Selig: Sirotka Trade Stands

D U N E D I N, Fla., March 7 -- The six-player trade that sent David Wellsto the Chicago White Sox for injured pitcher Mike Sirotka wasupheld today by baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, who deniedToronto's bid to change the deal.

"After careful consideration of all the information before me,I uphold the transaction and deny the Toronto club's claim forrelief," Selig said.

"Although there is a dispute about whether certain facts aboutSirotka's condition were disclosed before the clubs agreed to thetrade, the Toronto club talked directly to Sirotka about his healthon the day of the trade and believed it had the opportunity to makethe trade conditional," Selig said. "The Blue Jays never electedto do so."

Second Test Showed Possible Tear

Chicago sent Sirotka to Toronto on Jan. 14 along with pitchersKevin Beirne and Mike Williams and outfielder Brian Simmons inexchange for Wells and pitcher Matt DeWitt.

Sirotka, 29, passed one Toronto physical, but a second testshowed a possible torn labrum. Dr. James Andrews said Sirotka has apartial tear of the rotator cuff and a torn labrum in his leftshoulder.

It's unclear if or when Sirotka will pitch again.

"Orthopedic opinions can easily differ, and different playersreact differently to similar injuries and conditions of health,"Selig said. "The caveat emptor rule, as developed in baseball, towhich exceptions are exceedingly rare, is meant to decrease thepotential for disputes by placing the burden on the acquiring clubto seek the medical information it feels it needs."

Burden Is On Club To Get Information

The White Sox had said the trade should not be altered. Seligassigned his executive vice president for baseball operations,Sandy Alderson, to investigate and give him a recommendation.

"I hope that all club executives will take from this dispute arenewed awareness of their obligations under the caveat emptorrule," Selig said, using the Latin for "buyer beware."

"It is my wish and expectation that disputes such as this willbe rare," he said, "and that clubs will continue to deal witheach other in trade matters in a forthright and professionalmanner."