After months of behind the scenes negotiatons, the A's have ended talks with perennial all-star SS Ronnie Cho. The Arizona State product would have given the A's a tremendous upgrade at the position, and a likely .750 leadoff hitter to replace the departed Wheels.
"We tried everything we could; a gauranteed starting spot, no-trade clause, first refusal on gameday beer choices, false promises about job opportunities...in the end it came down to a matter of money," said GM and player/manager Charlie Mitchell. While neither saide has released offical contract numbers that were discussed, sources close to the negotiations tell F'n A that the number was close to $0 over one year.
With Cho out of the mix the battle for starting SS should be one of the most entertaining of spring training. The Puma has faced critics every year, but always finds a way to hold the spot and he performed well in the A's playoff appearance last year. Mitchell has put himself in the mix, but he will need to prove his durability afetr another season of multiple injuries (torn hamstring, turf toe, knee, and jugular injuries). An intriguing prospect is big money free agent Matt Alee. The biggest offseason acquisition in years, the Illinois product is currently penciled in at third, but could be moved over in an emergency.
"We really would like to see him at third," said Mitchell, "we've struggled for years to get good power numbers from the corner positions, and we hope he can turn that around. Plus we like his arm over there."
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PHOENIX- Discussions between the A’s and free-agent shortstop Ronnie Cho broke down for good early Monday morning effectively ending any chance to land the slugger.
"We tried everything we could; a guaranteed starting spot, no-trade clause, first refusal on gameday beer choices, false promises about job opportunities...in the end it came down to a matter of money," said GM and player/manager Charlie Mitchell.
"It's not about money, it’s about respect." said the twelve time all-star shortstop. Sources close to Cho say he was seeking a multi-year deal in the neighborhood of three years at $1.00 with an option for a fourth though the A’s were rumored to have offered only a one-year deal.
“Right now, they don’t want to respect me for three years with an option of respect in a fourth year. Right now, they only want to respect me for one year with a contract loaded with performance incentives and less guaranteed respect.”
Such a long term contract is rare but according to a former league official, “Cho’s ability to hit for average, power, his speed and grooming habits make the terms of the deal very fair. He’s a special player, just ask him”. Widely considered to be a true five-tool player, Cho was famously quoted in a Playboy interview of having a “sixth tool”. Known as much for his stylishly coifed hair and penchant for young women as he is for his .750 on-base percentage and his Ruthian .982 slugging percentage, Cho was looking for a change in scenery and the A’s looked like a perfect fit. Talks began last fall to bring Cho to the A’s and it looked as if a deal would go through without a hitch. The free agent acquisition would have been a huge boost to a team trying to prove last year’s playoff berth was not a fluke. The A’s won their franchise’s first playoff game but fell in the next round.
Fan reaction to the failed attempt to land Cho has ranged from deep depression to utter relief. “Cho is the best smelling, power hitting metrosexual shortstop not named Alex Rodriguez” said long time A’s season ticket holder Lisa Prosienski. “To lose out on a player that smells that good, well, quite frankly it stinks”. But others aren’t so disappointed. “The A’s don’t need no Yankee prima donna. There’s no “I” in team, but there’s an “I” in Ronnie” said one fan who wished to remain anonymous.
“The A’s are still the team I want to be apart of the most”, said Cho, “If there’s a will there’s a way and the way is more pay. I mean respect.”
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