Levine:

Williams said he has been given his budget number for 2010 by team owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

“Yeah (I received it). But I always work on changing it,” Williams said. “Jerry gave me a pretty hard number (probably $100 million). But we’re working on him. I think I’m becoming annoying to him, actually.”

Liptak (11/1/09):

Mark Liptak: What does Kenny look at when he figures out what to do this off season?

Mark Gonzales: “As I figured it out the Sox have 10 players going to make 71.5 million next season and that includes Dayan Viciedo who I think will be with the team at some point next year. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if this off season Kenny moved some guys to give him more dollars to work with.”

“Kenny remember, and this is important, is a man of action, not reaction. It’ll be interesting to see how patient Kenny will be especially if the free agent market again tilts in favor of the buyer. I look for Kenny to aggressively improve the team through trades but he’ll also keep in mind some possible free agent bargains that could be out there.” …

A lot more at the link: Swisher, Walker, BA, Ozzie, Kenny, Vazquez, Betemit, Reinsdorf, Byddy Bell and much more.

BTW, I clicked Joe Cowley’s interview (4/12/09) and Cowley says that Reinsdorf’s son “doesn’t want to run the White Sox.” Interesting…

Merkin:

Jenks is not a happy man, and it has nothing to do with another offseason beginning with trade rumors. Instead, during a weekend chat with MLB.com, Jenks took umbrage with the White Sox once again calling out his conditioning at the end of the 2009 season.

“I’ve done everything I can do, I’ve done everything that is physically possible, to make myself in better shape this year. Where the years previously I didn’t lose weight in-season, I didn’t want my weight issue to be a factor as to why I had an off season.
…
For four years now, I’ve been the same guy, and when I slow down a little … Bad things happen to anyone, not because I need to get into shape. This has been me the whole time, so where is the problem?
…
Honestly, I’ve given it a lot of thought these last couple of weeks. The actions of the last two weeks … am I unhappy with them? Yes. Anyone in my situation would feel the same way, but I want to be part of the White Sox 100 percent. Physically and mentally, I’m going to be ready. If I’m not in the White Sox plan, I know there’s a plan for me somewhere.”

Jenks also didn’t like how the Sox handled the rehab of his season-ending injury:

The White Sox left Jenks home to rehab the injury rather than take him on their final road trip, and that did not sit well with Jenks, either. Jenks could walk on the injury while wearing a protective boot and said he would have liked to have joined his teammates for those six games.

“They sent me home early, when I could have gone on the road and rehabbed there, instead of going to a place near my house,” Jenks said. “I [complained] to my wife every day, ‘Why am I home?’”

Play: http://www.670thescore.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=4041679 (27:11)

Download mp3: http://www.670thescore.com/episode_download.php?contentType=36&contentId=4041679

Podcast: http://podcast.670thescore.com/wscr2/1971166.mp3

UPDATE: A couple points from Kenny’s interview:

1) He’d like the the players in the team to have higher OBPs, in the .350 range as a team (.329 this year). Also, more eXtra Base Hits. (9:30)

2) He hasn’t seen the sponsorship, advertising, and season tickets projections for next year to say anything about next year’s payroll. But every year he asks Jerry Reinsdorf, and is over budget. (16:15)

Scot Gregor writes:

After trading Jim Thome to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 31, Williams intimated he’d be looking for another left-handed power hitter this off-season. He altered that stance Wednesday. “I don’t know that we need left-handed pop,” the White Sox’ GM said. “I think we’re entering into an era where 30 home runs starts to mean something again. “So it’s important for us to get our players to higher on-base percentages as a team, like somewhere in the .350 range. That seems to be a playoff type of number. “I’d also like to get our extra-base hits up. But that doesn’t necessarily mean home runs. If they happen to go out of the ballpark, great.”

and

According chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, the White Sox are bracing for another round of lost sponsors in 2010. Is that going to reduce the payroll even more? “What I’m not so sure of is where our projections are headed,” Williams said. “I shouldn’t really comment on it. I can’t comment on it until (I know) our sponsorships and advertising and season tickets. Season tickets drive your payroll. I’m only going to be given what we can afford to spend. “If that ultimately leads a higher payroll, I don’t know. If it leads to something that’s lower right now, I don’t know the answer to that question either. “It’s kind of irrelevant to me because even in times where I’ve been given that payroll and still haven’t formulated an action plan for the club, I’ve always gone to Jerry Reinsdorf at the end of the day. I’m always over budget.”

Meanwhile, Phil Rogers is complaining Kenny got rid of Nick Swisher and Javy Vazquez last year.

this team better make the playoffs says Kenny:

“This would be the most disappointing season for me if we don’t get in the playoffs. I like this team. This team is better than a lot of teams we’ve ever had here. If you want to stay here, take the AL Central title. If not, it leaves it to my imagination to make this team better. And I’ve got a big imagination.”

what did Jerry Reinsdorf think of taking on the Peavy contract?

Williams waited until the morning of July 31 to seek permission to acquire Peavy, who has $55.9 million remaining on a contract that runs through 2012. The answer was, “No.” “I know I had said, ‘Yes,’ back in May,” Reinsdorf says, “but Kenny got me in a weak moment. … I didn’t think we could afford him. But even though I said, ‘No,’ I told Kenny I was willing to talk about it.” Williams, assistant GM Rick Hahn and Reinsdorf talked about the 2010 budget. … “I had to be convinced I could handle the money,” Reinsdorf says. “They convinced me.”

how about the Rios contract?

When the Blue Jays put Rios, 28, on waivers the first week of August, the White Sox claimed him. Williams didn’t bother to clear the move with Reinsdorf, figuring there was no need. The claim was designed to work out a trade or block another contender from obtaining him. Never did Williams envision the Blue Jays would let Rios go for nothing. “I really believed there would be a deal,” Williams says, “but they wanted the financial relief instead.”

risky moves kenny?

“Where’s the gamble? Where’s the risk? I’m not going into this with my head down and wondering if it will work. This is what we needed to do to win a championship. There’s no guarantee, but I don’t think there’s a risk, either.”

no risk at all?

“Well, if I am wrong. I may be looking for a second job.”

Every once in a while I get a little soft, and write something that is sappy and boring. Then I think of the injustices suffered in this case. Then, I put those sappy articles back in mothballs and get back to business.

Before I begin, I want to make a personal salute to a ranter on Makeitseven.ca.  His name is Patrick Romanoski, and he has to be one of the most persistent diggers of information that I have ever witnessed. He is a wealth of information and wisdom. Patrick, thank you. And, there are several more contributors that I want to mention. Perhaps we can do this over the next while.

For the bullet summary, please go here.

Is it over yet?

No?

OK, where are we now?

We are at the part where the NHL grovels so low that they what? They put their own bid in? No way! Get out! Really?

They say real life is stranger than anything we could possibly think up ourselves. Real life is stranger than fiction.

Did anyone think this case could get any more bizarre than it has? Is it close to over? Is it going to get any stranger?

Let’s think of the fans in Phoenix right now.

They must be suffering some kind of disbelief of what has happened.

At first, the NHL looked like their best friends. What must have been part of their thinking? How about this:

 Isn’t Gary wonderful. Go Gary Go! Save the Coyotes! Game On Arizona!

Look, Gary sent us a memo to our rally! He supports the franchise, and says he sees us surviving long into the future.

Hey, did you hear? Jerry Reinsdorf is coming in with a bid, and the NHL supports Reinsdorf. He’s good. He’s got lots of experience and he knows how to make teams succesful. Jerry will be our white knight! Yeah Jerry!

Boy, that Jerry Moyes. He sure ran this team into the ground with poor management. That was it. Just poor management. The other Jerry will show Moyes how it’s done. What? He wants to get $104 million out of the team when he sells? Forget it! He doesn’t deserve it. Go Reinsdorf go! We’re with you! Save the Coyotes!

That was likely pretty close to the thinking of the Phoenix Coyotes fans at the outset of this case.

The NHL had found the white knight.

Now, the white knight is gone. He bowed out under what is described as a negative publicity campaign:

“We have faced an organized publicity effort designed to provide negative and misleading information to interested parties,” it said. “Not only has this stymied negotiations, but it has eroded local market demand for Coyotes tickets, luxury boxes, and sponsorships.”

Okay? Where is the negative publicity effort exactly? Did anyone see a negative PR campaign? Anybody?

I’d like to know how exactly the Balsillie group did this, and where it was from. How did they do it exactly?

Would this be about the collusion accusations from Moyes? Is that it? If so, those were justified accusations.

When it is claimed they had made great inroads in negotiations, would that have included the $23 million in annual concessions requested from a city already laying off staff to suck up the $14 million deficit? Is that it?

I’m sorry, but I do not see any favors to anybody in the negotiations. And the negative publicity? Don’t confuse that with any uncovering of truth that was presented. Don’t bother. Please.

As for the NHL’s promises to the fans of the Phoenix Coyotes.

I feel sorry for the fans in Phoenix because, let’s be real as Dr. Phil, you were fed a lot of snow.

The proof is in the realities that are now apparent.

Fact: Jerry Reinsdorf had incredibly high concession demands, and the city of Glendale would be on the hook for any team financial failures. Not a lot of risk there for anyone but the taxpayers of Glendale.

Fact: The Reinsdorf offer had a five year out clause despite the taxpayers liability. No amount of confidence or risk.

Fact: The NHL’s bid is even less supportive with a one season out clause.

So much for Bill Daly’s press conference where he claimed this in early July:

Daly stressed the new terms would not allow the Coyotes to break the lease in a year or two and move elsewhere.

The NHL must fight for the bankrupt Coyotes to stay in Glendale long-term, he said, to send a message to other cities that have spent money attracting or retaining hockey teams.

 Yeah Bill! Go NHL go!

Sorry Phoenix, that was a snowjob!

This week, the NHL has filed it’s own offer with the bowing out of Reinsdorf, and the out clause as you know, is one season. No long term. Not even two years.

What happened to the ‘message’ the NHL wants to send? That was so last month, eh Bill?

This is late August and things are now a lot different. It’s snowing in August in Arizona.’Snow job’ that is.

Well, at the end of the day the NHL has to get it’s act together and get organized. 

To that end, we thought we’d throw in this pic of the boys trying out the his and his Blackberries. Do you think they were compliments of RIM?

No way! Gary and Bill BBM'ing each other? Get out!

Anyhow, back to the issues…

What really bothers me is no matter how much exposure of the NHL’s shortcomings are made known, they continue to point the finger at others.

The NHL also cited ongoing harm to the franchise as the bankruptcy proceeding drags on.

“The bankruptcy petition and subsequent events have been incredibly damaging to the club’s business,” Daly said, “and the sooner the club can be extricated from the bankruptcy process, the sooner club personnel can begin to restore the team’s vitality and local fan base.”

Oh, Daly said ‘vitality’ not ‘viability’. OK, I can live with that. In July he said ‘viability’. I get it. Well, at least he is not saying long term viability anymore, especially with the huge lack of confidence the league has shown with that whole one year and out idea in their bid.

How did I get so off track? Well, this case has become a farce. Let’s call it. It’s officially a farce. A sick as all get out joke. A joke that is far from funny, really.

I actually feel sorry for mainstream media. They have to report the facts and the events as they occur.

“OK, now we have the NHL in, and Reinsdorf out, and Ice Edge also filed their bid, and yada, yada, yada”.

Come on! We all know they want to grab a blog and say “what the _____.”

We all want to say, come on!

But, let’s get back to reality for a moment. I will finish with this summary and opinion.

The Coyotes were never just about hockey. The city of Glendale colluded to get rid of Moyes, and they were assisted by certain parties in Glendale and this case, and they were helped also by the NHL. No doubt.

Jerry Moyes was stripped of his money and spat out like a used piece of gum.

The NHL has snowed the fans of Phoenix with a false sense of loyalty, and only now do the true colors of the NHL become obvious.

The NHL and the Reinsdorf group were looking to relocate this team either now, or within five years to another centre that fits the plan of the NHL.

The NHL has painted Jim Balsillie any way they can to avoid him putting a team in southern ontario because of the MLSE objection, and also because they would not get an expansion fee.

The NHL is looking really bad, and really dishonest. Who can trust the heads of this league anymore?

The NHL has shunned the fans of Canada, and is quickly shunning the fans of Phoenix.

Jim Balsillie has a brighter future in the NHL than Gary Bettman, and let’s see who is around in 10 years.

Jim Balsillie, despite being voted against, has been approached by other struggling franchises, and is the true white knight to help the destitute owners.

And, because I can, I have this to add. I hope Jerry Moyes gets his $104 million, and Jim Balsillie gets to move the franchise to Hamilton. I hope Jerry Moyes becomes an honorary lifetime member of the new team. It took great courage to bring this team in to court for the ride we are experiencing.

I hope those involved in hanging Moyes out to dry pay the piper.

I hope the league gets torn to the ground and is rebuilt with true, caring hockey people.

I hope we all learn that it is not OK to treat another human being with utter disrespect.

I hope one day some grown men will grow up and be able to take responsibility for their actions, and admit when they were wrong.

I hope the less than ethical officials at Glendale city hall find themselves not getting re-elected for the abuse of the taxpaying voters.

I hope the rich folks involved in this case learn that money and the quest for more is not what is important in life.

But, to start, let’s get this team to Hamilton, and get Jerry Moyes some money back.

It’s been snowing in Glendale long enough.

For the bullet summary, please go here.

Derek King is becoming the assistant coach of the Toronto Marlies.

King may be moving from Scottsdale, Arizona, where he had lived and worked as a real estate agent, and worked in the development camp for the Phoenix Coyotes.

King was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1967.

Is Derek King’s moving a signal that there is less opportunity with the Phoenix Coyotes, and is it also a sign that real estate growth in the Phoenix area is waining?

Does this give a hope for hockey in Hamilton, as King would be a reflection of ‘the sinking Coyote ship’?

On the other hand, we have the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund buying up the shares owned by CTV Globemedia and increasing their share of MLSE to a tune of 66%. That’s two-thirds ownership. Obviously they consider the profitability of MLSE to continue to grow. With ticket prices so outrageously high for Leaf games, I guess they have a point. I suppose the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund doesn’t think Hamilton will get a team, which would have a downward pressure on usury Leaf ticket prices anytime soon.

And, we have Jim Balsillie saying enough is enough already, and showing a level of confidence that his position in bidding is strong enough to force the court to stop the stall tactics of the NHL head office. A court imposed relocation fee and decision that he is an eligible owner is fast becoming expected from his legal team, and his deadline is now September 14th.

For all of us waiting and getting tired of how long this has dragged on, we applaud the ‘put up or shut up’ attitude of Balsillie.

So, we have King jumping ship for Toronto, the Teachers buying a bigger stake in MLSE, and Jim Balsillie putting more pressure on the powers that be to put an end to this already, in a move of confidence that his bid is solid.

Who are we to believe?

Real hockey fans in Canada and the U.S.A. will attest that this farce is getting old. The NHL’s dragging of it’s heals is going to hurt the game of hockey and it’s popularity.

Does the NHL think they can continue to insult the hockey fans of Southern Ontario and not have a revolt?

We’ll see.

Tom Hicks, vice Chairman of the NHL

For the bullet summary, please go here.

 Power! It’s a wonderful thing. How do you get it? Why not ask former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney?

Tom Hicks  is the vice-chairman of the National Hockey League’s Board of Governors. He is also the owner of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club.

Tom Hicks and Jerry Reinsdorf share interest in Major League Baseball, and they also own teams. At least, Hicks still technically has a hold of the Texas Rangers.

You see, Hicks’ sports holding company, Hicks Sports Group is in default.

Where Major League Baseball will likely play by fair rules and strip ownership, the story in the NHL office is a little different.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the NHL is protecting Hicks’ interest in the Stars, where the MLB isn’t:

That won’t happen for at least 180 days, however, as lenders have agreed to National Hockey League provisions that prevent immediate foreclosure. Major League Baseball’s rules for such situations are more fluid, though if Hicks Sports Group can’t satisfy lenders, the lenders can eventually force an MLB-sanctioned sale of the Rangers.

You see, when you are the Vice-Chairman of the NHL, I suppose like an American Express card, that kind of stature ‘has it’s priviledges’.

Unlike Jerry Moyes, Tom Hicks has been in trouble for months, but you don’t see the NHL handing over proxies to strip him of any control, do you? Oh contraire, quite the opposite is occuring it would seem.

And the WSJ adds just how far ‘to bat’ the NHL will go on this one for Hicks:

A spokesman for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman declined to comment. Bob DuPuy, chief operating officer of Major League Baseball, also declined to comment.

Relations between the Hicks Sports Group lenders and the NHL have grown increasingly testy of late, with the NHL threatening to do all it could to block a forced sale of the Stars, according to people involved in the matter.

Will Gary Bettman spare Tom Hicks from ‘embarassment’ as he professed to do for Jerry Moyes?

It would seem there are different sets of rules depending on who you are. At least baseball doesn’t have the same bias.

Well, let’s have a look, shall we.

Remember, Jerry Reinsdorf was approved by Hicks as a good choice of owner. Would Hicks know Reinsdorf having  shared owning positions in the MLB? Probably.

Would Hicks have known Reinsdorf when they fundraised for John McCain in the 2008 Presidential Campaign?  Good chance.

And, isn’t it a coincidence that Tom Hicks is also a land developer? My word!

Yes, according to the Dallas Stars website on Hicks:

An Empty Victory: When urban planning fails to live up to expectations

Hicks Holdings is a partner with Hillwood Development Company in the Victory Park project in downtown Dallas.  Hicks Holdings is a developer of a 75-acre urban town center /multi-use development on the land adjacent to the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington; and of Champions Park, a 40-acre office/retail development in Frisco, Texas

And, if we look at the reasons that Dallas originally decided on the Victory Park project, check out the similarity in thinking to that of Glendale. Downright scary:

Having for a long time failed to populate its dowtown with any residents, the city made a concerted effort (i.e. gave lots of tax incentives) to refurbish and even repurpose vacant office buildings into top-of-the-line apartments and condominiums. It even subsidized a neighborhood grocery store to get residents to stay. Yet these efforts were modest compared to one of the largest new mixed-use developments just outside the central business district Victory Park. 

Well, how did Victory Park do? Probably best described by the same blogger:

Now, only a few years later, Victory Park seems to embody at the local level the wreckage of the global real-estate bust. The trendy restaurants have been shutting down one by one, the public plaza feels like a ghost town when basketball and hockey games are not taking place at the arena. Most of the shops have closed their doors and many residential units remains unsold. Another major hotel flag backed out of the project, leaving a large parcel at the center of the development undevelopped, undermining viability of the planned street blocks. The local television newscast still broadcasts from Victory, but struggles to show an outdoor shot for a constant lack of pedestrians. Despite civic groups’ efforts to stage rallies, awards ceremonies, film festivals and new year’s parties, Victory continues to fail as a favorite place to congregate.of t

Sounds a lot like the thinking of Glendale. Any coincidence that sports ownership and land development goes hand in hand in places outside of Glendale?

Any coincindence that there could be strong support by the vice-Chairman of the NHL to a man like Jerry Reinsdorf, with likely relationship formed over several years?

What chance would a man like Jim Balsillie have? Does he own an MLB team? Did he fundraise for John McCain? Is he involved in land or sports arena development?

For that matter, what chance did Jerry Moyes have? He wasn’t in the same kind of ventures some others in sports are.

Where Hicks gets six months reprieve from the NHL, Jerry Moyes got six months of takeover planning behind his back. Where Hicks gets 180 days to find more investors, Jerry Moyes got to sign proxies giving up his rights. At least, that’s what Gary Bettman thought.

But, don’t feel sorry for Hicks. He is looking to make an acquisition in the $billions for a packaging company. It would seem he has decided to stop flooding his wealth into the hockey and baseball teams to bail them out, and didn’t pay his $10 million payment.

When you have lots of wealth and power, you can pick and choose, and make some people wait.

And, it would appear Gary Bettman wants to continue to be accomodating to Hicks, because after all, Hicks could likely have pull enough to control the fate of Bettman in the NHL office . No wonder Mr. B is so helpful and supportive.

Ah, power! Ain’t it grande?

So, when we ask ourselves if the vote for Reinsdorf and the overwhelming denial of Jim Balsillie was fair, we only need to look at the relationships and the associated ‘treatment’ a friend gets, and the poor treatment one not as connected receives.

How are things in the back pocket of Mr.Hicks, Gary?

Fair for Moyes or Balsillie? Please!

he global real-estate bust. The trendy restaurants have been shutting down one by one, the public plaza when basketball and hockey games are not taking place at the arena. Most of the shops have closed their doors and many residential units remains unsold. Another major hotel flag backed out of the project, leaving a large parcel at the center of the development undevelopped, undermining viability of the planned street blocks. The local television newscast still broadcasts from Victory, but struggles to show an outdoor shot for a constant lack of pedestrians. Despite civic groups’ efforts to stage rallies, awards ceremonies, film festivals and new year’s parties, Victory continues to fail as a favorite place to congregate.

 oOn a Saturday in January, a little after midnight, there are only a few people milling about Perot’s district. Most of them are headed to the Ghostbar, one of the few places that hasn’t shut down for the night. At the AT&T Plaza, the heart of Victory Park that fronts the southern edge of AAC, two mammoth super screens blare a series of artsy images to a crowd of, well, no one.  Billed as “one of the largest outdoor digital mediums in the world,” the screens were supposed to be a landmark attraction in the glamorous development. Now they just seem a once-coveted Christmas gift tossed awkwardly aside.ry Pa The brainchild of Ross Perot Jr. (the son of the former presidential candidate), Victory was advertised as the the premier masterplanned urban community, designed for the on-the-go single professional who desired place to live, work, shop and play. Anchored by a state-of-the-art basketball arena and a luxury condo-hotel, Victory was going to be a district defined by high-rise apartments, fashionable street retail, trendy restaurants, and a public plaza surrounded by gigantic and moving digital projections. Apparently, what Dallas needed was an instant Times Square, complete with a glassed-in television studio at the corner to highlight the crowded pedestrian-filled sidewalks that are common in the city (…uh huh). After an early flirtation with a low-rise, historicist architectural theme, it was decided for this district to appear distincitively contemporary, with multiple glass skyscrapers of at least 25 stories, bamboo landscaping and reflecting pools with clean edges.
Victory Par

The brainchild of Ross Perot Jr. (the son of the former presidential candidate), Victory was advertised as the the premier masterplanned urban community, designed for the on-the-go single professional who desired place to live, work, shop and play. Anchored by a state-of-the-art basketball arena and a luxury condo-hotel, Victory was going to be a district defined by high-rise apartments, fashionable street retail, trendy restaurants, and a public plaza surrounded by gigantic and moving digital projections. Apparently, what Dallas needed was an instant Times Square, complete with a glassed-in television studio at the corner to highlight the crowded pedestrian-filled sidewalks that are common in the city (…uh huh). After an early flirtation with a low-rise, historicist architectural theme, it was decided for this district to appear distincitively contemporary, with multiple glass skyscrapers of at least 25 stories, bamboo landscaping and reflecting pools with clean edges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Gonzales looks at the Sox financial picture:

“We follow the traditional business model,” said Boyer, the Sox’s vice president/chief marketing officer. “Projected revenues minor projected expenses equal the player payroll.” Boyer admits the Sox were “sitting on more inventory than anticipated” until Mark Buehrle’s perfect game July 23 accelerated ticket sales. Sales for the Sept. 25-27 series against the division leading Tigers have increased, and a four-game series against the Red Sox — a traditionally strong attraction — Sept. 4-7 could accelerate.

Gonzales notes tht A.J. Pierzynski will gain full no-trade rights (10 and 5 player) at the middle of next season.

I have witnessed this case from an angle that perhaps not too many would understand. I will attempt now to explain a little more of what has happened as seen from my perspective, an angle that includes the  monitoring of ‘reaction’ to articles posted, and the key parties it has attracted. Again, in order to bring this to light and help you understand better, it is important that I share this unique perspective with you.

When you have a website or blog, there are services on the internet that can provide the website owner who has visited their site, and if there is a company name for the server, it will list the name. It will tell which page(s) were visited, and the times they were visited. It also lists the IP addresses of the computers where the visits were from. This, as you will learn, plays a key role in the research I have done, and will play a key role in the future should the authorities be interested in using this information. I will explain this in more detail as we move along.

I have had more time to ‘digest’ the court proceedings of yesterday, and have been able to conjecture, based again on a bigger understanding, the reasons for what transpired.

We can look at several key statements. And, we can then look at the strategy and potential reason(s) the statements were made.  It is also of note that several people came to court to be seen, and to be noted. Specifically,  Anthony LeBlanc and Gary Bettman. OK, let’s begin the analysis.

Statement from Jerry Reinsdorf’s attorney Abramowitz:

Abramowitz urged the court to “do anything it can” to keep Reinsdorf’s bid alive.

Analysis: It has been shown throughout the articles written on this site, that there is a strong possibility of collusion among several key individuals and companies surrounding the City of Glendale, and it’s desire to build infrastructure of the city. Jerry Reinsdorf’s son Michael is pivotal to this idea. Also involved is Michael Dell. At this point, after much comings and goings from the articles related to the suggestion of collusion, the Reinsdorf camp is ready to pull out. Jerry Moyes’ attorney’s have been applying pressure on Reinsdorf and others to build a case to support the notion of collusion. It would seem the Reinsdorf group is hiding behind the safety net of the court, and specifically the bankruptcy court to protect information vital to the case that Moyes may have to support the collusion allegations.

The bigger issue at this point is ‘appearance’, and not results. I strongly believe that the Reinsdorf group is attempting damage control. It is fairly obvious that the concessions demanded from Glendale are highly unlikely to materialize, but the perception of looking like they are following through on an attempt is the goal at this point. To further back this up, we can look at comments made by Reinsdorf’s attorney, Alan Klein.

Statement via phone to the court, from Reinsdorf Group attorney Alan Klein:

Earlier in the hearing, the Reinsdorf group’s attorney Alan Klein said by telephone that his clients were fed up with the meddling and interfering as they attempted to work out the details of their offer.

Klein indicated Reinsdorf was on the brink of withdrawing the bid.

“I don’t know how long we’re going to be in here wasting time and money,” Klein said, noting that confidential information already had been made public by Moyes’ attorneys, who said it was a mistake and have apologized.

Analysis: When you are not a straight shooter you tend to contradict yourself in the attempt to cover up truths. Specifically in this case, you have Abramowitz saying that the court is urged to keep the bid alive, and in the next breath we have Klein saying his client is not going to waste time and money, and his client is on the brink of withdrawing?  Which is it, commitment or ‘flight’? Dedication to the cause, or just going through the motions? Again, are we supposed to pull punches when there is potential for collusion, and the stripping of a man’s wealth and reputation at stake? Short answer: No!

This whole attitude serves two purposes: 1) to give an excuse to pull out, and 2) to give justification for not wanting more information to become public.

The expectation of concessions from the City of Glendale is a PUBLIC matter. There should not be anything held secret regarding negotiations or anything else related to the taxpayers and their money. What could be so secret that it would send a bid and bidder packing? To put this in comparative terms, Jim Balsillie’s cards are on the table. The money for the team. There are no secret negotiations. Anything that needs to remain so secret in a situation so entirely suspect already cannot help but raise more flags and suspicion.

A further statement from Abramowitz:

Outside the courtroom, Abramowitz declined to say whether the company still supported Balsillie’s offer, as well.

Balsillie’s representative Richard Rodier said Abramowitz’s announcement came as a surprise in the long, twisted bankruptcy process

Analysis: Just like the conflicting lawyer statements for the Reinsdorf group (‘court please consider this bid’, and the other, ‘we are ready to run’), the lawyer for SOF Investments pulled a turnaround that surprised everyone. Well, in order to appreciate and understand the conflicting positions and  the turnaround, it is important to look at the  ‘cover up’ thinking.

Why would SOF first say they support the Balisillie bid?

 Well, because the aspect again about being part of a collusion was the issue. If they say they do not support the Reinsdorf idea of renegotiated debt, that would get them off the hook for collusion. But, upon further thinking, and perhaps discussion with the colluding members, the next strategy would come.

 They must make it look like they are not phased by the allegations of collusion and go back to the original thinking. The reason for this upon further reflection, is if SOF is scared off at this point, then in civil action, Moyes will have a strong case against the group, and use the evidence from the bankruptcy procedings in the future civil case. So, ‘appearing’  now as unphased by the allegations of collusion, explains the turnaround from the original ’strategy’ of supporting Balsillie to the new strategy of support for the Reinsdorf debt reworking. Ping pong best played by those scrambling to find the best way out of a terrible situation.

 The only problem is, it becomes obvious when the facts are put together. This also further ties into Reinsdorf’s  ‘ready to withdraw’ thinking. Everyone is simply looking for the best way out. The bid is just a means to an end. And since the expectations of concessions are so far out of sight, and will likely never pan out, going through the motions  is of little risk:

Heck, no wonder Jerry Reinsdorf might look at the Phoenix Coyotes — at least, if he gets the sweetheart deal from the City of Glendale that’s been reported. It includes a special tax to generate $23 million annually, plus $15 million if the Coyotes lose money.

Here’s our calculation: $38 million in taxpayers’ money from the city, $8 million to $12 million in revenue sharing from the league, and another $10 million in escrow from players. See, that’s all you need to make hockey work in Phoenix — about $60 million every single season in glorified welfare. It’s so simple.

To add further insight from my perspective into this, I will bring up again the ‘visits to the site’ information to support the validity that collusion was very likely.

If I was completely out in left field, as a blog writer from Hamilton, Ontario, how in the world would I have had such an impact on this case in Glendale, Arizona? When the article about Jerry Moyes being a victim of a squeeze play was released, it cannot be emphasized enough that it stirred the pot, and had an immediate ripple effect of going from Vieste LLC, to the NHL offices, to the City of Glendale offices, in a very short period of time, and in that order. That is when they knew the ‘jig was up’!

From that point, I have had a steady stream and pattern of visits to this site at key times. From MSD Capital and the City of Glendale just recently. The order of MSD, then the City of Glendale, further supporting the notion of ‘planning’ to answer the allegations of collusion and to change the strategy, which we have seen threw a curve at the participants.

After these recent visits, the SOF position changed to support Reinsdorf’s restructuring of debt. From the outside view, a twist, but from an overview as explained by reactions and visits to certain articles on this site, a simple change of story, and strategy to minimize a potentially damaging situation. What’s the best way to handle this, and the potential of Moyes’ taking civil action?  The new strategy we are witnessing now.

Let’s move on to Anthony LeBlanc. First, it is important to note that LeBlanc showed up in court. This was intentional strategy number one for Ice Edge.

What LeBlanc said, was even more important, and this was the key:

Coyotes BK: IceEdge’s LeBlanc says financing nailed down, near “partnership” w/Glade. Aware of perceptions: “We don’t want to be vilified.”

Analysis: Who exactly is ‘vilifying’ Mr. LeBlanc? If he is referring to the facts as outlined in the articles from this site, then I would suggest Mr. LeBlanc become transparent as well. This is not to be counted on however. You see, when you have things that don’t work in your favor, you use again the rules of court to get away with not having to be transparent, and admit relationships, and other things. These are saved for civil procedings.

Instead, you agree with other parties that do not want certain things to be discussed, and become known, as in this comment by LeBlanc in court:

Coyotes BK: Leblanc says he agrees w/Reinsdorf threat to walk away. Would do same if asked for more info.

Again, it was more important for LeBlanc just to be there. As far as can be remembered, the Ice Edge group is also expecting loan reworking of SOF, and negotations on concessions with the City of Glendale. Ice Edge is almost an afterthought at this time. Where is mention of SOF agreeing to the terms of the loan renegotiation with Ice Edge? Not an issue. The bigger issue is looking like business as usual.

The biggest statement LeBlanc said, was not wanting to be vilified. Translation: no, we are not guilty of collusion too. Please leave us alone.

This group is a non-entity in the grand scheme of things, at least at this point.

Finally, we move on to Gary Bettman. It is my understanding Mr. Bettman was ready to ‘testify’ to the court, and when he was advised the court was not in session for testimonies, he commented that it was ‘like Seinfeld’, ‘nothing was happening’. Well, there was a lot happening, just not anything that would appear on the surface.

The sheer fact that Mr. Bettman wanted to make a probably well rehearsed speech, is in it’s own right, a suggestion that there are accusations that need to be addressed. Hence, Mr. Bettman’s presence in court. His comment though, outside of court, suggesting Reinsdorf was thinking ‘roadblocks’ were put in the way of bidding, is absolutely correct.

You must understand, that for Jerry Moyes, his understanding of being setup, and colluded against would be considered grounds for a ‘roadblock’ or two. It would be grounds for anyone.

From Judge Baum’s perspective, I can appreciate he is trying to avoid all unnecessary powderkegs in these proceedings, as he knows there are several. But he also knows that it is ‘not his department’. There are potential civil, and criminal issues at hand here, and he is avoiding them, and rightfully so.

How do I know there are more issues at hand? Well, again, when you can see the comings and goings on the site, it should be noted that the U.S. Justice Department, and the U.S. office for Fiscal Policy have been by. There is likely more going on behind the scenes than we will ever know.

This case, and the circumstances surrounding it are far reaching, and may have consequences that are just starting to be realized now.

So, in the words of Elmer Fudd, “Wun you waskle wabbit, wun!”

Stunning, shocking, and questionable. Those are terms that just don’t apply to moves made by MLB’s current set of General Managers anymore. But not every GM in the league has the gumption of the Chicago White Sox’ Kenny Williams.

Kenny Williams working the phones

Of course, not every GM in the league has eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch every work day for the past 9 years either or picks up jaywalking tickets in front of Seattle’s Safeco Field, but those are stories for another time.

Today’s news that the White Sox have picked up Alex Rios from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for, well, nothing goes down in my book as one of the most intriguing acquisitions in recent years. The fact that it comes on the heels of Williams’ acquisition of Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres just adds fuel to the fire.

The Rios waiver claim transaction will be discussed for years due to the length (through 2014) and size (upwards of $60 million guaranteed) of the contract that Rios signed early in the 2008 season.

Outfielder Jermaine Dye, who is certain to be affected by the the addition of another big-money outfielder, is nonetheless “excited with the player he (Rios) is” and expects Rios to help the team down the stretch.

Manager Ozzie Guillen calls it “great news, pretty good headache” to figure out how to juggle the lineup to find playing time for everyone and seems ecstatic with the upgrade of Rios, irrespective of the contract situation.

And Ted Keith of SI.com is rightfully focused on the risk involved with taking on another high-priced, long-term contract so soon after bringing in Peavy, but acknowledges that the move confirms that Williams and the White Sox are going for a World Series title this season.

Personally, I love it. Williams knows how to maximize the chips that he has and is bold enough to continue to allocate owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s money with the unwavering intent to bring another title to Chicago’s South Side.

The Sox are just three games out of the A.L. Central lead (behind Detroit) and Rios will help to close that gap while giving the franchise another asset to build around for the future. It’s not my money, but there are definitely worse guys than Williams around the majors responsible for spending it on behalf of their owners.

Williams delivered with a title in 2005, breaking an 88-year spell of futility. With Williams at the helm, there is no way that the Sox wait another 88 years for the next one. Whether or not the Rios and Peavy deals pan out.

here’s kenny:

“I expected to make a trade,” Williams said. “[The Blue Jays] deemed my request of money off the contract was not worth as much to them as the savings of cash. At the end of the day, I have to call (Chairman) Jerry Reinsdorf and lay all the cards on the table. And [Reinsdorf] said, ‘I absolutely love the idea of not having to give up some of these players,’ and we’re OK with the cash because of the way we structured our payroll over the years.”

and

“We’ve been in trade discussion with Toronto before the deadline to try to get this guy,” Williams explained of how the whole thing came together. “And the way the waiver claim was made was to A: hopefully resurrect talks. B: in the event someone else claimed him, we didn’t want him going elsewhere because we targeted him not only as a guy who not only would help us in our quest for the division but future seasons as well.”

Cowley:

The other question Williams had to answer was about Rios’ contract. Earlier this season, Williams said, ‘‘You can’t spend a dollar if you only have 50 cents’’ regarding the effect poor attendance had on the team’s finances. So what changed? ‘‘If we don’t win, [Reinsdorf] and I might need second jobs,’’ Williams said laughing. ‘‘We’re out on the limb a little bit with the last two acquisitions, but we have seen in recent games our fans are starting to wrap their hands around this team. The walk-ups have been great, and people are getting excited about the possibility. I think they can see this team being a dangerous team if we get to the playoffs and match up against anyone. ‘‘We just need to win the games that we’re supposed to win now.’’

and

“I have a tendency to get rid of people when we don’t win. It’s in everyone’s best interest that we focus on the task at hand and you worry about that after the fact.”

Robothal:

Among the teams that may have claimed Rios: The Red Sox, who have tremendous financial flexibility; the White Sox, who have long liked Rios but just made a major investment in Jake Peavy; and the Giants, who turned down the Jays’ offer of Rios for Tim Lincecum after the 2007 season.

CP:

During the all-star break, some insiders suggested the San Francisco Giants – who turned down a Blue Jays offer of Rios for Tim Lincecum two winters ago-and the Chicago White Sox might have interest in the outfielder.

MLBTR’s info says it’s not the Giants, Red Sox, Mets, Mariners, or Reds. And BTB has a nice article on Rios’ trade value.

I don’t see how it can be Kenny Williams looking at Rios‘ contract:

2009:$5.9M
2010:$9.7M
2011:$12M
2012:$12M
2013:$12.5M
2014:$12.5M
2015:$13.5M club option ($1M buyout)

Jerry Reinsdorf will smack Kenny when he sees that!

UPDATE: Buster Olney says the team behind Rios’ claim is probably the Sox!

MLB sources indicate the White Sox are most likely the team awarded the claim on Rios, but the Blue Jays have not confirmed it. In any case, it may well be that Rios is on his way out of Toronto, because the Blue Jays may embrace the opportunity to shed his contract — much in the same way that the Blue Jays unexpectedly allowed the San Diego Padres to take reliever Randy Myers in a waiver claim more than a decade ago.

Scot Gregor finds it hard to believe too. I don’t understand how Jerry allowed Kenny to put a claim. What happens if Toronto says ‘enjoy the contract’? Maybe Jerry plans a big exit!

UPDATE #2: More Olney:

The vast majority of baseball folks that I spoke with Friday believe this development is a gift from the baseball gods for the Blue Jays, who have an opportunity to get out from the last 5½ years of a contract that goes far beyond the current recessed market; Rios will be owed about $66 million for the remainder of his deal, an elite contract in 2009, and right now, he’s not performing anywhere close to an elite level. If we had a SportsNation poll of baseball execs, I’d venture to say that 90 percent of them would vote that the Jays should dump Rios.