YASNY Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 Here it is folks. He's got it right, too. Guess I won't have to shine Hawk Harrelson's shoes, not that there's enough spit in Chicago to make them look good anyway. That was my promise if the White Sox, as hinted recently by general manager Ken Williams, not only pursued Carlos Beltran but signed the free agent who is poised to become baseball's best player. But I knew it was merely a headline-grabbing joke, with confirmation coming this week when Williams said he won't seek Beltran or any other player represented by Charles Manson. The man's name actually is Scott Boras, yet to hear Sox executives describe him, you'd think he was an escapee from a maximum-security prison and not the most powerful agent in sports. Seems the Sox don't like the contract prices established by Boras for his clients, which is another way of saying chairman Jerry Reinsdorf once again is prioritizing his cost-conscious ways and grudge against the superagent over the fact his ballclub hasn't won a postseason series since, oh, 1917. I realize I'm merely a "pissant'' in Reinsdorf's world, recalling how he described me on a TV show. But this pissant nonetheless is launching a campaign demanding that he sell the team to a group with the financial means and commitment -- the Comcast Sports empire, perhaps -- to compete for championships in a big market. Otherwise, the Sox might tumble into total irrelevance while The Ballmall Formerly Known as Comiskey Park becomes a sausage factory. When Reinsdorf declares war on Boras through his Kenny doll, he might as well wave another white flag before next season. Each passing year, Boras inches closer to cornering the market on the finest talent and obviously is the preferred choice of star players seeking optimum value, considering he represents Alex ($252 million) Rodriguez and 16 others among the sport's 100 highest-paid players. This time, he is offering up seven prominent names -- Beltran, Magglio Ordonez, Adrian Beltre, J.D. Drew, Jason Varitek, Kevin Lowe and Kevin Millwood -- and should command about a half-billion dollars in return. Small-market mind-set The Sox aren't participating in his game. We live in Chicago, after all, a puny town of less than a million people with very little industry and a scarcity of disposable income. What's especially galling about this No Boras stance is that Williams announced it only days after the Sox underbid for free-agent shortstop Omar Vizquel, who is not a Boras guy and was supposed to be the first evidence of manager Ozzie Guillen's newfangled emphasis on defense, pitching, fundamentals and IQ. For weeks, word was out that the Sox planned on getting a jump on free agency by throwing $10 million over two seasons at Vizquel, who would be their fielding wizard and leadoff hitter. Turns out their offer was the height of arrogance. How dare Williams think Vizquel would huff and puff and run to the Sox when a better organization, the San Francisco Giants, produced a bit more money ($12.2 million) over three guaranteed seasons. It figures a Reinsdorf operation would get hung up on years -- over Kenny's dead body was he going more than two -- than bid aggressively for a player who would have jump-started interest in the 2005 season and created some good offseason vibes. ''Length of the contract was very important to me,'' Vizquel said. "When the Giants came up with the offer, it didn't take long to make up my mind. I've been in the playoffs and World Series, and just being on a contending team is special.'' Rarely are the Sox one of those teams. They could impress us by chasing the best non-Boras clients, such as Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano, Edgar Renteria and Nomar Garciaparra. But Reinsdorf has made it clear he isn't pushing the payroll past $65 million, meaning his idea of a free-agent middle infielder is Placido Polanco, who is neither an opera singer nor a major talent. And forget the nonsense about sending Paul Konerko to Arizona for Johnson, who has veto power over trades and surely has no interest in finishing his career for a third-place team on the South Side. Think I'm underestimating the Sox' chances next year? Even as the Twins lose Brad Radke, Cristian Guzman and other pieces, they'll still be the Twins. Cleveland is said to be seeking Matt Clement and a closer. Detroit wants Troy Percival, Carlos Delgado and Jeff Kent. Hell, the Sox might be a .500 club. World Series not the goal It's painful enough how they bungled the Ordonez situation. Williams has treated a good man rudely and taken his free agency for granted, starting with comments in September that Ordonez had a "rare'' knee injury that clouded his future. A day later, Ordonez said how upset he was that Williams was speaking out of turn and promised the knee would be "100 percent'' by spring training. Rather than respect the free-agent process, Williams all but expected Ordonez to accept a one-year deal in arbitration. When Ordonez signed with Boras, it was the last straw for the Sox, even though Maggs has invited them and all other major-league teams to watch him work out at the winter meetings starting Dec. 10. The Sox could set aside their differences, watch Ordonez run and make an offer if the knee is healthy. But don't you see? They don't want to sign him. He's a Boras guy, and he wants to be paid big money. Never mind if Dr. Kenny looks like a quack in the end. According to Jerrynomics, the enemy isn't the Red Sox, the Yankees or even the Twins and Indians. No, Reinsdorf's idea of winning a pennant is dissing Boras, who must be laughing hysterically. Allow me to remind Reinsdorf that he is baseball's longest-tenured owner without a World Series appearance, that expansion teams in Florida and Arizona have won three World Series over the last eight years while his club has made the playoffs once, that Sox of another color finally broke through after 86 years and won the World Series last month. If his franchise isn't dying, it never has seemed more irrelevant in this town, particularly in an offseason when the Cubs are swiftly maneuvering to dump Sammy Sosa to the Mets so they have the megamillions to make at least a credible run at Beltran. Yet Anna Nicole Smith has a better chance of sobering up before Reinsdorf starts reinvesting more profits into his product. The longer he practices Kansas City economics in the nation's third-largest market, the more secondary and stale the Sox will be in the big-thinking, big-spending era of the Cubs. He and his minions can lampoon the media, but the smart fans aren't listening. All they want to know is how the Sox plan to win a World Series. Answer: They won't, as long as Reinsdorf and his people own the team. Please sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I find it funny he thinks the Sox underbid for a 37 year old shortstop, when in truth it was the Giants who OVERBID. If the Sox had ponied up 3 guaranteed years, he would have been the first to scream how they are locking themselves into a bad situation with aging veterans. He is still a moron, any way you look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chisox2334 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I dont care if you hate Jay Moronoti or love him, he's telling us the danm truth about this orginzation and no whitesox wont spend or trade anything. Kenny Willams lashing on Scot Boras was pure frustration of this offseason. Reinsdorf is reason why Kenny is so mad and fustrated, because he can't do the things to improve this team. All we can do is wish we had such great names as randy johnson, Jason varitek, Jason Kendall, Carl Pavano, Derek Lowe, Carlos Beltran, Gary Shefield, and the list goes on. I am huge White sox fan and thing is I see this crappy orgization turning into bulls right now. Next thing you will know we will be selling commercials " Through thick and thin." Kansasy city Royals looks like only team this offseason that will not improve much. All the other team like Detriot could sign Kent, Percival, and Clement. Indians could land Benetiz and Clement I don't blame Kenny Willams for problems that have happened. Jerry Reinsdorf really could care less about this team. He dosen't see how hard Kenny is trying improve this team and thing is he won't increase payroll for long long time. Quite frankily, I don't see how anyone would want to play here. Yes, this city might look good. But were second fittle to everything here and worst of all we have to be right up there with Arizona with bad ownership. Jerry reinsdorfs comments on how sox should do during the seaso last yr" As long as we finish 500, I will be happy." Were only looking play 500 ball? Thats exactley why I wish we had Steinbrenner who would make this orginxation great and make Jerry look like a joke. I also remember 1990 when he wanted this team outta here to Tampa. It's obvious he dosen't even wanna be in this town anymore. I gurantee you alot of chicago whitesox players in Reinsdorf era will tell you how cheap the guy is and quite frankily this just another offseason with same old stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 Why does this guy still have a job? He has got to be the most ignorant writer in this entire town. All he does is distort, lie, and antagonize. There is so much BS in this article it is rediculous. I wish I could get paid for nothing else than to piss people off to sell newspapers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I realize I'm merely a "pissant'' in Reinsdorf's world I think that's all he really got right there. He criticized us for considering Vizquel, and now we're criticized for not signing him. :fyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wise Master Buehrle Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 Word up, Jay. I'm sick of this No Boras bulls***. Get over yourself, Jerry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3E8 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I'm in favor of not dealing with Boras all things considered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wong & Owens Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 The reports of Beltran becoming the best player in baseball are grossly overstated, IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshPR Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I don't like the Queen one bit, But damn he hit it on the Nail this time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Tizzle Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 There's no question of Reinsdorf's cheapness, yet this article is full of his usual slanderous comments towards our organization. In particular is the paragraph devoted to Magglio's injury. He describes the White Sox as "bungling" the situation. f***ing moron. Where is the information detailing Magg's mysterious surgery in Austria, or how super-agent Scott Boras refuses to allow teams examination of his knee WITHOUT a serious offer. Williams offered him a generious contract and he turned it down. What is Williams left to do, enter a bidding war for an outfielder recovering from a rare knee injury? It would be classic Mariotti to rip Reinsdorf if Ordonez was resigned and he reinjured himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chisox4ever23 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 i love teh sox but i cant stand taht we wont sign anyone this offseason. the article was a bit harse but mostlky tru Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I'm in favor of not dealing with Boras all things considered. Ditto. It's not usual for me to agree with White Sox management on stuff like this, but I do agree 100%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I don't like the Queen one bit Gee thanks. hee hee just kidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshPR Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 Gee thanks. hee hee just kidding. Oooopssss Sorry about that I beg for your forgiveness LOL!! :rolly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I guess Boras is suppose to be on Kotex Boy's show at 11. Should be interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshPR Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 UPDATES PLEASE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofIChiSox Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 Watch how this offseason unfolds, MAriotti will talk great about all the guys we go after and don't get, and then rip on any guys we do sign. Speaking so highly of Vizquel is just the beginning. I mean, the guy only gets readers by ripping on local teams and upsetting their fanbase. That being said, he does have a lot of good points about Reinsdorf's style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chisox2334 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 we dont sign people ever we trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 UPDATES PLEASE! Most definitely - at work and I have no radio at my desk (adding to Christmas list lol). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 Kotex boy blowing Boras about him just doing his job and blaming JR for the Sox not dealing with him. Boras quickly disputed it and said he has talked to KW to clear things up about Maggs. Boras said he has several top clients that are very interested in the Sox but doesn't know if they can work anything out financially with the Sox. Boras said that he has no problems with the Sox , KW or Reinsdorf. Boras also explained KW comment as he just doesn't know if the Sox have the finances to work out a deal with his clients and Boras doesn't think its personal. Boras is very professional and very informative. They are still going....mostly talking about Maggs health and now Beltran. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 i love teh sox but i cant stand taht we wont sign anyone this offseason. the article was a bit harse but mostlky tru My God.. the offseason is not even half over. Run all you chicken littles.. run, run.... :rolly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 Boras said he doesn't think the Sox can sign Beltran but thinks the Cubs could compete for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chisox2334 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 Like I told ya Kenny fustrated and its not because of boras. Its all of Uncle Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 You can tell Boras has been busy, he is losing his voice big time. Not a whole lot of major info. Boras wouldn't comment on which top clients were interested in the Sox. Of course Kotex boy saying see that Sox fans, big time players interested and the Sox won't even talk to them... blah blah.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I was listening while I was working so if anyone heard anything I missed please fill us in. I tried to catch the important stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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