White Sox veteran Paul Konerko may walk away from baseball if he finds himself unsatisfied this offseason, writes Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. When asked if he would follow a path similar to the one taken by his former teammate Jermaine Dye, Konerko acknowledged that it's a possibility.
"I would hope that I have enough perspective where, the game of baseball has been great, it's been great for me, and I've worked hard at it and been good to the game, but I think I've had enough to where if I was out of the game for whatever reason, it's not something that … I'll have other things going on, you know," said the 34-year-old.
If the four-time All-Star does opt to call it a career, he'll certainly be leaving the game of baseball on a high note. In 600 plate appearances this season, Konerko hit .315/.397/.588 while belting 37 home runs. According to Baseball Reference, Konerko has earned nearly $90MM in 14 big league seasons.
I imagine Paul Konerko will have “options” given the season that he’s had. So I don’t see why he needs to say that.
Exactly. This story means “if no team has a brain, I’ll retire.”
I agree with you, but I can see why he might say that. There are a ton of 1B on the FA market this coming offseason and it may hurt the options he does have, and who knows he may be looking for a bigger payday than what is out there. Whatever happens I hope he doesn’t retire. I’ve always liked Konerko, and it has been awesome to see him have a nice resurgence offensively.
I think he’s also on the White Sox’s list, so if he remainds unsigned, the Sox will probably pick him up and quite frankly, thats obviously where his heart is.
This isn’t a question of whether someone will pay Konerko to play for them. He’s saying that if the market doesn’t pay what HE WANTS then retirement is an option.
A better comparable than Jermaine Dye is Jarrod Washburn. There clearly was interest in Washburn from multiple teams. He turned down an offer (allegedly) of $5m since it was less than he wanted. He chose to “retire” rather than accept that $5m.
I’m sure many players reach a point where they say, “It isn’t worth putting up with baseball if I can’t make at least X dollars.” Guys like Konerko, who have already earned more money than they can possibly spend are likely to have a higher threshold than others.
If he does, I hope he can explain to us working folk what it’s like to walk away from a job because you weren’t offered enough millions per year. I’d like to know how that feels.
Stop whining. Players make tons of money, and that won’t ever change. Konerko has every right to walk away from baseball, and has a family of his own. Yes, he has millions of dollars to look forward to, but why sign in a less than desirable situation when you have a great retirement to look forward to?
Fangaffes isn’t whining. He speaks the truth. Poor Pauly might be insulted at not making enough millions on top of the $90 million he already made. Spare me the Favre retirement BS PK.
The guy has made $90 million in his career already. How much money should he die with?
you do realize that he is probably one of the few guys that has actually saved, and would like to sit back and watch his family grow and spend time with them….also about the how much should he die with? thats not cool dude not at all…dont be upset because he is a superstar baseball player that has had a few big contracts. Its not his fault, its this society’s fault that WE allow people to get paid that much to play a game….and a chunk of that money is going to go to his kids and family members when he goes….ALSO konerko gives money away to charities he is not some selfish jack ass…guy has a good head and a good heart, i met him once and he was easily the nicest superstar i have ever met.
I hate it when people tell each other what is, and is not, cool. Dude.
You misunderstand. What I was trying to say is, sure he makes a lot of money, but when does having more money than you can spend in your lifetime become more important than enjoying your life? If he want’s to walk away from money to be with his family, more power to him. HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD HE DIE WITH?
Also, Konerko: Not a superstar.
Oh wow I just read what you actually wrote.
“its this society’s fault that WE allow people to get paid that much to play a game”
It isn’t “this society’s” duty to “allow” people to get paid. Baseball is one of the only businesses in the world where the workers, the actual maker of the product, receive a considerable percentage of the revenue generated. The MLB players union is probably the strongest union on the planet. It’s society’s fault that we allow this to happen?
I understand what you’re saying to a point, but if it’s about sitting back and spending time with his family now that they’re set for life financially that’s a great thing to do, but then just quit now and don’t make it contingent upon “if I’m unsatisfied with the options”. It makes him look like a jerk even though, from what I’ve heard from you and others, he’s a terrific, charitable man.
How do you know how much money he’s saved? What does that have to do with it?
There are plenty of things more important than money. And you don’t need to be a millionaire to walk away from cash in order to keep your priorities straight.
Paul Konerko should have quite a few options. Unless the White Sox trade for Fielder, he’ll get an offer of at least 2 years/ 24 million. On top of that, their are many teams (Red Sox, Cubs, and Angels come to mind) who would happily take Paulie.
2/24 sounds like a pretty good deal for Paulie. He will definitely be asking for more than 1 year and the price tag should satisfy both parties.
Agree completely…I’d even add in several more teams to that mix…A’s, Giants, Rays, and Nationals as potential fits as well.
Kendry Morales is ahead of schedule. Don’t see how Konerko would end up in Anaheim. The Red Sox already have Youk – which they could move to 3rd, but won’t. Cubs are an option so long as they have money to spend.
I do think a 2/$24m deal represents a value signing. That would be a nice move by virtually any contending club.
even if they do trade for fielder or some other big time lefty bat konerko will still more than likely get an offer from jerry and kenny…
He is back with the Sox next year no doubt. There in a spot where not only is he the face of the franchise, leader in the club house, but if they go with Morel at 3B, Beckham at 2B, they cant afford to have the veteran of the infield be Alexei and have Dayan at first.
They are in a kind of Win now mentality, it didn’t work out this year, but with a rotation of Peavy/Buehrle/Jackson/Danks/Floyd next year and with Jackson being in the final year of his contract, Buehrle in his last year, they are going big for next year.
$100 says Paul comes back on a 3 year deal.
Agree with everything except the 3 year deal. It is possible, but a two year/ 24 million dollar deal with a 12 million dollar mutual option makes more sense to me.
Most likely due to his age.
I call BS!
2 years/$24 million. Keep the going rate going. I doubt he’d sign elsewhere. some players are franchise players and have no desire to play elsewhere and are smart enough to know their legacy is tarnished if they leave.
i bet 3/30 with an option for a 4th, maybe even less money…he might give the sox a discount, and side not off topic…just because he might walk away from baseball as a player does not mean walking away from baseball…he is more than likely going to get a job as either bench coach or hitting coach some where once he calls it quits, he could be a gm or assistant gm, a manager, a broadcaster(has the voice for it..good by hawk hello PK) or a team owner
yea, like albert in St. Louis
Yeah right.
NOOOOOOO! I enjoy watching Konerko play and he is a White Sox cornerstone.
Well said! Add tot hat Washburn sucks! How dare he turn down 5 million to be mediocre at best.