Cabrera: 'If it happens again, I will call again'

CLEVELAND -- Shortstop Orlando Cabrera all but sealed his eventual departure from the White Sox with the following statement:

"If it happens again, I will call again," Cabrera told the Tribune on Tuesday after declining to speak to the other beat reporters covering the White Sox. "I don't have to do it with other teams because they always had my back. They don't want to do it here, I can take care of my own business. If you have a problem with what I did, come to me and say something. Don't go to the media to send a message, because he didn't send any message.''

Cabrera was addressing his controversial decision to call the official scorer and complain about errors during two games this season, once at U.S. Cellular Field last Thursday and once at Toronto in early May.

More Coverage Links Cabrera looks to be a short stop with Sox [05/28/08] Scot Gregor's blog

Cabrera was also strongly implying that "he'' -- Sox manager Ozzie Guillen -- isn't in his corner.

When asked to respond to Cabrera's comments on Wednesday, Guillen kept his cool.

"I'm not going to go back and forth with my players,'' Guillen said. "I'm not going to say it's an issue. Everyone has the right to say what he wants. To me, he's my shortstop and only play here. I hope I can protect him better. I don't know how. Like I say, my door is open. If something bothers you, feel free to talk to me about it.

"I'm not going to make a big issue about it. As long as he's here, he's going to play.''

Cabrera is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, and there is little or no chance he'll sign a new contract with the White Sox.

The question is, will the 33-year-old shortstop be traded during the season?

Guillen said there are bigger things to worry about.

"It's about winning,'' Guillen said. "The only thing I care about is make sure he plays the game and respects his teammates. That's all you can ask. Respect your teammates and play.

"It's not necessary to make it a big deal. It's a big deal, but it's not. I don't want the ballclub to get caught up in what Orlando says and what he does. We just worry about how he is in the clubhouse and in the field. Whatever he has to say, he says. And as long as he backs it up on the field, that's all we care about.''