Sox counting on another big year from Konerko
Ask Paul Konerko where he ranks among American League first basemen and he'd probably say last.
Ask him about his remarkable 2010 season, in which he batted .312 with 39 home runs, 111 RBI, a .393 on-base percentage and .584 slugging percentage, and he changes the topic to the upcoming year.
“Any moment I spend thinking about that kind of stuff ... that to me is directly being selfish to my teammates,” Konerko said at the White Sox' training camp in Glendale, Ariz., last weekend. “That would mean I'm not focusing on doing what I should be doing today and winning today's game.”
Still wondering why Konerko has been the Sox' captain since the 2006 season?
“I think at first he was a little uncomfortable being captain,” hitting coach Greg Walker said. “He's not one of those rah-rah kind of guys, and I think that's how a lot of people were expecting him to be. But he's developed into a great, great leader.
“Last year, he was phenomenal. People don't see it when the clubhouse doors are closed, but he was there for everybody. Guys that were struggling, he'd talk to them, take them out to lunch or dinner. And he had the great year, too.”
Can he do it again?
That's the key question as Konerko returns to the White Sox with a three-year, $37.5 million contract.
Considering he turns 35 on Saturday, there are plenty of skeptics that believe Konerko will start his inevitable decline this season and carry it through 2013.
Konerko has heard the aging theories, and he's aware that some believe the Sox were foolish to give him a third year on the new contract.
Let's just say he doesn't spend too much time at night tossing and turning.
“I don't think he's heading for the downside, not at all,” Walker said. “He is still preparing the same as he always does, and you know he's not going to cheat himself. Paulie is still one of the best fastball hitters I've ever seen, and the one positive is he's not hanging on to bad at-bats like he did when he was younger.
“Can he have another season like last year? I don't see why not.”
More protection?
For lengthy stretches in 2010, especially early and late, Konerko was basically a one-man offense for the White Sox.
The rotating designated hitter plan that featured Mark Kotsay and Andruw Jones failed miserably, and Carlos Quentin was too banged up to provide Konerko adequate protection in the lineup.
This year, left-hander masher Adam Dunn is on board, and the Sox are expecting another big season out of Alex Rios and for Quentin to stay healthy and put up numbers like he did in 2008 (.288, 36 HR, 100 RBI in 130 games).
“It's on paper and doesn't mean anything until you go out and do it,” Konerko said. “You have to go out and it all has to click together. We felt good about our lineup leaving here last year and we didn't get it going, so there is always work and an unknown about how things are going to transpire.
“Last year the talk was that there was no big left-handed bat, there was no real DH. There was talk. This year there isn't anything you can point a finger at and say we're really deficient in that area, so I guess that feels good.”
Here's the catch
Konerko had a -13.9 UZR last season, the worst defensive rating of his career.
You have to wonder about the stat considering Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano checked in with a +5.4 UZR in 2010, but that's a story for another day.
Konerko has never had great range at first base, but he gets to most balls he should and few American League first basemen are better at scooping errant throws in the dirt.
The bigger problem at first base is likely to be Dunn, who is expected to play the position once or twice a week.
AL's top first basemen
<B>Scot Gregor's rankings:
1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2. Paul Konerko, White Sox
3. Mark Teixeira, Yankees</B>