Baseball Guru
12-09-2003, 08:56 PM
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20031209&content_id=614312&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
BOSTON -- Red Sox principal owner John W. Henry responded strongly Tuesday to published comments made a couple of days ago by Arn Tellem, the agent for Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra.
In an article in Monday's Boston Globe, Tellem, referring to reports that Henry had spoken to Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez about a potential trade to the Red Sox for Manny Ramirez, called it "a slap in the face" to Garciaparra.
Henry, who was in the Dominican Republic unveiling the team's new baseball academy, called Tellem's criticism "the height of hypocrisy" in a story posted on The Boston Globe website Tuesday afternoon.
In the article, Henry confirmed that the Red Sox have made more than one offer to secure Garciaparra to a long-term deal over the last year.
"We have made incredible offers and the reason we are proceeding as if we're not going to be able to sign Nomar is because his agent has given us every indication that there is no common ground," Henry told The Globe. "He seems to believe it is the winter of 2000."
Ironically, it was in the winter of 2000 when Rodriguez and Ramirez both struck their mammoth deals, creating the possibility of the first trade in baseball history that would involve two players who make $20 million per season.
Tellem didn't say anything about recent contract negotiations with the Red Sox when quoted earlier this week.
But he did have plenty of other things to say on behalf of his client.
"After all Nomar has done from the first day he stepped on the field for the Red Sox, to wake up on his honeymoon to read the paper and to see that John Henry is in direct talks with A-Rod is a total and complete slap in the face to Nomar," Tellem said.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein is still hopeful that Garciaparra and the team can come to an agreement on an extension.
"There's still hope," said Epstein to the Boston Herald. "Negotiation is a process. We often pursue multiple tracks. Curt Schilling wasn't the only pitcher we were pursuing. Our first choice is to sign Nomar to a deal that makes sense.
"Nomar has been consistent from Day 1 with us that he wants to come back. And we have been consistent with him that we want him back." While the opening of the expansive academy was a highly meaningful day for Henry, he was peeved that Tellem would make his gripes so public.
Through this sticky situation the last few weeks regarding Ramirez and Garciaparra, the Red Sox, out of respect for their players, haven't said anything publicly about the A-Rod rumors.
"[Tellem] says we are being disingenuous," Henry said. "I take great umbrage in that. It is the height of hypocrisy to make statements like that. I hope he is being more honest with his client than he is with media."
As of Monday, Garciaparra hadn't heard from the Red Sox since the A-Rod rumors began to surface. He called the Boston sports radio station WEEI from his honeymoon to reiterate how much he loves playing for the Sox.
"I've always said that's the only uniform I want to know when my career is over," Garciaparra said.
And if the Red Sox prevent him from playing the final season of his contract in Boston?
"I'd definitely be hurt," Garciaparra told WEEI. "I'm in a place that I've given so much of my life and so much of my effort."
Meanwhile, if a Rodriguez-for-Ramirez deal is struck, it isn't likely to happen until the Winter Meetings, which begin Friday in New Orleans. Both teams have other things on their agenda.
Epstein accompanied Henry and several other club officials to Tuesday's event in the Dominican.
And on Thursday, Epstein is scheduled to meet with new manager Terry Francona in Boston to discuss, among other things, the coaching staff.
According to a report in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Red Sox aren't likely to go full steam ahead on a Rodriguez deal until they have a definite trade regarding Garciaparra.
Rangers owner Tom Hicks told the Star-Telegram that he still expects the American League Most Valuable Player to be wearing a Texas uniform in 2004.
"I think everything got so over-publicized," Hicks said. "I think both teams are kind of sitting back and doing other things. As I said all along, I don't think anything is going to happen. I think Alex will be our shortstop."
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
BOSTON -- Red Sox principal owner John W. Henry responded strongly Tuesday to published comments made a couple of days ago by Arn Tellem, the agent for Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra.
In an article in Monday's Boston Globe, Tellem, referring to reports that Henry had spoken to Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez about a potential trade to the Red Sox for Manny Ramirez, called it "a slap in the face" to Garciaparra.
Henry, who was in the Dominican Republic unveiling the team's new baseball academy, called Tellem's criticism "the height of hypocrisy" in a story posted on The Boston Globe website Tuesday afternoon.
In the article, Henry confirmed that the Red Sox have made more than one offer to secure Garciaparra to a long-term deal over the last year.
"We have made incredible offers and the reason we are proceeding as if we're not going to be able to sign Nomar is because his agent has given us every indication that there is no common ground," Henry told The Globe. "He seems to believe it is the winter of 2000."
Ironically, it was in the winter of 2000 when Rodriguez and Ramirez both struck their mammoth deals, creating the possibility of the first trade in baseball history that would involve two players who make $20 million per season.
Tellem didn't say anything about recent contract negotiations with the Red Sox when quoted earlier this week.
But he did have plenty of other things to say on behalf of his client.
"After all Nomar has done from the first day he stepped on the field for the Red Sox, to wake up on his honeymoon to read the paper and to see that John Henry is in direct talks with A-Rod is a total and complete slap in the face to Nomar," Tellem said.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein is still hopeful that Garciaparra and the team can come to an agreement on an extension.
"There's still hope," said Epstein to the Boston Herald. "Negotiation is a process. We often pursue multiple tracks. Curt Schilling wasn't the only pitcher we were pursuing. Our first choice is to sign Nomar to a deal that makes sense.
"Nomar has been consistent from Day 1 with us that he wants to come back. And we have been consistent with him that we want him back." While the opening of the expansive academy was a highly meaningful day for Henry, he was peeved that Tellem would make his gripes so public.
Through this sticky situation the last few weeks regarding Ramirez and Garciaparra, the Red Sox, out of respect for their players, haven't said anything publicly about the A-Rod rumors.
"[Tellem] says we are being disingenuous," Henry said. "I take great umbrage in that. It is the height of hypocrisy to make statements like that. I hope he is being more honest with his client than he is with media."
As of Monday, Garciaparra hadn't heard from the Red Sox since the A-Rod rumors began to surface. He called the Boston sports radio station WEEI from his honeymoon to reiterate how much he loves playing for the Sox.
"I've always said that's the only uniform I want to know when my career is over," Garciaparra said.
And if the Red Sox prevent him from playing the final season of his contract in Boston?
"I'd definitely be hurt," Garciaparra told WEEI. "I'm in a place that I've given so much of my life and so much of my effort."
Meanwhile, if a Rodriguez-for-Ramirez deal is struck, it isn't likely to happen until the Winter Meetings, which begin Friday in New Orleans. Both teams have other things on their agenda.
Epstein accompanied Henry and several other club officials to Tuesday's event in the Dominican.
And on Thursday, Epstein is scheduled to meet with new manager Terry Francona in Boston to discuss, among other things, the coaching staff.
According to a report in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Red Sox aren't likely to go full steam ahead on a Rodriguez deal until they have a definite trade regarding Garciaparra.
Rangers owner Tom Hicks told the Star-Telegram that he still expects the American League Most Valuable Player to be wearing a Texas uniform in 2004.
"I think everything got so over-publicized," Hicks said. "I think both teams are kind of sitting back and doing other things. As I said all along, I don't think anything is going to happen. I think Alex will be our shortstop."