MBL: Blue Jays lose Sirotka, seek compensation

By Larry Rice

About now, the Toronto Blue Jays have to be feeling that they were cheated by the Chicago White Sox. After they traded David Wells to the White Sox, they received 29-year-old ace Mike Sirotka in return for the lefthander. At the time, it looked like a good deal both ways, based on a pitcher for pitcher comparison.

That was before a tear in Sirotka’s labrum in his left pitching shoulder was discovered. Doctors say the tear could keep Sirotka out the entire season. Toronto General Manager Gord Ash is understandably upset with yesterday’s developments. "Clearly some compensation is in order Ash said. "This tear is categorically old."

Sirotka was sent to the Blue Jays on January 14 in a six-player deal.

The LSU graduate went 15-10 last season and was the centerpiece of the deal for the Blue Jays. Blue Jays team sources told Sportsuperstarz.com that Sirotka will consult with the renowned Dr. James Andrews before he makes any decisions about missing the season.

The White Sox meanwhile, say that they made all information available to the Blue Jays before this deal was made. White Sox general manager Ken Williams says that there was assumed risk involved and they should not have anything to pay.

"Both sides have assumed a certain amount of risk in making this trade," Williams told Sportsuperstarz.com. "Ideally, both teams are satisfied by a trade. Obviously, pending Tuesday's exam, Toronto has expressed concern. However, unless we are advised otherwise by the commissioner's office, we have no reason to believe that this trade is anything but a completed deal."

Sirotka first sustained a shoulder injury by hyperextending it in his final regular season start of 2000. He then slightly tweaked the shoulder on an MLB postseason tour of Japan. The White Sox examined the lefty following the tour and said there was “nothing out of the ordinary.” Sirotka has had to be pulled from his last two spring trainings.

Williams advised the Blue Jays that the lefty was having some shoulder stiffness, however the trade still went through. When Sirotka was examined by the Blue Jays on January 19, Dr. Steve Mirabello found a tight capsule in the shoulder but no instability. An MRI confirmed that diagnosis, but Mirabello recommended stretching exercise for the problem.

A week later, Sirotka reported the problem was still no better. An MRI that was taken at a different angle showed a complete tear of the labrum, which may put him on the shelf for an extended period of time. However, Williams feels the White Sox have done nothing inappropriate in the process.

"We have been honest and open in providing the Blue Jays with advance knowledge of Mike's medical condition prior to agreeing to the trade," Williams said. "Based on private and public comments by the Blue Jays as late as Tuesday, it was our understanding that any medical issues were resolved."

Ash disagrees however; stating that medical clearance from the team’s doctors has no bearing on the issue. "The bottom line is that you want an accurate diagnosis, not the order in which they come," Ash said. "It's not like it was six months after, this was two weeks after. We put the player on a rehab and stretching program, and following that he still reported pain, so I think the idea is to get it right, not when."

Ash said he has no doubt that Williams made the deal in good faith. However, the Blue Jays’ GM has informed both Williams and the commissioner’s office of the tear in Sirotka’s shoulder. "We'll wait until we have a third opinion on Tuesday, and we'll see what that tells us before we proceed," Ash said. "We have three different reports from three different doctors. He's going to Dr. Andrews because he's not aligned with either club, and because he's an expert in the field."

Ash told Sportsuperstarz.com that he has not spoken about compensation. Sources say that he start by asking the trade to be rescinded. Gregg Clifton, the agent for Wells; said his client would report back to the Blue Jays if the trade was rescinded. Wells was traded to the Sox after saying that Blue Jays fans, “stink.”

The situation appears to be far from over. According to sources, no one is satisfied with the way it currently sits and no one is satisfied with the trade at its base. Only time will tell what action will be taken or if Sirotka will pitch in 2001.

Article courtesy of Sportsuperstarz.com