Konerko Rumor in LA Times

[Al Lopez Ghost (old)]

Today's Los Angeles Times is reporting that two Dodger sources are saying that they are close to acquiring Paul Konerko.

That's all I know, because you have to register to see the whole story and your browser has to accept cookies.

Can anyone else check this out?

[DBAHO]

Thought I mite as well register since there's been so many Dodger - White Sox rumors in the past few weeks. Here's da article,

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.

[The Critic]

I don't know about KW's "three bad months" comment. I don't have the month-by-month breakdown, but it seems to me that PK had a bad year, stretched out over two seasons.

Bad second half of 2002, bad first half of 2003.

 

That said, I wouldn't be at all surprised if PK has a really solid year, whoever he may play for. He came back strong in the second half, and seemed to have adjusted to whatever he was doing wrong. There was a lot less of the "suicide shrug" and he seemed to be seeing the ball really well.

 

There's no reason to believe that Konerko is on any kind of downward spiral.

[Al Lopez Ghost (old)]

Kenny meant to say 3 bad months each year.

[winninguglyin83]

Paulie is who he is -- capable of two-week hot streaks and month-long funks.

 

He can knock in 100 runs and ground into 20-plus double plays.

 

He can hit two-out game-tying home runs off Guardado or hang his head at home plate after launching another popup to short right field.

 

He's capable of helping the Dodgers, but that's a much worse hitters' park than the Cell and I doubt his numbers will improve.

 

Perez would give us another lefty -- but I'd still like to see us get another player if we deal PK.

 

And then who plays first for us?

 

Gload?

 

Daubach?

 

Carlos Lee?

 

Certainly not Frank.

 

One plus for the move -- it would clear some payroll and enable us to keep Magglio, I hope.

[RibbieRubarb]

I would support Carlos Lee at first.

He did play third through out his minor league career.

But I would only go with this if we could get a LH bat for Left Field like Everett.

[FlaSoxxJim]

"All I will say with regard to Paul Konerko is this: The guy has only had three bad months [PER YEAR!], probably since he was in Little League.

 

RIP to the GIDP?? Could it be?

[chilidog]

Paulie is who he is -- capable of two-week hot streaks and month-long funks.

 

He can knock in 100 runs and ground into 20-plus double plays.

 

He can hit two-out game-tying home runs off Guardado or hang his head at home plate after launching another popup to short right field.

 

He's capable of helping the Dodgers, but that's a much worse hitters' park than the Cell and I doubt his numbers will improve.

 

Perez would give us another lefty -- but I'd still like to see us get another player if we deal PK.

 

And then who plays first for us?

 

Gload?

 

Daubach?

 

Carlos Lee?

 

Certainly not Frank.

 

One plus for the move -- it would clear some payroll and enable us to keep Magglio, I hope.

Why not Frank?

 

I will take the following opinion to the grave: A good fielding first baseman is a waste of talent and time.

 

For instance, The Cubs were making a huge deal about how great a fielder Derek Lee is at firstbase...that's fine, but how many balls get hit in the direction of firstbase which an average fielder cannot make? Probably one ball a month.

 

Truth be known, Frank is actually better than most at picking balls out of the dirt or reaching for balls thrown high. He can field his position at an average level and his throwing ability is sub-par. However, the negatives get completely outweighed by the positive of knowing what his numbers are like when he is out in the field as pposed to sitting in the dugout.

[Guest JimH]

If Konerko gets traded, I'd have absolutely no problem with Frank Thomas being at first base 4-5 times a week.

 

He hits better when he's a first baseman, and his major downfall in the field is his throwing ability (the 3-6-3 DP).

 

Gload is an excellent defensive 1B too, and you can always have another bench guy with the ability to play first, whether it's Daubach or someone else.

[SuperSteve]

Who plays first: Robin Ventura possibly?

[kane0730]

I would really like Scott Spezio. Great glove, played well in post season, and a left handed bat.

[LostInBoston]

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.

 

At least KW had the sense not to trade CLee away. I'd love to see a PK/Perez (and possibly Izturus) trade.

[SuperSteve]

I'd love to see a PK/Perez (and possibly Izturus) trade.

If they are going to throw Izturis in, they'd have to be sure they will get Matsui or another top SS. We would have to throw cash and/or prospects in, or another player. We have Uribe, Valentin, and Harris to play two positions, I don't think we need to add a fourth.

[Rex Hudler]

At least KW had the sense not to trade CLee away. I'd love to see a PK/Perez (and possibly Izturus) trade.

Izturis is no longer necessary with both Jose and Uribe now on the roster.

[Molto]

if the Sox were to add Izturis (which would probably cost them another player), which is doubtful, Valentin would get traded or would move to second with Harris starting in center.

 

I think KW should offer Konerko, Valentin and cash for Izturis and Perez. The Dodgers will not take on the extra $7 or so mil in a trade that will be giving them two players who are getting paid a lot and had down years last season. Maybe if we throw in $2 mil or so, it would make the deal. Plus, we'd still free up roughly $5 million which could then go towards Sullivan and one other reliever (Grimsley, Lightenberg...etc.).

 

IF the Sox really want Colon, however, they would then have to trade Konerko and try not to take on any decently paid salary player like Perez in return. They'd have to be confident that they can sign Colon, of course.

 

This trade, if it happens, will clear some things up.

[Rex Hudler]

I don't know about KW's "three bad months" comment. I don't have the month-by-month breakdown

 

I looked his numbers up the last two years and agree that KW was being a bit optimistic (sounds like a car salesman talking up the car before the sale).

 

Paulie has clearly had 7 solid to good months over the last two seasons. He has had three bad ones and two that would border on bad but could be stretched to say decent, considering most players have variances within a season. One of the bad months he only had 41 AB's which is far below a normal month (80-100 ABs).

 

One could argue he has had five really good months, two solid months, two iffy months and 2 and a half really bad months.

 

I guess it is just how you spin it.

[103 mph screwball]

I'm glad KW isn't just giving guys away. I'd much rather complain about the lack of moves in November than give guys like Carlos Lee away. I would be happy to trade Paul Konerko for Odalis Perez straight up. Even if Paul returns to all star form, I'd take the chance. Perez is a good pitcher that needs a new team and a fresh start. It will be easier to replace Konerko's offensive production (especially last year's) than to get more starting pitching. I don't look at it as Konerko for Perez anyway. It's more like Konerko for Perez and two other 2 million dollar relief pitchers we might be able to afford. I think it would be great for the Sox and good for the Dodgers.

 

103 mph screwball

[MnSoxFan]

Rather have Izturis than Uribe anyday.

[israel4ever]

I don't wanna be the "eternal pessimist", but, adding Perez, Uribe and Guillen mean nothing when you consider that we have lost Colon, Graffinino, Sullivan, Gordon, Everett, etc. from last year.

 

D'oh!!!!! :fthecubs

[Queen Prawn]

Who says they aren't resigning Sullivan and Graff? I really hope they do.

[southsider2k5]

Who says they aren't resigning Sullivan and Graff?  I really hope they do.

It sounds like Graff is all but gone. He has a couple offers on the table according to the rumor mill.

[Queen Prawn]

Oops - I missed that. Sorry!

 

RESIGN SULLIVAN!!!!

[SuperSteve]

Rather have Izturis than Uribe anyday.

Um, I would rather have Uribe.

[israel4ever]

I'D RATHER HAVE TEJADA!!!

[BrandoFan]

I like Konerko as a person and he was a bargain in 1999 through 2002.

 

However:

 

1. His gigantic choke in 2003 simply KILLED our team. I mean, Koch, White, Rios, Daubach certainly "helped", but none of them were paid as much nor were played as much. His being the worst player in baseball in the first 3 and last 1) months contributed to a very slow start when we could have ESILY finished off the Twins before they even reached for Stewart's help....

 

2. His 700 OPS was certainly disappointing, but what some people forget is that his horrible range at 1B leads to runs given up while his countless GIDPs and turtle-like baserunning rob us of runs scored.

 

3. Nobody talks about his chronic hip/back any more?

 

That means that his AGGREGATE value is much lower than his normally good 840 OPS (which BTW he might never get back to again!) and low error total.

 

I like Paulie as a person, and I truly consider him as "home-grown" as Lee, Maggs, Mark, etc. BUT I will NEVER forgive him for choking so badly in 2003. He should have gotten that existential funk out of his system in 1999, 2001 or 2002. Last season was do or die for this franchize and now we have to live with the consequences.