Mark Buehrle Is Just About Gone

I kind of already went on a mini-rant about Mark Buehrle in the Morning Wood earlier, but that doesn't mean the anger has subsided.

You see, tonight's start against the Orioles could be the last time we ever see him pitch at U.S. Cellular Field in a White Sox uniform.

That seriously bothers me.

I can't help but think Greg Maddux when pondering Buehrle's future. I'm not saying Mark is going to be traded somewhere and go on to win four Cy Young Awards, but he's going to be a very good pitcher. Just like he's been during his entire tenure here on the South Side.

It seems that Mark has done everything in his power to stay in Chicago, and Kenny Williams has his heart set on shipping him out of town. Could this entire negotiation nonsense the last week or so have been nothing more than a PR move by the White Sox?

"Hey, we tried to keep him, but we just couldn't come to an agreement."

If so, it's blown up in their face. I'm more angry with them than I have been in a long time. Like, "White Flag trade" pissed.

I understand that changes need to be made if we're going to have another championship-caliber team, but I just don't get how getting rid of your most consistent starting pitcher helps you get better.

I just don't know what to say.

If you can get to US Cellular tonight, go. Go there and let Mark know just how much you've appreciated what he's done for this team.

It's likely to be your last chance.

Buehrle Likely Going to Boston

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that Mark Buehrle's days in Chicago are drawing to a close.

According to a source close to the situation, negotiations between the Sox and Buehrle's camp have been exhausted, with Williams believing he has no choice but to trade the left-hander, who is the face of the ballclub.

And guess who just happened to be in town on Friday to watch the Cubs/Sox game?

Allard Baird, the Red Sox' assistant to the general manager.

Not exactly surprising, given Mark is 3-1 with a 3.49 ERA at Fenway Park.

According to the source, the Red Sox not only want to keep Buehrle away from the New York Yankees and are willing to offer him a contract extension in the five-year range he is seeking, but they have a farm system loaded with players in whom the White Sox are interested.

Apparently, the White Sox are interested in starting pitchers Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden, as well as outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and shortstop Jed Lowrie.

On Friday, Williams was busy draping the crepe.

"I'm interested in building the team as a whole in a much better way. Sometimes you have to remove Player X and Player X's salary slot, for instance, to redistribute that in certain ways, much the way we did Carlos Lee a few years ago and thereby making your overall product better."

Mark Buehrle, reduced to Player X.

Whatever, Ken. Whatever.

Paul Konerko Won't Stop Believing

I wrote about it at The Fanhouse yesterday, and before last night's Sox victory, Ken Williams and Ozzie Guillen had a meeting to discuss what they were going to do about this team. I'm guessing Kenny is about ready to start pulling the trigger, and Ozzie was all about keeping the team intact and getting some bullpen help.

Then there was Paul Konerko. As captain of the White Sox, he was also invited to the meeting, and his voice was heard. The Sox and Kenny aren't giving up yet.

"One of the things that I talked to Paul Konerko about—and I brought him into our meeting because I wanted a player's perspective on this thing—was, 'Do you guys still believe you can win? If you believe you can win, I'm more inclined to stick with it, to ride this thing out, and if we have to go down with the ship, we'll go down together.'

"He expressed to me that this team can still win. But we've got to start to come together in a lot of facets in a very short period of time."

It's a good thing I wasn't invited to this meeting, because I would have shown up with nothing but a ton of dynamite and a smile on my face. Probably a beer too.

Ken Williams is Brutally Honest

The last few years have taught me to just trust Kenny Williams. He made some questionable decisions in 2005, and the White Sox ended up winning the World Series.

There's just one problem with that theory.

Back in 2003, after making some brilliant deadline deals that got the Cubs to within five outs of reaching the World Series, Cubs fans felt the same way about Jim Hendry.

We all know how they feel about him now.

So, excuse me if I'm a little concerned about the state of the White Sox right now, particularly after a peculiar offseason. Dealing Freddy Garcia for minor-leaguers to open a spot for Brandon McCarthy, and then dealing McCarthy for more minor-leaguers left me scratching my head.

Williams' reasoning is that the money pitchers command these days is ridiculous (it is, no argument there), and that the White Sox need to stockpile young arms.

The problem is, now Williams seems to be of the opinion that he can let anybody he wants go and just replace them.

Take, for instance, his stance on Tadahito Iguchi, Mark Buehrle, and Jermaine Dye, three free-agents-to-be at season's end:

The White Sox' general manager continued to be brutally honest about the futures of free agents-to-be Mark Buehrle, Jermaine Dye and Tadahito Iguchi, reiterating what he told the Sun-Times on Saturday about letting the three walk into free agency.

''You never say never, but I don't foresee it, no,'' Williams responded when asked if he thought a deal could be struck during the season with any of the three. ''There comes a point where you have to take a step back before taking two steps forward, and we're at that point with all of these contracts.''

Williams said the only reason it is still a hot topic in camp is because he's still being asked about it. While that likely won't stop, Williams did say he plans on giving out the same rehearsed answer very soon.

''You try answering [the media] questions as openly and honestly as possible and give the people the most accurate information,'' Williams said. ''I hope the questions stop, but as long as people continue to ask, I'll continue to answer.

''At this point, it's probably going to be the same answer from here on out, where we'll continue to take a long look at it. If the agents of the respective players want to bring something to the table for us to look at, we'll do that. But in our assessment, it seems everyone has agreed to look at this in the offseason and make the best determination on where we're going to go then. The smartest thing to do for both the player and the club is to wait until the end of the season.''

I think it's pretty obvious that Buehrle is gone at season's end. After a sub-par season in 2006, and then popping up on the internet in his Cardinals gear during the World Series, he's done little to endear himself to Williams and the White Sox brass lately.

This season is kind of a no-win situation for Buehrle and the White Sox. If he has another bad season, the Sox won't want to re-sign him. If he returns to the All-Star form of 2005, he'll command too much money on the free-agent market, and the Sox won't re-sign him.

As far as Dye, I'm not sure what's going to happen. If Dye has another season like 2006 (.315 44HR 120RBI) he'll probably price himself out of the range the Sox are willing to go for an outfielder that will turn 34 in 2008.

This is the End, My Friend

It appears the writing is on the wall: 2007 is likely starting pitcher Mark Buehrle's final season for the Chicago White Sox.

With just one one year left on Buehrle's contract, General Manager Ken Williams has been making it known he's not going to pay a Zito-sized premium to keep him.

Buehrle seems resigned to the divorce:

"Buehrle, 27, did say he'd be willing to give the Sox a hometown discount, but he didn't seem willing to make it a very big one.

'You have to look at both aspects,'' Buehrle said. ''I mean, I'm not going to be looking for Zito money, but how much of a discount can you give? You have to also be able to go out there and get what's fair on the market.'''

That touched a nerve with a feisty Williams:

"All we need to be focused on, whether it's Mark Buehrle or any other player that has a contractual issue for 2008 -- I say again, 2008 -- take care of 2007. Take care of 2007, because you win and we win. Now play [Buehrle this] tape."

So negotiations have ended and Buerhle holds out little hope they'll restart.

''There have been no talks from what I've been told, and I have no idea if that's going to change,'' he said. ''It sounds like it won't.''

We love you, Mark, but if you have another season like last year - 12-13, 4.99 ERA - it's doubtful anyone will much care.