White Sox Receive Tejada Offer

That could work out. The White Sox are looking at trading Contreras anyway, plus you give them 2 prospects and replace your shortstop with one of the top SS in baseball right now. Go for it.

Daring, bold, and a winner is all about what Kenny Williams is. He is true professional and will do what it takes and doesn't waste anyones time. JIM HENDRY ohhhh JIM HENDRY I know you are watching, but get your hands out from under your ass and get on the phone before our South Siders embark on many future championships. And by the way Kenny Williams keep up the good work.

Are you reading this Hendry? I think Williams and the Sox are just embarrssing the Cubs at every level of baseball right now. Being a Cubs fans I'm pissed! Unreal...

Go for it Kenny!! Unless that top prospect and I dont think it is is Brandon McCarthy, go for it. To all the people who keep harping on what a downgrade Tejada is from Uribe defensively I'll put this out there, and no disrespect is meant to anyone who has harped on that. I do not know Tejada's range but going strictly on #s. Last year Uribe had 249 put outs, 687 total chances, 422 assists, 99 DPs turned and 16 errors in 143 games. Tejada had 252 put outs, 753 total chances, 479 assists, turned 105 double plays and had 22 errors in 160 games. Personally I think Tejada more than makes up for the extra 6 errors with his offense, not to mention he played more games and had more chances than Uribe

I really can't see how they'd rather have that group than the Benson, Clement, Lugo thing. Unless that pitching prospect is that good. I'd say lugo/Uribe is a push, and that Benson and Clement could have more of an impact than Jose. I love Jose, but he is certainly not a #1 or 2 pitcher.

I'll reserve lambasting Hendry until I see that this deal has gone through.

What I don't get is how Baltimore perceives Contreras to have more value than Prior. But I suppose I answered my own question by using "perceives." It's all perception.

Well, I thought you said the other deal was imminent? From this post, it seems that nothing is sure.

The Sox are probably gaining 3 wins by replacing Uribe with Tejada, defense included.

It might not be that Contreras has more value than Prior, but that the total package the Sox would give up is better than what the Cubs offered and the O's won't include Bedard.

Well, this source didn't use the word "imminent." He went further and said something happens by Friday.

Go for it Kenny!! Unless that top prospect and I dont think it is is Brandon McCarthy, go for it. To all the people who keep harping on what a downgrade Tejada is from Uribe defensively I'll put this out there, and no disrespect is meant to anyone who has harped on that. I do not know Tejada's range but going strictly on #s. Last year Uribe had 249 put outs, 687 total chances, 422 assists, 99 DPs turned and 16 errors in 143 games. Tejada had 252 put outs, 753 total chances, 479 assists, turned 105 double plays and had 22 errors in 160 games. Personally I think Tejada more than makes up for the extra 6 errors with his offense, not to mention he played more games and had more chances than Uribe

I'm a huge Sox fan, but such a deal makes me NERVOUS. Giving up Uribe means giving up one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. I hope Kenny Williams takes a deep deep breath before doing something like this.

"Benson and Clement could have more of an impact than Jose. I love Jose, but he is certainly not a #1 or 2 pitcher."

And Benson/Clement are? Contreras is a #2 pitcher on our staff and could be the ace on almost every other staff in baseball (including the O's). Whether you choose to realize that Contreras has great stuff and finally uses it well, is up to you. But to say a deal with Benson and Clement is better than an ace in Contreras and one of the best defensive shortstops in the game is ridiculous. Give me a break man.

The Problem with the white sox making this deal is that if one of their starters goes down they have to stick Tim Redding into the rotation which is a major problem. However Tejada is one of the top SS's in the league.

Tim Redding? The Sox have Brandon McCarthy ready to go.

Jacque Jones, Marquis Grissom, John Mabry, and a questionable starting rotation???? Great Job Jim Hendry!!! Lets give Kenny Williams the Pre-Season Executive of the Year Award right now!!! WHITE SOX in 2006!!!! WOOHOO!!!

Jim,
Please see my post (that i accidentally posted twice) on Tejada's and Uribe's fielding percentage. I think it might make you feel a little better.

Contreras isn't much, if at all, better than Benson or Clement. They're all 3/4 types.

Anyways, the Mets have traded Jae Seo and Tim Hamuluck to the Dodgers for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll. Confirmed on WFAN.

"Tim Redding? The Sox have Brandon McCarthy ready to go."

I believe he means if they trade Contreras and one of the starters (Vazquez, Buerhle, or Garcia due to the over 200 innings pitch over the past couple of years) go down, Tim Redding would have to slip into the #5 spot of the Rotation

The Mets have also signed Bret Boone to a minor league deal.

If the SoX do get Tejada for Jose Contreras, Juan Uribe, Ryan Sweeney, and a top pitching prospect. You can stick the fork that's already in the the heart of Cubdom even deeper...

Sorry, I misread what DePaul wrote. I don't think a team can go into a season expecting that one of their five durable guys gets hurt.

Give me a break...you are so biased toward your Jose. I'm a Yankee fan, and can tell you, despite one good run, Jose isn't an ace, and barely a number two when on. You guys had 3 better pitchers on your own staff!!!! It is stupid to say that Benson (solid number three that won 12 games despite missing over a month of the season, and Clement who had a very good year and has equal "stuff" to Contreras...wouldn't be better value. And both are younger than Jose ( who may really be 38)

What it seems to me that Dusty Baker is calling the shots on these trades the Cubs have made. The only moves Hendry has made himself is the signing of Howry and Eyre. Dusty wanted Mabry from the get-go, wanted Neifi re-signed, begged for Grissom and Pierre. And I think that Jacque Jones agent called Jim Hendry and talked him into signing Jones. I really believe Jim Hendry is a pussy-cat and not a GM or a Kenny Williams.

FIRE JIM HENDRY, NOW!

I say pull the trigger Mr. W. I love Juan, but he lacks plate discipline. Jose is asking too much for one great half season's of work and Sweeney's got no pop in his bat. I see dynasty potential (two wins in three years qualifies in this title rotation age) if we put this killer lineup on the field.

I'll reserve lambasting Hendry until I see that this deal has gone through.

"What I don't get is how Baltimore perceives Contreras to have more value than Prior. But I suppose I answered my own question by using "perceives." It's all perception."

IMO, the problem with the Cubs offer is that they want one of the O's young pitchers in return. I think everyone would agree that Prior has a higher ceiling. The problem is Hendry believes he can get an ARAM, Lee, and LA Dodger deal each time he trades. Godd luck to him!

If Jim Hendry is fired now before the announcement of the White Sox/Orioles trade that nets the South Siders Tejada, I would forgive Andy.

Hmm..your probably right.
It would be so ironic if after all this Manny ends up on the Red Sox again...it's not gonna happen but still.

Either way the Red sox are fucked. Time to rebuild.

Are you kidding me with this: "The White Sox have their own motivation to wrap things up before the weekend: they'd like to have an announcement that does not conflict with a Bears playoff weekend or the Cubs Convention."

Do you honestly think KW and the White Sox wouldn't love to pull off this move and announce it DURING the Cubs convention? That part makes me feel like this is bunk.

I think that this is bs. There's no way that KW gives up THAT MUCH for Tejada.

I don't think that he is THAT much of an upgrade over Uribe.

KW would have to be getting a bullpen arm also.

"Are you kidding me with this: "The White Sox have their own motivation to wrap things up before the weekend: they'd like to have an announcement that does not conflict with a Bears playoff weekend or the Cubs Convention."

Do you honestly think KW and the White Sox wouldn't love to pull off this move and announce it DURING the Cubs convention? That part makes me feel like this is bunk."

Actually, I would want to announce it right before. It would have a greater impact. It would cause all of Cubdom (which I am a member) to be completely nuts by the time Hendry hits the podium.

anyone on here like randy who says "tejada is not THAT much of an upgrade over uribe" can go kill themselves and cleanse the gene pool. that has to be the dumbest thing i've ever heard about anything.

this would be a steal of a deal for the white sox, and as a cubs fan I am baffled by the orioles taking this instead of prior-hill-patterson for tejada-bedard. if i'm the O's I don't do either deal, but the cubs one sure looks better.

Jack and Jojo: the part you've singled out is actually the one opinion-based part of the post. That was just a feeling my source had, and not a fact from Sox management. Sorry for being unclear.

Matt,

Defense is difficult to quantify and express in numeric fashion. But I know what I see and what I see is that Uribe has incredible range and the best arm from SS in the game other than Furcal.

Moreover, I think Contreras has terrific stuff and may emerge as a bona fide ace.

Sure, Tejada is terrific, but the Sox may be sacrificing too much in terms of pitching and defense.

Adding sluggers at the expense of pitching and defense is historically a Cubs front office approach, which explains why more often then not they finish in the second division.

Jim Hendry couldn't make a pimple on a real GM's ass.

JoJo, you make a perfect flubs fan - keep at it.

By the way, the O's don't want Prior because they want someone that pitches every start. That's why they are insisting on Zambrano.

Try putting down the flubbie cool-aid and follow the game like a real baseball fan.

This is a complete fabrication. Your "rock solid" source is screwing with you or on drugs.

"Give me a break...you are so biased toward your Jose. I'm a Yankee fan, and can tell you, despite one good run, Jose isn't an ace, and barely a number two when on. You guys had 3 better pitchers on your own staff!!!! It is stupid to say that Benson (solid number three that won 12 games despite missing over a month of the season, and Clement who had a very good year and has equal "stuff" to Contreras...wouldn't be better value. And both are younger than Jose ( who may really be 38)"
- bdid

From one Yankee Fan
to another:
You're real bitter aren't you???

Still in disbelief that Contreras couldn't handle the pressure that comes with being a Yankee???

How can we be surprised that a pitcher the Yanks who went through an all out bidding war against the Red Sawx actually turned out to be the real deal in a place were expectations for him were relatively low.

The Contreras in Pinstripes and the Contreras on the SouthSide were two completely different pitchers.

And why do you say that, anonymous dude?

Somebody clue me into when the Sox came into the Cub's division?

Just asking.

RumorMonger--

Hendry is angling for Craig Wilson (Pittsburgh) and Raul Ibanez (Seattle), he'll get one of the two. Once he does, the deal is set--Matt Murton, Rich Hill, Roberto Novoa, and low-level slugger Brian Dopirak for Barry Zito. Discuss.

If the White Sox can pull off the Tejada deal without giving up McCarthy, I'm all for it. The more Williams looks like a genius, and the more the White Sox win, the more the heat is turned up on MacPhail and Hendry to produce. Not to mention I'm not above rooting for the White Sox, as a Chicagoan.

(Although to be honest, watching the White Sox win the World Series was kinda like finally getting up to Inspiration Point with the Homecoming Queen - only to remember that you're sitting in the back seat, watching her make out with the Captain of the Football Team.)

Why would Beane want any of that for Zito? The A's have a ton of outfielders. They want pitching. Hill and Novoa will not cut it. Honestly, we gave up too much for Pierre. We do not have the pitching prospects to get this done.

Rock,

Are you making that up or is that a legit rumor you have knowledge of?

As to the discussion point...it ends. Make the deals. Do the A's need another OF?

Who cares? The Mets just got a pair of young arms for a back-end starter and rubbish!

I'M FUCKIN' DANCING!!!

Contreras was the best pitcher in baseball the last 3 months of the season.

Clement and Benson never had a run like Contreras did last year (when he was the ACE of that staff going into the last two months and October), and Clement and Benson are clearly incapable of being as dominant as Contreras.

To whomever said Contreras is barely a #2 pitcher when he was on,

Contreras was on in the second half of the season and he was the ace of World Series Champs, he was arguably the best pitcher in baseball when he was "on" so its pretty clear that Contreras is very capable of putting up ace type numbers for a couple of years.

Furthermore, Prior is much more valuable than Contreras given his age and extremely high ceiling, but the White Sox would also be giving a good defensive SS, a top prospect, and won't be asking for Erik Bedard in return so I believe that weighs more in the favor of the White Sox offer.

"Give me a break...you are so biased toward your Jose. I'm a Yankee fan, and can tell you, despite one good run, Jose isn't an ace, and barely a number two when on. You guys had 3 better pitchers on your own staff!!!! It is stupid to say that Benson (solid number three that won 12 games despite missing over a month of the season, and Clement who had a very good year and has equal "stuff" to Contreras...wouldn't be better value. And both are younger than Jose ( who may really be 38)"

Sort of like how Yankee fans over valued Loaiza, over-value Rowand. Contreras has ace stuff, he showed he can use against his old team in the Yankees, the team who absolutely annihilated him in the Red Sox, and started the first game to every playoff series.

On the other hand, Benson is overpaid has no playoff experience, and has not proven his worth at all. Clement, much of the same...although he does have playoff experience, last year was definately not a good year.

Why do the O's want two #3/4 guys when they can get a #1/2 guy plus a top pitching prospect, one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, and a very good outfield prospect.

Besides, the whole Mets/Red Sox/O's/blah blah blah is a huge mess...I guarantee it doesn't fall through.

Uh oh, Hendry!

Time to sign Sammy Sosa to a three-year deal to make up for Williams' move.

Cause heaven forbid you overpay for quality players!

Rock has been a solid source in my experience. Craig Wilson is certainly available, and Hendry has a history trading with Pittsburgh.

I feel like Beane wants more than that for Zito, although Hill and Murton ARE highly regarded. Could work.

I would rather take McCarthy over Contreras

Jim,
While I respect your opinion and generally you are right about trading away defense and pitching being a bad idea. This is different than what the Cubs do. The Cubs trade for free swingers with low OBP. Neither Tejada or Thome would qualify as free swingers with a low OBP.They are basically elite hitters at their respective positions. Obviously they are gonna strike out some because they are sluggers but they also take walks and make contact as well. I will agree with you that the White Sox are giving up some defense if they give up Uribe, but to me the upside of Tejada's offense far outweighs that. Also everyone talks about how good Rowand was and he was awesome, but all reports I've heard from the minors and people that have seen Brian Anderson play is that his range is just as good as Rowand, he's faster and his arm is better so I'll be interested to see if this is all true. I understand the Sox may be giving up a possible ace in Contreras, but he's also 34 or maybe even older, his contract is up at the end of 06 and he probably is out of the White Sox price range when he does hit FA. The White Sox also have the best pitching rotation in baseball. THey have 6 starters and you only need 5. WHat Kenny is doing is brilliant, he is getting arguably the best all around ss and not weakening his current starting rotation at all, or very little if that. If someone would've told me the White Sox could get Miguel Tejada who is locked up for the next 4 years and the biggest name in the deal would be Jose Contreras I would say absolutely. Whether Contreras is an ace or not is debateable, but I think there is a great chance the guy replacing him (McCarthy) will be an ace someday (and it might not be that far a day) If the Sox get Tejada, they will have except for probably the Yankees. The best lineup in baseball and that already goes along with the best starting rotation in baseball. Right now Javier Vazquez is the fifth starter, he's probably a #3 or borderline 2 on most teams. Garland is 26 and locked up for three years. You wanna know the scariest thing as well with the Sox pitching. Assuming Contreras is dealt for Tejada, all 5 of the white sox starters are under 30 going into the season. Pretty damn scary from a team that already had a great staff without a great offense. They get Tejada and I'll be hard pressed to think of any lineup besides possibly NYY that can match the sox middle 4 of Thome, Konerko, Tejada and Dye. What the Sox are basically trying to do is put themselves in a position to win for the next 3-4 years by locking up a good young starting rotation. (Garcia signed through 07, Sox have control of Vazquez for 3 years, Buerhle has an option for 07 after this year, Garland is signed through 08, and McCarthy has 6 years before he is an FA.)and trying to make the position players stronger by trading away guys they either have prospects with higher ceilings (Anderson, Owens for Rowand) or bonafide studs at current positions (Thome, Vazquez) its actually the blueprint the Braves have used for 15 years. After bringing us a world series, I have complete faith in Kenny and what he is doing.

Matt,
I admire KW for his balls, but did you just call Vazquez a bonafide stud? Thome, despite recent health problems can probably still fit into that category, but Vazquez? Guy had one decent season, and a lot of crap.

Truth,
I actually typed so much I think I got my words crossed up or left out part of a sentence. What I wanted to say is Kenny trades away guys that have prospects with higher ceilings and the trades he has made has been for players with already bonafide studs (Konerko) and (the rest of the Sox starters in this case) at those positions, giving the team even more depth than the championship team from last year. I typed too much and lost my train of thought. Thanks for not letting that lie and leaving everyone to think I was a complete idiot, when im truth im only a partial idiot.

I say that you toss in Jenks as the young pitching prospect. Think about this: he had a good last half of the season when their other closer, Hermanson, went down, but Hermanson will be back healthy for spring training, and he was looking pretty good as well, even if he can't get that heater up in the high 90's. If Hermanson goes down again, I think Cotts could more than ably fill the closer role, since he can shut down righties just as well as lefties, with McCarthy taking the set-up role. I think this kinda shows that I'm an Oakland fan, heh.

If Kenny can swing this, I would be amazed. If you recall, Uribe was swapped for Aaron Miles and Contreras was had for Loiza.

Kenny really seems to have figured out the whole buying low and selling high thing. At this rate, we might be looking at a Tim Redding for A-Rod deal this time next year.

With 2 deals already having fallen apart, no way should the Sox throw a TOP prospect in there. Baltimore obviously really needs to trade Tejada. A middle tier prospect at most.

"Kenny really seems to have figured out the whole buying low and selling high thing. At this rate, we might be looking at a Tim Redding for A-Rod deal this time next year."

I wouldn't go that far!!!
Also Tim Redding pitched a game for the Yanks this past season. He couldn't even get out of the 1st inning against the Sawx. Sadly the Yanks lost that game by something like 17-2. At best he is an adequate 5th Starter preferable long reliever

I wouldn't be surprised if GM Bill Stoneman of the Angels swoop in on Tejada by offering Darin Erstad, Orlando Cabrera, and someone from their deep farm system.

is there any way you can actually do a tally of rumors you've printed that have come true?

Good News!!!
Mark Prior has voided the final year of his contract, making him eligible for salary arbitration.

The right-hander's agent, John Boggs, said Wednesday that Prior notified the team of his decision on Nov. 29.

Prior's deal, agreed to in 2001 after he was drafted, allowed him to void the contract after 2004 or 2005, but only if he had accumulated enough service time to be eligible for arbitration. He just missed having enough service time after 2004.

His first contract had called for a $2.75 million salary next year, and he will earn far more because of arbitration.

A-Rod, about the Angels...I think Baltimore would probably ask for Brandon Wood, which would kill any deal.

Paco, that wouldn't be helpful. Most rumors don't come true, but it doesn't mean the talks didn't happen.

RumorMonger---

I know you're a busy guy, but do you have any info on whether or not the Cubs are interested in/pursuing any of the guys mentioned earlier this offseason? Guys like Abreu (unlikely), Huff, Lugo, Vidro, etc.? Have the Cubs withdrawn themselves from the discussions on these players?

By the way, a tally of rumors that came true? Are you serious, Paco? I'm new to the board this offseason, and I can already point to about 10-12 rumors that have panned out from mlbtraderumors.com (Jacques Jones, Burnitz, Pierre, etc.). Just remember that rumors are usually true with regards to having "discussions" about trades and players; but few of the discussions actually become trades.

I have no doubt that most "rumored" discussions probably took place in some form or another. Don't mistake a failed trade agreement as a disproven rumor.

Keep up the good work, RumorMonger! This board keeps my faint Cubs hopes alive.

Thanks NHC. Haven't heard any of those players mentioned lately in connection with the Cubs. But I wouldn't be surprised to see them snag a LF of some sort, even with Murton around.

A-ROD,

Uh, why on earth would the Orioles want unproductive players like Erstad and Cabrera in return for Tejada?

The Angels would have to pony up Ervin Santana and a top prospect, such as Brandon Woods or Howie Kendrick.

Actually, the Angels rumor was mentioned on ESPN.com's website by none other than Steve Phillips via Cold Pizza. Yeah.... Steve Phillips.

Benson is hardly overpaid given how much pitchers have been getting on the market recently.

From the Tribune's Dave Van Dyck

""I'm willing to listen to anyone [about trades] because of the contractual situation," Williams said. "Something that would help us win this year and also set us up for the future. In my mind, [a trade] would be for pitching."

So Sox fans can forget any rumors concerning All-Star shortstop Tejada coming to the South Side, a move that would give the champions one of the best lineups in the American League. But it also would cost the Sox Contreras and a minor-leaguer or young starter Brandon McCarthy and shortstop Juan Uribe.

"I made the call [to Baltimore] out of curiosity," Williams said. "Early on, there was no match from our end."

But that raises the question of why the White Sox wouldn't trade one of six starters—Contreras, Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia, Javier Vazquez and McCarthy—to get a player like Tejada.

The answer: You never have enough starting pitching.

"The thing we relied on the most last year was pitching," Williams said. "And one of the reasons why [repeating] next year will be difficult is that we pushed ourselves to the limit [on innings] with pitching last year.

"I want the luxury that if we come out of spring training where if we have a guy who's not quite right, we don't have to push him. And I also want to ease McCarthy into the rotation. That will give us some insurance"

It looks like Williams was using the Tejada rumor as leverage in getting Contreras signed to an extension. I always thought this rumor was a little out of the question considering Reinsdorf would be reluctant to raise the payroll yet again.

Interesting article. I've put a word in to my guy to see if he buys what KW is saying.

It is an interesting article by VanDyck but the thing that is very true about KW is that he is very secretive when it comes to dealing with the press and letting them know what is going on in contract negotiations and trade talk. He's said in the past it's something he doesnt share and doesnt want to get in a bidding war for a player. Although there might be some truth to this rumor, I have no doubt the White Sox have real interest in Tejada and KW made the phone calls to inquire. How far they actually got in talks, i have no clue. Also if the Sox claim they are lying in the weeds to get Tejada, wouldnt his quotes to VanDyck in this article go along with that? Does anyone know when this interview was done as well? As a Trib subscriber, I can tell you VanDyck is not a daily columnist. What if this interview was done say last week after the Dec 31 deadline had passed, but before the WHite Sox had supposedly re-entered the Tejada picture per Rumor's source? Great post though Teetz and just some stuff to think about.

It is an interesting article by VanDyck but the thing that is very true about KW is that he is very secretive when it comes to dealing with the press and letting them know what is going on in contract negotiations and trade talk. He's said in the past it's something he doesnt share and doesnt want to get in a bidding war for a player. Although there might be some truth to this rumor, I have no doubt the White Sox have real interest in Tejada and KW made the phone calls to inquire. How far they actually got in talks, i have no clue. Also if the Sox claim they are lying in the weeds to get Tejada, wouldnt his quotes to VanDyck in this article go along with that? Does anyone know when this interview was done as well? As a Trib subscriber, I can tell you VanDyck is not a daily columnist. What if this interview was done say last week after the Dec 31 deadline had passed, but before the WHite Sox had supposedly re-entered the Tejada picture per Rumor's source? Great post though Teetz and just some stuff to think about.

Good points, Matt. I've got some more info on this rumor that should go up later today once I confirm it.

Was just on CBS sportsline rumor mill and I also read this in the Chicago Sun-Times this morning. They both say that the Cubs will sign Prior to a 1 year deal instead of going to arbitration and then offer him to the Orioles for Tejada. Maybe I'm missing something but didnt they already offer Prior to the Orioles for Tejada and the Orioles rejected the deal. Does Prior getting a pay raise and only a 1 yr contract suddenly make him more appealing? Unless they mean that the Cubs would offer them Prior for Tejada straight up and are no longer asking for Bedard? In my opinion and maybe Rumor and whoever can check this out, Whose offer would likely perceived by Baltimore as a better deal? The White Sox one of Contreras, Uribe, Sweeney and the prospect or the Cubs of Prior for Tejada straight up?

If this rumor has merit then you can effectively write off any playoff hopes for the Detroit Tigers or any member of the AL Central for at least the next five years. How come the Tigers continue to be such a nothing in the grand scheme and general wheelings and dealings of MLB?

Brad, cool blog. What do you think of the article's mention that the Tigers are in play for Tejada?

Latest thing to just appear on CBS sportsline is that 2 teams have offered a more attractive package for Tejada than the Red Sox offer of Ramirez and Clement. Hmm, could one of those teams be the white sox? come on kenny, lets get this done

Adding Tejada not worth subtracting Prior

January 5, 2006
BY CHRIS DE LUCA STAFF REPORTER

If disgruntled Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada lands in Chicago this winter, don't expect to find him on the South Side.

The Hot Stove League's hottest topic remains Tejada and the Orioles' increasingly desperate attempts to trade their biggest star. Talks between the Orioles and Boston Red Sox hit major snags this week, prompting general manager Jim Duquette to contact the White Sox about their interest in the former American League MVP, industry sources said Wednesday.

After staging the most productive offseason in the majors, Sox general manager Ken Williams would seem content to spend the next six weeks before spring training picking over baseball's scrap heap for a few non-roster invitees to spring training. But Williams, who only recently allowed himself the luxury of watching a DVD of the Sox' triumph in the 2005 World Series, never seems content.

With October ace Jose Contreras serving as the most talented pitcher available -- and with so many teams still hungry for big deals -- Williams might have the busiest phone in baseball. When Duquette called this week, Williams was willing to listen. No formal offers were presented, but it was clear the Orioles and White Sox aren't a match on Tejada.

''That's not going to happen,'' Williams said, confirming that the Orioles did call this week. ''We were told there wasn't a fit.''

Unlike other teams contacted by the O's, the Sox are in the enviable position of not needing Tejada. They were not about to put front-line starters Mark Buehrle or Freddy Garcia on the table for a shortstop who would inch their payroll closer to $100 million. The Orioles were forced to look elsewhere.

Which brings us to the Cubs, who reportedly are willing to offer pitcher Mark Prior if the right pieces fit for a Tejada swap.

The Cubs face an uphill battle. The Orioles reportedly are interested in Carlos Zambrano or Prior. General manager Jim Hendry is reluctant to part with one of his top two starting pitchers. If he did agree to such a deal, Hendry likely would require a pitcher -- such as promising left-hander Erik Bedard -- be sent to the Cubs.

For Hendry even to be entertaining the idea of adding Tejada shows how desperate the Cubs' offseason has become.

Things turned sour early. Failing to up the ante for free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal has put the Cubs in the surprising position of not immediately saying no to a Prior trade.

Cubs fans instantly became intoxicated by the idea of Tejada playing regularly at Wrigley Field when he initially indicated he wanted out of Baltimore. When Tejada criticized the Orioles' lack of moves after the winter meetings last month, O's executives believed they could win back their clubhouse leader.

When Tejada recently repeated remarks that he would prefer a change of scenery, it was clear he needed to be shipped before the start of spring training.

In the process, the Orioles have lost some of their leverage because Tejada is not backing off his remarks.

Now Hendry must work the same kind of magic that landed Nomar Garciaparra from the Boston Red Sox on July 31, 2004. Hendry refused to part with pitcher Matt Clement back then. That was considered a deal breaker, but Hendry pulled off the trade by getting creative with a four-team blockbuster.

This time, he should be just as adamant about not losing Prior.

It makes no sense to rebuild the late-inning relief corps -- as Hendry has done by signing closer Ryan Dempster and setup men Bob Howry and Scott Eyre -- then weaken a starting rotation that already has an alarming number of question marks.

If Hendry trades Prior, he could be haunted by the deal for the next decade.

Prior is 25. Despite an overwhelming amount of hype that only can be generated from Wrigleyville, we all can agree that the hard-throwing right-hander who won 18 games in 2003 hasn't even come close to reaching his potential. Pitchers of this caliber are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Zambrano is the ace of the staff. Prior is a close second. The rest of the rotation -- Greg Maddux, Jerome Williams and left-hander Glendon Rusch -- went a combined 28-33 in 2005.

This would be easier if anyone had a strong feeling about Kerry Wood's status after Aug. 31 shoulder surgery. But he is the biggest question mark of all.

''Eighty percent of what happens in this game happens on that little bump,'' Hendry is fond of saying while pointing at the pitcher's mound.

If that's true -- and I believe it is -- Prior is more important to the potentially pitching-poor Cubs than he is to the legitimately pitching-poor Orioles.

The "no formal offers have been presented" part is false, I believe.

It also seems that the teams are still negotiating, despite what Williams has said in public.

Prior Straight Up For Tejada is "fair" for both Sides.
I hate this idea that Cubdumb believes they can get an MVP type SS for just prospects (which are suspects). If Cubdumb & the village idiot Hendry covets Tejada, be prepared to give up Prior!

RumorMonger
Do you sincerely believe that KW is lying in the weeds for Tejada???

Yes.

Right Now Peter Gammons is predicting Tejada end upwith the Red Sox, how kmuch credibility does Gammons' truly have???

Here's a copy of Gammons Transcript:

Wed., January 4, 2006
Chris_2: Q: This Alex Cora for Kaz Matsui rumor sounds bogus to me. Is there any truth and/or logic to this rumor?
PeterGammons: The Mets would love to do it but the Red Sox love Alex Cora, the manager agrees with Paul Lo Duca that he is the smartest player in the game. Matsui is a huge question mark. The Mets throw everything out there, so I'm sure they tried.
FutureSoxOutfielder: Q: Do you believe Schilling will be healthy next year??
PeterGammons: I do. I'm not sure he can come back and have the power arm he had two years ago but he can pitch well enough to win consistently. One thing about Curt, he really knows how to use Fenway Park. The key to right-handed pitchers at Fenway is to get right-handed hitters to hit to the deepest part of ballpark. Beckett should also be good at Fenway, Papelbon too.
BoSox89: Q: Is there any more talk about the Sox getting Torii Hunter?
PeterGammons: No. He's untradable because he's the only Twins player who has hit 20 HRs the last couple of years. Both their good young hitters Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are left handed. They need his power.
Fenway08: Q: Peter, grew up a Sox fan in the 60's and fell in love with Yaz. During the 70-80's no better Sox player than Rice. As a HOF member, what do you think Rice's chance of entering this year?
PeterGammons: I think at least 50-50. I talked at length with some of the voters at the Winter meetings. Their feeling was Rice's great years were so great, six top five finishes in 12 years. Voters like Stark, Verducci, tend to take their ballot more seriously than some people. A good chance for Rice. A lot of things voters believe: how many times are his numbers in bold face in Baseball Encyclopedia? That's really a good qualifier for a player's great ability.
millsy: Q: What are the chances of Clemens coming back to Boston?
PeterGammons: Not good. Larry Lucchino has been in contact with the Hendricks brothers as recently as yesterday. Rangers owner Tom Hicks was also at the Rose Bowl seeing his alma mater. Texas has been working very hard on bringing him to the Rangers. I wouldn't bet against it.
Yazpopsup: Q: Peter, with the signing of Preston Wilson in Houston, will that make Willy Tavares available in a trade to the Sox? Tons of speed, young, great fielder and hit almost 300 in his rookie year. (Is Houston West Coast enough for David Wells?
PeterGammons: Wilson's knees are so bad at this point, I doubt he could play center field in Houston. They got him as corner who could play center. I don't think will trade Tavares. They have 7 players getting $90 million on the payroll without Clemens. Trading a $300,000 center-fielder makes no sense. I'm not sure the Sox will trade Wells. No way taking they're taking Woody Williams from San Diego. And with Dodgers trading Duaner Sanchez to the Mets for Jae Seo, I'm not sure there's place for Wells with LA. The Red Sox are thinking "Why get rid of a guy who's 16-1 at Fenway since 1998?"
Rip: Q: Do you think Andy Marte is ready to be a full-time major leaguer in 2006?
PeterGammons: I think he will be ready by mid-season. The Braves development people believe he needs about three more months in Triple-A. But both Braves' assistant GM Dayton Moore and Roy Clark believe he's going to be a star and we all know right-handed corner power is very hard to find in baseball right now.
afh: Q: Does Manny realize that as a baseball superstar anywhere he goes he will not get any privacy. So why is it that he wants to get out of Boston? Why can't he just grin and bear it, after all based on record he has performed well in Boston.
PeterGammons: I do not think Manny thinks out certain situations very carefully. There appear to be personal issues involved in his desire to leave Boston. But I still believe that unless the Red Sox get Miguel Tejada, they will not trade him. There's no reason that Manny couldn't move out to where Pedro Martinez used to live by the Arnold Arboretum and get all the privacy he needs. I don't think he's going to retire. He'll be playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. His reporting date for the Red Sox would be within the last 10 days of March.
Dave: Q: Considering the glut of second basemen and dearth of shortstops on the Sox roster, is there any chance the Sox move Pedroia back to his natural position (short)?
PeterGammons: It has been discussed and right now the last case scenario could be starting the season with Cora and Pedroia at shortstop. I don't think that will happen and I do believe Tony Graffanino will get traded by the end of of spring training. But it is a thought, Pedroia is a slight upgrade on range and arm than David Eckstein.
zzz: Q: Peter, are people too quick to want to get rid of Clement? He pitched well most of the year. Is he really that big of a head case?
PeterGammons: Yes I think they're very quick to get rid of him. He was an all-star and after getting hit by the line drive the game seemed to speed up for him. He sometimes pitched out of control. If he's fourth behind Schilling, Beckett, Wells, or Papelbon, he could one of the best middle of the rotation starters in the league. His stuff is so good, opposing teams don't want to face him. That's worth something.
Mike_from_Portland: Q: Peter: Knowing how difficult it is to repeat, what do you think of the White Sox post-series model of aggressively moving to resign key leaders (Konerko) and locking up young arbitration eligibles (Garland/Pierzynski), and trading spare parts?
PeterGammons: I thought the White Sox did a great job moving forward. One thing that was interesting talking to both ownership and FO during offseason. They realize a lot of things went right for them to win. They went out and made changes. Getting Jim Thome was a great move. Also, the Javier Vazquez move was good one as well since DB were also talking to Indians about Vazquez. Signing Garland gives opportunity to trade him or Contreras when a team gets desperate for pitching. Kenny Williams proving to be one of the best GMs in the game. He understands that the game is entirely based on pitching.
miggpo: Q: How are the Red Sox addressing there need for utility players?
PeterGammons: Their biggest need right now is a right-handed hitting outfielder. I doubt they could get anyone as good as Jay Payton but eventually someone will fall through cracks in spring training. The idea of signing J.T. Snow is the idea that Youkilis is going to be a productive everyday first baseman, offensively and defensively, and they don't want a conflict with someone as far as starting is concerned.
Klutz: Q: Please settle an argument: I say it was Theo's plan all along to cut his losses and deal Renteria, others say Renteria was dealt only after Theo was gone. Which is correct?
PeterGammons: Theo was very much for that trade. He worried that what we saw last year might be what he is in the future as opposed to the all-star that he was in St. Louis. Whether it was injuries, or Boston, there was concern on a lot of levels in the organization and I believe Theo would have made that deal and thought about it in Sept. and October. I agree with Lucchino that says most of the plans for the offseason were laid out in October, while Theo is still there. I think that one thing that has always impressed me about Theo is the ability to admit that he's wrong and cut his losses.
BAMDAD: Q: Have the Red Sox front office screwed things up from both a PR standpoint and a player standpoint, i.e., current players, losing good players, and not getting people to come here?
PeterGammons: I'm not sure there's a lot that they could have done differently. I think most of the concern is over losing Damon. And while they didn't see Damon getting a $52 million offer from the Yankees or Boras accepting anything under five years. I don' t think they would have gone beyond $46 million for four years. In talking to GMs around the game, Jed Hoyer, who does most of trade discussions, has come out with a lot more admiration from other GMs in baseball. He's smart, he's respectful, and the other GMs seem to genuinely like him.
Yazman8: Q: Dear Mr. Gammons...The All Time Greatest -- Do you think that the Red Sox bullpen is complete and how much are the Sox counting on Jermaine Van Buren who played for my hometown Hattiesburg High Tigers in Hattiesburg, MS?
PeterGammons: I don't know how much they're counting on him, but no harm taking a shot. I think they'd still like to add one or two left-handed relievers and if they were to trade Wells to the Dodgers, they would want a power reliever back. It's still all going to come down to Keith Foulke because if he can close as he did two years ago, then they have a chance to be very strong in the 6, 7, and 8th innings with Timlin, Mota, and Seanez.
red: Q: Hey Peter, Do the Sox really have a deal in place for Lugo sending Marte to the Rays? Seems an awful lot to give up for Lugo, Marte and cash sent to Atlanta.
PeterGammons: I agree that it's a lot to give up if one considers that Marte's ceiling is much higher, he's much cheaper, and Lugo is a one year deal. One thing I've heard that if Marte went to Tampa the Red Sox also might get Joey Gathright and use Gathright in a deal with Seattle for Jeremy Reed.
bub: Q: Do you believe that Theo will be back in Boston?
PeterGammons: I believe it. But I don't know it. It wouldn't stun me if he waited and did some consulting work but I certainly get the impression that John Henry, Tom Werner, Larry Lucchino, and all the front office want him back. I would think by now, everyone concerned has a pretty good idea of what role he would fill. I do find it interesting the Patriots are trying to win their fourth Super Bowl in five years and the best GM in football, Scott Pioli, has his contract up at the end of the season.
portland_s_dirtdog: Q: Will the Sox get rid of Marte because of the season he is having in the Dominican winter league?
PeterGammons: No. Teams don't put much stock in that. They do no want to trade him. But in the end. If they can't fill two positions any other way, it may make sense to think of trading him as "alright, this is what we got for Renteria, how do we solve our other problems?"
smcjp: Q: How much have the Red Sox improved the pitching staff this offseason? Will Lester break into the starting staff?
PeterGammons: I think they've improved it by getting Beckett, Mota, and Seanez. I think Papelbon will be a very important contributor, but in the end, the 300 most important innings may once again be Schilling and Foulke and as we all know they couldn't pitch 300 innings last year, nor could they pitch effectively.
soxfan10: Q: Where are the Red Sox and Orioles at in their trade talks involving Manny and Miguel Tejada?
PeterGammons: I get the impression that they're stalled. Clearly the Jeromy Burnitz fiasco and most everyone assumes that he failed the physical, complicates the deal because it makes it more difficult for the Orioles to trade an outfielder. It's my understanding that the money issue is a problem. Manny's agent Greg Genkse told me yesterday that the option was not going to be a problem. But the Orioles indicated something different to me. I still think there's a fair chance it happens because the Red Sox want it to happen and David Ortiz is clearly fueling the Tejada fire.
GammonsisKing: Q: What is your prediction? Who will be starting at SS, 1B, and CF for the Red Sox on opening day?
PeterGammons: This will be a heck of a guess because I'm sure I'm going to be wrong. At 12:45 p.m. on Jan. 4, I would guess Tejada at SS, Reed in CF, and Youkilis at 1B. But the only one I'm confident of is Youkilis.
eddiethek: Q: Mark Loretta has played shortstop for the Brewers in 2000 with only two errors in 90 games at that position. Why can't the Red Sox use him at short and Tony Graffanino at second base?
PeterGammons: Loretta would only be a stopgap at short. Injuries have slowed him down. He's an intelligent player but the quickness is no longer there to play short.
BJ: Q: Which Sea Dog should we be watching in Portland this year as the next great prospect?
PeterGammons: If Brandon Moss doesn't go back there, I would think Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowry will be the two players to watch. Even though Ellsbury has some growing up to do, he could get to the big leagues in a hurry, and so could Lowry. What will be interesting is to see if they keep Lowry at shortstop. He played second base at Stanford and Team USA. Craig Shipley likes they way he played shortstop, and kept him there at Lowell and he played really well..
bigpapipower: Q: Are the Red Sox in your mind behind the Yankees and Blue Jays in the East. If yes, what are chances this could change by opening day?
PeterGammons: I think Toronto right now is the strongest contender in the AL East. Unless the Yankees all get old and their pitching disintegrates, they should be able to win 100 games. Toronto has the best pitcher in the division in Roy Halladay. And they should score a lot more runs than they did last year. My issue is a question of their middle infield defense and the depth of their pitching. What the Red Sox do between now and August 1 will answer a lot of questions.
GARP: Q: How is Trot Nixon valued by other teams, scouts, etc. It seems as though he has lost a step and not the player we hoped he would be a few years back.
PeterGammons: I think your evaluation is probably right. The injuries the last two years have slowed him down and he's never been given the opportunity to show he can hit left-handed pitching. He will be one of the most interesting players to see this spring. I have a feeling he's going to come in to Ft. Myers in tremendous shape and have his best season in three years.
Barry: Q: Peter, Should the Manny-Tejada trade actually happen. Can we expect to see Tejada's production numbers increase because of the Boston line-up, and conversely, Manny's numbers decline because of the Baltimore lineup?
PeterGammons: Tejada's numbers will increase because of the lineup around him. But I think Manny is born to play in Baltimore. He's a right centerfield hitter. His greatest power has been minimized by fenway park. I can easily see him hitting 50 homers in Camden Yards. In my mind, as great a player as Tejada is, if the Orioles can get Ramirez and Clement, I personally think they would be crazy to turn it down.
PeterGammons: Thanks folks, gotta run into a meeting, but hope you get a chance to come to the Hot Stove, Cool Music roundtable discussion on Saturday with Theo and J.P. Ricciardi and/or the concert on Sunday. PG.

Like I stated earlier, I dont believe anything Kenny Williams says to Dave VanDyck or Chris DeLuca or anyone else working for a newspaper or any media outlet in Chicago or anywhere. This man has a history of keeping things quiet and not admitting to having trade talks. Member the whole Jon Garland experience this winter? One day he was quoted as being likely sent to the Dodgers or Angels as Kenny beleived he would be unable to sign him and about this same time it was reported by a couple papers here in Chicago that the Sox were closing in on resigning Contreras. Well interesting how literally the next day Garland signs for 3 years 29 mil and Kenny not more than 24 hrs before was telling the papers and Pierzynski also had a quote saying he thought "Gar" might be traded based on what he told Kenny his price was. Last year Kenny also denied any offer was made for Ken Griffey Jr, and later it came out not only were offers made it was basically the Reds owner that vetoed the deal and the Sox apparently were ready to pull the trigger. While I wont dismiss what DeLuca and VanDyck have written again. Remember two things here, One Rumor's source claimed the sox are laying in the weeds on this Tejada deal. Laying in the weeds certainly would be exactly what they are doing, denying all reports, saying its a bad fit. Not laying in the weeds would be admitting to the papers they are after him and that has never been Kenny's style for Tejada or any player. All DeLuca said is this week the interview was done, well what if this week was Monday after the Dec 31st deadline Williams set for his two offers but before Rumor's source claimed the Sox have re-entered the Tejada sweepstakes? Ditto for the VanDyck article with regard to the timetable of when the interview was done. Like VanDyck I dont believe DeLuca is a daily columnist in the Sun-Times. For all we know these iterviews couldve been done Monday and not run till today because of the Bowl games and National Title game taking up more paper space. I dont know its just a theory. Another reason I'm not sold these Tejada to the Sox talks are dead or never happend is now as of today, we have CBS sportsline saying the White Sox are one of the teams interested in Tejada. That was posted today on that site.I'm interested to see what Rumor has to say about this in his update on this rumor.

This could be a problem for both the SoX & Cubs when it comes to dealing for Tejada

However, the news of Conine's signing was overshadowed by the acrimonious exchange, via the media, between Orioles Vice President of Baseball Operations Jim Duquette and agent Howard Simon, who represents outfielder Jeromy Burnitz. Burnitz yesterday finalized a one-year, $6.7 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates a week after the Orioles believed they had reached agreement with him on a two-year deal.

Duquette yesterday accused Simon of reneging on the deal, telling the Associated Press, "My feeling is, we had an agreement. . . . It sets a bad precedent when that is allowed to happen."

However, Simon insisted no agreement had been reached and blamed the disintegration of the deal on what he described as "onerous, open-ended" language regarding Burnitz's physical examination in the team's final contract proposal.

"We did not renege," Simon said. "We did not have a deal. We agreed to most of the terms and conditions, but not all of them. The language [regarding the physical] was unacceptable."

Simon described the Orioles as a "franchise in disarray," and blamed the contract fiasco on owner Peter Angelos, a Baltimore lawyer whom Simon believes was responsible for the severity of the contract language.

"This is a hands-on owner," Simon said. "I can't even take the word of the guy I'm dealing with [Duquette], because he doesn't have the authority."

Angelos did not return a telephone message yesterday seeking comment.

According to Simon, the standard contract language regarding a physical examination specifies only that the contract is contingent upon the player passing one. By contrast, Simon said, the Orioles' proposal contained four components regarding Burnitz's medical evaluation. In addition to separate physical examinations by the Orioles and an insurance agent, the proposal called for a "complete and full review by the club of the player's complete medical records, including but not limited to X-rays and training room notes." At that point, the Orioles, according to the proposal, were still permitted to make a "final determination. . . as to whether [Burnitz's] physical condition is acceptable."

"What am I supposed to do?" Simon said. "Go to the Cubs, the Indians, the Dodgers and the Rockies [Burnitz's former teams]? And call Doctors A, B, C and D and get their records?"

Simon also said the team's well-documented trade discussions with the Boston Red Sox regarding slugging left fielder Manny Ramirez further soured Burnitz on the Orioles. "I didn't want a situation where the music stops," Simon said, "and my guy doesn't have a chair."

Duquette did not return a telephone message seeking comment. However, in an interview with the Associated Press, he said Burnitz informed a team official during a telephone conversation over the weekend that he had undergone "a change of heart" and decided he wanted to play in the National League.

Simon acknowledged "there could be other reasons" for Burnitz's turning down the Orioles' proposal. "All I'm saying," Simon said, "is that this thing would have been done if it weren't for that onerous language."

The Orioles' offer "is a better deal than the one we accepted" in terms of years and guaranteed dollars, Simon said. " . . . I'm not looking for a dart-throwing contest. But I'm not going to sit back and let people say we're not honorable people, and that we're reneging."

Talked to Chris De Luca of the Sun Times just now. He told me he talked to Kenny Williams on Wednesday night for today's story.

Thats not good for us SoX fans!

Rumor,
Thanks for the investigative work. At least we know DeLuca talked to Kenny as recent as possible before writing his story. One thing do you believe Kenny is telling DeLuca the truth? I guess my personal sentiments listening to Kenny in other interviews and knowing how he has operated in the past would be no I dont think he's being entirely truthful with DeLuca.

I'm with you, that KW wouldn't tell the media if a Tejada deal was in the works. Of course, if that were the case, he could always just not return calls. But he has done differently than he's said in the past.

I certainly hope the both of you are right about this.
Imagine Tejada wearing
black & white.

Yep I just have seen it too many times in his 6 years here. KW be under the radar and then striking quick when the time is right. I think the old Kenny in his early years would avoid the media and not return calls. I think in the last 2 years, he has grown up and has learned to deal with the media even if it is complete garbage he's gonna give them. I was friends with a girl who's dad works in the white sox scouting dept (Larry Monroe) and he's said before Kenny at times will barely even let him in on exactly what is in his head. Like I cited earlier with the Griffey talks last year even though the trade wasnt made, they certainly went further than Kenny made it seem and I also remember the Garcia deal in 03. All you heard was the Yanks were gonna get him, literally that same morning something popped up about the sox having talks about him and later that afternoon on my way back from a cubs/sox game, it was broken on the radio the sox acqurired Garcia and you got the same spiel from Kenny before that trade too. I'm not saying they will land Tejada for sure but the way this is going down the precedence is certainly there for it happening based on how Kenny has acted and the quotes he's thrown out there regarding it.

Yeah I remember that day Kenny acquired Garcia.
Half of me was overwhelmed with joy for the SoX
The other half was down
for my Yanks

So.... let's say Ken Williams is, in fact, not blowing smoke. What types of pitching is he seeking in return for Contreras? Are we looking at MLB-ready starters? Prospects?

I seriously doubt Reinsdorf raises payroll over $100 million even after winning the championship. Tejada at 12 per for another 4 years? I don't think so. It just doesn't sound like Reinsdorf.

KW chooses his words carefully. He's like a lawyer, check it out:
"In my mind, (a trade) would be for pitching." -in his mind? iffy wording
"Early on, there was no match from our end." -EARLY ON
"I want the luxury that if we come out of spring training where if we have a guy who's not quite right, we don't have to push him. And I also want to ease McCarthy into the rotation. That will give us some insurance" -leverage in negotiations
"We were told there wasn't a fit." -past tense
I'm not saying anything will be done, but he does throw around a lot of smoke and mirrors when addressing the issue.

Teetz-
JC + Uribe = Tejada next year in salary terms, so that's a moot issue. Beyond that Tejada is still signed to a very affordable contract, so if the Sox tanked he could be retraded for prospects, etc. Rumors have it that the Sox are willing to spend upwards of $106 mil anyway, but they currently stand around $95ish mil I believe.

FT, great point. I hadn't realized how carefully chosen KW's words were.

But yeah, my source says the Sox will take payroll to $105MM.