Without hurt sluggers, Sox likely a lost cause
July 24, 2004
BY JAY MARIOTTI SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Advertisement
If nothing else, "bone marrow edema'' is an original. Just when you thought every possible saboteur for a Chicago baseball team had been identified, now comes the diagnosis on Magglio Ordonez's left knee. The condition sounds pretty bleak as it is, but when coupled with the stress fracture in Frank Thomas' left ankle, well, let me supply an analogy for the White Sox.
Yes, the Chicago skyline would continue to stand without the Sears Tower and John Hancock Building. But it wouldn't be world-class. Similarly, anyone who isn't petrified about the double-whammy losses of Ordonez and Thomas -- who have combined for 3,280 hits, 623 home runs, 2,142 RBI, nine All-Star Game berths and 14 .300 seasons in the major leagues -- deserves a wrecking ball in the head.
How many years have passed since the Sox won a World Series? Eighty-seven? Sad to say, if Ordonez's outlook is as dark as the mood Friday evening at U.S. Cellular Field, add another click to baseball's second-longest world-championship-less streak. The sports world waxes miserably about the various curses of the Cubs, but when the Sox lose their two best sluggers as they're picking up midsummer steam, this franchise clearly has its own karmatic issues.
"It breaks my heart,'' general manager Ken Williams said. "I just saw Magglio inside and he was close to having tears in his eyes. You can't really say much to him, other than to put your arm around him and give him a hug and wish him well.''
Though no one can spit the words out, the fear is that Ordonez and Thomas are out for the season. In the most realistic timetable, both would return in mid-September for two defining series against the division rival Minnesota Twins. But with Thomas' foot stuck in a cast and Ordonez on crutches and confined to a swimming exercise regimen, you're dreaming if you expect either player will return to optimum form this season. And if Thomonez isn't a vital part of the cause, I must break the unhappy news that the Sox probably won't be winning the American League Central, much less doing any postseason damage.
"We don't have Frank, we don't have Magglio. We're going to have to make something happen,'' said manager Ozzie Guillen, defiant as usual.
Specifically, what has to happen is another trade. Williams, the Red Bull energy drink of GMs, already has been impressive in his proactive pursuit of pitching ace Freddy Garcia and offensive threat Carl Everett, both of whom have contributed mightily to the club's recent success. But fun as the Sox have been in drawing bigger crowds to The Cell, I suspect the ever-precious payroll could become an impediment now. Despite the presence of Paul Konerko, Carlos Lee, Jose Valentin, Everett and the quickly progressing Aaron Rowand, the Sox urgently need a run-producing bat or two to beat the Twins. Yet Williams doesn't sound real eager to bring in a hitter anytime soon, which makes no sense, seeing how aggressive he has been so far.
"I'm not going to sit here and kid you that we can replace Frank and Magglio. I don't know anyone who can, unless you have a $200 million payroll,'' Williams said. "I'm not sure if there's a quick fix out there. We have Carl Everett. We have Joe Borchard. There's really not a need for a reactionary move right now. It's a time to take a step back, see if something fits and, if not, don't upset the apple cart.''
Everett will be a big help. Borchard, the former Stanford quarterback who was tossed a whopper signing bonus in 2000, won't help much at all. If chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is as serious about winning a World Series in his late 60s as he claims, he will approve another major expenditure. A rental such as Carlos Beltran would turn the Sox into a legitimate pennant contender, but the Houston Astros may not trade him. Colorado's potent Larry Walker is available and ready to be a designated hitter, yet the Sox would have to pick up a good chunk of his $12.5 million salary next year. Could Williams possibly coax Carlos Delgado, who won't honor "God Bless America'' but loves the fortune he makes from our national pastime, to waive his no-trade clause in Toronto? And if Seattle releases Bret Boone to avoid paying an $8 million vesting option, shouldn't Williams swoop in?
The trade deadline is a week from today. It might be fine to stand pat if Thomonez was gone only four more weeks, but the Sox have to assume they're finished for the season. At the very least, then, Williams should be considering the likes of Jeromy Burnitz, Steve Finley, Shea Hillenbrand and Danny Bautista. Maybe the status-quo offense is enough to get by the improved but pitching-weak Detroit Tigers, whom the Sox will play 18 more times. But as we saw last weekend in Oakland, the lineup is vulnerable to good pitching. Minnesota, which arrives for three games starting Monday, has good pitching.
With a devilish tone, Williams hinted on the team's flagship station, WMVP-AM, that he has interest in the biggest of possible prizes. It's a mystery whether Arizona will relinquish Randy Johnson, and it's just as doubtful if the Sox can be the top bidders when their farm system isn't overflowing with prospects. But though his home park has yielded the most homers in the majors, might Williams prioritize pitching over hitting? If you believe in pipe dreams, Johnson, Garcia and Mark Buehrle would position the Sox for a World Series run. "I've always believed pitching is going to carry the day, anyway,'' Williams said.
In a quirky twist, Ordonez's injury actually may help the Sox' chances of retaining him after this season. Projected to make more than $70 million in free agency next winter, he might be considered damaged goods in the marketplace. Now 30, he is losing millions by the month. If Magglio misses the rest of the season, maybe he'll accept a Sox offer loaded with deferred money, assuming Reinsdorf and Williams don't withdraw the offer because of the knee injury.
But those are offseason issues. For now, the Sox must figure out how to overcome bone marrow edema. Sounds about as cruel as a 1919 game-fixing scandal.