Winter Meetings Kindle Baseball Fever

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File

By: Angie Wiatrowski

Snow has fallen, the weather is cold, but the stove is hot as baseball is in the air. Yes, baseball. The winter meetings have wrapped up and have made quite the buzz in this sport-loving town. Let’s begin from the bottom up. Geographically that is.

The South Side has welcomed back their captain. Fan favorite and 12-year White Sox veteran Paul Konerko inked a three-year, $37.5 million deal. Under the terms of the deal, Konerko will receive $12 million in 2011 and 2012 and $13.5 million in 2013 and $1 million annually from 2014-2020.

With Konerko back, Dunn will take the DH spot. Concerns were raised after the first baseman was signed, but now the South Side can be put to ease.
Konerko ranks second in White Sox history behind Frank Thomas with 358 career home runs, 1,127 RBIs and 701 extra-base hits. He is tied for third with 335 doubles and is fifth with 950 runs scored.

Now let’s head up North. The Cubs and free-agent first baseman Carlos Pena agreed to terms on a one-year, $10 million deal Tuesday. Nothing compared to the cash the Sox just dealt out, but a move is a move during the winter meetings.

Pena will get a chance to re-establish himself, considering he only maintains a .195 batting average. Pena also had plantar fasciitis in his foot last season, obviously affecting his performance. The Cubs are hoping hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo can improve his average and make it worth Jim Hendry’s money.

The Cubs have lacked left-handed power for years, and hope Pena can improve enough to switch things around. Pena hit .196 with a .325 on-base percentage with 28 home runs and 84 RBIs. Between 2007 and 2009 the slugger averaged 39 homers and 109 RBI per season with Tampa Bay.