Konerko Staying With Champion White Sox

CHICAGO - Paul Konerko covered all the bases — on and off the field. The slugging first baseman was an offensive force as the Chicago White Sox won their first World Series title since 1917. After the season, he became a free agent and promised to thoroughly explore all options available to him on the market — and that's what he did.


All things considered, and after a process he acknowledged was a lot more stressful than expected, Konerko found the lucrative and fair deal that made the most sense: right back in the place he considered leaving. On Wednesday, Konerko agreed to a five-year, $60 million deal to return to the World Series champs.

The Angels and Orioles made generous offers, but in the end — after the White Sox added a fifth year to the deal — he knew where he would be most comfortable.

"It's a simple as where your heart is," Konerko said. "That's what brought me back."

So did the potential of winning another World Series or at least competing for one. And the addition last week of Jim Thome to bat behind him was a big lure.

"The best recruiting move the White Sox could do was bringing him in," said Konerko, adding that Thome has been someone he'd looked up to since beginning his major league career.

The trade for Thome proved to Konerko that general manager Ken Williams was ready to improve an offense that was inconsistent at times last season, despite 40 homers and 100 RBIs from Konerko.

Konerko, 29, kept it up in the postseason. He was MVP of the AL championship series win over the Angels after hitting two homers and seven RBIs. He hit a go-ahead grand slam in Game 2 of the World Series sweep over Houston, and finished the postseason with five homers and 15 RBIs.

But his popularity and dealings with his teammates were also important.

"Relationships made this deal happen," Konerko said. "You have family, all things came into play. ... At the end of the day, `OK, I'm a baseball player and where am I going to feel the best?'"

Konerko's decision and last week's acquisition of Thome from Philadelphia could mean the end of Frank Thomas' career with the White Sox. Thomas, a two-time AL MVP, became a free agent after Chicago declined a 2006 option.

Williams said he needed to talk with Thomas before announcing any decision about the first baseman/designated hitter, but his chances of returning now are slim.

A two-time All-Star, Konerko had an $8.75 million base salary last season, then became a free agent after the Series. Last offseason, Chicago decided not to discuss an extension.

His new deal calls for him to receive $12 million annually. Chicago agreed to a limited no-trade clause that states he can't be dealt to six specified teams without his permission.

"He had a hard time turning down the chance to go back and try to win another championship in Chicago," his agent Craig Landis said. "He has loyalty to his teammates and to the fans there and feels very wanted, not just by the White Sox organization but by the whole city of Chicago. He felt that that could not be matched in other cities."

He might have gotten more money elsewhere. The Angels offered just over $60 million for five years, and Orioles proposed a $65 million, five-year deal.

"When that offer was rejected late yesterday, we expected the talks to be ongoing," said Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan, who wouldn't confirm the figure. "But we sensed earlier today that he was headed back to Chicago."

The Angels were an attractive alternative. He worked with manager Mike Scioscia when both were in the Dodgers' organization and Los Angeles is close to his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., as is the Angels' spring training complex in Tempe. He was even ready to be a designated hitter if he joined Los Angeles, which met with him Monday and Tuesday.

When he made the decision, Konerko personally phoned the Angels to deliver the news.

"I knew that we were pretty attractive to him, very attractive to him," Angels GM Bill Stoneman said. "I also knew it would be very tough for any player to leave a club that he won a World Series championship with, a club he'd been with for seven years."

Chicago adding a a fifth year sealed the deal.

"We had to go to a fifth year," Williams said. "Obviously we did not start out there, but kudos and hats off to Paul for keeping us first and foremost in his mind."

Konerko said he was looking ahead when he made his decision, not behind.

"In the end, it was not because we won the World Series last year, but because we can win one this year," he said.

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AP Sports Writers David Ginsburg in Baltimore, John Nadel in Los Angeles and Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.