Konerko WILL test FA waters.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/cs-051020seriesbits,1,193508.story?coll=cs-whitesox-headlines

 

Konerko's dad expects son to test market

Sox missed chance for 'hometown discount'

 

By Mark Gonzales and Paul Sullivan

Tribune staff reporters

 

October 20, 2005, 10:59 PM CDT

 

 

The Konerko family gained a new member this week, but the White Sox family may be in danger of losing a Konerko this off-season.

 

Jennifer Konerko, wife of Sox All-Star first baseman Paul Konerko, gave birth Wednesday to a boy named Nicholas.

 

 

Meanwhile, Konerko's father, Hank, raised some doubt about his son's future with the Sox. Konerko will be a free agent after this season.

 

"[The White Sox] had a whole year to talk to him," Hank Konerko told the Scottsdale Republic for a story to be published Saturday. "Right now, the ball is in Paul's corner. He's got a good agent (Craig Landis) that will represent him. Paul knows what his value is, and so do the White Sox and a dozen other teams.

 

"He absolutely loves Chicago, the people on the team, the people who run it, the fans. He really would love to stay in Chicago. But having said that, the hometown discount is gone. He is going to listen to everyone and narrow it down.

 

"What he's offering to a major-league team is basically his prime. He's 29 years old. Nowadays, a five-year deal is typical. I can tell you this, his best years are ahead of him."

 

Manager Ozzie Guillen said he expected Konerko to return from Arizona well after Thursday's workout but to hit in the batting cages. Guillen said he was delighted that the Konerkos have a son after the wives of coach Joey Cora, A.J. Pierzynski, Joe Crede and Freddy Garcia gave birth this year.

 

"Good, we've had too many girls lately," joked Guillen, the father of three sons.

[Andy]

No, this can't happen. Konerko needs to stay so I don't lose any reasons to hate the White Sox.

[MPrior]

I've been wondering for a while if Konerko could play the outfield. I doubt he'd want to do it, though. And I have no idea if he'd be any good (probably not).

 

BUT - in a weird sort of world, if he could play the OF effectively, he'd be a nice signing. I'd never give him a five year deal, though.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Can he still sign with the White Sox if he files for FA? I'm uncertain on the rules of FA.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Can he still sign with the White Sox if he files for FA? I'm uncertain on the rules of FA.

 

yes.

[SouthSideRyan]

Konerko is the slowest non-Molina in baseball. He would be horrendous in the OF. I think the White Sox bring him back overpriced.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Mets go after Kornerko. The Dodgers could have some interest as well as the Orioles and Angels.

[rawaction]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Mets go after Kornerko. The Dodgers could have some interest as well as the Orioles and Angels.

 

The Orioles, Angels and Dodgers are gonna come up on every corner IF/OF this offseason.

[Mark Priors Calves]

What a great time to bring up contract issue! Good luck in the world series, Paulie.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Mets go after Kornerko. The Dodgers could have some interest as well as the Orioles and Angels.

 

The Orioles, Angels and Dodgers are gonna come up on every corner IF/OF this offseason.

 

Baltimore have Tejada and Roberts in the middle of their IF, with Mora at 3rd. So I think they'd make a hard run at Konerko. Cause you knopw after you get a pitching coach, the first thing you do is....get more offensive players.

 

The Angels have Cabrera/Kennedy (Kennedy COULD be replace by Figgins or Aybar) in the middle with MacPherson at third. The thing is....they already have Erstad/Kotchman (Erstad, they'd trade if they sign Konerko) at first.

 

The Dodgers have Kent and a TJS victim Izturis in the middle, so I see them going after a 2b to help ficilitate a Kent move to 1B. And with Joel Guzman coming up quickly, they may want at 2B. Guzman at SS Itzuris at 2B? I think the Dodgers would target Giles and Dunn before Konerko.

 

With that said....there are two places I see Konerko.....OVERPRICED in Chicago, or overpriced in Yankees. You know Stienbrenner'll never learn.

[Backtobanks]

Konerko will probably get $50 million over 4 years from someone, so he would be crazy not to test FA. I think his departure will really hurt the White Sox next year since he is what holds their offense together. Many of their other players had career years, while Konerko has proven tobe pretty consistent.

[goonys evil twin]

Konerko will probably get $50 million over 4 years from someone, so he would be crazy not to test FA. I think his departure will really hurt the White Sox next year since he is what holds their offense together. Many of their other players had career years, while Konerko has proven tobe pretty consistent.

 

 

Paul's 1B production is replacable. They can either find a better hitter than him, or take a slight hit, but pay a whole lot less. If they're smart, they won't miss a beat from his departure.

[Outshined_One]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Mets go after Kornerko. The Dodgers could have some interest as well as the Orioles and Angels.

 

Red Sox will probably also make a charge at him.