Paul Konerko Rumors

Heyman's Latest: Manny, Martin, Jenks

SI.com's Jon Heyman has some hot stove musings today. Heyman talked to one GM who asked (in reference to C.C. Sabathia), "When does anyone ever leave a dollar on the table, much less twenty or thirty million dollars?" I have heard this sentiment often but I do remember certain players leaving money on the table (often to play in California). Randy Wolf took less in '06 to sign with the Dodgers, and Brian Giles did the same for the Padres in '05. Kerry Wood turned down a multiyear offer from Boston last year. And how about Andre Dawson and the...   Continue Reading

---

Odds And Ends: Saltalamacchia, White Sox, Ludwick

Links for Sunday... Jarrod Saltalamacchia says playing with Jason Varitek for the Red Sox would be a "dream come true." Ken Davidoff writes that the White Sox would like to trade Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko or Jim Thome. Bernie Miklasz asks whether the Cardinals believe in Ryan Ludwick. According to the Chicago Tribune, 19-year-old Cuban prospect Dayan Viciedo has raw tools and questionable commitment. Yesterday, the Chicago Sun-Times suggested the Sox were interested. Mike Jacobs doesn't expect to walk more than he did last year. Tim Cowlishaw thinks the Rangers should try to sign Manny Ramirez. Phil Rogers says that...   Continue Reading

---

Heyman's Latest: Furcal, Jenks, Nats, Yankees, White Sox

Here are a few of the latest notes from Jon Heyman... The Dodgers offered Rafael Furcal a two-year deal worth $25-30MM. A source close to Furcal told Heyman that the Dodgers know that it will take more and at least eight teams have expressed interest in Furcal. In the same piece Heyman says the White Sox are open to trading Bobby Jenks, but Heyman's source says it will "take quite a bit." Heyman says the Nationals are not likely to land any of the big names they covet noting they do not have the pieces for a trade and few...   Continue Reading

---

White Sox Offseason Possibilities

I did a White Sox Offseason Outlook earlier this month, rattling off available speedy players and also suggesting a Bobby Jenks trade be explored. Today, Chicago Tribune beat writer Mark Gonzales offers his take on the Sox. Gonzales sees Juan Uribe and Toby Hall as two players the White Sox hope to re-sign, with Hall at a lower salary than his $2.25MM option. Orlando Cabrera, Ken Griffey Jr., and Joe Crede will be gone. Cabrera is good for two draft picks if the Sox offer arbitration and he signs elsewhere. Gonzales wonders if a Paul Konerko for Chone Figgins trade...   Continue Reading

---

Manny Ramirez Rumors: Sunday

As we await an offer from the Dodgers to Manny Ramirez, the notion is often floated that a six year contract for Manny is better suited for an American League team. There he can spend the latter half of his deal, presumably the final years of his career, transitioning to DH. Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune reports that Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi confirmed that he has interest in Manny Ramirez. Rogers quotes Ricciardi: "I've always liked him," Ricciardi told the Toronto Sun. "But obviously getting him and liking him are two different things." We've heard this before here. Rogers...   Continue Reading

---

Giants Discussing Uggla, Konerko And Lee?

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers mentions some names that the offensively-challenged San Francisco Giants are considering acquiring this off-season, specifically, Dan Uggla, Paul Konerko, and Derrek Lee. He writes: San Francisco, desperate for a proven bat, is expected to pursue one-dimensional second baseman Dan Uggla. The Giants also may kick the tires on first baseman Paul Konerko of the White Sox and Derrek Lee of the Cubs, both of whom have full no-trade clauses. They probably would have to deal a young pitcher—Jonathan Sanchez or Matt Cain. I understand why the Giants would want to add some bats. They averaged...   Continue Reading

---

White Sox Looking For Speed

With their season over, it's time to round up some White Sox rumors. Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald says GM Kenny Williams wants to add speed to the top and bottom of his order. Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune hints at the same. The speedy and available: Brian Roberts, Ichiro Suzuki (maybe), Coco Crisp, Nick Punto, Willy Taveras, Jerry Hairston Jr., Juan Pierre, Randy Winn, Bobby Abreu, Luis Castillo, Corey Patterson, Julio Lugo, and Cesar Izturis. Gonzales says Juan Uribe (free agent) and Toby Hall (club option) would like to return. Ken Griffey Jr. would also be willing...   Continue Reading

---

Konerko Granted 10-and-5 Rights

Today marks Paul Konerko's tenth year of big league service time. Happy anniversary Paul! Konerko's spent more than the last five seasons with the White Sox; as a result, he's a 10-and-5 player. He can now veto any trade, and sees himself staying in Chicago at least for the length of his current deal (through 2010). There were some rumblings in the winter that the Angels might make a play for Konerko, but Kenny Williams denied any trade discussions.   Continue Reading

---

Sox To Wait On Crede Trade?

SI.com's Jon Heyman gives his take on the White Sox-Giants Joe Crede trade talks: The White Sox apparently haven't been enamored by what the Giants have to offer for third baseman Joe Crede. A Giants person conceded, "We badly need bats,'' but they aren't to the point where they'll give up any of their better pitchers to get them. One possibility could be hard-throwing reliever Jonathan Sanchez, though it appears now that Crede may not be traded until closer to this summer's deadline. White Sox GM Kenny Williams has previously said that Josh Fields will play third base in 2008,...   Continue Reading

---

Rosenthal's Latest: Thames, Konerko, Ellis, Atkins

Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let's take a look. Rosenthal dissects the outfield options for the Mets, many of the names we've been speculating. He notes that the Mets' talks for Marcus Thames fizzled during the Winter Meetings. He says Paul Konerko "remains quietly available," and expresses the opinion that the Mets or Yankees could both use him. Rosenthal believes Chicago's biggest need is starting pitching. Rosenthal speculates that six years at $18MM per might be the Rockies' limit for Matt Holliday. Will the Scott Boras client demand full market value? Also, Colorado doesn't seem to have any...   Continue Reading

---

Rumor Royalty: Mike DiGiovanna (Angels)

Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times has been named Rumor Royalty for the Angels; he is the best source of Halos hot stove buzz. He was kind enough to answer three questions for MLBTR. MLBTR: What do you make of the Paul Konerko rumors? Do you think the Angels and Sox have had post-Meetings discussions about him, despite Kenny Williams' claim otherwise? DiGiovanna: I had heard the White Sox and Angels might be up to something four or five days before that report came out. I made several calls looking into the matter, as did my counterpart from the Chicago..   Continue Reading

---

Angels Discussing Konerko?

UPDATE, 1-10-08 at 9:45am: This one isn't dead quite yet. According to Buster Olney this morning: Heard that while the Paul Konerko-Angels talks are not blistering hot now, there is a chance they will get hot sometime in the future. UPDATE, 1-5-08 at 10:17pm: Kenny Williams said tonight that he hasn't spoken to anyone with the Angels since the Winter Meetings, and that he hasn't had trade talks about Konerko this winter. Nor has he been asked about his first baseman. UPDATE, 1-5-08 at 10:33am: Doug Padilla of the Daily Breeze has a source confirming the talks described below. FROM..   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Santana, Cabrera, Kapler

A few good reads that I didn't know how to fit elsewhere. LENIII does a Johan Q&A. I can't say much has changed but he does dissect the situation well. Mike DiGiovanna also does a mailbag, with tidbits about Howie Kendrick, Miguel Cabrera, Paul Konerko, and many others. I know I said I like to skip minor signings, but it's interesting to see Gabe Kapler out of retirement, signing with the Brewers   Continue Reading

---

Giants Pursuing Corner Infield Help

I'm not sure of the Giants' plan - are they rebuilding? Playing for 2008? Kind of rebuilding but trying to seem respectable? At any rate, the Giants don't have much going on at first and third base. I like the idea of going after a cheap under-30 third base upside play like Dallas McPherson. But I wouldn't fill the spot with a vet just to fill it. As for first, I've said before I'd just toss Dan Ortmeier there for 550 ABs in lieu of adding some stopgap. But that's just me; here's the latest on Brian Sabean's corner infield..   Continue Reading

---

Carlos Guillen to Play 1B Next Season

The Tigers anticipated this. Carlos Guillen's okay with it. Despite signing Guillen in March to a 4 year deal for $48MM to begin next season, the shortstop is going to be moving across the diamond sooner than expected to play first base. The move is designed to protect his knees from the physical stresses of SS. Tim argued that 4/48 was a bargain as long as he remained the Tigers' shortstop. Unfortunately, it appears Manager Jim Leyland has had to talk him into moving to first, despite Guillen's condition last week that the Tigers had to bring in a gold..   Continue Reading

---

Mark Teixeira Update; Halos After Konerko?

Here's the latest on Texas first baseman Mark Teixeira as well as a new one involving Paul Konerko. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News expects Teixeira to be traded. He seems to think that Jon Daniels can convince John Schuerholz to give up Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a pitching prospect for Teixeira. Meanwhile, Mark Bowman of MLB.com confirms discussions are in progress and believes Salty is pretty much a necessity in the deal. Buster Olney considers the Braves and Yankees as the only real serious suitors for Tex. Olney's sources make a Teixeira trade seem quite likely. Will Carroll doesn't..   Continue Reading

---

Konerko Received One Sox Offer

I was listening to ESPN Sports Radio 1000 today for a few minutes, and they happened to be interviewing Paul Konerko. Konerko seems to be a well-spoken, intelligent guy. One interesting fact that he mentioned was that the White Sox's five-year, $60MM offer was the only offer he received from Chicago. It had previously been reported that his agent Craig Landis received a four-year, $52MM offer around November 10th. Konerko called this offer "fiction."   Continue Reading

---

Search MLBTR

MLBTR Mailing List

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats

Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST