 Dear Agent: Mark me down for another million, please
If Konerko thought making nearly nine million dollars this year was a good chuck of change, he’s going to be in for quite a confidence-boosting shock at the bidding war that is sure to ensue as soon as the Series is over. The free agent list is pathetically tight this year (lets all scramble to get Kevin Brown and Jeff Weaver off that nice free agent pitching list!), and Kevin Millar and Konerko are essentially the only big-ticket players as far as first base options go. Martinez, Fick, and Snow will likely be snapped up for more than they’re really worth, but I don’t really predict any three-team bidding battles to take place there. Konerko, though, who was likely pick numero uno for many teams even before the season ended, is literally tacking millions on to his potential contracts with every ball he smacks this post season. He’s already hit five home runs, including one that we will surely be forced to sit through on ESPN at least 5,000 more times today alone, the grand slam against Wheeler last night in game 2. He’s batting a solid .293 for the post season, and with fifteen RBIs to his name – so far – he’s on pace to be signed for a ridiculous contract that could likely rival Beltran. We may want to start a pool and throw down some figures here…
Labels: free agency/arbitration |
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I'm going to speculate $65 million over five years. Beltran was 27 when he signed his huge contract, and is a five-tool guy (despite underproducing last year). Konerko is a power hitting 1B, and a good one, but certainly not the best out there. He's going to benefit from the shallow free agent poll more than anything else.
Oh, and he's a Rhode Island guy. I'd expect him to sign with the Sox, who need a power 1B. They might extend it to a six year deal if pressed.