Konerko has already indicated that he will expplore the options open to him and money will not be the only consideration. He's looking for the best situation for himself and his family. He said that it's possible the highest offer could come from the Sox and he might still sign elsewhere. Obviously he has but a few years left in his career. If he's smart (which I think he is) he recognizes that the Sox will be hard pressed to beat the Twins for the A.L. Central division title in the next couple of years. He knows the wild card will likely come from the 2nd place finisher in the A.L. East as well, so chances for post-season play on the South side is not outstanding. He re-signed with the Sox after the World Series, with the expectation the Sox might have the chance to win another title. But now the situation is very different. I don't expect he will be with the Sox in 2011.

I don't see how he goes to the NL. Yeah, he can still play a pretty solid first base, but I can't see that lasting more than a season or so. I also think that he can stay a viable 1st baseman longer if he is able to DH 7-10 times a month.

Come on, Steve. You know that isn't how baseball works. We can bet whatever you want that the Twins don't win the Central the next two seasons. And I'm not suggesting the Sox will either. It's just not something that's so easy to predict. I can tell you one thing. I don't think the Sox are going to have a losing record vs. the Central next season. So they've improved right there already.

If I'm reading between the lines correctly, I don't believe Konerko's "best situation" has the slightest thing to do with playing on the team most likely to win. And I don't think he can find a team to pay him that's more likely to win than the White Sox anyhow. I believe location is what he's referring to. He lives in Scottsdale and his wife may prefer a Western team. That's all. I certainly don't think the Diamondbacks have a better chance to win than the White Sox. And I don't think they'll pay more either. But he could end up there.

Let's not forget that Joe Fan didn't exactly fill U.S. Cellular Field as much as they have in recent years

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, who will be back on FOX's MLB coverage starting October 16th for the National League Championship Series, was a guest this morning with 670 The SCORE's "Mully & Hanley" as he has been all season.

Rosenthal feels that the White Sox will work something out with Paul Konerko, but believes that Anthony John Pierzynski's on the way out despite huge questions about Tyler Flowers and the White Sox' catching situation moving forward. Let's not forget that Joe Fan didn't exactly fill U.S. Cellular Field as much as they have in recent years and there are supposed budget constraints that'll play factors in whether the Sox will break the bank to keep Konerko and/or Pierzynski in silver & black uniforms next year and beyond.

Kenny Williams crying poor before buying big players in August is becoming as perennial as the Brian Roberts to the Cubs trade.

For a team with "budget concerns," they sure like piling on tons of payroll at the deadline in quixotic attempts to beat the Twins. Kenny Williams crying poor before buying big players in August is becoming as perennial as whispering that Konerko is going to the Angels.

Are you saying that the White Sox only won because they played at home in 2007?

Was it wrong of the White Sox to add payroll in an attempt to win a division title and make the playoffs?

Do you have a statistical basis for that

Yes.

Yes. It has been a desperate ploy to keep people coming to the ballpark in September despite superior teams in the division. In the Sox organization would take more than a week-by-week view of their prospects, the team would be immeasurably stronger.

You got me! It was the 2008 team that won one game at the Metrodome all season, won a coinflip, then snuck past the Twins at home and won their 89th game. Good call, Frank!

[If the Twins bats were able to muster up a few more runs against those mighty Royals (whom they were playing IN the Metrodome), the play-in game never would have happened.

They were 1-8 at the Metrodome in 2007, and won a one run game to go to the playoffs. Yes, the White Sox won because they benefited from a rule so stupid that MLB immediately amended it.

In hindsight, the division was still clearly up for grabs.

So are you saying that playing at home in a playoff type situation is a "significant advantage"?