Konerko, White Sox closing in on deal

ORLANDO, Fla. -- In what should come as no surprise, several national Internet outlets on Sunday were reporting the White Sox and free-agent first baseman Paul Konerko are close to agreeing on a new contract.

Sox general manager Kenny Williams did not reply to a text Sunday night. On Friday, Williams said Konerko is his No. 1 priority and he'll be meeting with his agent, Craig Landis, at this week's winter meetings in Orlando.

One report Sunday has the 34-year-old Konerko signing for $13 million a year, presumably for three seasons.

That pales in comparison to the three-year, $51 million contract 36-year-old shortstop Derek Jeter just signed to return to the Yankees, but the Sox did clear some payroll space Friday when newcomer Adam Dunn and catcher A.J. Pierzynski each agreed to defer money from their 2011 contracts to make room for Konerko.

Konerko batted .312 and had 39 home runs and 111 RBI last season while finishing fifth in American League MVP voting.

“I know how much (Konerko) means to the White Sox organization, to the clubhouse, the city and everything else,” Dunn said Friday after signing a four-year, $56 million contract. “I know he's a great person, a great guy. Hopefully things will work out.”

Nats add Werth:

The Washington Nationals gained a key piece Sunday when they signed free-agent outfielder Jayson Werth away from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Last week, the Nats lost slugger Adam Dunn to the White Sox, and Washington manager Jim Riggleman says the Sox are getting a good one.

“They're going to love him,” Riggleman said. “Adam is the same guy every day, regardless of he's hitting a bunch of homers that week or he hasn't hit one for a week or 10 days. He comes in and he's the same guy. That speaks to his confidence. He knows, ‘I'm going to get mine. I'm going to turn it around here. I'm going to break out any day now.'

“He's always up. He's upbeat, and he encourages his teammates. He's a fun guy. He's a very intelligent guy, a real quick wit. He's a real fun guy with his teammates.”

Pena update:

Super agent Scott Boras referred questions about free-agent first baseman Carlos Pena (Tampa) to the Cubs to see if they were interested.

“Obviously, it's a supply and demand thing as checkers leave the board,” Boras said. “He has a pretty wide field (of suitors).”