TUCSON, Ariz. -- David Wells finally made it to spring
training with the Chicago White Sox, and cameras followed his every
move Thursday.
|  | | David Wells arrives at the White Sox spring training camp Tucson, Ariz., and while he was talkative, he wasn't too controversial.
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Wells, wearing a blue "Creed" hat and a blue T-shirt, claimed
Thursday he wasn't concerned Toronto has asked the commissioner's
office review the controversial trade that brought him to the White
Sox for injured Mike Sirotka. The Blue Jays asked that the deal be
reworked.
"That's out of my hands. I'm here now and I'm not going to even
worry about it," he said.
"It's not a distraction and it's not going to make any
difference because I don't think I'm going anywhere. I think this
is where I'm going to lay my hat. Right here."
Wells, given permission to arrive six days after the other
pitchers, had expressed his preference before the Jan. 14 trade to
return to New York with the Mets.
Wells said he thinks that's why he didn't end up there.
"They knew I wanted to go there, so they said 'You know what?
You did that article and we're going to stick it to you and trade
you to Chicago,' " Wells said. "I said, 'Great.' Unfortunately
two guys they got were hurt and it's not my doing.
"I look at it from my point of view that they tried to stick it
to me and got stuck. ... But I just go where I'm told. and this is
a pretty good place to be told."'
The outspoken Wells, known for his portly physique and taste for
heavy metal music, went 20-8 last season at age 37, despite back
problems. After a 15-2 start before the All-Star break, he was 5-6
in the second half.
The White Sox gave up Sirotka, a 15-game winner last season, and
now he's rehabbing a shoulder injury. That's why the Blue Jays want
the trade reworked.
Wells is expected to be a leader in the clubhouse and an example
for Chicago's young pitching staff.
"A lot of people perceive me to be this wild and crazy guy.
Knock on wood I've never been in serious trouble. Yes, I speak my
mind and it's gotten me into trouble," Wells said.
"I've had great seasons the last six years and I keep getting
traded. So I don't know. Is it my mouth or my physique? It's nice
to know you're a wanted man."
Wells is listed as 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds. White Sox manager
Jerry Manuel wouldn't guess whether the pitcher had slimmed down
this spring.
"He is a big guy and that goatee looks dangerous, too," Manuel
said. "Whether he's lost weight or gained weight, he says his arm
feels good and he's ready to go. He says he's never felt this good
at this time of the year."
Wells, who said he thinks spring training is too long, will be allowed
to go at his own pace as the White Sox take the cautious approach
with his back.
"I know what it takes to get ready, not going out and killing
yourself, especially when you're 37," Wells said. "You don't need
to do that. That's for the young guys."
Some White Sox seemed startled and amused as Wells entered the
clubhouse for the first time with 30 some media members trailing.
When Wells held his news conference at a picnic table, second
baseman Ray Durham came from behind and gave him a bear hug.
Reliever Keith Foulke said the late arrival wasn't a big deal. Wells
is to work out with the team for the first time Friday.
"That's up to him, and I don't think any of us care," he said.
Wells started the All-Star Game for the American League last season, led the
league in fewest walks per nine innings (1.2), tied for the league
lead in starts with 35 and was second with 229 2/3 innings.
His weight is always a topic and Wells -- using one of his
familiar lines -- doesn't care.
"I'm fat. You're ugly. And I can diet," he said. "I've been
able to help teams win, and I don't worry about this and that. It
doesn't matter what you look like, you don't run the ball to the
plate. You can get somebody to think: 'How can this guy he's fat,
pitch so well?' " Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories | |
ALSO SEE
Back to Toronto? Jays reportedly want Wells back
Stark: A pitcher in limbo
White Sox waiting to catch first glimpse of Wells
AUDIO/VIDEO
 ESPN's Tim Kurkjian reports on the arrival of David Wells to White Sox's spring training camp.
RealVideo: 28.8
 ESPN's Peter Gammons is still trying to figure out what is going to happen with the Sirotka-Wells mess.
wav: 902 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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