CHICAGO, Ill. – In one of the most bizarre moves in Chicago White Sox history, owner Jerry Reinsdorf has traded his skipper Ozzie Guillen to the Florida Marlins for two minor league players, according to a source close to the situation in Chicago. After eight years, a World Series title and 677 wins…Guillen’s time in Chicago is over.
Guillen met with Reinsdorf earlier Monday afternoon and apparently left the meeting with “nothing.” Guillen statistically, is one of the best manager’s in baseball and possibly the greatest in Chicago White Sox history. Guillen ranks third in White Sox history for wins with 677 in his managerial career. He is the only manager in White Sox history to lead his team to two division titles, as well as, leading his 2005 team to Chicago’s first World Series Championship in 88 years. He is second all-time in White Sox history in winning seasons, with five. He also has the seventh best winning percentage for the White Sox at a .523 clip.
Ozzie Guillen not only managed the team, but played for the White Sox as well, earning himself the 1985 Rookie of the Year, three All-Star appearances and a gold glove.
Guillen’s contract is set to expire after the 2012 season. About a month ago he said he wouldn’t return for the final year of his contract unless he gets an extension. Clearly, he was looking for more money and his owner was unwilling to pay him. It is quite sad to see, considering the majority of problems surrounding the Chicago White Sox came from GM Kenny Williams ignoring Guillen’s player requests for his ballclub. Williams lives and dies with power guys like Adam Dunn, while Guillen wanted more players like Juan Pierre.
This move comes on the same day that the Marlins 80-year-old manager Jack McKeon announced he will retire at the end of the season. Florida has been after the former White Sox skipper seemingly, for years. They now have their man, and will for the foreseeable future. The Marlins are expected to open their new stadium next season, and who better to lead the troops besides their 2003 World Series winning third base coach?
“We talked about different things, my future here, how we’re going to do it and what we think about the ballclub, what we want, and I left the meeting with nothing,” Guillen said before the game. “We have to wait.” (ESPN 1000′s Bruce Levine)
The White Sox have a few names in mind for their vacancy at manager, including Hall of Fame catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. Either way, it will be near impossible to replace a living legend in the city of Chicago. Guillen was loved by all Sox fans, and loathed by everyone else. Truly, the city of Chicago has a giant black cloud over it this evening. Guillen will leave his team after their game against the Toronto Blue Jays Monday night.
“You never hear me talk about (the Marlins),” Guillen said. “I never say the word ‘Marlins’ out of my mouth, no. That’s their problem. If they want me, they should. (Expletive) it. I’m good at what I do. Everybody can want me, it’s one thing if they can get me. It’s not easy, like ‘OK, I want to get you, come here and do it.’ No, that’s a process. If the Marlins are interested in me, good for them. I’m open to anything,” said Guillen (Bruce Levine).
Reinsdorf admitted in March that Florida was interested in trading for Guillen after Fredi Gonzalez left, but the teams couldn’t agree on compensation.
