Garciaparra and Red Sox Still Feuding

Was Nomar Garciaparra’s status as the Boston Red Sox shortstop -- already jeopardized by his club’s pursuit of Alex Rodriguez -- further eroded Tuesday?

The implication was not clear, but John Henry, Boston’s principal owner, didn’t seem to be putting down a welcome mat as he verbally lashed out at Garciaparra’s agent.

“He says we’re being disingenuous. I take great umbrage at that statement,” Henry said while attending the opening of the club’s academy in the Dominican Republic. “That is the height of hypocrisy.”

In comments that appeared in Monday’s editions of the Los Angeles Times and Boston Globe, agent Arn Tellem called Boston’s pursuit of Rodriguez a “slap in the face” to Garciaparra. He said the club was not treating his client with the respect and honesty he deserved.

Henry, however, said Tuesday that the club pursued its current course only when convinced that it could not reach agreement with Garciaparra on a contract extension. Garciaparra will be eligible for free agency after the 2004 season, in which he is owed $11.5 million.

Both the Globe and Boston Herald quoted sources in Tuesday’s editions as saying Garciaparra rejected a four-year, $60-million offer from the Red Sox last spring and another $12-million to $13-million offer that reflected the industry’s decreasing market at the end of the season.

“I hope he’s being more honest with his client than he is with the media because we have made credible offers,” Henry said of Tellem. “The reason we have continued in the manner in which we have is that his agent has given us a very clear indication that there is no common ground. He seems to believe it is still the winter of 2000.”

Henry referred to a period in which there was a much stronger market, and two other shortstops signed landmark deals. Rodriguez signed with the Texas Rangers as a free agent for $252 million, and Derek Jeter re-signed with the New York Yankees for $189 million, both contracts spanning 10 years.

In response to Henry’s remarks, Tellem told Associated Press on Tuesday that Henry was out of line.

“Obviously, I strongly disagree with Henry’s characterization of my comments in regards to Nomar’s current situation with the Red Sox,” he said. “All further communication regarding this matter will be conducted in a private and professional manner among myself, Nomar and appropriate representatives of the Red Sox organization. As Nomar has stated, it has always been and still remains his goal to stay with the Red Sox.”

It is unclear how the situation will play out, but industry sources said again Tuesday that the Dodgers retain strong interest in Garciaparra if he is traded to make room for Rodriguez and that the Angels also retain interest, although that may have diminished some given the $69.75 million they have guaranteed to free-agent pitchers Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar.