Cowley: Sox offer arbitration to Konerko and Putz, no to Pierzynski
By Joe Cowley--
Let the offseason posturing begin.
The White Sox announced before Tuesday's 11 p.m. deadline that they offered salary arbitration to free agents Paul Konerko and J.J. Putz, but declined that same offer to catcher A.J. Pierzynski and designated hitter Manny Ramirez.
What does it mean for the 2011 Opening Day roster? Well, actually nothing yet. All it means is that if Konerko or Putz sign elsewhere, the Sox are compensated with draft picks – two for Konerko, one for Putz. It does show their hand a bit, however, with the team counting on the fact that Konerko and Putz will draw enough interest from other organizations on a multi-year deal. Nether player seemed real interested in working out a one-year contract with the Sox, especially not at this point in their careers.
Konerko, who also found out he finished fifth in the American League MVP balloting on Tuesday, was very specific in that he was hoping that his next deal might be his last.
As for Pierzynski, the two sides seem to be tangled in a game of chicken. The Sox can still negotiate with Pierzynski, but have taken an arbitrator out of the mix if it came to that. Even with free agent catcher Victor Martinez now joining the Tigers, the Sox are hoping that there won't be a swell of interest for Pierzynski and the two sides can find mutual ground.
Big gamble.
Pierzynski has maintained all along that his priority since coming to the South Side in 2005 was to stay on the South Side, but business is business.
"There are 30 teams out there,'' Pierzynski said. "Everyone knows how I feel about the White Sox. We'll take it from there.''
As far as the decision with Konerko, Pierzynski was hoping it meant the Sox are taking steps in re-signing their team captain.
"I love Paul to death,'' Pierzynski added. "I can't see the White Sox without Paul considering what he's done for them and what he's meant. The White Sox won't be the same without him.''
