http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stor...phil&id=2305617

LIKELY TO DELIVER

1.)  Paul Konerko

2.)  Kevin Millwood

3.)  Johnny Damon

4.)  Kenny Rogers

5.)  Preston Wilson

 

LIKELY TO DISAPPOINT

1.)  B.J. Ryan

2.)  Rafael Furcal

3.)  Kyle Farnsworth

4.)  Nomar Garciaparra

5.)  Ramon Hernandez

1B Paul Konerko | Age: 29

Contract: 5 years, $60 million

2005: .283 BA, 40 HR, 100 RBI

 

The White Sox could have locked up Paul Konerko -- their most consistent run producer -- for less had they done it last spring. They were wise to keep him, even if it meant essentially matching the Los Angeles Angels' offer after Konerko had decided to take it. Konerko and lefty Mark Buehrle are the World Series winners' cornerstones, and Konerko raised his standing by delivering the game ball from the final out of the World Series to the team's fans, through owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

 

The pursuit of back-to-back titles would have been difficult without Konerko, and a repeat won't be out of the question if players are as driven as management. Konerko is comfortable in Chicago, and won't hit age 35 until after this deal is over. He's far too much of a perfectionist to become complacent, and should remain consistent, if not a bit better the next few years. Rumors of an arthritic hip worried some possible suitors, but he's averaged 151 games the last five years.

 

He's quietly joined the ranks of elite hitters -- one of only five players with 40-plus homers the last two seasons and one of only 10 with 97-plus RBI in five of the last six years (the others: A-Rod, Albert Pujols, Vladimir Guerrero, Gary Sheffield, Manny Ramirez, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent and new teammate Thome). And he hit when it counted in 2005: .336-8-18 after Aug. 31 and .265-5-15 in 12 postseason games, including a grand slam in the World Series.

 

It's a stretch to say that Konerko will pay for himself, but the popular reaction to his re-signing played a huge role in driving season-ticket sales beyond 20,000 (from a base of about 11,000 in 2005). The average annual value (AAV) in his contract is less than Seattle gave Richie Sexson a year ago, and far less than many others on the list of baseball's top hitters.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stor...phil&id=2305617

 

Nice to see PK get some love.

Yeah, expect another 40 HR and 100 RBI from that Dodgers/Reds castoff.

 

Good to see some love though.

 

 

What a difference a year, and a World Series championship can make.

Edited January 30, 200620 yr by RME JICO

Yeah, expect another 40 HR and 100 RBI from that Dodgers/Reds castoff.

 

Good to see some love though.

What a difference a year, and a World Series championship can make.

With an OBP guy like Thome in front of him instead of Everett, and a guy who can spell PK at 1st base every now and then...I wouldn't be surprised if PK drove in 120+, especially if somehow he avoids his season-starting-slump that he had last year.