[Joshv02]

2005 is Konerko's career year at a time when career years are made. 2005 Konerko is not much better than Kevin Millar in 2003.

I can see spending the $$ for those years based on some idea that he has value and/or there are few other options for that number of wins. Or, just, that it is worth something to keep popular players from a popular/winning team. That is a business decision.

It is simply an incorrect argument to in anyway argue that Konerko is in somewhat significantly better than, say, Kevin Millar, Kotchman, etc. Konerko is a .290 EqA hitter -- exactly the same thing Kevin Millar is through last year. (Millar is older, too.) The average 1B is usually a ~.280. So, Konerko is slightly above average offensively, a terrible base runner, and, before this year, by all reports a horrible defensive player. What is a slightly better than average offensive player who can't play defense well and can't run worth vs. someone like Roberto Petagine (who could likely hit 280/370/460 in a neutral park)?

Now, that said, the Sox won't do anything this year with any saved money. The White Sox aren't goint to displace their LF, RF, SS, 2B, DH (now that Thome is there), and C. They already have plans at CF. I suppose they may try to sign Mueller at 3B, but signing Konerko likely doesn't affect that plan. They also won't likely sign a new starting pitcher and don't really need much bullpen help (Hermanson isn't a lock to repeat, but a full season of Jenks [assuming he doesn't lose his elbow again] and Cotts should be nice). There really isn't another place for them to spend that $$ this year.

I don't know -- don't really have an opinion one way or the other in the end.