Times wires
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
GLENDALE, Ariz. — White Sox general manager Kenny Williams says talk of $30 million-a-year players is "asinine" and he would support a work stoppage to bring fiscal sanity.
Williams said he doesn't want a stoppage but said the sport's future needs to be protected for fans and smaller markets.
With Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols eligible for free agency after the World Series, there has been speculation he could be the first with a $30 million average salary. Williams said Tuesday his comments were not directed at Pujols.
"I said what I said. I said what I felt," Williams said as he sat in his golf cart watching his team's first full-squad workout.
His comment about a shutdown drew attention.
"Do I want that? Who does? Come on. Come on. This is a game where millions upon millions of people watch on television and come to the ballpark to get away from some of the things that are going on in life, to have a little bit of entertainment," Williams said. "That's all I'm saying."
MORNEAU ENCOURAGED: First baseman Justin Morneau took the field with his Twins teammates for the first time since sustaining a concussion in July. Morneau said he "felt good" but wasn't about to proclaim himself 100 percent. Also, Twins catcher Joe Mauer received a shot of medication that general manager Bill Smith said will lubricate his surgically repaired left knee.
O'NEIL AWARD: Former general manager Roland Hemond was selected to receive the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hall of Fame. O'Neil, a Negro league star, received the first award in 2008, two years after his death.
BONDS SAGA: Defense attorneys for Barry Bonds are fighting to prevent federal prosecutors from introducing evidence they say is irrelevant to his perjury trial. Prosecutors want to admit statements showing that Bonds had a temper and often mistreated people. Bonds' defense argues that his character has nothing to do with the charge that he lied about knowingly using steroids.
CARDINALS: Infielder Nick Punto is expected to miss two to three months after hernia surgery.
DODGERS: Right-hander Vicente Padilla will have an MRI exam on his sore right elbow. Padilla was sidelined by nerve problems for almost two months last season.
INDIANS: Infielder Orlando Cabrera, who signed a free-agent contract last week, denied a report that he will retire after this season. Cabrera said he was misunderstood in an interview he gave in his native Colombia.
RANGERS: Left-hander C.J. Wilson, 30, is set to be the opening-day starter for the AL champs.
REDS: Right-hander Edinson Volquez, 27, was named the opening-day starter.
TIGERS: Right-hander Justin Verlander, 28, will make a fourth straight opening-day start.