Magglio

Ordonez

He has been out of action since July 22nd with a bone marrow edema in his left knee and will not play again until spring training of next season. However, it is important for Ordonez to recover quickly as he is a free agent looking for a sizeable contract, and will have to prove to prospective employers that he will be healthy enough to start 2005 on time.

This won’t please the White Sox at all. The team had been hoping to re-sign Ordonez despite questions about his left knee, but it’s now more likely that he’ll make his way elsewhere. The White Sox avoid Boras clients as much as any team in baseball.

The White Sox want more information about Ordonez’s knee before they resume negotiations with the outfielder. Boras just wants teams to start bidding. There’s very little chance that Ordonez will re-sign with the White Sox.

Boras says Ordonez should be fully recovered from his second knee surgery by Dec. 1. Of course, he’s probably not the best source of medical info when he’s trying to land a big contract for a player. Boras is currently trying to interest the Orioles in Ordonez. “One thing Baltimore always has going for it is players have a favorable impression of it as a place to play and a great ballpark to play in,” Boras said.

Ordonez, who will miss the rest of the season, has been in Florida resting. He will have doctors look at his knee again to determine if the bone marrow swelling in the joint that developed last month, has subsided any.

“I’m not optimistic that Magglio will wear a White Sox uniform ever again,” Williams said. “With the way things have evolved, I have no reason for optimism.” Williams added that he won’t risk offering arbitration to Ordonez, meaning he won’t get any compensation for losing him.

Ordonez also tried to confirm that his knee is OK in an interview with the New York Post yesterday. “It’s going to be [100 percent] in December. Right now I’m like 90 percent,” Ordonez said. “We’re waiting, taking it slow. We don’t want to [overdo it].”

“Why not the Cubs?” Ordonez said. “I think it would be a good place for me. They have great fans. They’re sold out every day. They have great pitching and they have a good chance to win it all. All I want to do is win. Winning is my No. 1 priority.” The Orioles and Mets seem to have demonstrated the most interest in Ordonez. The Cubs will want to make a run at Carlos Beltran before they consider Ordonez.

Ordonez was recently cleared to resume baseball activities and is likely to work out for teams later this month. He might remain unsigned into February.

Ordonez is expected to work out for interested clubs within the next 10 days, and the Rangers plan to be there.