Crede's agent more than willing to talk with Sox

Joe Crede is healthy, happy and hitting .393 for the first-place White Sox.

One thing he assuredly is not is gone.

Though there's a feeling among Sox fans that Crede's agent, Scott Boras, is advising his client on an exit strategy, Boras said it's patently untrue.

"I will listen to anything (GM) Kenny Williams has to say,'' Boras said Tuesday night. "Joe is very happy in Chicago, just as he's always been. He loves playing for the White Sox.

"We told the Sox that when the time comes that Joe has returned to health, and returned to performing at his normal levels of excellence, that we would certainly want to talk to them about a contract.

"There's this perception out there about Kenny and I that's wrong. I like Kenny. He always returns calls and we always have a good conversation and there's no issue there.

"We sometimes disagree on value, but that's to be expected.''

It seemed to all the world that after no contract talks took place last fall, that Crede would certainly be dealt this winter, though the Sox found teams unwilling to give a reasonable amount in return.

"What Kenny said to me was if the Sox don't have a player signed going into the last year of a deal, he's usually not going to be a White Sox player,'' Boras said. "I can understand that point of view.

"I said that I couldn't negotiate while a player was injured, when I know he's not going to be injured next year. I said the Sox can't pay him while he's injured as if he weren't injured, so it would have to be at a discount.

"That's smart on Kenny's part, and I don't mind Kenny making that suggestion. There was no contract offer and we didn't talk about one.

"I just told him that I needed to be upfront with him and that my advice to Joe would be that he's a special player and when he's healthy a lot of teams are going to need a third baseman.''

Yet, Boras is not suggesting Crede -- due to be a free agent after this season -- won't listen to the Sox now, next month or even after the season.

"At Joe's direction, I would be more than happy to talk to the White Sox about Joe staying in Chicago,'' Boras said. "It's not my job to tell teams when to negotiate with a player. I ask my players what they want to do.''

Negotiating during the season is not a distraction any player or GM wants to endure, but in a last-ditch attempt to sign Mark Buehrle and avoid having to move him at the trade deadline, the Sox signed Buehrle last July.

Based on that precedent, it's possible -- once Crede has survived a few more weeks of baseball -- that the Sox could be enticed.

"My client loves playing in Chicago, and I work for my client,'' Boras said. "It's my job to communicate any and all offers and explain the marketplace.

"Joe was injured last year and we had to show he could play at the levels he has in the past. He has done that.

"And I have no issues with the White Sox at all. When I did Joe's contract for this year, I said I'd be coming to town this season and said I'd love to have lunch with Jerry (Reinsdorf) and Kenny.

"I'm not opposed to talking at all.''

So it could be the Buehrle/July scenario, or maybe more akin to the Paul Konerko deal, which was settled a month after the 2005 World Series.

That notion is enough to make a Sox fan smile.

Ivan Boldirev-ing

Once again there is playoff hockey this spring in Rosemont, where the Wolves will host their first two playoff games April 16 (7 p.m.) and April 18 (7:30 p.m.).

As an added bonus this time around, the Wolves will offer a complimentary meal in the Skyline Room of the Allstate Arena 90 minutes prior to each home game for fans who purchase any non-discounted seats for $20 or higher.

For more info, visit chicagowolves.com.

Unconventional wisdom

ESPN.com's Bill Simmons: "Of all the guys we watched in the (NCAA) Tournament this year, maybe eight of them could step into an NBA rotation right away, and only two of them (Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley) could start for a decent team. Personally, I'd rather watch basketball played passionately at the highest possible level.''

Green river

Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: "Retired quarterback Brett Favre's agent denies a report Favre might change his mind and play again. Favre had no comment, overcome by emotion and weeping too uncontrollably to get any words out."

Best headline

Sportspickle.com: "MLB survivor pool probably a bad idea.''

Whatever happened to …

… Felix Pie?

And finally …

Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, on pitcher Mike Hampton: "If you're Hampton, what's keeping you from throwing in the towel? I mean, except maybe the fear of a torn rotator cuff."

brozner@dailyherald.com