott Merkin / MLB.com CHICAGO -- The only thing swirling more than the 14 mph winds at U.S. Cellular Field prior to Friday's game with Atlanta were the rumors involving who was coming and going to and from the White Sox. A report in Friday's edition of the Daily Southtown stated that contract talks have broken off between All-Star right fielder Magglio Ordonez and the White Sox. An unnamed source close to the situation claimed that "it's no longer a workable situation." This report follows a story in a New York newspaper two weeks ago that Ordonez was offered a five-year, $70 million deal, but eventually turned down the possible deal. When questioned in Oakland, Ordonez called the report "a lie." His words weren't quite as strong Friday, with Ordonez at U.S. Cellular Field to continue the rehab process on his left knee. But when asked if his agent, Tom Reich, and the White Sox still were talking, Ordonez nodded his head in the affirmative. "I guess he's talking to the White Sox right now," Ordonez said, obviously tired of the entire contractual talk. "If you want to know more, talk to my agent. "There are always rumors. There is always talk about my contract. There are always people who want to start some sort of trouble between the team and me. But we are OK. "Everyone knows I want to stay here," Ordonez added. "When it comes to talking about contracts, I can't talk about it. That's why I pay my agent to talk about it. Call him or talk to Kenny." Williams was questioned about Ordonez, earning $14 million in the final year of his current contract. He provided the usual direct responses regarding the matter, but possibly delivered them for the last time where this topic is concerned. For starters, Williams said there's not a lot to talk about in regards to Ordonez and his contract. But there's also a confidentiality agreement in place between both sides where negotiations are concerned. "This is one of the reasons why I don't like to negotiate during the season and try to keep things as confidential as possible," Williams said. "Otherwise, you deal with the day-to-day soap opera updates. It's not conducive, No. 1, towards forging a deal. No. 2, it's just disruptive. "There is nothing to talk about with regards to this subject. Actually, there is nothing to talk about publicly. As I've said before and will continue to say, it's a confidential matter between the club and the player. Bottom line-it's the last time I'm going to say it." Williams thoroughly understands and appreciates the quest for news where a top player such as Ordonez is concerned, especially in the third largest media market in the country. He even joked that there probably haven't been "enough offensive outbursts or good pitching performances or tight races to talk about." Regardless of the current contractual status, Williams made it clear once again that Ordonez won't be traded when he gets healthy. "I could put another word in front of no, but FCC regulations won't allow you to air it," said Williams, when asked by a radio reporter about a possible Ordonez trade. "I don't know where that comes from. It's not consistent with what we are trying to do here." The White Sox and Williams not only are trying to win the American League Central but also reach the World Series for the first time since 1959. Friday's second personnel rumor plays as much into that concept as the entire Ordonez situation. According to commentary from Harold Reynolds on ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" on Thursday, the White Sox eventually will add Kansas City center fielder Carlos Beltran to their roster. With tampering violations in mind, nobody with the White Sox could talk directly about Beltran. Williams mentioned there have been talks with Kansas City, as well as most every other team in baseball. Manager Ozzie Guillen pointed out that it's only logical to desire to pick up a player with Beltran's vast talent. "I wish I was Beltran right now, where everyone wanted me," said Guillen with a smile. "The thing is when you put names in the air, it means everyone wants those players. "Who doesn't want that kid? He's one of the best in baseball. Will we get him? Well, I don't care right now because he's not here with me." Ordonez is part of the White Sox right now, although out of action, and Guillen reiterated that the team clearly wants to keep him around. Even if Ordonez tests the free agent market at the end of the year, there's still a chance he could return. But on Friday, the focus was on beating Atlanta and catching Minnesota in the Central. The pre-game talk simply was an unwanted sideshow to the entertainment provided by Pan-American Night on the South Side of Chicago. "There are always people talking," Ordonez said. "I just want to get better and come back to play." "Our focus here has been and always will be on what's happening with today's game and our season," Williams said. "That's all we are focused on. We are keeping everyone pointed in the same direction and not allowing distractions to interfere with what could be a very good season. Period." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wise Master Buehrle Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Why do so many reporters think we're going to get Beltran??? It's becoming very odd, and starting to really make me think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 This is gonna be one of the most hyped up, exciting trade deadlines ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 This is gonna be one of the most hyped up, exciting trade deadlines ever. It sure is, but IMHO some of the names are a going to be heavily over-paid for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 There was not one iota of new information in that article. All of that has been hashed and rehashed on this board already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 I was at the Yankee game last night, and all the Yankee fans around me were saying "why are we waiting 'till the deadline to get beltran?". I had to remind them they have s*** in their farmsystem. They don't have enough players to give to KC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loaiza21 Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 I was at the Yankee game last night, and all the Yankee fans around me were saying "why are we waiting 'till the deadline to get beltran?". I had to remind them they have s*** in their farmsystem. They don't have enough players to give to KC. Typical Yankee fans, being unsatisfied with a $250 M 3rd Baseman and 8 all-stars in their lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 This is gonna be one of the most hyped up, exciting trade deadlines ever. Exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Let me interject here that it's pretty funny about how many rumors are flying around, this from a cheap ass owner who will never trade for anything or open up the checkbook. My how things have changed since February. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 This is gonna be one of the most hyped up, exciting trade deadlines ever. Hopefully we'll be the player and not the one that gets played. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxin' Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 I'm getting so excited for what is ahead. I can't wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redandwhite Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 The thing about Beltran thats beginning to sicken me is the fact that the owners won't anti up the 14 million over 5 years to Magglio but somehow can pay more money for a long period of time to Beltran? Doesn't make sense at all. Also, for the people here wanting Beltran, please tell me how its okay to have Beltran making up 25% of the payroll for the next 7 seasons, and not okay for Magglio to take up 20% for the next 5. I mean, what makes us think were going to be able to deal with Boras when we can't deal with Maggs' agent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 If we can get Beltran and NOT have to give up Reed, Maggs, or a good pitching prospect, I will be psyched!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 If we can get Beltran and NOT have to give up Reed, Maggs, or a good pitching prospect, I will be psyched!!!!!!!! Yeah, well KC won't take Mags, so don't worry there. Unless it is like a deal where Floyd went from Fla, to MTL, to BOS, then no. There is a fat chance that we could come close to Beltran without losing either a Reed or Honel type player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Let me interject here that it's pretty funny about how many rumors are flying around, this from a cheap ass owner who will never trade for anything or open up the checkbook. My how things have changed since February. Reinsdorf would be less cheap if they averaged more than 20,000 fans per game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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