More on the Sox refusal to give Buehrle a no-trade clause:
"As soon as you do that, everyone who comes through the door to the negotiating table is going to be expecting the same. Whatever free agents you go after, they will also be expecting the same treatment. Now, having said that, I can completely understand -- and I talked to [White Sox chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf] about that today -- we completely understand him wanting and requesting it, and it's not really a matter of us not desiring to do it completely. It's a matter of business practice and how that's going to affect the next day, the next player I attempt to sign, future free agents down the line. The ramifications just are... Boy, they could turn you into a team you're not going to enjoy seeing," said Williams.
After Buehrle's camp rejected the team's offer on Friday, Williams put in a personal call to the left-hander to explain the no-trade provisions the team was prepared to offer and how the White Sox were not planning to pull a sign-and-trade with one of the top commodities on the open market. Williams added how the White Sox have not heard back from Jeff Berry, Buehrle's agent, since the offer was turned down. When contacted on Monday night, Berry gave the impression of how his side is standing firm with the full no-trade desire.
"Mark is willing to forego free agency and has made no secret of his desire to remain in Chicago. In return, he simply wants assurance that he will stay with the Sox for the next four years," said Berry.
What does Mark say? Look inside.