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As the Cubs' search for a manager Thursday pointed west, a captivating scenario of off-season events that may involve the White Sox was pointed east.
Amid a whirlwind of complicated Chicago/New York connections, the Cubs could wind up with Lou Piniella as manager because of Alex Rodriguez, and Rodriguez could wind up as a White Sox partly because of Piniella.
It could be just the beginning of what promises to be a rip-roaring off-season in baseball's two major cities involving names such as Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Joe Crede, Josh Fields, Freddy Garcia and agent Scott Boras.
The scenario?
Sources in New York insist Piniella did not replace Joe Torre because of his previous close connection with Rodriguez when he managed him in Seattle, a move that would have driven a further rift between Rodriguez and the Jeter forces in the Yankees clubhouse.
How does that involve the White Sox and Cubs?
Because Piniella will not become Yankees manager, he is available to the Cubs, making him a strong co-favorite for the job with Joe Girardi. And because George Steinbrenner was talked into letting the Torre/Jeter faction win out in New York, Rodriguez may be available for trade, despite denials.
And that brings in the White Sox.
General manager Kenny Williams, according to those in the know, long has had a "thing" for Rodriguez, much like he has had for Carl Everett (acquired twice), Sandy Alomar Jr. (acquired for a third time) and Ken Griffey Jr. (whom he tried to acquire two years ago).
In fact, insist sources very close to the situation at the time, first-year GM Williams tried to get a one-on-one interview with Rodriguez to induce him to join the White Sox before he signed with Texas in the winter of 2000.
Boras rejected that request, but Williams remains convinced—to this day—Rodriguez not only would have come to the White Sox but he would have made the Sox into instant and constant contenders.
Williams still believes Rodriguez, only 31 years old, would be a hero in Chicago, and never has been afraid of criticism for making a big splash for a big name.
The White Sox would have much more than most teams to offer the Yankees—certainly more than the talent-starved Cubs—in return, including fellow third baseman Crede. Coincidence or not, Crede also is represented by Boras, not a friendly face among Sox executives.
But Boras could do both of his clients a favor getting Rodriguez to a less-pressurized situation in Chicago. Here Rodriguez could move back to shortstop and get away from a sour situation in New York, where he and Jeter are seen as opposite forces.
As for Crede, he could get a long-term contract with the Yankees, something the Sox may not be willing to do with Fields on the horizon. The Sox also might be willing to part with a Yankee trade necessity, a starting pitcher in Garcia.
With the Rangers still paying a huge chunk of Rodriguez's salary, the Sox would be looking at a $66.6 million commitment for four years. Could they handle that? Yes, especially if they shuffle off Crede's potential contract and Garcia's $10 million for 2007.
The off-season should get off to a rousing start with the Cubs having their choice of the hottest manager candidates.
That would be Girardi and Piniella, who was said by one source close to him as being "intrigued" by the Cubs' job because it is such a high-profile position with the possibility of making him into a national icon with a World Series championship.
The option will be up to general manager Jim Hendry, who has interviewed Girardi formally and talked informally to Piniella. Piniella apparently has yet to meet with Cubs interim President John McDonough.
Hendry was in Arizona on Wednesday, believed to be setting up talks with Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly and minor-league coach Pat Listach.
Brenly and Hendry did not return phone calls seeking comment Wednesday.
Hendry also could name popular choice Girardi, the former Cubs captain, without waiting for Piniella, who then might be the odd-man-out in the managing musical chairs. Piniella is a friend of Giants GM Brian Sabean, whom he once helped get a job with the Yankees.
San Francisco also is believed to have interest in Brenly, who was a catcher for the Giants and coached there under Dusty Baker. The Giants also may interview Mets coaches Manny Acta and Jerry Manuel, the former White Sox manager.
Manuel told reporters in San Francisco that he would be "very excited" to manage near his hometown of Sacramento.
"It's a tremendous organization, and two of my closest friends (Felipe Alou and Baker) just managed there," Manuel said. "To follow them would be a dream come true."
Meanwhile the Nationals are believed to have interviewed White Sox third-base coach Joey Cora and Houston bench coach Cecil Cooper. But Girardi and Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton remain the favorites there.
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Amid a whirlwind of complicated Chicago/New York connections, the Cubs could wind up with Lou Piniella as manager because of Alex Rodriguez, and Rodriguez could wind up as a White Sox partly because of Piniella.
It could be just the beginning of what promises to be a rip-roaring off-season in baseball's two major cities involving names such as Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Joe Crede, Josh Fields, Freddy Garcia and agent Scott Boras.
The scenario?
Sources in New York insist Piniella did not replace Joe Torre because of his previous close connection with Rodriguez when he managed him in Seattle, a move that would have driven a further rift between Rodriguez and the Jeter forces in the Yankees clubhouse.
How does that involve the White Sox and Cubs?
Because Piniella will not become Yankees manager, he is available to the Cubs, making him a strong co-favorite for the job with Joe Girardi. And because George Steinbrenner was talked into letting the Torre/Jeter faction win out in New York, Rodriguez may be available for trade, despite denials.
And that brings in the White Sox.
General manager Kenny Williams, according to those in the know, long has had a "thing" for Rodriguez, much like he has had for Carl Everett (acquired twice), Sandy Alomar Jr. (acquired for a third time) and Ken Griffey Jr. (whom he tried to acquire two years ago).
In fact, insist sources very close to the situation at the time, first-year GM Williams tried to get a one-on-one interview with Rodriguez to induce him to join the White Sox before he signed with Texas in the winter of 2000.
Boras rejected that request, but Williams remains convinced—to this day—Rodriguez not only would have come to the White Sox but he would have made the Sox into instant and constant contenders.
Williams still believes Rodriguez, only 31 years old, would be a hero in Chicago, and never has been afraid of criticism for making a big splash for a big name.
The White Sox would have much more than most teams to offer the Yankees—certainly more than the talent-starved Cubs—in return, including fellow third baseman Crede. Coincidence or not, Crede also is represented by Boras, not a friendly face among Sox executives.
But Boras could do both of his clients a favor getting Rodriguez to a less-pressurized situation in Chicago. Here Rodriguez could move back to shortstop and get away from a sour situation in New York, where he and Jeter are seen as opposite forces.
As for Crede, he could get a long-term contract with the Yankees, something the Sox may not be willing to do with Fields on the horizon. The Sox also might be willing to part with a Yankee trade necessity, a starting pitcher in Garcia.
With the Rangers still paying a huge chunk of Rodriguez's salary, the Sox would be looking at a $66.6 million commitment for four years. Could they handle that? Yes, especially if they shuffle off Crede's potential contract and Garcia's $10 million for 2007.
The off-season should get off to a rousing start with the Cubs having their choice of the hottest manager candidates.
That would be Girardi and Piniella, who was said by one source close to him as being "intrigued" by the Cubs' job because it is such a high-profile position with the possibility of making him into a national icon with a World Series championship.
The option will be up to general manager Jim Hendry, who has interviewed Girardi formally and talked informally to Piniella. Piniella apparently has yet to meet with Cubs interim President John McDonough.
Hendry was in Arizona on Wednesday, believed to be setting up talks with Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly and minor-league coach Pat Listach.
Brenly and Hendry did not return phone calls seeking comment Wednesday.
Hendry also could name popular choice Girardi, the former Cubs captain, without waiting for Piniella, who then might be the odd-man-out in the managing musical chairs. Piniella is a friend of Giants GM Brian Sabean, whom he once helped get a job with the Yankees.
San Francisco also is believed to have interest in Brenly, who was a catcher for the Giants and coached there under Dusty Baker. The Giants also may interview Mets coaches Manny Acta and Jerry Manuel, the former White Sox manager.
Manuel told reporters in San Francisco that he would be "very excited" to manage near his hometown of Sacramento.
"It's a tremendous organization, and two of my closest friends (Felipe Alou and Baker) just managed there," Manuel said. "To follow them would be a dream come true."
Meanwhile the Nationals are believed to have interviewed White Sox third-base coach Joey Cora and Houston bench coach Cecil Cooper. But Girardi and Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton remain the favorites there.
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