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12/12/2004 8:21 PM ET Sox practice patience at meetings GM Williams not giving up on landing Johnson By Scott Merkin / MLB.com Carlos Lee could theoretically be part of a trade for Arizona's Randy Johnson. (Duane Burleson/AP) ANAHEIM -- Meeting the Chicago media for what would most likely be the final time at Major League Baseball's 2004 Winter Meetings, Kenny Williams seemed to be in a very upbeat and positive mood. One of the assembled reporters asked the White Sox general manager if his gregarious nature Sunday afternoon was a harbinger of a major move on the horizon. With a smile, Williams pointed out that it was more about his own personal nature than anything to do with the team. But he wasn't leaving the West Coast disappointed. "If people did things on my timetable and according to my dreams and desires, things would certainly get done in a timely basis," Williams said. "But I'm not really disappointed. You just have to exercise a little patience. "There are roads we've traveled down that are designed to improve the team. You never can tell if something will happen sooner or later. Many times, you see a lot of things happen the very next week, so we'll just have to wait and see." Williams was unable to shed any new light on whether an acquisition of Randy Johnson from Arizona would be one of those moves coming soon. Arizona met with Johnson's agents late into Saturday night, and once again appears to be set on keeping the hard-throwing left-hander unless an offer overwhelms the Diamondbacks. Williams hadn't heard anything regarding the long conversation as of Sunday afternoon. When asked if he had a straight answer regarding Johnson's interest in the White Sox, after he had been told that the Big Unit would not pitch in Chicago, Williams matter-of-factly answered, "That would be a no." The lack of concrete information or overall uncertainty doesn't mean Williams is giving up on bringing in the long shot. "I'll continue to talk to anyone who wants to talk to us about ideas in improving the club," Williams said. "Until you are told no on a particular issue, I think it's my job and my duty and responsibility and obligation to the team and to the fans to try to pursue it to the end." Carlos Lee / LF Born: 06/20/76 Height: 6'2" Weight: 240 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site A number of teams have interest in White Sox left fielder Carlos Lee, who theoretically could be part of a trade for Johnson. Milwaukee reportedly is one of the strongest squads from that group and would seem to have a natural fit with the White Sox in leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik or utility infielder Keith Ginter, who could challenge Willie Harris at second base and serve as the team's backup third baseman. Williams refused comment on the Brewers' possibility. The trade route seems to be the only road available for the White Sox in terms of adding an impact player, Williams' primary goal with every move he makes. But with the shockingly high market set for free agents, the trade avenue could be a road traveled by teams other than the White Sox. That change makes it "a whole lot of fun" for the White Sox, according to Williams. It also could account for Williams' demeanor as the South Side brain trust prepares to return home, even though any significant acquisitions were unlikely. "No. I'm just moody," said Williams, drawing a big laugh from the media group during a conversation by the pool at the Anaheim Marriott. "Today I'm in a better mood than I was yesterday. "The free-agent market has surprised many of us. So the only alternative for the majority of the clubs since quite frankly, in my opinion, things have gotten out of hand, is to try to improve themselves in the trade route. That's where we are right now. "We are always trying to add impact type of guys," Williams added. "Trust me, we are after players that I can one day envision winning a championship for

When has reinsdorf decided to that. Say we want clement renteria or maybe just a guy can pitch in 5th starter spot. Reinsdorf wont up it other than getting maybe a vetrean 2b

Okay im not meaning to be a you know what. But kenny has stated for us make any pickups we need to trade

guys get a grip. You can talk all about it happening. Until it does just stop. I mean we been talking 4 weeks now about this.

Ozzies tells the truth and point blank heres answer of this even happening Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he would love to see Johnson in a White Sox uniform. "That's a good rumor," Guillen said. "We always go by dreams, and I think my general manager (hasn't been getting) three or four days of sleep thinking about it. If Randy Johnson comes here, it would be nice. But you have to go through a lot of different things to get him

Looks even more that baustista guy they want out

ANAHEIM -- John Gibbons knows he has a difficult challenge ahead, but he can't wait to get to it. "I'm really looking forward to going into Spring Training and shaping things the way I want," Gibbons said at his media session at the Winter Meetings on Saturday. "There's only one way I know how to do things. That's my style and I'm going to have to live with it. "I can't put pressure on myself and say, 'If things don't go well, I'm gone.' I can't worry about that." Like Jays fans, Gibbons is anxiously awaiting word on how the team is going to replace the offense provided by Carlos Delgado. "We've got a big hole to fill, we need a couple of bats," Gibbons said. "But J.P. [Ricciardi] is working on that. You are not going to make up for Delgado with one guy. There's not a more dangerous hitter in baseball. It's a big hole to fill and there will be pressure on the guys who replace him." One of the possibilities is free agent third baseman Corey Koskie. "That would be nice, I know J.P. is working on that," Gibbons said. "He's a good productive player. He's also a leader type. He's also a Canadian kid, so that would be good for PR. But he's a winner." Gibbons said he realizes that the Jays may have to manufacture more runs than they have in the past, as opposed to waiting for home runs. "We'll have to wait until we see how things shape up," Gibbons said. "But if we need to put guys in motion more, we will. I've always been an aggressive guy. I like to make things happen." Making more use of team speed is natural, Gibbons said. "I think we need to take advantage of what we have," Gibbons said. "Orlando Hudson has good speed, so do Reed [Johnson], Vernon [Wells] and [Russ] Adams. We have to put pressure on other teams." Gibbons said he already has toyed with the tops of several different lineups. "Against right-handers, we can go with Adams first, then Hudson, maybe [Frank Catalanotto] or Vernon, depending on what else we do," Gibbons said. "Against lefties, we could go with Reed at the top unless Adams proves he can hit lefties consistently. It just depends on the matchups." Any way he looks at it, though, Gibbons likes the idea of Hudson batting second. "He's a confidence guy," Gibbons said. "When you show confidence in him, he does much better. He did that the last few months of last season. I think he's going to show more power and become an All-Star-type player." Gibbons also is looking forward to an improved starting rotation. And he thinks a new surface at SkyDome would be a big help. "Roy Halladay is ready to go, he's back to his normal routine," Gibbons said. "He's a guy you have to count on for 15 wins. We expect [Ted] Lilly to get better and [Dave] Bush to get better. Josh Towers might be in the mix. And [free agent] Matt Clement would be a big addition, no question." If Clement is added, that would mean Miguel Batista could stay in the bullpen. "[batista] could be a closer or he could go back to the rotation," Gibbons said. "Right now, you have to look at him as a closer." Gibbons is hoping that more players competing up to their ability will mean the Jays can be more competitive in the very difficult American League East. "It's a real tough division," Gibbons said. "But there's nothing you can do about it. There is no use complaining. The only thing you can do is make yourself look better and get everybody to produce." Now that he has a say, Gibbons is already making plans for Spring Training. "It should be good," Gibbons said. "You've got to stick to basics and make sure guys are ready to go. All the players need their regular at-bats and you have to get your regular lineup going the last 10 days or two weeks." But spring is several months away. There are still moves to be made. "Until things are in place, you can't really know how to proceed," Gibbons said. "But I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, we'll know a lot more by the end of this week."

told ya I wasny lying about wright physical

according to offman of 670 the score that Jared Wright did not pass his physical

Guys if sox make trade and camke signing of renteria u wouldnt be happy???

this is why this deal makes sense whitesox trying move either lee or konerko big salary to fit need of 5th starter with bautista , have everett play left and hinske dh. Also frees up money to get a cheap 2b or maybe have money sign ss

carlos delgado buddy geez lol

By JEFF BLAIR BASEBALL REPORTER Saturday, December 11, 2004 - Page S1 E-mail this Article Print this Article Advertisement Follow This Topic Have the news stories that matter most sent to your inbox daily. Follow the news… on Toronto Raptors on National Basketball Association Create your own alert ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- The crying and the spinning are done, and now the Toronto Blue Jays must deal with the most important aspect of Carlos Delgado's departure: replacing his offence. Even with Delgado, the Blue Jays finished third last in the American League in batting average (.260) and on-base percentage (.328) and tied with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the third fewest home runs (145.) Bringing free agent Corey Koskie in, getting a full year from Frank Catalanotto and hoping that Russ Adams gives them an upgrade at shortstop alone doesn't make them a better offensive team. "We've said we'd like to add two bats," general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "You aren't going to replace Carlos's 35 or 40 homers and 100 RBIs with one guy. We need two, then maybe chip away elsewhere." No wonder Ricciardi spent part of yesterday's first day of the winter meetings dismissing suggestions he would consider trading Vernon Wells or Alexis Rios. Ricciardi was also scheduled to meet late last night with Pat Rooney, Koskie's agent, and he and his lieutenants are closely monitoring the activities of the Chicago White Sox, with an eye toward acquiring left fielder and designated hitter Carlos Lee, who also played first base. The White Sox's general manager, Kenny Williams, needs to regain some of the sports pages from the Chicago Cubs, and Lee or first baseman Paul Konerko could be dealt as he attempts to clear the decks for a significant free-agent acquisition to remake a team that has already lost free agent Magglio Ordonez. Lee, a 28-year-old right-handed hitter, batted .305, with 31 homers and 99 runs batted in, and had an on-base percentage of .366. He interests the Blue Jays, even though he will make $8-million next season (as will Konerko, who has his own supporters in the Blue Jays' front office) and even though adding him and Koskie means the Blue Jays would move either Eric Hinske or Miguel Batista, or both, perhaps throwing a prospect such as Gabe Gross in as a sweetener. Hinske will get a raise to $3-million next season, while Batista will earn $4.75-million. Reports that Ricciardi approached the Washington Nationals about a trade that would send Rios to the National League club for Nick Johnson are wrong. Officials with both clubs say it was the Nationals who approached the Blue Jays and that Ricciardi was properly dismissive, since Johnson will be a free agent in two years (the Blue Jays have Rios for five more years) and is too often hurt. Rios is on an intensive weightlifting program this off-season to see whether he can improve his power numbers. "But he's weightlifting naturally," Ricciardi quipped, referring to baseball's current obsession with steroids. Wells was the subject of some interest on the part of the Anaheim Angels until yesterday's signing of Steve Finley. "I would have to be bowled over to even think of trading Vernon or Rios," Ricciardi said. "Know what? It ain't going to happen. We already have enough offence we need to replace." Wells will make $2.9-million in 2005 in the third year of a five-year deal, making him hugely cost-effective for a team with a $53-million payroll. While Ricciardi described some of the free-agent contracts signed in the past two days as "eye-opening," he said it probably won't have an impact on the players the Blue Jays are pursuing. Koskie and pitcher Matt Clement remain the Blue Jays' free-agent focus. The Cleveland Indians, considered to be the front-runner for Clement's services, believe the right-hander is now out of their price range because of the bloated contracts offered to other pitchers. But Ricciardi said last night that he thought the Blue Jays were "still in the picture." Designated hitter candidates such as Tony Clark and possibly even former Blue Jay John Olerud are in the background. "Not plan A," as Ricciardi described them. The team is interested in bringing back former closer Billy Koch in a setup role -- "we've always like the arm," Ricciardi said. Ricciardi confirmed that the Blue Jays are considering making a formal offer to left-handed reliever Steve Kline, a key member of the St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen, who was not offered arbitration by the club. Kline, a former member of the Montreal Expos, whose wife is from Montreal, was left off the Cardinals' World Series roster. A durable pitcher who had a 1.79 earned-run average last season, Kline made $1.7-million and will likely expect in the neighbourhood of $2.5-million. He underwent surgery last month to repair a torn tendon in his left index finger

Since that article is old, I could see kenny trying sell to alot teams this weekend either Lee or Konerko. It be quite intresting to see what he does and who gets in return.

please if we got randy johnson he would stay here. My lord.

i gurantee ozzie telling kenny go look trade with detriot if detriot is looking tade him

Tigers E-MAIL THIS STORY | PRINTER-FRIENDLY FORMAT White Sox's Guillen: Urbina will show at camp December 11, 2004 BY JOHN LOWE FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Tigers reliever Ugueth Urbina intends to report to spring training even if his mother's kidnapping remains unsolved, Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Friday. Guillen, a friend of Urbina, talked to him this week in their native Venezuela. "He said that he was ready to come to spring training regardless of what happens," Guillen said at baseball's winter meetings. Urbina's mother was kidnapped in Venezuela more than three months ago, and the case remains unsolved. Urbina left the Tigers and headed home as soon as he learned of the kidnapping, missing the final month of the season. The question now involves what team Urbina will join. The Tigers have two prominent reasons to trade him: They aren't sure if Urbina, who has been primarily a ninth-inning closer for many years, will gladly accept his demotion to eighth-inning setup man for Troy Percival, the newly signed closer. And Urbina is due to make $4 million next season, a high salary for a setup man. "Ugie is willing to do anything they want -- that's the business," Guillen said of Urbina's attitude about pitching the eighth. "Hopefully when he shows up to spring training, he'll feel the same way. "When you've been a closer all your life and all of a sudden you change, maybe something happens. But right now he is willing to help Alan Trammell." Trammell, the manager, has no experienced reliever on the roster besides Urbina for the crucial setup role of holding leads in the eighth inning. Although the Tigers are willing to entertain offers for Urbina, they could delay dealing him until they sign or trade for an experienced reliever for the eighth. Unlike a year ago, when he did little if any throwing in the off-season, Urbina planned to begin pitching Friday in a Venezuelan league, Guillen said. "Ugie is in great shape," he said.

frank most likely miss first month. Now for maggs issue move on and forget about it. Dye is our right fielder and cant wait to see him.

ANAHEIM -- The Yankees say they're not going to approach the Diamondbacks with any more offers for Randy Johnson, while Arizona says it's leaving it up to the Yankees to open up discussions. Listening to both sides, it certainly doesn't sound like the Big Unit will land in the Bronx any time soon. "I'm here with zero hot on the trade front right now," said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. "They're free to call me if they want to engage me on any ideas, but they're not on my agenda at all." "We had discussions with the Yankees, but as you know, they didn't lead to anything at this point," said Arizona CEO-elect Jeff Moorad. "Whether they will or not, that depends on whether they choose to re-engage." Johnson continues to be a hot topic at the Winter Meetings at the Anaheim Marriott, but with the Diamondbacks' signings of Troy Glaus and Russ Ortiz, the speculation continues that Johnson may decide to rescind his trade demand, as Arizona may be able to compete for the National League West title. "We'd like nothing better than for Randy Johnson to take the hill for us on Opening Day next season," said Moorad. "That said, Randy, through his representatives, has requested a trade. While we won't just jump at that request, we'll certainly listen to interested teams as we have been. There's nothing imminent, and there may come a time when Randy and we decide that it's best to put those ideas behind us and move forward to 2005." One baseball official said that Johnson is unlikely to waive his no-trade clause for any team other than New York, which may force the five-time Cy Young winner into completing the final year of his deal in the desert. Johnson has expressed his desire to play for a contender in the final years of his career, and coming off of a 111-loss season, the D-Backs didn't appear to fit the bill. But with the addition of Glaus and Ortiz, Arizona feels that it can compete in the division, though Alan Nero, who represents Johnson, wasn't sure that the signings would change Johnson's mind. "My opinion is that it doesn't change it, but I haven't talked to Randy," Nero said. "Randy has a very positive outlook, he just feels determined that he needs to be elsewhere." Ken Kendrick, Arizona's lead investor, said that the team has not approached Johnson about a contract extension, but he indicated that the Diamondbacks would like to see the Big Unit finish his career in Phoenix. "We'd be thrilled if he were our starting pitcher at the beginning of next season," Kendrick said during the press conference to introduce Ortiz. "This isn't the place for us to get into a contract discussion with Randy, but we'd love to have Randy be with us and finish his career with us. I think he knows that." That would leave the Yankees to scan the free-agent market for starting pitchers, something to which Cashman seems to have resigned himself. "I'm not closed out to any club, but in that particular case, I don't anticipate anything happening," Cashman said of Arizona. "I'll talk to everybody, but at this stage, I don't see any trade happening. I see our stuff coming from the free agent market." "There really isn't a specific plan in place," said Moorad of a potential Johnson trade. "We've said we'll listen. We're open to hearing new ideas if any team has them, but at this point, our intent can't be anything other than to send Randy out to the mound for Opening Day."

Kenny will get the job done:)

Ozzies tells the danm truth and he knows grilli wont cut it. I expect a trade so 5th spot will be taking care over.

Kenny: row row row your boat gently down the steam, merily merily life is like a dream. Im flying under the radar and people move on

People move on the maggs situation will continue and continue. Its funny how when we sign dye maggs speaks. We have dye and happy hes here and dedicated to be here

Hey the " flying under the radar" is working and quite frankily if he lies to raido people and newspapers I say keep doing it:)

No there isnt. We cant make moves until trade happeends kenny said thid on confrence call on whitesox site on mlb.com. Now if hes lying and gets it done good work