TUCSON, Ariz. – The commissioner's office is going to
resolve a dispute between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue
Jays over the David Wells-Mike Sirotka trade.
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Blue Jays general manager Gord Ash said Friday after speaking with the commissioner's
office in New York.
Toronto seeks compensation because Sirotka has a sore shoulder. The severity of the injury is at the heart of the
dispute.
"I'm not sure what they call it, but I informed them that we're
not going to have a meeting of the minds with the White Sox and we
need them to intervene," Ash said after speaking with the
commissioner's office in New York.
A Blue Jays spokesman said Friday the teams are scheduled to
have their documentation into the commissioner's office by Tuesday.
The matter was initially referred to commissioner Bud Selig, who
was likely to delegate it to Sandy Alderson, his executive vice
president for baseball operations.
White Sox general manager Kenny Williams left a phone message
with Ash on Thursday, saying to go ahead and contact the
commissioner's office and start the process.
"When you feel as strongly as we do about our position and
about the facts at hand, we look forward to it all coming out,"
Williams said.
Williams also apologized Friday for his comments earlier in the
week. when he referred to the controversy as "Shouldergate,"
prompting an angry response from Sirotka, a 15-game winner last
season for the White Sox.
Sirotka was traded to the Blue Jays on Jan. 14 as part of a
six-player deal that sent Wells, a 20-game winner, to the White
Sox.
Sirotka passed one Toronto physical, but a second test showed a
possible torn labrum so the Blue Jays sent him to specialist Dr.
James Andrews for another opinion.
The Blue Jays said Andrews' examination showed Sirotka has a
partial tear of the rotator cuff and a torn labrum in his left
shoulder. Andrews isn't recommending surgery now, but the Blue Jays
said the specialist calls the 29-year-old a "long-term surgical
candidate."
Williams claims Sirotka's injury is the same problem that's
caused him to start slowly the last two seasons, that he didn't
hide anything from the Blue Jays about the condition and that the
White Sox owe no compensation.
Chicago team physician Dr. James Boscardin said Andrews told him
Sirotka has normal "wear in the rotator cuff and possibly the
labrum" and there's a 70 to 80 percent chance surgery won't be
required.
Williams said Sirotka experienced some elbow problems last year
but "no shoulder problems" during the season.
Ash wouldn't discuss what compensation he seeks.
Williams and Ash did agree on one thing Friday. They'd like put
the whole incident behind them and move ahead.
"For everybody's benefit, sooner than later," Ash said.
"Hopefully by the end of next week," Williams said, adding
he's confident the White Sox will prevail and the trade will be
upheld.
As for Wells, he's taking care of personal business and isn't
scheduled to arrive at camp until Monday, three days after
Chicago's first workout.
"He's got some things he's got to take care of and I got no
problem with that," White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said Friday.
"I understand he really doesn't like spring training. ... We're
not going to force anything. We're going to bring him in a
situation where he's comfortable."
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 ESPN's Tim Kurkjian reports on the latest news in the David Wells-Mike Sirotka situation.
RealVideo: 28.8
Blue Jays manager Buck Martinez says his team gave up a good pitcher in David Wells.
avi: 1029 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Mike Sirotka says his main concern is to get healthy.
avi: 2100 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Mike Sirotka and Buck Martinez talk to the media about the recent trade.
RealVideo: 28.8
White Sox GM Kenny Williams discusses the Mike Sirotka trade.
RealVideo: 56.6
 Blue Jays GM Gord Ash hopes he can meet with the White Sox soon to settle the Mike Sirotka situation.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
White Sox GM Kenny Williams does not feel the Blue Jays deserve compensation in the Mike Sirotka trade.
wav: 77 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Mike Sirotka figures his injury is the only explanation for his trade.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Blue Jays manager Buck Martinez feels his team will be strong without a healthy Mike Sirotka.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Did Toronto get hosed by Chicago in the trade? ESPN's Tim Kurkjian answers.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark tries to make sense of the Mike Sirotka injury situation.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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