After Kenny Williams went public with negotiations the other day, the only logical step for Jeff Berry (Mark Buehrle’s agent) was to do the same. Williams had explained the gap as an 18-month period where Buehrle would lack no-trade protection. Berry now describes that as 20 months, and says his client won’t budge on it. Why should he? He’s already about to sign a well below-market contract. The White Sox can’t have their cake and eat it too.
Furthermore, Berry confirmed that if Buehrle is traded he will certainly exercise his right to free agency after the season. He could give his new team extra consideration but he’ll still hit the open market.
Most fans would not consider Buehrle’s request unreasonable, so the White Sox will still have some ugly PR if this thing falls through over this issue.
