AL Central Race Takes Backseat to Ozzie Contract Talk

Enough, Ozzie!

Now is not the time to talk about a contract extension.

Of the Sox coaches, only Don Cooper should feel slighted for having to work on an expiring deal.

As much as I have appreciated Guillen's gift of gab through his years as player and manager, talking about 2013 and beyond--after the Sox guaranteed his 2012 team option in January--sounds selfish when the Sox should be focused on winning the division.

``This is a big business, and that's up to Kenny and Jerry," said Guillen, referring to general manager Ken Williams and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. "If they want me here, I'll be more than happy to be here. Very happy. But if they don't, it's just not in my hands. I'm tied up with them for another contract, but that doesn't mean I have to come back. That's up to them.

"The one thing I make clear, I don't think I'm going to be back here for a one-year contract and I don't know what to do next year. Eight years with this organization, I'm guessing I do a pretty good job. No, not me. I think the players did it for me, and I think we deserve more than that."

General manager Kenny Williams, who should have to answer to chairman Jerry Reinsdorf more than Ozzie should the Sox miss the playoffs, was spot on when he dismissed Guillen's contract comments Tuesday.

"All year I've said all I want to do is keep the focus on the team," Williams said. "I have no desire to enter into discussions about these type of things and make anything definitive because it takes away from what's happening on the field. If I'm asked that question one more time, I'm going to throw up. This is my expectation. But at the end of the day, I've got to sit down with Jerry at the end of the season.

"At this point in time, we're an underachieving club. So that means players, coaches, the manager and myself, we're all under review. This is professional sports. I'm [not] telling anybody anything you don't know?

"But I've also said from the very beginning that all I want is to be the focus on the field and I would hope whenever the door is shown to us, maybe we walk out that door together because everyone has an expiration date. Am I not consistent with my messages?"

Yes, Kenny, you are. Unfortunately, so is Guillen when it comes to his contract. Everyone knows you want longer paper Ozzie.

So shut up!

We'll talk about this Wednesday between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. Hope you can join Mully and me.

As always, thanks for listening.

--Hanley