southsider2k5 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Here's the scenario: A popular player begins the season in the final year of his contract and staring at free agency after putting up solid numbers the previous few seasons. Sound familiar? After enduring the season-long drama surrounding Magglio Ordonez, the White Sox once again will face the prospect of trying to re-sign one of their best players during 2005. But while the Ordonez situation deteriorated quickly, neither the Sox nor first baseman Paul Konerko expect any angst surrounding negotiations on a new contract. "I'm pretty easy to deal with," Konerko said at SoxFest, which ended Sunday. "I'm not a guy who is out to get every last penny or say, 'Sign me now or I'm going to go.'" Konerko will earn $8.75 million this season in the final year of a three-year contract. In six seasons in Chicago, Konerko has averaged 27 home runs and 94 RBIs while hitting .283. Assuming Konerko posts similar numbers this season, what kind of contract could he expect? The Seattle Mariners signed first baseman Richie Sexson, who played just 23 games for Arizona last season because of a shoulder injury, to a four-year, $50 million contract. Sexson has averaged 39 homers and 119 RBIs in his five seasons. Carlos Delgado is the last unsigned big-name free agent and reportedly received an offer from the Florida Marlins for three years and $35 million. The New York Mets might top that offer. "Without looking at the numbers, I don't know if I'm in the same class," Konerko said. "If I have a good year, I'm not going to worry about it." Sox general manager Ken Williams has lauded Konerko all winter, even though he was willing to trade him if it meant getting pitcher Randy Johnson in return. Williams loves Konerko's professionalism, and it's no stretch to say that going into the season, Konerko could be considered the team leader and spokesman. Neither side feels the urgency to get a contract done. "His free agency is something we're going to have to talk about," assistant general manager Rick Hahn said. "There is no pressure to get something done in the near future." The Sox have reached previous multiyear deals with Konerko without much difficulty, but Konerko has more leverage now. He said he would be willing to sign immediately and risk losing a couple of million dollars on the open market, as long as the deal was fair. "I don't think I'm the kind of guy that looks back and worries about that stuff," he said. "The main thing you have to ask yourself is, 'Do you like where you're at?' If the answer is yes, that makes the decision a lot easier. "This organization gave me a chance to play, and I have no problem being loyal to them. If that costs me money down the road, fine. The question is how much money, because I feel that I have an obligation to my fellow players to get a good deal and fair deal for what the market is." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 I read this article this morning. This was really refreshing for a change after the soap opera we had to go through last season. It'll be nice to get something done with him so we can see Kong on the south side for a few more years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Ya, I saw this article in the trib it's good to here Konerko say this, it makes me think that we could have him locked up long-term soon. I'd like to see him spend the rest of his career here, I don't care what anyone says, I like Pauly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Jan 17, 2005 -> 11:45 AM) I read this article this morning. This was really refreshing for a change after the soap opera we had to go through last season. It'll be nice to get something done with him so we can see Kong on the south side for a few more years. I agree, Pauly and shingo are the two main guys who are free agents after this year everyone else is locked up, if we can lock up pauly for a few more years this team has a chance to be very good for atleast the next 2-3 years with the current group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beast Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 I really like Paulie here. I think we should pay him what he's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 I agree, Pauly and shingo are the two main guys who are free agents after this year everyone else is locked up, if we can lock up pauly for a few more years this team has a chance to be very good for atleast the next 2-3 years with the current group. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Pauly yeah If we can lock him up great lets do it, Does anyone know any other FA 1b are out there for the 05 offseason? Shingo? He has one good half year as the closer and you want to ink him to a long term deal?? Lets see what he does this year before we jump the gun like we did with Uribe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ Jan 17, 2005 -> 11:58 AM) Pauly yeah If we can lock him up great lets do it, Does anyone know any other FA 1b are out there for the 05 offseason? Shingo? He has one good half year as the closer and you want to ink him to a long term deal?? Lets see what he does this year before we jump the gun like we did with Uribe. Please show me where I said I wanted shingo locked up to a long term deal?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Please show me where I said I wanted shingo locked up to a long term deal?? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Right here Pauly and shingo are the two main guys who are free agents after this year everyone else is locked up most of he time you don't "lock-up" players for 1-2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 He never said to lock up Shingo, do you know how to read. He said, EVERYONE ELSE IS LOCKED UP! My lord, learn how to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ Jan 17, 2005 -> 12:04 PM) Right here most of he time you don't "lock-up" players for 1-2 years. Once again where did I say I wanted shingo locked up to a long term deal. All I said was him and Pk are the two main players who are free agents after this year, I never said to lock shingo up to a long term deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Once again where did I say I wanted shingo locked up to a long term deal. All I said was him and Pk are the two main players who are free agents after this year, I never said to lock shingo up to a long term deal. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey your right..oo well I would just figure you would say something like that.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 w00t, get pwned then try and insult the person because you know your wrong...nice try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 w00t, get pwned then try and insult the person because you know your wrong...nice try. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Are you 12.. Owned? I read 1 post wrong.. With his sign one would think that he/she would want to sign him long term.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanOfCorn Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Aaaaaaaaanyway, back to the topic. Kong should get a deal close to what he's getting this year. I just wonder if he's going to take it. i can't imagine him being paid upwards of $10 mil...unless he has another year like he had last year. Then, he'd deserve it. If Sexson can get it off a shoulder injury, Kong should be able to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Aaaaaaaaanyway, back to the topic. Kong should get a deal close to what he's getting this year. I just wonder if he's going to take it. i can't imagine him being paid upwards of $10 mil...unless he has another year like he had last year. Then, he'd deserve it. If Sexson can get it off a shoulder injury, Kong should be able to. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Is their any 1b going to be FA next year? Other that Pauly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 I like Konerko a lot, but he's gotta do better than .239 on the road. I'd like him to show me that he can hit away from US Cellular. If he has another season like last year, where he hits the ball really well at home, and poor on the road, I can't see how you can give him 7 million +. What's the free agent market looking like for next season anyways? I know that Japanese pitcher is coming out, anyone else at second/first base that we should really take a look at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanOfCorn Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 According to the Sporting News...here are the potential 1b free agents. x-Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B; Kevin Millar, 1B, Dmitri Young, 1B/OF, x-Scott Hatteberg, 1B, Wes Helms, 1B, J.T. Snow, 1B Pretty weak. Full list Scroll down to bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 That is not a good list, something tells me Gload is the starting 1b in 06. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ Jan 17, 2005 -> 06:41 PM) That is not a good list, something tells me Gload is the starting 1b in 06. Yeah, good point. Hatteberg or Snow would be welcome additions, but like you said, they'd probably just go with Gload rather than sign either of the two... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 I hope Konerko will be starting here next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreatScott82 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Konerko isn't going anywhere. The Sox do not have any 1B stud in their farm system and as you saw the free agent market is week next year. With Franks career coming to an end, that gives KW even more incentive to re-sign him to a deal. I can see a deal getting done either before the season or during the allstar break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUGGERNAUT Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Would you trade Koney in his last year for a Giambi+50M? I was talking to some NYY fans & they believe their team is targeting Koney for the future. Even if Giambi can still play they say the stigma surrounding him is to hot for NY. That reduces Giambi down to about a 4M/yr price. Career #'s: .297BA .411O .540S .951OPS Look at his #'s over the last 2 yrs & he's been a very productive hitter. 2004 342O 379S 208A Games in which he had an R or RBI vs AB's for the month Apr 11/68 May 9/58 JUn 9/60 Jul 6/45 Aug DNP Sep 3/33 Tot: 38gms/264abs 2003 412O 527S 250A Oct 07/59 Tot: 7gms/59abs Apr 17/93 May 09/96 Jun 21/83 Jul 12/85 Aug 15/88 Sep 13/85 Tot: 87gms/535abs - not as good as CLee but good nonetheless When you consider he still managed a 342OBP while hitting just 208 he still remains a good eye at the plate. Roids didn't help or hurt that. To lock up Giambi at a price betw 4-6M/yr in exchange for Konerko seems like the right thing to do. That may very well be what happens if the NYY's can show what Giambi is still capable of in ST. Why would the NYY's do this? Because it's been rumored they might just try to settle with him & release him. So the money is not an obstacle for them. Getting Koney in the process would be a bonus for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 I dunno how does he fare against the AL Central? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUGGERNAUT Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 I dunno how does he fare against the AL Central? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Jason Giambi http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5386 http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp...d=3226&teamId=4 vs CWS http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp...d=3226&teamId=5 vs CLE http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp...d=3226&teamId=6 vs DET http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp...d=3226&teamId=7 vs KCR http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp...d=3226&teamId=9 vs MIN .250A .295O .446S vs Radke, .250A .312O .440S vs MIN .308A .400O 1.000S vs Anders, .378A .465O .811S vs KCR .214A .439O .321S vs Johnson, .220A .393O .366S vs DET .250A .400O .650S vs Rhodes, .254A .400O .424S vs CLE He has sparing ab's against most of these teams but the one thing that stands out is his OBP. Adding Giambi would be like adding another Thomas. Both have very good eyes & draw a lot of walks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Chappas Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Thomas is most likely a FA after this season. I believe Sox option for $10M or a $3M buyout something like that. Also Shingo only has 2 years of service time after this season, he is not even arbitration eligible. Does his age impact this? I guess Steff's copy of the CBA may be needed. It was a nice Konerko piece though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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