Konerko: Playoffs not necessary for success

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Through the years, Paul Konerko has given thought-provoking answers to even the most obtuse questions.

While always providing unexpected and welcome insight, Konerko has rarely — if ever — opened the door for controversy.

And that leads us to Tuesday morning's press briefing at Camelback Ranch.

Less than two hours after checking into the White Sox' training camp and hitting the field for spring training's first full-squad workout, Konerko dropped a bombshell.

The White Sox captain was asked about general manager Kenny Williams' “rebuilding” work during the off-season, and Konerko put his unique spin on the organization's change in direction.

“I think this year this team is different than a lot of teams we've had recently,” Konerko said. “I hope I don't throw anybody off with this, but this can be a very successful year without making the playoffs.”

Wait … what?

Was the ultracompetitive Konerko giving a concession speech on the first full day of spring training? Or, was he trying to take the pressure off a team that badly underachieved in 2011 and is heading into the upcoming season with little or no expectations?

Actually, Konerko accurately portrayed the White Sox' new direction.

There still are plenty of veteran players on the roster — Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski, Jake Peavy, Adam Dunn, Alex Rios, Matt Thornton — but Williams piled up pitching prospects this winter while declining to add any big-name talent.

“We're starting with a whole new staff, a whole new era here,” Konerko said. “I think you can start building something now.

“Teams here the last handful of years, it's been try real hard to win and you fail then come back next year and try again from a totally different angle. I think what is happening here is they're trying to build something that's a little more sustainable.

“My point is, if we go out and compete this year and it doesn't happen, you see this with some other teams in the league that they kind of pick up the next year with that momentum that they built from the year before.

“That's why I said it could be successful.”

It was as if Konerko could instantly see the blaring headlines when he said the White Sox could be successful without making the playoffs.

That is why the savvy first baseman expanded on his initial statement.

“I'm not conceding anything,” Konerko said. “In today's game, there's way too many teams — especially now there's (almost) another wild-card spot — there are all kinds of different things that are available to make the playoffs, and there seems to be more parity.

“I think with a lot of the young guys we have, you have to throw that into the equation that if we don't make the playoffs, but if we do all right and go out and compete well and you look at the end of the year and (Brent) Morel had a really good year and (Gordon) Beckham's had a good year and Addison Reed …

“Those are all good signs that it's moving in the right direction, so that, in my mind, (the season) can be a success.

“But, again, you don't concede anything. You go out and play hard. There's a very fine line between those teams that finish in first place and then second or third, so who knows?”

Konerko's statement is sure to be greeted with anger by some White Sox fans, many of whom still are disgusted by last season's 79-83 showing.

New manager Robin Ventura agreed with Konerko, to a point.

“I know what he means,” Ventura said. “He's talking about the expectations from the outside of us being young and not even being in contention. If we play well, play good team baseball, we can be. But we're obviously looking for more than just that. He's looking at it matter of factly.

“But he wants more than that, too. Sometimes there's nothing you can do about it. He wants to win, too. I get what he's saying.”

sgregor@dailyherald.com