Queen Prawn Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 The subject of firstbasemen (and in specific PK) came up on another board. I have a few questions for people on this board to see what the opinion is here. On the other board, the going theory (thought, what ever the f*** you want to call it) was that Konerko is a below average firstbaseman - defensively and offensively. Another going theory there is that defense is meaningless for a firstbaseman. Here are my questions for all of you: 1) How important is defensive ability for a firstbaseman? 2) What is your opinion on Konerko and his recently signed contract? I wanted to get other opinions because I know I am a big fan of Konerko and because of that, I can't be impartial. In regards to question one, I think defense for a firstbaseman is important because of guarding the line and being able to dig out rushed (or just bad) throws from the shortstop and thirdbaseman. Also, a firstbaseman, IMO, needs a good arm (strength and aim) to pull off double plays and to throw out someone at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPinStripes Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 He's above average offensivly for sure. Many 1st baseman would kill for his #'s. Defensivly , he's a lot better then many out there. I think the best part about his defense is the way turns a 3-6-3. We all know about his running skills. lol One of the worst in the league. I'd say he was worth the 7 mill a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molto Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 I'm with RPS in that he is worth 7 mil a year. he's not the type of guy who is gonna put up league leading numbers, but he is a guy who is gonna drive in 100 runs and hit 30+ homers every year. problem with the some people is they don't see 100 RBI guy to be worth that much, but doing it year in and year out is what makes him valuable. also, Konerko is a fan favorite. people like his regular guy appearance. he isn't cocky, talks to the media regularly, is a team player, and is never happy with his play. defense at first is important, but it all depends on the guys offense and the infielders defense. if you have guys like Valentin on the field, you need a guy at first who can make up for the mistakes. if a guy is putting up 130 RBI a year, you can overlook any defensive woes. konerko is solid defensively. my only problem with Konerko is his range. balls hit to his right are sure hits. how many times did Harris or Durham run deep in the hole to get a grounder. he is fine outside of that. good arm, good hands, and decent with picks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 Defense at 1B is pretty important...look at the 4 teams in the LCS's. Not one of those first basemen hit 20 homers. However, one thing they all did was play very good defensively. Spiezio, Mientkiewicz, Snow and Martinez are all very good defensive first basemen, and not as good hitters. And whether it means anything or not, the 1Bmen who hit the best in his respective series's team went onto the World Series...Speizio hit better than Mientkiewicz, and the Angels went on to(and won) the World Series. Snow hit better than Martinez, and the Giants won the NLCS. That was just a little tidbit. However, I really like Konerko....and for $7 million a year, he is priced right. He turns the 3-6-3 very well, picks balls well, and is a good power hitter, as well as a good overall hitter as well. The one thing I would like to see is him hit well for both halves of the season...if he could hit .320 with 20 homers and 60 RBI in both the first and second half of the year, he would be a very good 1Bmen....one of the league's best. Add Maggs in there and his incredible numbers, and if you can do that, then you will have quite possibly the best 1-2 punch of hitters in the buisness. Add a good hitting Thomas and a Borchard that is at the top of his game in 2 or 3 years, and we will have one of the top offenses in the league again, along with a top notch pitching staff and an incredibly good bullpen....guys, I gotta good feeling we will be celebrating a World Series in a couple years as long as dips*** KW doesn't mess it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted November 24, 2002 Author Share Posted November 24, 2002 I agree 110% with all replies in this thread. I just thought it was my lack of impartial vision in regards to Konerko and firstbasemen in general that was making me something that was not there. I, too, wish Konerko could stay away from the injury bug for a full year to see what he is truely capable of producing. I have been wondering what is causing Konerko's repetative foot injuries, I wonder if his hip disorder and the foot injuries are related. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 I'm not sure how a hip disorder could be linked to foot pain, but I'm not a doctor, so what the hell do I know, right? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted November 24, 2002 Author Share Posted November 24, 2002 I just wondered because my sister had a couple of surgeries on her hip and has had repeated foot problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MurcieOne Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 My feelings on Konerko....... 1. Above average hitter 2. Above average defender 3. Clubhouse leader 4. Stand-up Citizen 7mil = above average salary Konerko = worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgeportHeather Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 The thing I like most about Paulie is his selfless way of playing. Instead of going for a hit or doing something else to boost his own offensive stats, he will sacrifice somebody over to put us in a better chance of scoring. The man has no selfishness in his entire self. This puts value to the name Konerko. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted November 25, 2002 Share Posted November 25, 2002 Paul Konerko is one of the best first baseman in the league. Every year he puts up better numbers and he's a team leader. He's a great run producer and as Heather said is truly selfless. Defensively Konerko is above average as well. To me the best first baseman in baseball is Scott Spiezo when it comes to defense, but Konerko is one of the better ones. He has a great arm, can make the picks and is solid in general at fielding the ball. His range is weak, but thats why he's playing first. Speed wise he kills me. I'd like to see Konerko get more walks next year, and increase the power numbers, avg, and rbi's a bit more. I really think he's a completely player and he's got a great frame of mind. Of course, I don't think he's a 7 mill a year guy. I think 5 mill a year would of been a much better price. Still, I won't complain giving the team leader an extra 2 million a year, plus he's an outstanding citizen and member of the Sox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted November 25, 2002 Share Posted November 25, 2002 am i the only one who thinks he was over paid??? defense is very important at 1st...hes good at that ... hes had a good season this past year... but can he continue to do so.... im not so sure.....his running just kills us ........maybe they should dangle dollar bills in front of him like they do to horses with carrots and see if it makes him go faster..........i dont know i just think that he was signed for a bit more than what hes worth.........btw the foot thing with the hip... yes hip problems do cause frequent foot ailments as well as knee problems... remember the song.. the hip bone is connected to the leg bone and so on.... when one goes down its like s***, it rolls down hill from there.........i hope hes not another bo or belle, waiting to happen as far as his hip is concerned....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted November 25, 2002 Share Posted November 25, 2002 Michelle, my post above says I think we paid 2 mill a year too much for him. When your the Sox and don't have much to go around to begin with, that two mill a year will probably force the Sox to cut someone or deal them sometime down the line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Showtime Posted November 26, 2002 Share Posted November 26, 2002 Originally posted by ChisoxfnMichelle, my post above says I think we paid 2 mill a year too much for him. When your the Sox and don't have much to go around to begin with, that two mill a year will probably force the Sox to cut someone or deal them sometime down the line. They'll lose 11 million off the payroll when Foulke and Jose are gone after this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted November 26, 2002 Share Posted November 26, 2002 I'm counting on losing manos money as well as Lee's. The question is whether Franks will be off the books at the end of the season or not. Lee will probably be dealt or become a free agent where the Sox would then probably give him a similar deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubKilla Posted November 28, 2002 Share Posted November 28, 2002 Originally posted by hotsoxchick1am i the only one who thinks he was over paid??? defense is very important at 1st...hes good at that ... hes had a good season this past year... but can he continue to do so.... im not so sure.....his running just kills us ........maybe they should dangle dollar bills in front of him like they do to horses with carrots and see if it makes him go faster..........i dont know i just think that he was signed for a bit more than what hes worth.........btw the foot thing with the hip... yes hip problems do cause frequent foot ailments as well as knee problems... remember the song.. the hip bone is connected to the leg bone and so on.... when one goes down its like s***, it rolls down hill from there.........i hope hes not another bo or belle, waiting to happen as far as his hip is concerned....... All baseball players are overpaid. PERIOD! But, when looking at PK's salary in relation to what other MLB player's are making, PK is getting what he deserves..... and many could make an argument for a few million more or less than what he is going to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted November 28, 2002 Share Posted November 28, 2002 true killa they are all overpaid... but with this deal makes me wonder whats going to happen to money that maggs and mark should be getting in the next year when their contracts come due........i just think we over paid paulie a bit.....but i guess they can figure that mark will take off to st. louis asap and maggs will most likely go to the yanks if torre gets his way........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted November 28, 2002 Share Posted November 28, 2002 Maggs is still locked up for 2 years so he isn't going anywhere. He seems very happy in Chicago and I think Buerhle is pretty happy as well, but Buerhle will look to see if the Sox bring in some better players. Still, we got his rights for a while, so I'm not concerned. Its not like were the Royals. Typically JR doesn't have a tough time resigning his younger players. I know it happens everyonce in a while, but he never hesitated in giving guys like Parque, Sirotka, Ray Ray(When he was younger), and even Maggs and PK very fair contract extensions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molto Posted November 28, 2002 Share Posted November 28, 2002 HSC you took that whole St Louis quote way too seriously. what do you think, every baseball player are aliens who never saw baseball before making it to the majors? almost every ball player grew up in a city or town adn rooted for a certain team, and the majority of them would like to play for them. Mark Mulder is a White Sox fan, he would like to play for the Sox, but he still goes out and signs a 4 year contract with a team he likes to play for. just because a guy is a fan of a team, doesn't mean he wants to go there at the drop of a hate. Buehrle likes it here in chicago. if the Sox play cheap and decide not to give him his worth, than yeah his next option will probably be the Cards, but you make it seem he wants to go there so badly. did you read how he wants a long term extension, meaning 3-4 years? apparently you didn't, cause that would mean he would like to stay in Chicago. you take things too seriously HSC, gotta take it easy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubKilla Posted November 29, 2002 Share Posted November 29, 2002 Originally posted by Molto if the Sox play cheap and decide not to give him his worth, than yeah his next option will probably be the Cards, but you make it seem he wants to go there so badly. You should change that "if" to a when Molto..... that is, of course, contingent on whether or not JR still has his greedy little paws on the ownership of the White Sox :mad: New ownership in a year or two, maybe the Sox won't be so cheap. But I'm not gonna hold my breath..... cause I'll be dead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 i will dig up the articles for you malto.. buehrle has said on a number of occasions his desire to play for st louis......and im sure that he will be one day soon..........they want him as bad as he wants to go......mark my words........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted December 1, 2002 Share Posted December 1, 2002 I agree they are all overpaid, but I'm glad they gave Konerko big bucks. Let's face it, we're never going to win anything of great significance since we don't pay big bucks. And I agree Mark B. is gone as soon as he can sign with St. Looie. He's out of here. We don't pay money. Period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted December 1, 2002 Share Posted December 1, 2002 They gave Frank the money when he was younger. They gave Ray Ray the money when he was younger. They now have given PK the money. They gave Maggs the money and they gave Foulke the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted December 2, 2002 Share Posted December 2, 2002 yeah jas they gave them the money when they were young and now look at where they are.......ray ray gone....frank on the way out... and foulke headed west.......we give the money but then we take it away or dump when the big pay offs are due..........lol...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MurcieOne Posted December 2, 2002 Share Posted December 2, 2002 I think for the most part, the sox organization rewards their players when earned..... but like in any bussiness.... gotta cut costs to survive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted December 2, 2002 Share Posted December 2, 2002 is this going to be one of those supply and demand lectures murc???? lol........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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