CHICAGO WHITE SOX

2005 finish: 99-63, 1^st place in AL Central, World Series champions

Manager: Ozzie Guillen (3^rd season)

Free agents: 1B Paul Konerko, DH/OF Carl Everett, DH Frank Thomas, C Chris Widger, IF Geoff Blum, C Raul Casanova

On the block: RHP Orlando Hernandez, LHP Damaso Marte, OF Jermaine Dye

Looking for: Left-handed bat at DH, right field or first base if Paul Konerko signs elsewhere, relievers

What’s going on: They will have to pay to hang onto Paul Konerko, who will attract much interest as the best of a very slim list of power-hitting free agents. The Angels, for one, already have expressed interest, and while Konerko is a nice fit right where he is, the Sox should have locked him up when they had the chance. Now it could cost as much as $65 million, as interest also could come from the Red Sox and Mets and Dodgers. Frank Thomas could return at a much lower price, but Carl Everett likely will move on. Thomas has received a $3.5-million buyout, and given his uncertain health status, would have to accept an incentives-laden deal to return. They will try to sign Jon Garland to a long-term deal, something in the three-year, $20-million range. Orlando Hernandez could be dealt or moved to the bullpen to make room for Brandon McCarthy in the rotation. Chris Widger re-signed a one-year deal to again back up A.J. Pierzynski. Geoff Blum probably had little shot to return until his huge World Series home run.

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