Major League Baseball

White Sox having wild offseason

Published Dec. 2, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

When the Chicago White Sox won their first world title in 88 years, Bobby Jenks threw the final pitch. He ranks second in club history with 173 saves. He made two All-Star teams in six seasons.

The Sox cut Jenks on Thursday.

And it was, what, the fourth-most interesting piece of news surrounding this madcap team today?

Oh, where to begin …

How about Adam Dunn? He was the headliner of the day's moves. At least, I think he was. Just … let … me … check … my … Twitter … feed … one … more … time. … My phone, too … And, hey, there it is: My colleague Ken Rosenthal is reporting that A.J. Pierzynski is going to re-sign with the White Sox after all.

Other than that, we're good. No more White Sox news ... Not yet, anyway.

So, as I was saying, the White Sox agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract with Dunn. It's a lot of money for a lot of power. He is going to help the Chicago lineup in a serious way. I received a text message from one major-league pitcher on Thursday night, saying, “He will hit 55 at U.S. Cellular.”

That was a prediction, not a joke.

Dunn has hit 40 home runs five times. He has driven in 100 runs six times. Since 2004, he has averaged roughly 158 games played per season. There is every reason to believe he will continue to produce at that clip in his new, hitter-friendly home.

Within the context of the American League Central, the deal was significant on a couple levels. One is that we should prepare ourselves for four years of Dunn-versus-Victor Martinez comparisons.

When the offseason began, both the White Sox and division rival Detroit Tigers had interest in Martinez. They both had interest in Dunn, too. The Tigers preferred Martinez and signed him to a four-year, $50 million deal. The White Sox favored Dunn, giving him more money over the same number of years. Which team made the right call? Check back with us after the 2014 World Series.

By signing Dunn, the White Sox also served notice that they aren't going to punt on 2011 … or 2012 … or any season on the immediate horizon. At the general managers meetings last month, there were whispers that the White Sox might go younger (and cheaper) next year. Guess not. Their payroll will probably be between $100 million and $110 million. Just like the Tigers. Just like the Minnesota Twins.

And now comes the fun part: What is going to happen with Paul Konerko?

As I have said before, Konerko is the most popular baseball player on either side of Chicago right now. He is the White Sox captain. But he is also a free agent. There is no guarantee he will return, although general manager Kenny Williams has said he wants Konerko back.

In order for that to come true, one of three things must occur: 1) Owner Jerry Reinsdorf spends significantly more in 2011 than he did in 2010; 2) Konerko accepts less than the $12 million he earned during a season in which he posted MVP-caliber numbers; 3) Williams trades a veteran who earns a substantial salary — and Carlos Quentin might not be enough.

Something significant needs to happen if Konerko wishes to be back in the home clubhouse at U.S. Cellular. Maybe two somethings. Maybe three. And it's quite possible. Remember, we're talking about the White Sox. They didn't get their reputation as the most impulsive/entertaining outfit in baseball by trading Matt Ginter for Timo Perez.

I thought the White Sox should have signed Konerko before Dunn, for two reasons: He has been with the team since 1999, and he can still play. That didn't happen. Now it's up to Williams and Ozzie Guillen to square what they told Dunn with what they are pitching to Konerko.

The big question: Who is going to play first base? Neither player wants to be a full-time designated hitter. (Of the two, Dunn has been more outspoken about his desires.) So, would we see a 50/50 split between first base and DH?

Some critics will question the wisdom of having back-to-back base-cloggers in the lineup. I don't mind it. Yes, it's true. Dunn is slow. Konerko is slow. But this is the American League. With RBIs, GIDPs are forgiven.

At a time when the White Sox are upgrading with Dunn and reuniting with A.J., it would be odd of them to cut ties with their captain. But again: The White Sox sponsor a degree-granting master's program in Odd Baseball Studies.

Speaking of that, a closing thought on Jenks: His performance had declined in recent years, and Thursday's move was inevitable, but that doesn't mean the White Sox can shrug off his departure. Their bullpen isn't bad right now — it's nonexistent, save Matt Thornton and Sergio Santos.

KW landed the Big Guy, but he has a lot of work ahead. And now that he has our attention, there's no sense waiting too long before the next deal.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball