Konerko Re-signs with White Sox

Defending World Series champion White Sox (and that's the last time I'm typing that) today announced that they have re-signed free agent First Baseman Paul Konerko to a five year deal. If he and new teammate Jim Thome (obtained from the Phillies) are both healthy the White Sox will have tremendous power in the middle of the batting order. That is a big "if" and a big risk financially. Thome only played 59 games this past season, batting .207 with 7 homers. Konerko has been healthy, playing 150 or more games 4 of the last 5 seasons. However, there are rumors of an arthritic hip condition.

Stoneman declined to comment on Konerko, nor would he address a report in the Sun, citing an unnamed source, that Konerko has an arthritic hip condition. An Oriole official told the Sun the club was aware of the condition, which was apparently diagnosed years ago, but was not deeply concerned about it. The White Sox declined comment on Konerko's hip, but one club official privately told the Chicago Tribune that the team was upset that the information had become public.

Kind of weird that the Orioles would be so unconcerned about offering a 5 year - 65 million dollar contract to a player with a hip condition since they had Albert Belle under a similar contract when his hip condition ended his career (but not his pay checks). I won't criticize this signing (Chicago can spend their money however they want) but will say that it won't matter if their pitching isn't a great as it was this past year.