Seaver May Stay With the White Sox After All

First, it seemed certain that he would be wearing Yankee pinstripes on Opening Day 1986.

Then, there was prevailing talk he might be having “Orioles” on his uniform. That was replaced by the likelihood he would again have “Sox” on his warmup jacket, only the Red rather than the White variety.

But as spring training approaches, there is stronger evidence that Tom Seaver will again be a Chicago White Sox pitcher on April 6.

Seaver, who notched his 300th career victory last year, has made it clear he would like to return to New England and be close to his family. He has said he would like to pitch for a team in New York, possibly the Yankees, but would consider pitching for the Orioles or Red Sox.

New White Sox general manager Ken Harrelson has tried to oblige the request. It hasn’t been easy.

“You should hear some of the offers that some of the teams are making,” Harrelson says. “We just aren’t going to give Tom Seaver away, no way.”

For his part, Seaver, 41, has remained patient. He insists he has enjoyed his two years with Chicago since he was plucked by the Sox from the New York Mets’ unprotected list in the winter of 1984.

“I’ve enjoyed my time in Chicago and the experience working with the players, especially Carlton Fisk,” Seaver says. “I have certainly enjoyed the last two years on this ballclub and I think Chicago is a great baseball town.”

Seaver isn’t threatening to quit or retire if the Sox don’t make a deal. But he has not hidden the fact he would like to finish his career on the East Coast, preferably in or around the New York City area where he began his career.

Harrelson insists that his efforts to strengthen the White Sox for a pennant bid may have swayed Seaver to stay in Chicago.

“I think Tom understands that we are closer than we were to becoming a pennant winner,” Harrelson says. “I don’t think that all of the clubs that are interested in Tom can give him an opportunity to pitch in the World Series again.”

The exception could be the Yankees, who have courted the White Sox for Seaver and would like to add the veteran pitcher to a staff that could be one starter away from a division or league title.

But the Yankees aren’t willing to give up what Chicago would like for a pitcher that won 15 games last season and who also would give the Yankees a strong drawing card in their box-office battle with the New York Mets.

“The Yankees obviously can give Seaver some things, like being close to home and pitching on a contender,” Harrelson says. “But like I’ve said, we haven’t talked in a while and when we did the price wasn’t what we would be talking about for a pitcher of Seaver’s ability.”

While there is present pessimism about dealing Seaver, Harrelson won’t rule out a swap before Opening Day.

“I’m not going to say no deal is going to be made. I can’t say that about anyone,” Harrelson says. “If you are asking me about today, I’ll tell you that as of now, Tom Seaver is going to be our opening-day pitcher come opening day.”

What further complicates the trading of Seaver is the question marks surrounding the White Sox starting pitching, which at the time Seaver was acquired was thought to be the best in baseball.

Richard Dotson is coming off a serious injury, Floyd Bannister is coming off a poor season and Chicago has already dealt its leading pitcher last year, Britt Burns, to the Yankees.

White Sox Manager Tony LaRussa has agreed with Harrelson’s philosophy about not having a fire sale for Seaver.

“We know we can win with him pitching for us,” LaRussa says. “With any type of support or bullpen help in the last two years, he could have been a 20-game winner for us both years. He still has great stuff and still is one of the best pitchers in the game today.”

Unless the pot is sweetened considerably, Seaver may still have to commute for at least one more season to see his family because he will still be wearing a Chicago White Sox uniform in 1986.