Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski have yet to be approached by the team about possible contract extensions, says Dave van Dyck of The Chicago Tribune. Neither player seems overly concerned about their situation, as both appear content to take the wait and see approach.
White Sox GM Kenny Williams has said that he will check in with Pierzynski's representatives at some point during the season, though the team has top catching prospect Tyler Flowers in Triple-A, just waiting to take over the catching job. Konerko, on the other hand, has said that he's willing to listen about an extension, but is prepared to move on.
The 34-year-old Konerko is the team's captain, and will earn $12MM in the final year of the five year, $60MM deal he signed after the Chicago's 2005 World Series Championship. If he does hit the open market, he'd have to contend with other free agent first basemen like Derrek Lee and Carlos Pena. Pierzynski, 33, will pocket $6.25MM this season, and might be the best free agent backstop after Victor Martinez.
I think Pierzynski stands a good shot of being extended as I imagine Tyler Flowers will be dangled all over the trade market. As for Konerko it most likely depends on what type of players Kenny acquires during the season & how Dayan Viciedo progresses in the minors.
I think that it’s far more likely that Flowers is in Chicago’s everyday lineup in 2011 than Viciedo. He looked awfully raw last year.
Yea I can’t really imagine Viciedo as the starting 1st basement in 2011, but if he improves his plate approach this season that could have a pretty big say in Paul Konerko’s future with the White Sox.
As for Flowers more than anything he seems like a legitimate trade chip for Kenny Williams. Any sort of big deal that goes down the season will likely involve Flowers as catchers with legitimate power and the ability to get on base don’t exactly grow on trees. With the way the White Sox are currently set up I’m not exactly sold that they’re intending on handing the pitching staff and a spot in the lineup to an unproven player.
How about letting Paully walk and trading Tyler Flowers for Yonder Alonso? Or letting both A.J. and Paully walk, getting the compensation picks, and trading Gordon Beckham for Adrian Gonzalez?
gordon beckham, depending on how he plays this year, will be the piece along with carlos, rios, peavy, danks and floyd we build around. Gordon is already the face of the franchise. If there were a possibility that we traded him for Gonzo, it would have already happened. I know There is no such thing as an untouchable player for Williams, but I would say Gordon is about as close as it gets.(so is rios but thats more of a money thing)
Yeah like jwsox said Gordon Beckham is already becoming the next face of the franchise. All Sox fans love the guy and due to the way Kenny operates (constantly moving the farm) and considering the organizations poor drafting pre-08 its been a while since a home grown star has been produced by the White Sox, Beckham certainly has that potential.
As for the second part of your plan there are a few problems. If you let all three of those players go you fill your need for a 1st basemen and then open up a hole at catcher and 2nd base. By trading for Peavy its obvious they plan on contending so that doesn’t make too much sense. Also if you don’t plan on resigning Paulie do you offer him arb? The chance he accepts would not be worth the risk as he’s making $12 million this year and wouldn’t get very close to that figure on the FA market.
I doubt they re-sign AJ. I think they will let Flowers start in 2011.
Let AJ walk, Keep PK. nuff said.
I think they will keep AJ and let PK walk after the season. AJ and Flowers will probably be a rotating DH/Catcher, but that’s just my guess. I think the Sox wanted PK gone last year, but couldn’t find any takers.
AJ should be re-signed. He is a left handed .300 avg hitter who can catch and more than likely play 1st, hit for a little power and is a very smart hitter. He could DH next season, and sub in at 1st or C every couple of days.
A.J. is more likely to be resigned than Konerko. The White Sox brass was hoping Flowers would be further along by now. He still has some major holes in his swing, which is why he couldn’t beat out Kotsay for D.H. Behind the plate, Ozzie would rather have an old, injured Ramon Castro backing up A.J. over Flowers. Kenny figured on Flowers being with the big club by now, which only increases A.J.’s value.
I think the White Sox will offer A.J. something in the 2 year/ 10-12 mill range.
Tyler Flowers will take over next season and the White Sox are going to go after Adrian Gonzalez. Probably giving up Daniel Hudson ect.
I think the White Sox are more likely to sign AJ over Konerko even though I would not rule out both of them coming back next year. Konerko would have to take a pay cut if he would want to stay of course. AJ is probably going to be the 2nd best free agent catcher so I would try to lock him up pretty soon.
I think the White Sox are more likely to sign AJ over Konerko even though I would not rule out both of them coming back next year. Konerko would have to take a pay cut if he would want to stay of course. AJ is probably going to be the 2nd best free agent catcher so I would try to lock him up pretty soon.