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White Sox Notes: Williams, Cooper, Alomar, Bell

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GM Kenny Williams told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that he offered to move out of his current role until chairman Jerry Reinsdorf encouraged him to continue running the team (Twitter link). Here's the latest on the White Sox, who obtained two prospects for former manager Ozzie Guillen and are now looking for a permanent replacement…

  • Don Cooper, the pitching coach and interim manager, and Harold Baines, the first base coach, agreed to multiyear deals with the White Sox, according to the team. They won't announce decisions on the rest of the coaching staff until they hire a new manager.
  • Sandy Alomar Jr., a 20-year veteran who interviewed for the Blue Jays' managerial opening last year, told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian that he'll listen if the White Sox are interested in talking to him. 
  • Williams told Gonzales that Buddy Bell, the organization's director of player development, is not interested in the managerial job (Twitter link).
  • White Sox infielder Omar Vizquel told Gonzales that he doesn't expect to sign with Guillen and the Marlins after the season, when he hits free agency (Twitter link).
  • Williams hinted that the White Sox won't be spending on big name free agents this winter, according to Gonzales (on Twitter).
  • Tigers manager Jim Leyland told David Mayo of the Grand Rapids Press that he wasn't surprised to see the shakeup in Chicago take place.
  • For more on the White Sox click here and for more on Guillen click here.

White Sox Rumors: Cora, La Russa, Buehrle, Quentin

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It's time for the White Sox to prepare for life without Ozzie Guillen.  The drama continued today, with Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reporting that the Sox dismissed Joey Cora via text this morning, in lieu of Cora managing the team's final two games.  Cora is expected to join Ozzie in Miami, with pitching coach Don Cooper managing the club today and tomorrow.

  • Tony La Russa isn't interested in managing the White Sox with Kenny Williams as GM, a source tells Cowley.  Cowley says the rumored candidates to replace Guillen are Buddy Bell, Joe McEwing, and Sandy Alomar Jr.  MLB.com's Scott Merkin expects Rays bench coach Dave Martinez to be in the mix as well.  Back in May, Bell told Mark Primiano of South Side Sox he did not want to manage again.  At any rate, Williams says he's already cut the list down to "a few select candidates."
  • Mark Buehrle is making what could be his final start in a White Sox uniform tonight against the Blue Jays, since he's a free agent after the season.  The lefty told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune he'd like to play two or three more years.
  • "Some people with the White Sox think it's definite" that right fielder Carlos Quentin is traded this winter, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.  Quentin would be appealing given his .254/.340/.499 line this year and the thin market for bats.

Ozzie Guillen Links

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New Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen tweeted today that it's "weird to be in Miami," but he's very happy and ready to go.  Today's Ozzie-related links…

  • Guillen's contract with the Marlins is expected to run through 2015, according to ESPNChicago's Bruce Levine.  In that same article, Jayson Stark explains how Ozzie's farewell blog post last night was erroneously published at MLB.com.
  • Guillen didn't give it his all in 2011, explains Jim Margalus of South Side Sox, becoming disengaged with setting his lineups.
  • Ozzie is worth the risk for Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, writes Yahoo's Jeff Passan.
  • The parting of ways "needed to be done on both sides," White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
  • Many of the Sox's number crunchers avoided the dugout during batting practice due to Guillen's dislike of sabermetrics, notes Gonzales.
  • The Marlins "immediately become far more exciting" by landing Guillen, writes Scott Miller of CBS Sports.

White Sox Release Ozzie Guillen From Contract

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The worst-kept secret in Major League Baseball has now become official. Ozzie Guillen will no longer manage the White Sox and it appears that he'll sign a new deal with the Marlins, who would send compensation to Chicago if a deal with Guillen becomes official.

The White Sox announced tonight that they have released Guillen from his contract at his request. He won't be in uniform for the season's final two games, according to the team, which retains rights to compensation if another club hires Guillen to manage in 2012. White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf says he appreciates Guillen's work and wishes him the best.

“We certainly cannot thank Ozzie enough for all he has done during his eight seasons as manager of the Chicago White Sox, highlighted by an unforgettable 2005 World Series championship,” he said. 

The next time Guillen dons a Major League uniform, it will likely be for the Marlins. His deal with Florida is expected to be for three years, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Guillen had one year remaining on his deal in Chicago, where he had managed since 2004.

The White Sox will obtain two minor leaguers as compensation, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. They were hoping for a "decent prospect" from the Marlins, but weren't expecting anyone on Florida's 40-man roster, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).

Current manager Jack McKeon won't be back in Florida next year and the Marlins started a complete search for his replacement, even though they already appear to have decided on Guillen. The Marlins interviewed third base coach Joe Espada, hitting coach Eduardo Perez and Nationals coach Bo Porter today for the vacancy.

Guillen leaves the Windy City with a record of 678-617. The White Sox made two playoff appearances under Guillen: they won the World Series in 2005, Guillen's second season, and lost to the Rays in the 2008 ALDS.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, who first reported that Guillen was out as manager, says there will likely be substantive changes to Chicago’s coaching staff. Pitching coach Don Cooper already has a deal on the table to stay in the organization, according to Cowley. Bench coach Joey Cora is expected to join Guillen with the Marlins, according to Morosi (on Twitter). First, Cora will manage Chicago's last two regular season games, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin (on Twitter).  Tony La Russa and Buddy Bell are expected to be considered for Chicago's managing gig, tweets Morosi.

The White Sox and Marlins discussed a Guillen for Mike Stanton trade last offseason (don't expect a substantive return for the White Sox if the deal goes through). Though they're rare, there is some precedent for player-manager swaps. Following the 2002 season, the Rays sent Randy Winn to Seattle for minor leaguer Antonio Perez to compensate the Mariners for losing Lou Piniella.

Quick Hits: Marlins, Buehrle, Draft

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On this date in 1998, 39-year-old Rickey Henderson stole his 66th base of the season, Mark McGwire hit home runs #67 and 68 and Dennis Eckersley appeared in the final game of his career, breaking Hoyt Wilhelm's all-time appearances record by pitching in his 1071st game. Will today be as eventful? It's doubtful, but there are still 15 games on the schedule. Here are today's links…

  • MLBTR will be holding a free agent prediction contest shortly after the World Series ends.  If your company would like to contribute a cool prize or prizes for the contest, please email mlbtrsponsors@gmail.com. There will be one MLBTR post outlining the prizes, for which each bullet will be for a sponsor and will include one link to a website related to the product contributed. 
  • Bo Porter, the Nationals' third base coach, interviewed for the Marlins' managerial opening today, according to Ben Goessling of MASNsports.com (Twitter link). Porter, who interviewed for the opening last year, has another shot at the job, since Jack McKeon is set to retire.
  • Mark Buehrle told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that the White Sox haven't discussed a new deal with his agent (Twitter links). The left-hander, who hits free agency after the season, confirmed that he's looking to play for a few more years.
  • Though it doesn't appear that commissioner Bud Selig will get draft slotting in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement, it does seem likely that the signing deadline (currently August 15th) will be moved up in 2012, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. Callis' sources say an earlier signing deadline is a "slam dunk."

Ozzie Guillen On Future With White Sox

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Manager Ozzie Guillen met with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf today, but he says he left the meeting with no resolution about his future, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter links). Guillen is under contract with the White Sox next year, but he has made it known that he's displeased with his current contract and wants a raise.

"[Bleep] the years. I want more money," he said.

Guillen told Gonzales that he believes GM Kenny Williams would like him to return in 2012, but repeated that he wouldn't return with just one year remaining on his contract. One way or another, Guillen is looking for resolution and it sounds more and more like he's content to leave the White Sox after this season.

"We wish it could be over and we can move on – here or somewhere else," he said.

Marlins manager Jack McKeon announced that he'll retire after the season. Until the Marlins hire a new skipper, Guillen will be linked to the opening in Miami.

Jack McKeon To Retire

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Jack McKeon has surprised people before. He led the Marlins to a World Series Championship after the team started 16-22 in 2003 and came out of retirement as an octogenarian earlier this season. This time, he's acting as expected - he says he'll retire once the regular season ends Wednesday, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. 

The longtime manager and GM told Capozzi that he hopes to continue to work for the Marlins in some capacity. He will return to the advisory position he held from 2005 until earlier this season, according to ESPN.com's Jim Bowden (Twitter link). McKeon turns 81 this offseason, but remains remarkably energetic considering his age (he was born in the same year as Earl Weaver, the Hall of Fame skipper who last managed 25 years ago).

The last-place Marlins posted a 39-48 record under McKeon after manager Edwin Rodriguez resigned in June. McKeon told Capozzi that he can see himself managing again seven or eight years from now, health permitting.

Rosenthal On Darvish, Marlins, White Sox, Astros

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Let's take a look at what FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal has for us in his latest edition of Full Count..

  • It's expected that  C.C. Sabathia will opt out of his deal this offseason, but after that the most coveted pitcher this offseason might not be the Rangers' C.J. Wilson.  Rather, some say it could be Japanese hurler Yu Darvish.  Darvish is not a free agent, he'll have to be posted by his Japanese club and after that his rights will go to the highest bidder.  The process has backfired on MLB teams before, but Darvish is seen as different because he has lived outside of his comfort zone in Japan for virtually all of his life.
  • Improbable as it might seen, a rival GM says that there is logic to the Marlins making a run for either Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols this winter.  The Fish are moving into a new ballpark but there are still questions about whether they can sustain long-term success.  Either slugger would obviously be a major draw in tandem with Mike Stanton and that would surely get fans in the seats.
  • If Ozzie Guillen lands with the Marlins and Tony La Russa stays with the Cardinals, the identity of the White Sox's next manager could hinge on the type of team they field in 2012.  If they go all in, they'll likely want a veteran manager and if they go with a younger club they'll probably want a younger manager.  With Juan Pierre and Mark Buerhle approaching free agency and Carlos Quentin and John Danks as trade candidates, the time is now if the club wants to rebuild.
  • Baseball's biggest problem with approving Jim Crane as Astros owner stem from concerns about his past business practices and whether he would make a good long-term owner.  Crane's deal with the current owner Drayton McLane expires on November 30th and meanwhile, baseball's labor talks continue.  The players are reluctant to go to two additional wild cards unless there are fifteen teams in each league.  The easiest way to do that would be to shift the Astros to the American League, but for now the club remains on hold.

Front Office/Managerial Notes: Melvin, Padres, ChiSox

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A few items about some shuffling in a few Major League front offices and some potential moves in the dugout for next season…

  • Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said the club's postseason push is holding off discussions of a contract extension with GM Doug Melvin, writes Adam McCalvy and Jordan Schelling for MLB.com.  "Doug, with everything going on with the team, doesn't want any distractions," Attanasio said. "After the season, I'm sure, it's something we could talk about. Obviously, we are very happy with Doug. We have one of the three best records in baseball."  Melvin's current deal with Milwaukee is up after the 2012 season.
  • The Padres have extended the contracts of A.J. Hinch, Jason McLeod and Fred Uhlman Jr. through 2013, according to a team press release.  McLeod and Uhlman Jr. are assistants to the general manager and team vice-presidents, while Hinch is being promoted to that same position after serving as San Diego's VP of professional scouting.
  • Kenny Williams said he didn't feel a change in leadership was necessarily needed in Chicago, reports MLB.com's Scott Merkin.  The White Sox GM was non-committal about his team's offseason plans and the future of manager Ozzie Guillen, though Williams also noted the team hadn't held any formal organization meetings yet.
  • The Marlins will interview third base and outfield coach Joe Espada and Nationals third base coach Bo Porter on Monday about the manager's job for next season, reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.  Both men were candidates for the job last season before the club decided to bring Edwin Rodriguez back for 2011.
  • The Mets have informed front office members Wayne Krivsky and Bryan Lambe that they won't be back in 2012, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.  The moves were expected, as both men were hired by ex-Mets GM Omar Minaya.

Central Notes: Reds, Buehrle, Floyd

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Some late-night linkage regarding the Redlegs and Pale Hose:

  • Reds GM Walt Jocketty said that Cincinnati's payroll will increase in 2011, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, but they will only "bump it up a little." Fay speculates the Reds' payroll will increase from this year's $80.8MM to roughly $85MM in 2012, which would represent a similar hike from 2010's $76.1MM. Most of that, however, is accounted for in projected salary increases for players under contract. When asked whether he'd be shopping for big-ticket free agents this winter, Jocketty said "probably not."
  • White Sox lefty Mark Buehrle, an impending free agent, said moving to the National League is enticing to him, as it would represent a chance to face hitters who have seen him relatively few times, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. The 12-year veteran, who said he's willing to play for a few more years, has pitched exclusively in the AL Central, so those hitters have seen him a lot. Sounds like classic posturing, doesn't it? Buehrle, a Missouri native, has been rumored in the past to have designs on pitching for the Cardinals.
  • Buehrle's teammate Gavin Floyd could be a trade candidate this offseason depending on how the White Sox plan for 2012, writes Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. Under team control through next season at a very reasonable price of $7MM (with a club option for 2013), Floyd would draw plenty of interest on the market.
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