Chiming in
Red Sox, Yankees express interest in Belle
Posted: Friday November 13, 1998 10:53 PM
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Boston bound?: Albert Belle liked what he heard in his talks with Red Sox management AP |
CHICAGO (AP) -- Albert Belle
has already met with the Boston Red Sox, and
the New York
Yankees are up next. The Chicago White Sox?
Not even in the ballpark.
Belle met with Boston Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette on Thursday,
and will sit down with the New York Yankees next week, the slugger said
Friday.
But the Chicago White Sox, the team that made him the richest player in
baseball two years ago, has made no overtures to re-sign him.
"These teams are really making the decisions easy," Belle told The
Associated Press in a telephone interview from his home in Tucson,
Arizona. "They want to pay you well and they want to put you in a situation
where you can win, what more could you want?"
Belle, one of baseball's most consistent power hitters, had a unique
clause in his $55 million, five-year contract that allowed him to demand
the White Sox keep him as one of the three highest-paid players in
baseball. When the White Sox refused his demand for an additional $4.25
million raise over the next three years, he became a free agent.
After one of the best seasons in his career, Belle is the top outfielder
in a class that also includes Bernie
Williams of the New York Yankees. Belle hit .328 with 49 home runs and
48 doubles, and he led the AL in slugging percentage (.655) and total bases
(399). He also set club records for homers, doubles, total bases,
extra-base hits (99) and RBIs (152).
The Red Sox covet Belle as a replacement for Mo Vaughn, who
spurned a $62.5 million, five-year deal Thursday. Belle said he came away
from his meeting with Duquette impressed with his commitment to win. The
Red Sox want to make it further than their AL wild card spot this year, and
they're proving it by signing free agents like Jose Offerman,
who agreed to a $26 million, four-year deal Friday.
The Red Sox also are interested in Robin Ventura,
Belle's teammate in Chicago.
"Duquette's letting it all hang out to win," Belle said. "He's not going
to be happy until he wins the World Series."
The Yankees are interested in Belle as a possible replacement for
Williams. Belle said owner George Steinbrenner wants to meet him, and he
also will sit down with manager Joe Torre.
While Belle said he and agent Arn Tellem haven't discussed numbers with
any team, he expects whatever deal he gets would make him the highest-paid
player in baseball again. Mets catcher Mike Piazza has
that distinction now, with a $91 million, seven-year deal.
Asked if he had a preference between the Yankees and Red Sox, Belle said
he doesn't know.
"That's hard to say because I haven't had a chance to sit down and talk
with the Yankees," Belle said.
"It just depends upon which challenge you want," he said. "Do you want to
be the underdog that's not too far from knocking the king off the hill? Do
you want to be the longshot underdog? Or do you want to be the king that's
already on the hill?"
Playing in either Boston or New York, known for their tough fans, doesn't
bother him, either.
But if Belle really had his choice, he said he'd like to stay in Chicago.
That, however, isn't likely to happen. Chicago GM Ron Schueler told the
Sun-Times for Friday editions that the White Sox have no plans to
renegotiate his contract.
That's no surprise, Belle said.
"I don't think they want me or Robin to return," he said. "It just shows
me there's no commitment to winning. It frustrates you because you look at
what we established in the second half. To be able to take the next step
forward, maybe in the eyes of some people it's a giant step, but I consider
it a baby step."
Belle has until December 2 to return to the White Sox under his current
contract.
"I don't have a particular deadline. When the timing is right, the
decision will be made," he said. "I'm sure by the time I go home for
Thanksgiving, a decision will be made."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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