What Was Guillen Thinking?

This past Sunday, Chicago White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen, said that if his team performs poorly, like it did last year, that he'd be willing to tear up his extension and work on a short-term deal. First, I have to sit down for a second. When was the last time you heard a player or manager actually accept responsibility for his performance and accept less money if he performs poorly? This may truly be first and it should be applauded on some levels.

However, it must be asked what was Guillen thinking, or even was Guillen thinking when he made these comments. On first blush, it seems that this may be just another of Guillen's statements made off the top of his head, with no forethought and all emotion. But after thinking about it, maybe this comment had great thought behind it after all. Here's a list of the possible takes on this statement as I see it:

1. Giving Guillen the benefit of the doubt, perhaps he really meant it. Perhaps he really is willing to renegotiate his deal, accept less money and less security. But from a pure business angle this is not wise. Less money and less security is not what we strive for when we agree to the terms of employment. Further, a contract is a contract. Each team understands that when it agrees to terms with a coach or player that it may not all be roses. The player could underperform or get hurt and the coach may just not be able to develop a relationship with the players. This risk is already part of the mutual meeting of the minds when the parties agree to terms. There is no business or legal obligation for Guillen to give up his extension. But if he does underperform it will be interesting to see if Guillen puts his money where his mouth is.

2. Guillen is smart like a fox. He knows there is a possibility that his team could be in some trouble again this year and he is talking tough and putting his money where his mouth his to ingratiate himself with fans. He is making a statement that "I am here to win, not to make money," which fans absolutely eat up and frankly is quite refreshing to hear. If his team underperforms, he knows the fans will have his back and that will effectively give him all of the security that he needs.

3. He is taking the same approach as in #2 to show his team that he is there for them and he is using that as a motivational tool to get them to win. If his team wins, he doesn't have to worry about the silly words that came out of his mouth.

4. Guillen put no thought behind this statement. Perhaps he was speaking on pure emotion, which we have seen before.

Regardless of the reasons, it was refreshing to hear Guillen's pledge. As a fan, I'd love to see more of this from the players and coaches. But as a sports lawyer, it makes me think twice about Guillen's true intentions behind his words.