White Sox general manager Ken Williams attempted to downplay the public spat between manager Ozzie Guillen and closer Bobby Jenks in a story on ESPNChicago.com.
Guillen called out Jenks during the last week of the season for being out of shape. Jenks took exception to the comments.
"Open and honest comments have been inflammatory as they've come out to the public, but it's really men being men, and Ozzie and I being ourselves," Williams told ESPNChicago's Bruce Levine. "It's about us being honest with our guys first,and honest with you guys and the public second. We had many, many instances where we had differences with our players, and then the next day it's over and done with, and back to business as usual."
Guillen called out Jenks during the last week of the season for being out of shape. Jenks took exception to the comments.
"Open and honest comments have been inflammatory as they've come out to the public, but it's really men being men, and Ozzie and I being ourselves," Williams told ESPNChicago's Bruce Levine. "It's about us being honest with our guys first,and honest with you guys and the public second. We had many, many instances where we had differences with our players, and then the next day it's over and done with, and back to business as usual."
During the last week of the season, Guillen said that in order for Jenks to hold onto to his closer job he would have to keep his weight down during the off-season.
"Obviously, this kid has to show up in shape," Guillen said. "That's his problem every winter. Hopefully, he knows about it. That's his career and that's the way he's going to make money, if he takes care of himself a little bit in the winter."
Jenks responded to the criticism in a chat on MLB.com in early October.
"I've done everything I can do," Jenks said. "I've done everything that is physically possible, to make myself in better shape this year."
In an additional twist, the White Sox last month signed reliever J.J. Putz, who saved 40 games for the Seattle Mariners in 2007, a move widely seen as insurance in case Jenks breaks down or is traded. At the time, Williams said Jenks was still the team's closer.
Asked today by Levine if Jenks' scheduled absence at SoxFest next weekend is a further sign of discontent, Williams said the team doesn't ask its players to appear at events when they're going through arbitration.
"Obviously, this kid has to show up in shape," Guillen said. "That's his problem every winter. Hopefully, he knows about it. That's his career and that's the way he's going to make money, if he takes care of himself a little bit in the winter."
Jenks responded to the criticism in a chat on MLB.com in early October.
"I've done everything I can do," Jenks said. "I've done everything that is physically possible, to make myself in better shape this year."
In an additional twist, the White Sox last month signed reliever J.J. Putz, who saved 40 games for the Seattle Mariners in 2007, a move widely seen as insurance in case Jenks breaks down or is traded. At the time, Williams said Jenks was still the team's closer.
Asked today by Levine if Jenks' scheduled absence at SoxFest next weekend is a further sign of discontent, Williams said the team doesn't ask its players to appear at events when they're going through arbitration.
Get our updates on 
If the Sox are going to pay Jenks $7.5M+ to close, the least he can do is get in shape so he can stay healthy and fulfill that contract.
So Ozzie's on the mark, and both Ozzie and Don Cooper have been on many players to get in shape before camp, so it's not like Jenks is being singled out...
As for Flowers, he's not ready to contribute at the big league level with his bat. He has done better defensively, but why bring him up to sit on the bench?
I fail to understand why this is an annual problem for the Sox...I would think that 3 years ago they would have set goals for Jenks'weight, body fat and fitness in the fall and tell him if he didn't come to camp in shape that he'd be suspended until get GETS in shape.
all i know is that jenks said he'd go to soxfest last year and then blew it off so not headlining him this year is simply an excercise for truth in advertising.
"Tyler Flowers, "ready to break out"? Of what? The guy can't catch at the minor league level and you think he can at the MLB level?"
What in the heck are you talking about. Flowers catching has improved leaps and bounds over the past 2 seasons. He's easily passable as a major league catcher. Do some scouting before popping off.
I can't understand the signing of Ramon Castro, when we have Flowers ready to break out. Its got to do something with Ozzie's close ties to hispanics.
Delgado for DH. Lefty, at least 25-30 HRs, clubhouse guy,Better avg than Thome and close his 500HRs. Also he can play some 1B on Sundays.
Pfft, what a non-story. Thanks for the attempted soap opera, but wake us up when something meaningful happens.
Ozzie on January 14, 2010 5:41 PM
This is probably one of the reasons the Sox can never get any good free agents to sign here.
True, they have to rely on trading nevergonnabees for stars like Jake Peavy instead of signing free agents the likes of Milton Bradley.
How can this be an issue? It's a no brainer. You're supposed to be an athlete. Stay in shape. Geez. If a guy can't cover the bunt, or get to first before the runner, he can't pitch at any level. Otherwise, I think Hoyt Wilhelm would still be pitching, and probably as effectively as Jenks at this point. For one thing, it's just sad to see a guy that big come in to pitch. Yeah, if he gets the job done, sure, fine, give him the ball and tell him to get it done, but there's something unsettling about seeing a guy that looks more like the Pillsbury Doughboy than an athlete come in to close the game off for you. If it was a community league, I think you'd still be a little embarrassed. This is supposed to be major league baseball. Shed a few pounds, big guy. Lose a few for the team and its image, if nothing else. Maybe they could do a special segment of the world's biggest closer... bring on golfers, bowlers, ex football linemen, and pitchers... I hate it when the little woman watches those shows... all the tear jerker moments tend to pile up, but I would love to watch that one. Anyone want to pitch this idea with me? (pun intended)
His weight is an issue because of his back problems & the timing of Ozzie saying it has to do with posturing for arbitration. If he shows up overweight , trade him for value. He had no movement on his fastball last year & his curveball didn't snap , thats why he got bopped around and his back seems to be the problem. If you look back the Sox have always been pretty good about culling injured pitchers.
I'm more concerned about Jenks ERA than his BMI. I don't think Jenks has to worry about making the 20 step from mound to first a few times per year. He'll never bat ot pinch run. Sure he has to be somewhat conditioned to pitch, but c'mon these are baseball players. Olympic conditioning is helpful, not required.
Ozzie the Sox can't get decent free agents because they don't offer enough money. Just look 8 miles to the North and you see a GM freely giving out big $$ to Milton and look where it got them.
Famous pitching coach, Johnny Sain, was asked about Micky Lolich and whether or not he would have been more effective if he shed some pounds. Sain's reply was that if pichers were supposed to be in great shape, they would look for pitchers on track teams. Not one of you knows whether or not his weight has to do with his pitching. What kind of shape was he in during the title year?
"men being men" what would kenneth know about that or for that matter what would oswald know about it?
Jenks is not only fat, he's losing his effectiveness and consistency. You can only carry that much bulk for so long. If Kenny can get something even marginally useful this Dixie Doughboy, he'll be ahead of the game.
Have any of you taken a look at Bobby Jenks? Every season he looks like a Jenny Craig dropout, so why not demand that he come to training camp ready to go? If I come to work without wearing a shirt and tie, I will lose my job. He too is a professional, and if making millions of dollars a year to play a kids game, traveling first class and doing something you love on a daily basis isn't enough incentive, then he needs to find something to do. And who cares about prima donna free agents? Give me a hard nosed player any day of the week that will play the game tough and save the "A-Rods" of the league for the Cubs.
Sorry - I'm siding with Ozzie on this one.
I STAND BY OZZIES COMMENTS TO JENKS. HE SHOULD LOOK IN THE MIRROR. MOST OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE HAVE BACK PROBLEMS. IF HE DOESN'T REPORT IN SHAPE, THEY SHOULD TRADE HIM. WHO NEEDS TO PUT UP WITH HIS CRAP.
Jenks should have replied as soon as the Blizzard learns how to speak English then I will lose lbs.