Robin Ventura answered the question in his typical style–with a slight shrug, a quizzical look and a clever response.
This was late July, when Ventura was facing daily queries about his future (or lack thereof) with the White Sox. Despite Ventura’s years as a top-notch third baseman and model citizen on the South Side, the Sox seemed determined to trade him rather than sign him to a long-term contract.
“You can’t force somebody to like you,” Ventura said.
No, but you can find new friends. And that’s what Ventura has been doing.
Ventura’s agent, John Boggs, said that seven teams have contacted him since the 31-year-old third baseman became a free agent a week ago. Boggs confirmed the Cubs are one of them; others are believed to include the Mets, Mariners and Padres.
Only the Sox can make a formal offer until next Thursday. But the sheer number of inquiries could mean a bonanza for Ventura.
“It’s heartening to talk to general managers who sing kudos about Robin Ventura,” Boggs said. “That’s a conversation I haven’t had in a long time.”
The Sox continue to say they would like to re-sign Ventura, who made $6.1 million last season. But Boggs says he hasn’t had meaningful discourse with the Sox since a spring training meeting during which Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf called Ventura “probably our most popular player” but reiterated his opposition to giving Ventura a no-trade clause for 1999. Such a clause would allow Ventura to become a “10 and 5” player, giving him 10 years of major-league experience with at least five on the same team. That status would allow Ventura to veto any trade.
The Sox don’t want to give Ventura that power, let alone $7.5 million a year, but they might be wise to reconsider. While Ventura had a mediocre season at the plate (he struck out a team-high 111 times and hit .232 with runners in scoring position), he brings a litany of pluses to the table. His attributes include:
– “Brooks Robinson-type plays” as White Sox manager Jerry Manuel calls them.
They occur when someone hits a nubber down the third-base line that Ventura grabs barehanded before making an off-balance throw to get his man.
“He saves us a lot of runs,” Manuel said. “I don’t think any (third baseman) in the American League is close.”
Manuel isn’t the only one who feels that way. Ventura earned his fifth Gold Glove last week, which isn’t bad for a guy who couldn’t even walk 1 1/2 years ago after a devastating ankle injury.
“(The award) validates that Robin made a complete recovery from his injury,” Boggs said.
Ventura did commit 15 errors, four more than he did in 1996. But many of those can be chalked up to Wil Cordero, who struggled with scoops in his first two months playing first base.
– Ventura proved his value to the lineup in several ways, even in a year in which he hit just .263.
He led the AL with 15 intentional walks, five more than Albert Belle. “That’s respect more than anything else,” said Sox General Manager Ron Schueler.
And speaking of Belle, it’s worthwhile to compare his numbers in 1997 to those in ’98: Belle went from 30 homers to 49, from 116 RBIs to 152, from a .274 average to .328. Part of that surge can be chalked up to Belle’s increased comfort level at Comiskey Park. But a big part can be attributed to Ventura, who hits behind Belle and missed all but 54 games in ’97.
“Robin has experience, stature and a left-handed bat,” Manuel said. “Even when he didn’t hit, he served a tremendous purpose for this club. A pitcher would look at the on-deck circle and say, `There’s Robin Ventura.’ “
And that respect would translate into fastballs for Belle.
– Who can fill Ventura’s position? The last time the Sox tried someone other than Ventura at third base, it was a disaster. Chris Snopek hit .218 and committed 16 errors in 86 games when Ventura was injured in 1997.
The Sox have a better backup plan now in Greg Norton, who has the potential to hit 20 to 25 homers and become a whiz in the field. But that’s potential; Norton hasn’t proven it yet. His season-ending average plummeted to .237 after his horrendous September (a .169 average and one home run in 65 at-bats), and he has fewer than 10 career starts at third base. Plus he already has proven to be a potential Gold Glover if the Sox leave him at first base.
– Ventura provides intangible benefits. In a clubhouse full of intimidating glares and mood swings, Ventura is a straight shooter. He doesn’t moan about the strike zone or fling his helmet after grounding out. “He’s really unselfish,” Manuel said, “always concerned about the team.”
Ventura’s bat was silent for stretches during the season. He hit .216 with only two homers in July, but that was when the trade rumors were in full bloom. Some scouts insist his hands are slower than they once were; others think Ventura’s mediocre hitting can be traced to the dislocation of his right ankle in ’97.
“When you watch him play defense, there’s no way you could say his hands have slowed down,” Manuel said. “That’s a reactionary position, and he made some tremendous stops.”
Too bad for Sox fans it appears he’ll be making them in another uniform next season.
