rockin500
01-23-2005, 02:10 AM
CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Saturday he has been in contact with the agent for Magglio Ordonez but was not certain whether the free agent outfielder had fully recovered from two surgeries on his left knee.
During a question-and-answer session Saturday at the 20th Cubs Convention, Hendry was asked if the Cubs were interested in Ordonez, who batted .292 in 52 games with the Chicago White Sox before he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
"Our doctors have spoken to his doctors," Hendry said. "(Ordonez) has not worked out for anyone. Medically, it's more of an issue. But we'd be foolish not to have interest."
There also were reports Hendry and Cubs manager Dusty Baker were considering a pre-Spring Training meeting with outfielder Sammy Sosa. When asked about such a trip, Hendry said Saturday that was "the first I've heard of" a proposed peace summit.
"I'm still waiting for him to call me," Hendry said of Sosa, who has not spoken to Cubs officials since leaving the last game of the regular season early. Sosa was fined one day's pay for his exit.
Baker said Saturday he planned on batting Sosa fourth in the order. The right fielder, who batted .253, was dropped to sixth at the end of last season.
"I think he deserves a certain amount of respect," Baker said.
During another Q&A with the Cubs coaches, first base coach Gary Matthews defended Sosa, saying the right fielder was bothered by a sore shoulder which affected his swing. As for moving Sosa closer to the plate, that's been suggested, Baker said. It's up to Sosa.
"I know in my heart Sammy's not through," Baker said. "I think when he comes back, there might be some things he's more open to and more humble."
Even new Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg was asked about Sosa's situation during his Q&A with fans Saturday.
"I'm going to wait and see what happens with that," Sandberg said.
"That's a subject nobody in their right mind wants to touch right now," said former Cubs manager and general manager Jim Frey.
During a question-and-answer session Saturday at the 20th Cubs Convention, Hendry was asked if the Cubs were interested in Ordonez, who batted .292 in 52 games with the Chicago White Sox before he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
"Our doctors have spoken to his doctors," Hendry said. "(Ordonez) has not worked out for anyone. Medically, it's more of an issue. But we'd be foolish not to have interest."
There also were reports Hendry and Cubs manager Dusty Baker were considering a pre-Spring Training meeting with outfielder Sammy Sosa. When asked about such a trip, Hendry said Saturday that was "the first I've heard of" a proposed peace summit.
"I'm still waiting for him to call me," Hendry said of Sosa, who has not spoken to Cubs officials since leaving the last game of the regular season early. Sosa was fined one day's pay for his exit.
Baker said Saturday he planned on batting Sosa fourth in the order. The right fielder, who batted .253, was dropped to sixth at the end of last season.
"I think he deserves a certain amount of respect," Baker said.
During another Q&A with the Cubs coaches, first base coach Gary Matthews defended Sosa, saying the right fielder was bothered by a sore shoulder which affected his swing. As for moving Sosa closer to the plate, that's been suggested, Baker said. It's up to Sosa.
"I know in my heart Sammy's not through," Baker said. "I think when he comes back, there might be some things he's more open to and more humble."
Even new Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg was asked about Sosa's situation during his Q&A with fans Saturday.
"I'm going to wait and see what happens with that," Sandberg said.
"That's a subject nobody in their right mind wants to touch right now," said former Cubs manager and general manager Jim Frey.