Griffey to White Sox Deal Killed By Carl Lindner

by JD Arney on Aug 3, 2005 4:11 PM EDT

The White Sox, whose deal for Ken Griffey Jr. (for three minor league prospects) was killed by Reds owner Carl Lindner last weekend, would revisit their trade talks if Griffey clears waivers in August.

Reds would have received Casey Rogowski, Chris Young, and a fringe prospect, and would have only been on the hook for $4 million a year for the next three years of Griffey's salary, which would be a per year savings of $8.5 million.

But the Reds owner killed the deal.

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Wow

I don't blame him. Regardless of how much Griffey's star has dimmed, that would have been a completely fleecing by the White Sox.

If Lindner didn't need to save that money, he was right to kill it.

Go ahead and shoot your mouth off, like it might kill the silence.

by ESiegrist on Aug 3, 2005 4:21 PM EDT reply actions

Money or prospects?

I think the yankees are going to continue to strugle in CF, and think old george will freak out and want Griffey. If he does the reds may not get good prospects back but they could get them to eat the salary.

by novaoakland on Aug 3, 2005 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

Sane?

How do we even know if George knows whats going on? I don't think he is involved with this team anymore, they didn't make any panic deals, and there were a lot of bad contracts they could have gone and rescued from some teams. They are second in the East and the Wild Card, and he hasn't been blasting his players or manager. I seriously doubt that he is even functioning properly anymore.

by JFP on Aug 3, 2005 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

I can't believe

that's the whole story. Did it mention the deferred salary of Griffey and who would be responsible for that? I think the $54 mil (I think) would be the deal breaker. And to get only those prospects doesn't make sense for Cincy to make a deal.

by So Cal Bob on Aug 3, 2005 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

through 2025

I think there is money owed to Griffey to the tune of like $8 mill/yr once he retires through 2025 - that was the hang-up with any deal at this point which from what I understand is why he Griffey will retire a Red. I am not giving exacts here but there is something goofy like this in Griffey's contract.

by slickwdb on Aug 3, 2005 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

my take...

Interesting. To me this is a no-brainer for Cincy. They save 8.5 million a year by trading an old, brittle player. They're deep in the OF as it is (they can't find room for both Pena and Kearns) and they get a good prospect in Young as well. I don't know why the Reds owner killed the deal, especially given the apparent benefit to the bottom line. There might be more to the story in terms of deferred payments, but based on the above only, it looks like exactly the sort of deal that Cincy should be hoping comes along.

by okbluejays on Aug 3, 2005 6:00 PM EDT reply actions

Change in ownership

From what I've read, DanO had his hands tied(which could be a good thing, I don't trust him) because there is an impending ownership change. They probably asked Linder to keep everyone so they could have their people in control with the same core group.

Bob Abreu for Kevin Stocker....I'll take it-Chuck Lamar

by Tyler on Aug 4, 2005 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions