Konerko Climbs Dodgers' Wish List
The Dodgers' off-season search for a first baseman could finally end with the team reacquiring Paul Konerko, two club sources said Wednesday.
General Manager Dan Evans has had numerous discussions recently with the Chicago White Sox about Konerko, a two-time Dodger minor league player of the year. The White Sox want left-handed starter Odalis Perez in exchange for Konerko, the Dodger sources said.
The deal apparently has been on the table for weeks while the Dodgers pursued first basemen Derrek Lee and Richie Sexson. But Evans came up short in his attempts to acquire the top first basemen on his wish list, prompting him to reevaluate options.
The Kevin Brown situation, however, might prompt Evans to retain Perez.
Agent Scott Boras recently informed Evans that Brown wants to play for a team closer to his off-season home in Macon, Ga., saying Brown would waive his no-trade clause to join the New York Yankees.
Evans has rejected the Yankees' proposal of right-hander Jeff Weaver for Brown, but talks are continuing, sources said. Evans does not comment on trade discussions.
Some within the organization believe Konerko, traded by the Dodgers in 1998, would be a good fit.
After being selected to his first All-Star team in 2002, Konerko struggled last season, batting .234 with 18 home runs and 65 runs batted in, but finished strong, hitting .275 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs in his final 61 games. His .507 slugging percentage during that span was higher than that of any Dodger everyday player.
The Dodgers are seeking a middle-of-the-order right-handed batter to provide balance on offense and help for overburdened left-handed batter Shawn Green. Since becoming an everyday player with the White Sox in 1999, Konerko has hit at least 21 home runs four times and driven in at least 97 runs three times, with a career-high 104 RBIs in 2002. He had 32 homers in 2001.
Konerko, 27, also is under contract through 2005 at salaries of $8 million and $8.75 million, respectively, the going rate for a young, run-producing first baseman. Evans does not want to trade the Dodgers' top prospects for a player who can become a free agent after next season, which is why he refused to include outfielder Franklin Gutierrez in the proposal for Sexson, and he wouldn't have to do that for Konerko.
"I don't comment on trade discussions; I like to operate underneath the radar screen, and it has served us well," White Sox General Manager Ken Williams said. "All I will say with regard to Paul Konerko is this: The guy has only had three bad months, probably since he was in Little League.
"In terms of his value to the White Sox, it is still very high. Baseball people are still very high on him and he's one of my favorite guys. That being said, we have to explore all options."
The clubs seemingly have a match because Perez, like Konerko, is coming off a down year.
Perez, 26, slumped last season to a 12-12 record with a 4.52 earned-run average. He also lashed out at team officials and everyday players over the Dodgers' lack of run production.
He had a breakthrough season in 2002 after being acquired from Atlanta in the Gary Sheffield trade, going 15-10 with a 3.00 ERA while pitching 222 1/3 innings.
Perez, who made $3.4 million in 2003 and is eligible for arbitration, was an outcast in the clubhouse last season, and Evans strongly considered trading him to Boston for outfielder Trot Nixon in July.
Catcher Paul Lo Duca was among Perez's many critics, saying, "If you have a problem with something, you should talk to the team and not pop off in the paper. If you're going to pop off in the paper, then you've got no guts."
Perez also criticized club officials for the handling of his season-ending fingernail problem.
The Dodgers inquired about trading Perez for White Sox left fielder Carlos Lee, who is coming off a career year, but the White Sox weren't interested, Dodger sources said.
Two National League officials said the Dodgers also could trade Perez to the St. Louis Cardinals for All-Star center fielder Jim Edmonds.
Dodger sources said Evans has been reluctant to make that move because Edmonds, 33, is owed $34 million in the three final guaranteed seasons of his contract, including $9 million in 2004.
Meanwhile, the Yankees, New York Mets and Seattle Mariners are among the teams aggressively pursuing Japanese shortstop Kazuo Matsui, another of the Dodgers' top off-season targets. The Dodgers also are interested in South Korean first baseman Seung-Yeop Lee.
