Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
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AP
CHICAGO - Paul Konerko promised to be meticulous and explore all the options as a free agent. And he did, jumping into a stressful monthlong journey that landed him back right where he started.
Having received a $60 million, five-year offer from the Chicago White Sox, Konerko decided the proposal was fair and agreed Wednesday to return to the World Series champions.
“It’s a simple as where your heart is,” Konerko said. “That’s what brought me back.”
The first baseman led the White Sox with 40 homers and 100 RBIs last season, hitting .283. He was MVP of the AL championship series win over the Los Angeles Angels after hitting two homers and seven RBIs. He had a go-ahead grand slam in Game 2 of the World Series sweep over Houston, the first Series title for the White Sox since 1917.
“You have family, all things came into play,” Konerko said. “At the end of the day, ‘OK, I’m a baseball player and where am I going to feel the best?’ “
Konerko’s decision and last week’s acquisition of Jim Thome from Philadelphia could mean the end of Frank Thomas’ career with the White Sox. Thomas, a two-time AL MVP, became a free agent after Chicago declined a 2006 option.
“I tried to reach Frank by phone earlier today and I think it’s disrespectful to inform the public of the organization’s plans without having a conversation,” Chicago general manager Ken Williams said. “The right-handed bat of Paul Konerko and the left-handed bat of Jim Thome, we felt it necessary to balance us out. ... I know what he (Thomas) means to Chicago. I prefer to have conversations privately before announcing anything to the public.”
A two-time All-Star, Konerko had an $8.75 million base salary last season, then became a free agent after the Series. Last offseason, Chicago decided not to discuss an extension.
His new deal calls for him to receive $12 million annually. Chicago agreed to a limited no-trade clause that states he can’t be dealt to six specified teams without his permission.
“Paul in the last 24 to 48 hours really came to terms with the fact that he wanted to be a Chicago White Sox,” said his agent, Craig Landis. “He had a hard time turning down the chance to go back and try to win another championship in Chicago. He has loyalty to his teammates and to the fans there and feels very wanted, not just by the White Sox organization but by the whole city of Chicago. He felt that that could not be matched in other cities.”
Konerko also was courted by the Angels, who offered just over $60 million for five years, and the Baltimore Orioles, who proposed a $65 million, five-year deal. Several other teams also made inquiries.
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“When that offer was rejected late yesterday, we expected the talks to be ongoing,” said Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan, who wouldn’t confirm the figure. “But we sensed earlier today that he was headed back to Chicago.”
Konerko said the Angels were an attractive alternative. He worked with manager Mike Scioscia when both were in the Dodgers’ organization and Los Angeles is close to his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., as is the Angels’ spring training complex in Tempe. He was even ready to be a designated hitter if he joined Los Angeles, which met with him Monday and Tuesday.
“We thought he’d be a good fit for the ballclub, and pursued him pretty aggressively,” Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said. “I knew that we were pretty attractive to him, very attractive to him. I also knew it would be very tough for any player to leave a club that he won a World Series championship with, a club he’d been with for seven years.”
Chicago adding a season to its offer sealed the deal.
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“We had to go to a fifth year,” Williams said. “Obviously we did not start out there, but kudos and hats off to Paul for keeping us first and foremost in his mind.”
Konerko had wanted to explore the market.
“I said if I’m going to do it, do it the right way and get what was fair. And the White Sox gave me what was fair,” Konerko said. “It was the position I was put. I was not looking to drag it out. Once I felt comfortable and knew what I was worth, I said. ‘Boom, let’s do that.”’
Konerko had five homers and 15 RBIs in the postseason as the White Sox swept Boston in the opening round, closed out the Angels in five games as he hit first-inning homers in Games 3 and 4 and then beat the Astros.
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Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
