Paul Konerko

[DBAHO]

Ok, I'm going to throw out this question. What is a fair market value for Paul Konerko? Is he worth more than he's making now? Is he worth more than the deals Richie Sexson and Troy Glaus got this off-season? And he's a summary of an article about the situation;

 

TUCSON, Ariz. — Paul Konerko can become a free agent after the season, but said Tuesday he'd be willing to talk contract with the White Sox during the year. The Sox have been willing to keep others off the market in the past, signing Freddy Garcia last July and putting a contract offer on the table for Magglio Ordonez.

"It's just a matter of if we ever got to a fair deal before the end of the season," Konerko said. "I'll be happy to do it and be a White Sox."

 

Of course, what's fair to Konerko may not seem fair to the Sox. In four of the last five years, he's had at least 21 homers and 97 RBI, and he was named the Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year last season after hitting 41 homers and driving in 117 runs.

 

Richie Sexson, who signed a four-year, $50 million deal with Seattle in the offseason, played just 23 games last year but has had five seasons of at least 29 homers and 91 RBI. Troy Glaus, who went to Arizona for four years and $45 million, is coming off an 18-homer, 49-RBI season, but has three seasons of at least 30 homers and 102 RBI under his belt.

 

Then there's Carlos Delgado, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal with Florida. He hit 32 homers and drove in 99 runs last season, extending his streak of hitting at least 25 homers and driving in at least 91 runs to nine seasons.

 

"In my mind, the ball is in the White Sox's court," Konerko said. "I'm prepared to play the whole season out and take it from there."

 

It seems, though, he'd rather not.

 

"I love all my teammates," he said. "I love Chicago. I have no problem staying here.

 

"I think when you get to your free-agent year, some guys, yes, they want to make a big contract, they want to get the big money. But they're also questioning, do they like it where they're at? So that forces them to maybe go and explore other things.

 

"Well, I can answer now and say I want to be here and I have no problem with any of the stuff surrounding me as a White Sox."

[southsider2k5]

I have no problem with a 3 year $25 million deal.

[DBAHO]

I have no problem with a 3 year $25 million deal.

I seriously think he could be looking at about $10 million a season or there abouts (take or give a couple of mill), especially if he has another great season this year. It'd probably be in the Sox's interests to lock him up during the season, as other teams will definitely come calling for him in free agency (Yankees, Mets, Rangers etc.)

[southsider2k5]

I seriously think he could be looking at about $10 million a season or there abouts (take or give a couple of mill), especially if he has another great season this year. It'd probably be in the Sox's interests to lock him up during the season, as other teams will definitely come calling for him in free agency (Yankees, Mets, Rangers etc.)

 

 

After seeing what the HR hitters went for in the off season, $10 mil doesn't look that either. I would just hate to see it come down to a choice between Frank and Pauly. All though with Everett under contract for only one more year, that does give them a position to play with.

[Texsox]

I have no problem with a 3 year $25 million deal.

 

Either would the White Sox. If I was Paul, I'd have a problem.

 

He's going to be 29 in about a week or so. He better be looking at a 5-6 year deal. Someone will give it to him. My guess is if he signs with the Sox during the season it will be around 5/$50. If he waits until the season ends, has anything close to a season like last year, something closer to $60. If the Sox make the playoffs and he does anything in the playoffs, someone will really open the checkbook.

 

Next question, When May becomes June and there isn't a signed contract do you see him getting traded for a couple second tier prospects and a serviceable 1st baseman? Obviously that will also depend on where we are in the standings. But I'll bet there are a lot of GMs in the league with Mr. Paul "Queen Prawn Fanof14" Konerko name in bold letters just waiting to see what happens.

 

If I had to predict the 2006 home of PK, I'd say the Sox followed closely by Yankee pinstripes.

[LosMediasBlancas]

I say, let's wait and see what he does in 2005.

[Texsox]

I say, let's wait and see what he does in 2005.

 

And many teams do. But we certainly have a lot of experience with Paul, know his strengths and weaknesses. Using a 4 year contract as a starting point, the team and the player expect certain performances, whatever dollar amount they decide on, during those 4 years. So the team is guessing on 2006-2009. I think they could make that evaluation just as easily today as 5 months from now.

 

If Paul has another solid to great season, waiting could price the Sox out of the market. If Paul returns to 2003 levels waiting could save them money. I think the best strategy is to sign him quickly to a 4-5 year deal.

[Steff]

IMO, no way lock him up for 4 or 5 years at this point. Wait until after the AS break.. have his hip checked out with ultrasounds, then maybe sign him.. but for no more than 3 years.

[AnthraxFan93]

Look, If we all want to resign Frank for 10mil and now Pauly for 10 mil that is 2/7 of our payroll tied up into 2 guys.. DOes that make sense? You guys can't have both IMO, esp if we keep payroll at where it is at.

 

So come July time, if Thomas is healthy and can play the field, trade Pauly for some propects and move on from there.

[DBAHO]

Look, If we all want to resign Frank for 10mil and now Pauly for 10 mil that is 2/7 of our payroll tied up into 2 guys.. DOes that make sense?  You guys can't have both IMO, esp if we keep payroll at where it is at.

 

So come July time, if Thomas is healthy and can play the field, trade Pauly for some propects and move on from there.

I doubt Thomas is ever going to be healthy enough to play the field, and with the Sox's new focus on defense, I don't think they'd want Frank to be the everyday 1B. There's been some rumors that the Sox could maybe work out a deal with Thomas so that he'd come back for less, without the buyout or options coming into play, but we don't know enough on that situation as of yet.

 

The 2/7th's of our payroll locked up isn't realistic either. IIRC payroll will be at about 75 million, and usually with inflation etc. it rises about 7 to 10 million every off-season. So the Sox could be looking at a payroll of about $80 million in 2006, depending on how successful they are this season, and whether or not they do a massive rebuilding job and try to dump some contracts if they struggle.

[southsider2k5]

Look, If we all want to resign Frank for 10mil and now Pauly for 10 mil that is 2/7 of our payroll tied up into 2 guys.. DOes that make sense?  You guys can't have both IMO, esp if we keep payroll at where it is at.

 

So come July time, if Thomas is healthy and can play the field, trade Pauly for some propects and move on from there.

 

Frank hasn't been healthy enough to play the field in 5 years. Everytime he gets out there now, he manages to hurt himself. If you keep Frank, you still need a 1B.

[AnthraxFan93]

I doubt Thomas is ever going to be healthy enough to play the field, and with the Sox's new focus on defense, I don't think they'd want Frank to be the everyday 1B. There's been some rumors that the Sox could maybe work out a deal with Thomas so that he'd come back for less, without the buyout or options coming into play, but we don't know enough on that situation as of yet.

 

The 2/7th's of our payroll locked up isn't realistic either. IIRC payroll will be at about 75 million, and usually with inflation etc. it rises about 7 to 10 million every off-season. So the Sox could be looking at a payroll of about $80 million in 2006, depending on how successful they are this season, and whether or not they do a massive rebuilding job and try to dump some contracts if they struggle.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

As long as Frank comes back for 2mil a year I be happy on keeping both.

 

2/7 of our payroll is realistic, 20 mill of a 70 mil payroll, I don't see JR raising that, unless we have a huge attendance this year.

 

The only good thing if we do rebuild it should be with a new GM.. something that should have taken place 2 years ago IMO.

[YASNY]

As long as Frank comes back for 2mil a year I be happy on keeping both.

 

2/7 of our payroll is realistic,  20 mill of a 70 mil payroll, I don't see JR raising that, unless we have a huge attendance this year.

 

The only good thing if we do rebuild it should be with a new GM.. something that should have taken place 2 years ago IMO.

 

 

You're opinion ain't worth the screen space it's written on .... IMO.

[southsider2k5]

We are already past $70 million in payroll today.

[Steff]

As long as Frank comes back for 2mil a year I be happy on keeping both.

 

2/7 of our payroll is realistic,  20 mill of a 70 mil payroll, I don't see JR raising that, unless we have a huge attendance this year.

 

The only good thing if we do rebuild it should be with a new GM.. something that should have taken place 2 years ago IMO.

 

Payroll is over $70 million today.

 

Frank will not play for $2 million a year, and I don't care what the Trib says, Frank is in no danger of not being on the Sox next year.

[AnthraxFan93]

We are already past $70 million in payroll today.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

What are we at 72/73.. CBS needs to update its s***.

[Texsox]

As long as Frank comes back for 2mil a year I be happy on keeping both.

 

2/7 of our payroll is realistic,  20 mill of a 70 mil payroll, I don't see JR raising that, unless we have a huge attendance this year.

 

The only good thing if we do rebuild it should be with a new GM.. something that should have taken place 2 years ago IMO.

Congratulations on your 1,000 post slamming Kenny!! Not many people have the tenacity to post the same thing over and over again!! Way to Go.

 

$2mil for Frank? I guess you don't want him. You don't want to reward loyalty, you don't want your #1 draw, you don't want the only guy who will be in Cooperstown wearing a White Sox cap the past 20 years. :headshake

 

It seems like some people think we can put a bunch of $2mil a year guys out there and win something. If you load the team with all average players, you will get average results. Also, without some star drawing power, the casual fans aren't coming out to the game. So you could trade away anyone who ever makes an All-Star game to wins a post season award, but it costs you in the end. Imagine a promotional campaign built around Joe Crede and Russ Gload. Yeah!

Edited February 23, 2005 by Texsox

[YASNY]

Congratulations on your 1,000 post slamming Kenny!! Not many people have the tenacity to post the same thing over and over again!! Way to Go.

 

$2mil for Frank? I guess you don't want him. You don't want to reward loyalty, you don't want your #1 draw, you don't want the only guy who will be in Cooperstown wearing a White Sox cap the past 20 years.  :headshake

 

It seems like some people think we can put a bunch of $2mil a year guys out there and win something. If you load the team with all average players, you will get average results. Also, without some star drawing power, the casual fans aren't coming out to the game. So you could trade away anyone who ever makes an All-Star game to wins a post season award, but it costs you in the end. Imagine a promotional campaign built around Joe Crede and Russ Gload. Yeah!

 

 

Now that's not true! He wants to pay for Orlando Cabrera. :headshake

[DBAHO]

Frank Thomas hasn't turned into a Greg Vaughn or a Fred McGriff yet, so he's definitely not going to play for $2 million a season for ANY team in the MLB. Every team would kill to add his .434 OBP that he put up in 2004 in only 74 games and an OPS of around .1000

[Steff]

Frank Thomas hasn't turned into a Greg Vaughn or a Fred McGriff yet, so he's definitely not going to play for $2 million a season for ANY team in the MLB. Every team would kill to add his .434 OBP that he put up in 2004 in only 74 games and an OPS of around .1000

 

 

 

Why bother talking common sense.. it falls upon deaf ears unless it's a KW slam. :banghead

[YASNY]

Why bother talking common sense.. it falls upon deaf ears unless it's a KW slam.  :banghead

 

[DBAHO]

Why bother talking common sense.. it falls upon deaf ears unless it's a KW slam.  :banghead

Someone's got to fight the good fight I suppose.

[Steff]

Someone's got to fight the good fight I suppose. 

 

 

I suppose.. but I have to admit, it's pretty effing stupid, IMO, to spend so much time here posting if you do nothing but s*** on the team you are supposed to be a fan of. Hell.. I don't like a lot of things the Sox do.. and I'm pretty sure I've been the most vocal KW "disliker" over the past 3 years (on this board amoug other places) but hell.. if the Sox brought me as much sorrow as it apparently does to some others I sure as hell wouldn't waste my time b****ing about it and find something better to do with my days.

[Texsox]

That's why they invented the ignore feature. No need to read when you know what the post is about.

[Steff]

That's why they invented the ignore feature. No need to read when you know what the post is about.

 

 

Touche with that lengthy reply of yours up there..