 Guillen reaches settlement with Angels
By MARK SAXON
The Orange County Register
OAKLAND – Outfielder Jose Guillen settled his grievance against the Angels today so that both parties can move on with their lives. But where do they go from here?
While the team made a point of leaving the door ajar for him to rejoin them next season, Guillen said he isn’t so sure.
"I know I shouldn’t have done what I did. I got mad because I want to play. I’m sorry for that," Guillen said. "But I busted my tail all year for these guys, because I want to win. I played hurt and what they did hurts me a lot. How can I play there next year? My heart is broken over this."
In the settlement, Guillen will receive most of the $109,000 the team still owed him from his $2.2 million contract. In return, Guillen dropped his efforts to rejoin them for these final three games and any possible playoff games. The team will have the full 25 playoff roster spots, one more than they would have had if the suspension had continued. Players on the suspended list, unlike disabled players, can’t be replaced.
Guillen is still due $3.5 million next season, the final year of his two-year contract. Considering he batted .294 with 27 home runs and 104 RBIs — and virtually carried the team along with Vladimir Guerrero early on — the Angels won’t rule him out for next spring. But he might have to seek help for the wild mood swings that got under some of his teammates’ skin.
"I’m not qualified to comment on that. I’m not a counselor or anything," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think Jose will look into something. The door is definitely still open."
Guillen faxed an apology to members of the Southern California media Friday, but Scioscia and General Manager Bill Stoneman still say he has never directly apologized to either of them. He was suspended following his tirade after he was lifted for a pinch runner in a Sept. 25 game.
In the statement, Guillen said, "My actions were not meant to be disrespectful to the organization or my teammates. It was out of my desire to help my team win and I accept and respect the organization’s decision."
Stoneman said he hoped the settlement would eradicate a potential distraction before his team’s make-or-break final series with the Oakland A’s. The team had gone 5-1 entering Friday’s game since the suspension.
"No disrespect to Jose, but it’s not even on my mind," Darin Erstad said. "It’s a sad situation, I feel bad for him, but at this time there’s only one thing on my mind."
Oakland third-base coach Ron Washington played with Scioscia on the Dodgers in 1980 and he coached Guillen in the final two months last year with the A’s.
"Knowing Mike, I don’t think if it was just an argument, this would have been the action taken. Mike believes in letting his players have their say," Washington said. "I like Jose. I think sometimes he just lets his emotions get carried away."
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10-02-2004, 04:04 AM
