Paul Konerko gave Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf the ball from the final out of the World Series at Friday’s victory parade.
Will it be Konerko’s farewell gift?
Before hearing cries of “Bring Him Back” by the fans at the parade, the White Sox slugger spoke calmly about his future, one day after filing for a free agency that could radically affect the landscape of the world champions.
“I always know that’s a possibility, that in this game, things change quick,” Konerko said at U.S. Cellular Field after helping wife Jennifer board a double-decker bus for the parade. “Believe me, I won’t do anything off the cuff or not prepared. I got good people around me. I’ve got a good family. I got a great agent. And like I said earlier, I’ve never gone about any business deal the wrong way or unprepared, and I’m not going to start now.
“It’s going to be thorough and it will be done right and that way when it’s done, I’ll know that everything was put into it.”
That would seem to dictate a lengthy negotiating process. The Sox, however, have exclusive negotiating rights through Nov. 10 with Konerko, who made $8.75 million in 2004. And general manager Ken Williams has made no secret of his desire to try to strike a deal with Konerko, 29, who had at least 40 home runs and 100 RBIs for the second consecutive season.
But Craig Landis, Konerko’s agent, could be inclined to wait until after Nov. 10 so he can entertain offers and see if the market is more lucrative for his client, the most attractive slugger in a free-agent pool considered extremely shallow.
Konerko has made no secret of his desire to stay with the Sox, but he calmly mentioned repeatedly that the Sox could have avoided this showdown by negotiating an extension last winter.
“I’m a big `if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’ guy,” Konerko said. “It certainly isn’t broke. We have a great team, a bunch of great people. It’s a great organization. I love working for [manager] Ozzie Guillen and Kenny, and Jerry Reinsdorf runs a great ship here.
“Having said that, I’m going to go down the process. I’m going to do this. It’s something I would have been more than willing to forgo, and not have this. But here we are, and there’s a right way to do business.”
At the beginning of spring training, Williams told Konerko he wanted to assess a retooled team before discussing a contract extension.
“I was never against getting something done [before the season], but sometimes you get taken down roads you get taken down,” Konerko said.
Konerko, who planned to leave Saturday for his Scottsdale, Ariz., home, said he would meet with Landis early next week.
“Obviously, we’ve been busy,” Konerko said. “And I’ve had the baby [Nicholas] and all that. These things take care of themselves. . . . I’ve always just had an easy job. I just show up, play hard and things hit you right and that’s just the way it is.”
He said he didn’t expect negotiations to be difficult.
“I’ve never done this process before,” he said. “I’m kind of a rookie at it. We’ll see what happens.”
Konerko said he hasn’t even thought of the years or money he may be seeking. Richie Sexson, the premier first baseman in last year’s free-agent market, received four years and $50.56 million from Seattle, including a $6 million bonus, $14 million in 2007 and $14 million in 2008.
The $14 million salary is equal to what Magglio Ordonez received in 2004–his last year with the Sox–and what the Los Angeles Angels are paying 2004 American League Most Valuable Player Vladimir Guerrero on an average basis through 2008.
“I think it’s whatever hits me right, and I don’t know what that is yet. I think I’ve done a great job of blocking all this stuff out. I stayed focused the whole year when the team needed me. So starting after [Friday], I’ll start thinking about it because I’ve got to start thinking about my future and family.”
Much of the speculation has focused on the Angels as a potential destination because they are a postseason contender close to Konerko’s off-season home and they train in Tempe, about 20 minutes from Konerko’s off-season residence.
The Angels, however, would have to move Darin Erstad to center field and bench Steve Finley or relegate him to a designated hitter role to accommodate Konerko.
Konerko acknowledged the Sox and their fans have provided him with plenty of comfort, and he urged fans to enjoy the moment with an uncertain future lurking.
“Players come and go, but there have been people who have been following the team since they’ve been alive and some are 80 to 90 years old,” Konerko said. “I know it’s for the fans. I know this sounds like a cliche, but there will be guys wearing different uniforms next year, and this team will never be together again, probably all the way full. A piece here and there, it will be different. So I just say to the fans, enjoy it, this is something special.”
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mgonzales@tribune.com
