Paul Konerko Re-Signs with White Sox

[witesoxfan]

Wite, I agree with a lot of this. However, I also think at their core, White Sox fans care most about the ballclub winning another World Series Championship. PK is one of the most beloved, if not the most beloved White Sox player of this generation. But I think even the most sentimental fan would rather win a World Series Championship without PK than not win one with PK. And that should have been the ultimate goal - doing everything possible to win another WS Championship - rather than trying to win another WS Championship with Paul Konerko, which is apparently what is taking place.

 

I'm just not sure that we have a margin for error here.

 

I think that, the fact of the matter is, the White Sox themselves care about two things - winning a championship and making money. I have to believe that they they did their homework and that they believe that, not only does having Paul Konerko give them as much if not a greater chance to win a World Series than signing Derrek Lee (or any other realistic options), but that he is also going to make them more money as well.

 

There are people who will come to the park to specifically see Paul Konerko play - I don't think there is any question of that. Would there be as many people, or even half as many people, who would come to the park to see Derrek Lee and JJ Putz play?

 

I think anybody who would say that this is purely a baseball move - whether a random fan or Jerry Reinsdorf himself - is being naive or misleading. There is more at stake here than simply improving the club. The Sox surely could have brought in Lee and Putz, but at what ultimate cost? By changing the face of the franchise, you are devaluing the brand itself; by keeping the face of the franchise, that value retains itself or increases. There is absolutely an ulterior aspect to this move because, quite frankly, Paul Konerko is Chicago White Sox baseball.

[iamshack]

I think that, the fact of the matter is, the White Sox themselves care about two things - winning a championship and making money. I have to believe that they they did their homework and that they believe that, not only does having Paul Konerko give them as much if not a greater chance to win a World Series than signing Derrek Lee (or any other realistic options), but that he is also going to make them more money as well.

 

There are people who will come to the park to specifically see Paul Konerko play - I don't think there is any question of that. Would there be as many people, or even half as many people, who would come to the park to see Derrek Lee and JJ Putz play?

 

I think anybody who would say that this is purely a baseball move - whether a random fan or Jerry Reinsdorf himself - is being naive or misleading. There is more at stake here than simply improving the club. The Sox surely could have brought in Lee and Putz, but at what ultimate cost? By changing the face of the franchise, you are devaluing the brand itself; by keeping the face of the franchise, that value retains itself or increases. There is absolutely an ulterior aspect to this move because, quite frankly, Paul Konerko is Chicago White Sox baseball.

There is more than one way to skin a cat. Winning would bring the fans and make money too. I would have chosen they go with a pure baseball decision, but then again, I think I'd understand letting him go more than most.

[witesoxfan]

There is more than one way to skin a cat. Winning would bring the fans and make money too. I would have chosen they go with a pure baseball decision, but then again, I think I'd understand letting him go more than most.

 

I think we can safely assume that the best case scenario is the same in both circumstances, correct? Sox win the World Series, giant orgy, the entire city of Chicago loves the Sox, yada yada.

 

Can we assume that the worst case scenario is the same? I don't think we can. I think that the worst case scenario with PK in the fold involves a minor drop in attendance. I think the worst case scenario with Lee and Putz involved gets way uglier, because I think you see fans revolting about why the Sox didn't resign PK and seeing a huge drop in attendance.

 

Maybe that's just my opinion, but I think they went through those 3 scenarios, and that PK grades out just ahead in both the expected and worst case scenarios, whereas in the best case they are virtually the same.

[iamshack]

I think we can safely assume that the best case scenario is the same in both circumstances, correct? Sox win the World Series, giant orgy, the entire city of Chicago loves the Sox, yada yada.

 

Can we assume that the worst case scenario is the same? I don't think we can. I think that the worst case scenario with PK in the fold involves a minor drop in attendance. I think the worst case scenario with Lee and Putz involved gets way uglier, because I think you see fans revolting about why the Sox didn't resign PK and seeing a huge drop in attendance.

 

Maybe that's just my opinion, but I think they went through those 3 scenarios, and that PK grades out just ahead in both the expected and worst case scenarios, whereas in the best case they are virtually the same.

No, I can come up with plenty of worse case scenarios uglier than a minor drop in attendance.

 

PK suffers a decline in performance due to some of his chronic injuries. Spirals into levels of 2003 suckitude. Team struggles mightily, forced to have a fire sale, trades PK to an upstart Baltimore Orioles team along with $12 million cash for a bucket of balls. PK's legacy in Chicago a bit tarnished, he is unceremoniously dealt, he becomes bitter at the organization, etc., etc.

 

I think you bave to place yourself back in time a few years and remember when things weren't going so well...when some fans did want to trade him, when Pauly was fighting that thumb and putting up a sub-.800 OPS.....it's difficult to imagine now, but it's not something that is out of the realm of possibility at all.

 

White Sox fans and Chicago fans are indeed sentimental. But they also have short memories...

[greg775]

66 pages? Somebody please summarize the thread for me.

 

My opinions:

• Fair deal. On paper it gives us nice pop with Dunn-Konerko.

• Yes, I personally expect Konerko's numbers to decline some. I still think he's going to be a productive hitter for at least 2 of the 3 years of the deal. I don't think he'll whack as many home runs as he did this past season. Hope I'm wrong. I just hope he has the same approach and comfort level at the plate next season as this past season. He really was a joy to watch hit pretty much all year long.

 

• Arizona was dumb for not offering more money. If you are going to go after him, outbid the Sox.

• It would be dumb for Sox fans to compare Konerko's every at bat to Derrek Lee's next season. We got Konerko, not Lee, so f*** Lee.

• The loss of Putz is not ideal, as now we have just Sergio, Sale and Thornton. Sergio is going to have to step up, or we're f***ed. I see Kenny mentioned Tony Pena, but my opinion is if we're counting on him to do much, we are truly f***ed.

 

[ChiSox_Sonix]

I think, if anything, this proves that Jerry Reinsdorf isn't the cold-hearted business man that most people view him as, and the White Sox aren't in general. They are perhaps naive in resigning Konerko to the deal they did, because it assumes that he will continue being a similar player to that of the Paul Konerko from 2000-2010. And they are perhaps making both a financially and value-based irresponsible move, because Konerko's contract is worth more than anything Derrek Lee is going to get on the open market, they lose out on 2 draft picks, and they lose out on the $4 mill or whatever the difference may be between Lee and Konerko's deals.

 

This is a move made for both the quality of the player, the loyalty that Reinsdorf has for Konerko, and for the public relations of the Chicago White Sox. With regards to his quality, I think it's fairly safe to say that Paul Konerko is still a good hitter. I strongly doubt he's a .900+ OPS guy going forward, but he's a much better than average hitter, and I don't see that suddenly falling off the face of the planet. Beyond that, in the final year of his deal, he is being paid such a reasonable amount that it may make sense to begin to develop a 1B that year while he is still playing, which would significantly cut into his playing time - it really wouldn't surprise me to see Konerko end up with fewer than 400 PAs in 2013.

 

There is a level of loyalty that Reinsdorf shows to Konerko, and a lot of that has to do with Konerko being a long-time member of this organization, it has to do with him living near Reinsdorf in Arizona, and it has to do with him being a huge part in delivering the first World Series title in Chicago since World War I. There has always been a great deal of loyalty from Reinsdorf towards veteran players who have been very important figures in White Sox history, and those that show their loyalty towards the Sox will be shown that loyalty right back. It sends a message to those who play for the White Sox right now and the rest of the players in the league that, if you want to be a member of the Chicago White Sox, you will be, and you will be paid fairly. And, if you perform well during your tenure with the Chicago White Sox and act as a diplomat for the team, you will be rewarded with another contract, even if you may be a little older, and it may be above what you are actually worth.

 

Beyond that, and I think one of the most important aspects of this move, is the move with regard to the average fan of the Chicago White Sox. I don't think you will find any disagreement amongst the members of the front office that the move the Sox should have made, to maximize their value, would have been to bring in Derrek Lee, use the left over funds to sign a reliever, let Konerko walk and collect the two draft picks. What happens though when Paul Konerko goes to Arizona and hits 40 homers? And Derrek Lee hits .220 halfway through May and then goes down with a wrist injury? And the reliever does his best Scott Linebrink impression? And the two draft picks bust?

 

All of that is not likely to happen, but it's also not outside the realm of possibility. If that occurs, what happens to the average fan? Do you not believe that there will be some vehement dissidence towards the Chicago White Sox organization as a whole?

 

I am not trying to suggest that Paul Konerko is somehow the cause of the Nostradamian end of the world prophecies, merely that his presence means a lot to White Sox fans. I do not believe that if Konerko struggles, there would be as much of an outrage by the fan base. That needs to be taken into consideration as well.

 

---

 

In the end, I'm not going to pretend that I wanted Konerko back. As an economics student, I understand that you should try and maximize your intrinsic value, and I believed that signing Derrek Lee, using the excess money and signing a reliever, and gaining two draft picks was worth more than Paul Konerko. Some more accomplished businessmen than I disagreed. I'm not hurt or upset by the decision, and in fact can't disagree with it. It's still fairly likely that Paul Konerko will hit 75 homers over the next 3 years, and it's certainly possible that he will hit 100. He will get his 2000th hit, he will score his 1000th run, he will play in his 2000th game and it's entirely possible that he will get his 10th career stolen base and 10th career triple. The basic premise is that Paul Konerko has been a great player and almost certainly should continue to be a good player, and the White Sox have him for 3 more years.

 

 

 

 

(BTW, I don't believe it is a coincidence that the DBacks offered a deal that was 3/$30, and the value of Konerko's deal, excluding the deferred money, is 3/$30.5)

 

Post of the thread.

 

[Rowand44]

Wite, you write too damn much .

 

Good stuff though.

[Milkman delivers]

I think we can safely assume that the best case scenario is the same in both circumstances, correct? Sox win the World Series, giant orgy, the entire city of Chicago loves the Sox, yada yada.

 

Can we assume that the worst case scenario is the same? I don't think we can. I think that the worst case scenario with PK in the fold involves a minor drop in attendance. I think the worst case scenario with Lee and Putz involved gets way uglier, because I think you see fans revolting about why the Sox didn't resign PK and seeing a huge drop in attendance.

 

Maybe that's just my opinion, but I think they went through those 3 scenarios, and that PK grades out just ahead in both the expected and worst case scenarios, whereas in the best case they are virtually the same.

 

You yadda yadda'd over the best part.

 

One thing I have learned from this thread is that nothing will ever please everyone.

[bschmaranz]

You yadda yadda'd over the best part.

 

He mentioned the bisque...

[nitetrain8601]

One thing I noticed reading today's Tribune is that Konerko was ready to take 10 million to play for the Dbacks per season. So we basically had to up the ante to pay him and he would've given a hometown discount to get out of here or maybe because it was his home.

[bschmaranz]

One thing I noticed reading today's Tribune is that Konerko was ready to take 10 million to play for the Dbacks per season. So we basically had to up the ante to pay him and he would've given a hometown discount to get out of here or maybe because it was his home.

 

I think it had more to do with their willingness to offer a 3rd year and us staying firm to 2 years.

Edited December 10, 2010 by bschmaranz

[kitekrazy]

This Colts suck this year so I am even more psyched about the 2011 White Sox. I can't wait til March. I live 10 minutes away from the ST facility.

[SoxFan562004]

One thing I noticed reading today's Tribune is that Konerko was ready to take 10 million to play for the Dbacks per season. So we basically had to up the ante to pay him and he would've given a hometown discount to get out of here or maybe because it was his home.

I don't think it's out of the realm of reality to guess that with the Angels striking out on Crawford and apparently Lee, they may have jumped in with a strong bid.

[Balta1701]

I don't think it's out of the realm of reality to guess that with the Angels striking out on Crawford and apparently Lee, they may have jumped in with a strong bid.

Beltre is still a better fit.

[Donny Lucy's Avocado Farm]

Beltre is still a better fit.

 

I was wondering about that too. They already have a bunch of OFers. What happens to Juan Rivera, Bobby Abreau, Reggie Willits, Toriiiiii Hunter and Bonjouros... Trade em all?

[Balta1701]

I was wondering about that too. They already have a bunch of OFers. What happens to Juan Rivera, Bobby Abreau, Reggie Willits, Toriiiiii Hunter and Bonjouros... Trade em all?

Abreu really doesn't belong anyhwere but DH. Reggie Willits put up a .643 OPS last year, he's basically a backup.

 

For a good portion of last year, including when they were playing the Sox, they had both Hideki Matsui and Bobby Abreu playing corner OF spots because they had no other option.

[sircaffey]

Abreu really doesn't belong anyhwere but DH. Reggie Willits put up a .643 OPS last year, he's basically a backup.

 

For a good portion of last year, including when they were playing the Sox, they had both Hideki Matsui and Bobby Abreu playing corner OF spots because they had no other option.

 

They have Trout about ready too, who by all indications can be better than Crawford. Scioscia loves Trout so much that he was think about calling him up last season all the way from A ball. A Trout-Bourjos-Hunter OF should be very good, at the very least it will be elite defensively. Though a Crawford-Trout-Hunter OF would have been absurdly good.

[chw42]

They have Trout about ready too, who by all indications can be better than Crawford. Scioscia loves Trout so much that he was think about calling him up last season all the way from A ball. A Trout-Bourjos-Hunter OF should be very good, at the very least it will be elite defensively. Though a Crawford-Trout-Hunter OF would have been absurdly good.

 

Bourjos is ridiculous. The guy had a 16 UZR in only 50 games. A +15 DRS as well. If you stretch that 16 UZR out over a whole season, that's around 45 runs saved, in freakin' center field. He had a .930 zone rating and only misplayed 9 balls out of 129 while making 29 out of zone plays.

 

He can't hit much, but his defense is so good that he'd be a 3-4 WAR player if he got 600 PAs.