CARACAS, Venezuela—Chicago’s Ozzie Guillen said the world financial crisis will eventually force Major League Baseball to watch spending closely, change playing style and look for talent in the minor leagues.
CARACAS, Venezuela—Chicago’s Ozzie Guillen said the world financial crisis will eventually force Major League Baseball to watch spending closely, change playing style and look for talent in the minor leagues. "The teams will have to be made up of a mix of prospective young players and veterans," said Guillen, who led the White Sox in the 2006 World Series. "One must trust in the work that the minor leagues are doing." The economic crisis is rattling directors of the 30 baseball major league teams. Although the majors are not contemplating layoffs, as in the NBA, they will surely have to spend more prudently, Guillen said Wednesday. "Teams will have to look for alternatives, work with lower salaries," he said. Guillen, who is from Venezuela, added that apart from the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, teams will have to look within themselves or to the minor leagues. "They will surely make fewer home runs," he said. "Defense players and worthy pitchers will likely take over the protagonist’s role." Asked about his interest in signing right fielder Bob Abreu to the White Sox, Guillen said that he had spoken with the left-handed batter about the possibility. But he added that Abreu — who declared himself a free agent after two seasons with the Yankees — would make the final decision. "The interest exists, but other teams have also shown interest," he said. "Bob will decide with whom he will play. He needs to choose a contract that allows him to play many years in the major leagues." Guillen added that in order to contract Abreu, the White Sox would have to exchange right fielder Jermaine Dye. "As far as I know, this is not on the agenda," he said. Guillen also touched on relations between his homeland and the U.S., saying he hopes President Hugo Chavez and President-elect Barack Obama would strengthen ties. "I’m not asking them to be great friends but at least that they shake hands," he said. Relations between the two countries have soured under President George W. Bush. But Chavez — who expelled the U.S. ambassador to Venezuela in September — has expressed hope ties may improve under Obama. AP ______ Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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