"Competing execs" think Paul Konerko will ultimately re-sign with the White Sox for around $13MM per season, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. Konerko's close relationship with owner Jerry Reinsdorf is cited as a main factor.
The Cubs, Orioles and Rangers have all been mentioned as suitors for Konerko this winter, and the Orioles have made Konerko an offer. Still, moving elsewhere could be a tough call for Konerko given his ties to the White Sox and the fact that the team seems to be doing all it can to find payroll space for him. Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski deferred money from their contracts just so the Sox could have more cash available in 2011 to re-sign Konerko. "They literally put their money where their mouth is so we can put a better offer on the table for Paulie," GM Kenny Williams told MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
I honestly couldn’t imagine what the orioles offer is…everything that’s come out so far just seems as if they just jump in the bidding on guys to say they did…the offer will come out after he re signs with Chisox that we somehow offered 4-5 mil less and expected him to come here I’d love to see him come to Baltimore but if they truely want him…make and offer he can’t refuse
OVERPAY!!!! when you’ve been consistently bad that’s what Macphail will have to do and quit attempting to bargain shop
Konerko is not going to Baltimore …no chance.
how u know konerko talk to dunn AND AJ already insidesource
whitesox website dunn stated in the press conference that he talked to konerko
wat the link give me the link to that
wat the link give me the link to that
whitesox website dunn stated in the press conference that he talked to konerko
Excellent if true. Now the ChiSox will really be powering up.
Dunn and Konerko talked on Wed just before he signed and AJ and PK spoke at length today. Konerko is coming back and the Sox players know it but Konerko isn’t gonna commit until after the meetings. This time next week he’ll be re-signed.
Helluva lineup for the next few years.
I think it’s likely he’s headed back to Chicago, although at $13MM per year the Sox might be letting sentimentality get in the way of smart business decisions. Unless you’re the Yankees, that’s not usually a good idea. I don’t think Konerko gets the credit he deserves, but he’s also not getting any younger and his defense is starting to slip a little bit.
Reinsdorf has plenty of money. It helps that there is a salary cap in the NBA so he knows all excess money can go into the sox
So…if Paulie comes back whats left to do?
Ive heard that Putz wants to come back also but hes not going to be as cheap as he was last year for sure. The pen would be a whole lot better if JJ comes back but there would still be a need for 2 more arms…at least.
Then theres the starting pitching. Danks, Buehrle, Floyd and Jackson. Peavy MAYBE by July. I wonder if Kenny is planning on using Sale as the 5th starter or still using him out of the pen…or sending him to Charlotte. Without Sale there would have to be another signing since the cupboard is bare in the minors. Freddy returning maybe?..but he too will want more $$ so maybe not. UNLESS…KW is planning on moving Quentin for a SP. If thats the case there would be a hole in RF
The next couple of weeks should be very interesting.
Quentin will likely be moved next week. Kenny is not gonna deal his pitching. Trust me.
so how u know konerko talk to dunn on wed
Id actually hate to see Quentin go. Hes no wizard in the outfield but he does make the most of his base hits. Rios, PK, Dunn, CQ Alexi…thats formidable. If Bacon has a rebound season this could be a fun time.
Unfortunately there are still holes to fill and not alot to trade to get them filled. Trading CQ only creates another hole.
if konerko is signed then the only holes are the bullpen and the bench..bench can be filled with AAA guys and end of hot stove guys….
they will be lucky to get a bag of balls and a wiffle bat for Quentin. His trade value is very low right now.
paulie comes back all thats left is the bullpen…santos, thonrton, pena are the only ones under contract for next season. so there is a need for 4 maybe 5 guys depending on how many of them are long guys..Bring putz back give him the closers role for 2 years(enough time to get santos ready) sale will be used as a 5th starter untill peavy is back then either sent back to AAA or into the pen as a long guy…(look for a buehrle trade to allow sale to be used full time)….doubt carlos is moved yet and there is no need to move him for an SP considering there are 6 starters under contract in the bigs next season
Sox getting all this offense, Their Starting pitching is ok but their bullpen is atrocious. So games will be 11-10 all year that’s if Dunn isn’t get 5 times a night.
The deadwood has been cleared from the bullpen by KW this week (Jenks and Linebrink). Thornton/Santos/Sale atrocious? Really? The Chisox will have a virtual murderers row with PK/Dunn/Alexei/Quentin/Rios in the heart of the lineup. Startin pitching is already playoff caliber. Sour grapes,maybe?
Starting pitching is playoff caliber yes but what did it do last year? I don’t want to hear Peavy was hurt cause even Floyd started out hot then cooled down, Mark wasn’t as good as he usually is, Danks had his moments, For a time Sweaty Freddy was your best pitcher, Santos, Thornton, Sale is a good 3 man rotation if only you can use 3 men for a whole year, Sale’s mechanics will get him a DL stint just as Capuano basically same fire arm mechanics. IF Sox resign Paulie that will be a nice lineup but even best lineups in baseball don’t equal success.
Starting pitching is playoff caliber yes but what did it do last year? I don’t want to hear Peavy was hurt cause even Floyd started out hot then cooled down, Mark wasn’t as good as he usually is, Danks had his moments, For a time Sweaty Freddy was your best pitcher, Santos, Thornton, Sale is a good 3 man rotation if only you can use 3 men for a whole year, Sale’s mechanics will get him a DL stint just as Capuano basically same fire arm mechanics. IF Sox resign Paulie that will be a nice lineup but even best lineups in baseball don’t equal success.
Where will Adam Dunn play if this happens? He has already said multiple times he doesnt want to DH, is atrocious in the OF, and Konerko will play 1st. even if you play dunn in right and sign Konerko, they still need a 3B, 2B, LF, DH, plus a whole bullpen and a few starters. I see the Sox as a .500 team this year
Dunn will split time with PK at 1b and DH. He said so in his press conference yesterday.3B-Morel; 2B-Gordon Beckham;DH-PK/Dunn; LF-Pierre; Bullpen-Thorton/Santos/Sale (maybe Heath Bell)plus the deadwood of Linebrink and Jenks are gone; SP-Peavy/Buerhle/Floyd/Danks/Jackson. Hope that answers your questions. Thanks for playing.
I was assuming they would move Pierre to CF putting Dunn in the OF, just to add more speed. And Dunn is either playing LF/RF/1B. Beckham was not good last year, and Morel is unproven. They still need a closer, and Heath Bell isn’t getting traded until the trade deadline. Only Thornton is good, the other 2 are average.
Please pass whatever you are smoking over here, because it must be good.
Are we moving Dunn to the outfield? No. He will take most of his ABs as a DH and probably will end up with a total of 10 games in the outfield.
Beckham was not good last year? It was his first full season at 2B, he never had time at 2B in the Minors. Did he have a bad first half getting used to the new position? Yes. But the kid came back and hit .310 in the second half and had an OPS of almost .900. So ya, I think he is pretty good.
Morel – Is he unproven? Yes, every prospect is “unproven” but hitting .322 between AAA & AA in 2010, and .318 the year before while maintaning an OPS of over .800 for both seasons while having plus defense, he is ready to come up.
Only Thorton is good? Try Thorton is great and have you seen Chris Sale and Sergio Santos? Chris Sale was drafted THIS YEAR. He made it to the bigs in under two months, and oh ya, posted a 1.93 in the Majors in 21 appearances. So he is a little more than average. Santos also was in his rookie year and posted 2.96 ERA in his first full year of pitching. Again, more than a little above “average”.
So do us a favor and stop smoking crack before you post next time.
Chris Sale was drafted THIS YEAR. He made it to the bigs in under two months, and oh ya, posted a 1.93 in the Majors in 21 appearances.
You do realize that hitters were not adjusted to Sale, which was the reason of his success. This year hitters, like Miguel Cabrera (the one tigers game i went to in chicago last year he was intentionally walked 3 times) will destroy sale. same with santos. Neither has a proven track record. And im not sure how many times Adam Dunn has said he doesn’t want to DH. If I was the White Sox, i would put Dunn in right and DH Quentin.
As much as you say the are unproven, your own theory is “unproven”. Are we to assume any pitcher who absolutely kills it in their first year is going to get rocked the next.
As far as the DH and Dunn thing here is a quote from Dunn “I will play anywhere they want me to, anywhere I need to play to get a ring.”
Again, please think before posting.
You forgot that Chris Sale made it to the Major Leagues before most of the kids in his draft class even signed with their respective teams.
Rios is in CF for the next 4 years or so. Dunn is not playing in the OF.
Huh?
Have you ever heard of Beckham? He’s at second. We have Pierre in Lf. Morel, vizquel, teahan, and possibly Vicedo at 3B. Konerko and Dunn will switch at DHing as every team who inquired about Dunn said he’s a DH. The bullpen has holes but starting rotation is set even without Peavy.
Where do you see the Tigers finishing? Lol
Above the White Socks. They now have a good hitter to protect Cabrera, so your sorry little white socks won’t intentional walk him every AB. I’m projecting .330 BA, 45 HRs, 130 RBIs out of Cabrera this year, as he will actually be able to hit. If you want a number, 94-68.
tigers pitching staff…verland- thats it…bullpen ify..you have vmart and cab thats it also…yes good for the tigers they got one of the worst defensive catchers in the league but they have a lot of holes to fill also but dont think that becuase you got vmart your suddenly the best team in the central…dunn is a huge addition and konerko makes us even better and give rios and dunn even more protection they either has had in their careers…as long as the sox dont have a horrible first half again they will be just fine if not 1st place
Max Scherzer’s ERA after the All Star Break was under 2.4, so I don’t see how Verlander is the only pitcher. Plus, Verlander is better than any White Sock Pitcher. And Phil Coke will be a huge addition to the starting lineup, and Dombrowski will still sign 1 more pitcher before the offseason is over. Joaquin Benoit was the best reliever last year, and since the Tigers had 70 million dollars to spend this offseason and have only spend 29, I think the Tigers will sign at least 2 more relievers to go along with 2 OF and a starter. Victor Martinez isn’t catching, hes the DH, and hit more than 30 points higher than Dunn. Cabrera is easily the best player in the AL with all the IBBs he drew, maybe best in the league now. Rios had Vernon Wells in his prime as protection so that doesn’t make sense. Sox still have to fill a DH spot (once again, Dunn wants to play the field). I think that the Sox should’ve focused on pitching, because their offense is good already. question marks in the bullpen except for Matt Thornton.
Actually, Victor hit 40 points higher. Aggregated over 600 at bats, that’s only an additional 24 hits. Funny how you failed to remember/mention that Victor also hits 20 fewer HRs? Victor has hit 20-25 HRs (excluding 2008’s 2 HRs) with Progressive and tiny Fenway as his home parks. I can’t wait to see his power numbers playing 81 games at spacious Comerica. Good numbers, but not the power necessary for a DH/1B making $12.5 million. No arguing about Cabrera, he was MVP worthy last season. Can he maintain that or will he get complacent after a superb year and start drinking again? Overall you make some good points, but Benoit the best reliever? Really? With the limited amount of innings relievers pitch, only a few runs can be the difference between a 2 and a 5 ERA. With the amount of money you’re paying him, I hope for your sake he repeats last year’s performance and not 6 of the other 7 seasons of his career.
tigers pitching staff…verland- thats it…bullpen ify..you have vmart and cab thats it also…yes good for the tigers they got one of the worst defensive catchers in the league but they have a lot of holes to fill also but dont think that becuase you got vmart your suddenly the best team in the central…dunn is a huge addition and konerko makes us even better and give rios and dunn even more protection they either has had in their careers…as long as the sox dont have a horrible first half again they will be just fine if not 1st place
Above the White Socks. They now have a good hitter to protect Cabrera, so your sorry little white socks won’t intentional walk him every AB. I’m projecting .330 BA, 45 HRs, 130 RBIs out of Cabrera this year, as he will actually be able to hit. If you want a number, 94-68.
dunn also said after he signed his contract he will play anywhere even DH..i guess 54 million will do that to you..if you dont believe me look at the whitesox website
dunn also said after he signed his contract he will play anywhere even DH..i guess 54 million will do that to you..if you dont believe me look at the whitesox website
Tigers94, you’re a troll. If we resign Konerko to go with Dunn, where’s this supposed DH hole? New LF? Heard of Juan Pierre, league leader in stolen bases? 2B? Yes Gordon disappointed last season, but at his worst he’s still league average and at his best he has a high ceiling. A few starters? Buehrle, Danks, Floyd, Peavy (in May), Jackson, Sale? I guess we could add another arm and go for a 7 man rotation. 3B and the bullpen are holes yes, but name ONE team in all of baseball with a settled bullpen. Everyone plugs a few cost controlled live armed rooks in there. Heck, who’s in your bullpen besides Benoit and Valverde? You cant believe Zumaya is still reliable can you?
Good comment Tigers94. If they do re-sign PK then they have to play Dunn in the OF or DH Paulie. They won’t get much for Quentin in a trade. Peavy may never be the same so getting another starter would be prudent. They need more than just the 3 guys in the pen Melton mentioned or else their arms will be dragging by August 1st. Thay have 3B and 2B to fill and only one guy (Beckham) to play one of those positions. Viciedo is worse than Dunn defensively so trading him or one of the starters may be required to fill the holes.
what are you talking about…dunn is going to DH why does everyone think he is going to be in the outfield and that carlos is traded…if carlos is traded its packaged with vicedio+prospects to get another, more athletic, out fielder…there are also a bunch of firstbasemen out there
And Ozzie can still do his rotating DH crap… it will just be Dunn and Konerko.
And Ozzie can still do his rotating DH crap… it will just be Dunn and Konerko.
Dunn plays first and Konerko DHs. Simple?
Should be the other way around, but this is to accommodate Dunn’s want to play in the field.
Dunn needs to DH cause he’s bad in OF and 1st base. Paulie isn’t the best 1st baseman defensively but he’s 100 times better then Dunn is. Pierre is iffy, Rios had 1 good year last year, I like Q he is injury prone but when he’s healthy he carried 2008 Sox to a playoff appearance before getting hurt. Infield is iffy but Giants infield isn’t much better and they won the WS with it, Only sure thing for Sox in the lineup that you know 100% will produce is Paulie everyone else from top to bottom is flip a coin but I think Sox can still be contenders im not going to say they will win Central cause anything can happen im not one of those Cubs fans that hope Sox go 0-162, If they win they win if not who cares I surely don’t but it’s sad how I think Sox look a little better on PAPER then most fans do and im “suppose to hate them” lol.