Trade rumor not a concern for Konerko

Paul Konerko came close to signing a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels after helping the White Sox win the 2005 World Series.

The White Sox' captain has been linked to the Angels in numerous trade rumors through the years, so he's not fazed by the latest speculation that started brewing immediately after L.A. first baseman Kendry Morales fractured his leg Saturday while celebrating a walk-off grand slam.

"I feel it's unfortunate what happened to Kendry," Konerko said. "He's having a great year. As far as anything else besides that, it has nothing to do with me. It's Angels business; it's not mine.

"Other than the times we're playing them, I always pull for the Angels because I had all those coaches and managers, minor-league coaches and managers. So I'll always pull for those guys.

"But other than that, the rumors and trade things fall into the category of contracts. And that's a nonissue with me. A nonentity in my day."

Konerko is in the final year of his contract with the Sox, and he has had the right to veto any deal since becoming a 10-and-5 player in April 2008.

Sox general manager Kenny Williams reiterated on Tuesday that he's not looking to move any players, but the rumors are likely to persist since Konerko is going to be a free agent at the end of the season.

"My stance is that I don't answer any questions on any of that," Konerko said. "It's that simple. I feel bad for (Morales). They said he'd get back this year. Hopefully, for his sake, he does.

"I'm sure he doesn't want to go out on that note because he was having a good year. But again, as far as anything that deals with trades and contracts and all that, I have nothing to say about it."

As for asking his players to stop celebrating walk-off hits - should they have any - Williams is not going to lay down any laws.

"These guys would think I'm crazy if I told them not to celebrate when they do something well," the GM said.