Chicago White Sox Wiretap

White Sox GM Calls Big Hurt 'An Idiot'

White Sox general manager Ken Williams finally broke his silence Sunday morning and fired back after the latest shot from departed slugger Frank Thomas.

"He's an idiot," Williams said in a 6 1/2-minute, profanity-laced interview. "He's selfish. That's why we don't miss him. And we've held it in for far too long. And if you go out there and look long and hard enough, you'll find particulars. But I've got something to say directly to him. And I'm holding back as much as I can because, unlike him, I'll say it man-to-man, face-to-face."

Williams was angered by a recent story in the Daily Southtown in which Thomas reiterated his disappointment withthe Sox for the way his departure this off-season was handled, suggested he should have been traded after the 2000 season and questioned long-term deals given this off-season to Paul Konerko and Jon Garland because they didn't have the longevity of other Sox stars who were later dealt.

"More upsetting to me than his comments directed at me are the comments at the organization and at [Chairman] Jerry Reinsdorf," Williams said.

Via Chicago Tribune

Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics

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Steinbrenner Tells Ozzie To 'Shut It Up'

Ozzie Guillen already has apologized for criticizing Alex Rodriguez, but George Steinbrenner felt inclined to defend his star in a way only he could.

"Shut it up," The Boss said yesterday, pretending to zip his lips with his hands. "I like Ozzie Guillen as a manager, but I don't like him when he pops off like that. That's -- ."

Steinbrenner - who was dressed in a blue track suit, sunglasses and a "Top Gun" hat that dates at least as far back as 1987 - was referring to Guillen's quote in Sports Illustrated in which the White Sox manager called A-Rod a "hypocrite" for flip-flopping between the United States and Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Guillen publicly apologized to Rodriguez on Friday, and Steinbrenner doesn't think this latest mess will bother Rodriguez, who is expected to arrive tomorrow.

"When he gets with the team here, it will be fine," Steinbrenner said. "Count on A-Rod."

Via Greenwich Time

New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox

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Contreras Could Still Be Dealt

Since Jose Contreras is only signed through 2006 and declined a contract extension during the off-season, speculation remains that Contreras is a prime trade candidate.

General manager Kenny Williams has steadfastly denied those rumors, and Ozzie Guillen followed suit on Saturday.

?I don?t think Kenny is going to deal him right now,?? Guillen said. ?We went out for dinner and we?ve had meetings, and he never mentioned anything about it. I think the one thing every organization that has a lot of success has is a good pitching staff. I like what we see here.??

Contreras finally harnessed his immense potential after the all-star break last season, going 11-2 with a 2.96 ERA. Contreras was equally dominant in the postseason, and Williams has said any team interested in the 34-year-old pitcher needs to part with a front-line starter.

Via Daily Herald

Chicago White Sox

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