Paul Konerko told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that he's prepared to move on from the White Sox after the season and willing to listen if the team wants to discuss an extension.
"I've enjoyed my time here," Konerko said. "They might call tomorrow. They might call in the middle of the season. They might never call."
And Konerko is confident that talks won't distract him if his phone rings during the season. But if the White Sox don't call and he doesn't like the opportunities out there, he might not play at all in 2011.
"I wouldn't force something if it's not there," he said.
Konerko, who turns 34 in a week, hit .277/.353/.489 for the White Sox last year, with 28 homers. His defense is about average, according to UZR/150, so he has all-around value. That could distinguish him from players like former teammate Jermaine Dye, whose defensive shortcomings have cost him this winter.
Lance Berkman, Adam Dunn, Nick Johnson, Derrek Lee and Carlos Pena could all be free agents after the season.
my guess is he walks, with vicedio in the minors getting more and more play time at 1st. And ozzie and kenny seemingly wanting to rid them selves of all that was 05. I could see him walk. And with them more than likely picking AJ over PK due to the left handed bat and being able to play behind the plate, probably 1st and Dh every few days. He fits into Ozzies plans for a rotating DH of the future. I would be sad to see him go becuase when he is on and fully healthy, he is right up there with the best 1st basemen in the game but due to recent injuries and the fact that every player gets old and goes down hill with age(unless your manny using roids up untill last year) i could see him walk…either way Chicago loves you PK you were awesome with us and it will be sad when you go.
If he puts up similar numbers to last year I would guess we resign him, unless we somehow get our hands on Adrian Gonzalez.
If he puts up similar numbers to last year I would guess we resign him, unless we somehow get our hands on Adrian Gonzalez.
I bet the Nationals or Rays will jump.
I bet the Nationals or Rays will jump.
my guess is he walks, with vicedio in the minors getting more and more play time at 1st. And ozzie and kenny seemingly wanting to rid them selves of all that was 05. I could see him walk. And with them more than likely picking AJ over PK due to the left handed bat and being able to play behind the plate, probably 1st and Dh every few days. He fits into Ozzies plans for a rotating DH of the future. I would be sad to see him go becuase when he is on and fully healthy, he is right up there with the best 1st basemen in the game but due to recent injuries and the fact that every player gets old and goes down hill with age(unless your manny using roids up untill last year) i could see him walk…either way Chicago loves you PK you were awesome with us and it will be sad when you go.
Everyone keeps talking about speed speed speed. But no offense to teams like the Rays or Marlins, who have plently of speed, it doesn’t necessarily always lead to more and more runs. I do not want a bunch of guys who hit only singles, but can steal bases. I want a mix of guys who can crush the ball too, even if they’re somewhat slower. Konerko is a great silent leader. If he does walk after this year, the white sox faithful will definitely remember all he has done. But with that said, this rotational DH crud and this whole general movement to “ozzie-ball” is way over-hyped. People said we won in ’05 because we played ozzie ball… they still hit 200 homeruns which is no small number. The second half of that season (let alone the post season) was more about power, than stolen bases.
Everyone keeps talking about speed speed speed. But no offense to teams like the Rays or Marlins, who have plently of speed, it doesn’t necessarily always lead to more and more runs. I do not want a bunch of guys who hit only singles, but can steal bases. I want a mix of guys who can crush the ball too, even if they’re somewhat slower. Konerko is a great silent leader. If he does walk after this year, the white sox faithful will definitely remember all he has done. But with that said, this rotational DH crud and this whole general movement to “ozzie-ball” is way over-hyped. People said we won in ’05 because we played ozzie ball… they still hit 200 homeruns which is no small number. The second half of that season (let alone the post season) was more about power, than stolen bases.
Konerko will definitely be here next season. He is the perfect candidate to be playing splitting his time between DH and 1B.
He was literally to Solo HRs away from posting another 30HR 90 RBI season. You can easily point out that he had no protection towards the end of the year with Dye hitting .191 and Thome gone. There are your two HRs right there.
Fans love him. The city loves him. The team loves him. He has said he wants to finish his career with the Sox. All this combined with all the 1B on the market Konerko will easily sign an extension.
Kenny doesn’t want to go with Dayan V. without insurance both offensively and defensively. If they don’t trust Kotsay to be a starting player this year they won’t trust him for insurance next year. A lot does ride on this year, if Konerko posts .270/30/90 he will be back on an extension.
Konerko will definitely be here next season. He is the perfect candidate to be playing splitting his time between DH and 1B.
He was literally to Solo HRs away from posting another 30HR 90 RBI season. You can easily point out that he had no protection towards the end of the year with Dye hitting .191 and Thome gone. There are your two HRs right there.
Fans love him. The city loves him. The team loves him. He has said he wants to finish his career with the Sox. All this combined with all the 1B on the market Konerko will easily sign an extension.
Kenny doesn’t want to go with Dayan V. without insurance both offensively and defensively. If they don’t trust Kotsay to be a starting player this year they won’t trust him for insurance next year. A lot does ride on this year, if Konerko posts .270/30/90 he will be back on an extension.
kotsay will not be back with the sox next season probably because of PK and Vicedio. this is of course assuming Kenny does not make a move at Adrian Gonzo. pk is a quiet beast…jones may or may not be back, i dont see why not he is a right handed more powerful kotsay and a ton cheaper due to the dodgers paying him 18 mill not to be on their team..
kotsay will not be back with the sox next season probably because of PK and Vicedio. this is of course assuming Kenny does not make a move at Adrian Gonzo. pk is a quiet beast…jones may or may not be back, i dont see why not he is a right handed more powerful kotsay and a ton cheaper due to the dodgers paying him 18 mill not to be on their team..
Staying with the Sox has to be his best option. Look at what happened to players of his type this winter. He will take a pay cut, but he should do it at the hometown rate, or risk a Johnny Damon situation.
I think a better example is Adam laroche
Or worse, a Jermaine Dye situation.
The real questions are “What kind of contract would it take to keep him?” and “Would Chicago be willing to offer said contract?”
PK does not seem like the type that would NEEd a big deal he understands baseball as a game and a business. He knows he is aging and on the downward side of his career, plus he does not have boras so he wont demand a 3-4+ yr 8-12mill per season deal. He would be a great guy to go year to year with after this contract, and i think he would do that. He has always seemed like a team player( he said even though he has a full no trade he would lift it if it were to help the team)
I think KW brings back either AJ or PK but not both for next year. Of course, this will depend if he has sufficient confidence in Flowers and/or Viciedo to take over those roles or whether the Chisox do something else via trade.
you can have all the speed table setter guys you want but you need guys to drive them in
Assuming the White Sox don’t bring him back, the Braves could be an option for him next year if Glaus bombs and Freeman isn’t ready. Big “ifs” there of course.
Anyone want to bring up Prince Fielder?
of course…but its the same as adrian gonzo. It would take a mind blowing trade to get either. I know there seem to be more and more articles out there saying the brewers should trade prince but i highly doubt they do it. Plus I feel it would take more to get fielder than andrian. considering the brewers have a little more money than the padres. I would say For Gonzo it would take Hudson or Torres+vicedo+danks or mitchel+ flowers
for prince it would take a the very least…Hudson+Mitchell+Danks+Vicedo+flowers+money