White Sox Re-Sign Paul Konerko
Paul Konerko has decided to stay with the Chicago White Sox, agreeing to a $37.5 million, three-year contract.
The first baseman, a four-time All-Star, gets $12 million in each of the next two seasons and $13.5 million in 2013 under Wednesday's agreement. In the final year, $7 million will be deferred and paid annually in $1 million installments from 2014-20.
The 34-year-old was fifth in voting for AL MVP this year after hitting .312 with 39 homers and 111 RBIs. He'll be part of a lineup that now includes slugger Adam Dunn, recently signed to a $56 million, four-year deal.
"We have made no secret of the fact that re-signing Paul Konerko was our top offseason priority," White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said. "Paul's value to the organization on the field and in the clubhouse can never be overstated. He is one of the greatest players in franchise history, and we hope he finishes his career in a White Sox uniform."
Konerko was acquired from Cincinnati after the 1998 season and helped the White Sox win the 2005 World Series. He ranks second to Frank Thomas in team history with 358 career home runs, 1,127 RBI and 701 extra-base hits.
Updated December 8, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Accoridng to Joe Cowley, the Chicago White Sox have re-signed Paul Konerko. Other reports indicate that the deal is for three-years and round $37 million.
There has been plenty of rumors and speculation around Konerko's decision. Konerko wanted to be closer to his family on the west coast, but also wanted to play for a contender.
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The Texas Rangers were rumored to also be interested in Konerko, but they have been tied up with trying to re-sign Cliff Lee.
Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski took pay cuts in the first year of their deals in order to make more money available to sign Konerko.
Originally posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:53AM
