Who might bid in Konerko sweepstakes?

If not here, then where?

That is the multimillion-dollar question Paul Konerko is weighing as he prepares to hit the free-agent market Monday.

At the end of the season, the longtime captain indicated he would like to finish his playing career in Chicago with the White Sox, but he realizes that might not be possible.

“Obviously, you want all the pieces to be there,” said Konerko, who is positioned to finish in the Top 5 in American League MVP voting after batting .312 with 39 home runs and 111 RBI. “You want the geography, you want this, you want that. But you have to be more flexible as you get older.

“There might not be as many teams that want you because of that reason. So you might have to be willing to play somewhere you never thought about playing. Over the last year, year-and-a-half, I've conditioned my family that that could be the case, so prepare.

“I think I am. I'm prepared for really anything.”

From general manager Kenny Williams to manager Ozzie Guillen and throughout the clubhouse, Konerko's return is a priority.

The obvious problem is can the Sox afford to pay him an expected rate of $45 million over the next three years?

For as good as he has been and still is Konerko is going to be 35 on March 5, so the White Sox must weigh the wear-and-tear factor of the future against his productivity and popularity.

“We don't know how it's going to play out,” Williams said at the end of the season. “There are variables at play we have to go through, to see where we are, project our revenues and how the team fits as a whole. He has some things he has to work through in his mind as well.

“If at the end of the day, even if we are the ones who choose him and he doesn't choose us, you will never hear out of anyone in the White Sox halls a disrespectful word about Paul Konerko because he is that good of a player but also that classy of a man.”

The last time he was a free agent, right after the Sox won the 2005 World Series, Konerko waited until Nov. 30 before he spurned a slightly better offer from the Los Angeles Angels and returned to the South Side with a five-year, $60 million deal.

There's no big rush for Konerko to sign this time, either.

While the White Sox appear to have the edge in the P.K. Sweepstakes, here is a look at the rest of the field that will be tempting him:

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Snakes make sense, for two reasons.

First, Konerko lives in nearby Scottsdale and playing close to home would be a big bonus for his family.

Second, Arizona declined its $7.5 million option on Adam LaRoche for next season, so they need a first baseman.

But, according to a report in the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks are not likely to pursue Konerko because of the high cost and concerns with his defense.

San Francisco Giants

The World Series champions have Aubrey Huff at first base, but they like Konerko, and he is a free agent who has yet to receive a contract offer.

There has been some talk of the Giants re-signing Huff and moving him to the outfield, which would make it possible to add Konerko.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have long been big fans of the White Sox' slugger, and Konerko and manager Mike Scioscia still are tight from their days with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1990s.

Los Angeles does have Kendry Morales coming back from a broken leg, but he also could play outfield and split time with Konerko at designated hitter.

Boston Red Sox

Konerko was born in Providence, R.I. and still has plenty of family in New England.

The Red Sox picked up designated hitter David Ortiz's option, and they also have Kevin Youkilis returning at first base.

Youkilis, however, could move back to third base in the wake of Adrian Beltre's departure to open a spot for Konerko at first.

Cubs

Hey, if Ryne Sandberg was an alleged candidate for the White Sox' bench coach job, which is no longer available after Joey Cora was passed over for the Brewers' managerial opening, anything is possible.

And the Cubs do need a first baseman, although Konerko might be too pricey for a team looking to get rid of payroll.

The Rangers, Dodgers, Mariners, Orioles and Blue Jays are other teams that might be interested in Konerko, but none appears to be a good fit.