Sox Worth More, Will They Spend More?

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 1, 2005 11:45PM

So, what's a World Series worth? Both Crain's Chicago Business and Forbes have tried to place a value on the White Sox post-World Championship. Crain's pegs their current valuation at $327 million, while Forbes lists the team at $300 million. Just last April, Forbes valued them at $262 million, but states the anticipated increases in TV rights, higher sponsorship fees and better ticket sales as reasons for the increased value.

Perhaps, then, Jerry Reinsdorf and his partners could loosen the purse strings a bit. Seeing as they've seen their team grow in value as a result of the World Series title, and continued contenders on the field should help them make their investment even more valuable. Maybe, they'll spend a bit more on next season's roster so we have a shot at returning to the World Series.

While Sox fans still have that afterglow from the World Series and Friday's parade celebrating the team, the front office has already begun planning for next season.

Even before Friday's ticker tape parade, Paul Konerko had filed for free agency. As a power hitting first baseman who hit 5 homers in the post season, he's expected to draw lots of interest. While Chicagoist doesn't believe he'll jump ship to a different team over a small difference in offer money, his big post season could create a bidding war like that for Carlos Beltran last off-season. How high will the White Sox go before folding?

In order to help free money to re-sign Konerko, Williams has already begun making tough decisions. While the team picked up the $1.2 million option on reliever Cliff Politte, they chose to buy out Carl Everett for $500,000. A favorite of Williams who was second on the team in RBI's, will they bring him back for less money than the $5 million his option would have guaranteed.

Frank Thomas also creates a tough decision. The greatest hitter in franchise history, he's been injured most of the past two season. He exercised the $10 million player option in his contract, meaning the Sox now have 5 days to either accept or pay out a $3.5 million buyout. Thomas wants to return, but the Sox certainly don't want to pay $10 million for him to do so. They'll probably pay the buyout and then possibly negotiate to bring him back if his foot checks out OK. Maybe we'll see Thomas or Everett back, but certainly not both. And neither will be re-signed before Konerko has made his decision.