Sox GM Williams critical of his critics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- White Sox general manager Kenny Williams takes pride in standing up and taking the hits when things aren't going well.
But after being tagged with a flurry of critical blows in the wake of the AL Central rival Detroit Tigers acquiring third baseman Miguel Cabrera and starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis in a blockbuster trade Tuesday, Williams was short and terse while meeting with the Chicago media Wednesday at the winter meetings.
"It doesn't matter if I think it's fair or not,'' Williams said of the overwhelming negative coverage of the Tigers' trade. "It is what it is. You guys are going to write what you write; you're going to write it in the tone that you're going to write it in. It was disappointing.''
Particularly galling to Williams is the way the Sox have been ripped for actually trying to trade for Cabrera, as well as trying to sign free-agent center fielder Torii Hunter, who landed with the Los Angeles Angels for $90 million over five years.
"It wasn't that long ago that with the White Sox, one of the biggest complaints was we were not going after the major players out there, the impact-type guys,'' Williams said. "Well, since Day One over the last seven years, we've made a habit of it. Sometimes you're going to get your guy, sometimes you're not.
"We're going to go down swinging, and if this is the result of it, if this is the fallout of it, so be it. We can accept it like men and move on.''
When asked if the derogatory coverage is going to affect his future dealings with the Chicago media, Williams said: "Most definitely.''
Although it was buried in most reports after the Detroit deal, Williams did say he is still happy the Sox have added shortstop Orlando Cabrera and relief pitcher Scott Linebrink, and he still is seeking more upgrades.
In addition, Williams said he's not about to concede the 2008 division title to the Tigers, who also added all-star shortstop Edgar Renteria in a trade shortly after the World Series.
Williams reiterated that stance Wednesday.
"We certainly are not going to shy away from the challenge, especially knowing that no matter what your roster looks like on paper, it takes well-rounded teams in major-league baseball to compete for a championship,'' Williams said.
"And what we have started this season, I am proud of. Where we are headed is right toward being a well-rounded baseball team in all facets of the game.''
Williams said the Tigers' big trade isn't going to make him work any harder to improve the White Sox.
"I can't get anymore determined when I wake up in the morning than I already am,'' said the GM, who assembled the Sox' 2005 World Series championship team. "Based on what someone is saying or people are writing or talking about, that really does not affect how aggressively I go after the job.
"What it does do more so is make me wonder why I even bother spending the time that I do expounding on what our plan is and how we go about our plan. I understand that's part of the (media's) job.
"I will be respectful, I will be accommodating, and as you guys know, I have never been shy with things. I'm more willing to stand up when things do not go our way than when they do go our way.''
That being said, Williams is standing very tall at the moment.