White Sox Place Konerko On Waivers

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 13, 2013 8:45PM

Hell just froze over at 35th and Shields, White Sox fans. The team, which at this point is barely playing for pride, placed popular captain Paul Konerko on waivers Monday in the hopes a ballclub looking for a veteran presence in a pennant race will pick up the remaining $3.25 million of Konerko's salary.

Fox Sports MLB columnist Ken Rosenthal broke the news through—where else—Twitter. Rosenthal noted Konerko could clear waivers Wednesday if no team claims him, making him available to any team. Konerko does have the right to refuse a trade because he has 10-and-five rights under MLB's collective bargaining agreement. The question is would any team be interested in picking up a player who is a shadow of his former self.

Konerko is hitting .243 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs in an injury-plagued 2013 season and has battled wrist injuries in recent years, even as he maintained his high production numbers. Konerko is at the end of a three-year, $37.5 million contract, will be 38 next season and may not be in the Sox' rebuilding plans.