A.J. Pierzynski Declined Salary Arbitration

The Chicago White Sox have declined salary arbitration to their starting catcher, A.J. Pierzynski. Interestingly, they did offer arbitration for Konerko and Putz. A.J. seemed hopeful about coming to an understanding with the management and staying with the White Sox. I hope they do. If not, he may be headed to Texas. The Rangers' catcher Molina was also declined salary arbitration after hinting at retirement. The Rangers were looking to sign Pierzynski last May, they now might have the chance. Another possible new home for Pierzynski would be Boston. The Red Sox lost another White Sox possible replacement for Pierzynski, Victor Martinez, to Detroit earlier. Now that Martinez is out of the picture it looks like the White Sox will either sign A.J. or go with Molina, assuming Molina wants to.

White Sox Offer Arbitration to Konerko & Putz

The Chicago White Sox have offered both Paul Konerko and J.J. Putz salary arbitraion before Tuesday's deadline. This is good news for White Sox fans hoping to keep Konerko. I assume Konerko will be offered a hefty salary increase and J.J.'s will undoubtedly increase as well. Both are well deserved, Konerko more so just because he is the senior member of the team and a leader. Each player has the option to decline and consider other offers before November 30th. Hopefully that date comes sooner rather than later. Apparently the Arizona Diamondbacks have expressed interest in Konerko. It would be a shame to see his possibly last season end with another team.

The White Sox have declined arbitration to two players, A.J. Pierzynski and Manny Ramirez. A.J. needs to stay with the Sox, Manny on the other hand...good riddance!

Paul Konerko Finished 5th in AL MVP

White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko apparently finished fifth in the AL MVP race this year. Unfortunately the award went to the Texas Rangers' outfielder Josh Hamilton, I'm sure it was well deserved. I didn't really follow Texas baseball this year.

Konerko was the only White Sox player to be seen on the ballot this year, he was on 27 out of the 28; he received four fourth place votes. Not bad I guess. I thought it would be a lot closer than that considering Konerko's 39 home runs and 111 batted in. Interestingly, Jim Thome received two tenth place votes. Maybe next year.

White Sox to Play Cubs in Exhibition

The Chicago White Sox have been scheduled to play the Chicago Cubs on two dates during their Spring training sessions. There are only two dates, both of which are in March of 2011. March 11th and March 24th, both at 1PM local time.

Their first exhibition game will be on February 28th versus the L.A. Dodgers.

I can't wait for baseball season!

Mark Buehrle is Award Second Straight Gold Glove!

Mark Buehrle has been awarded his second straight Gold Glove for the 2010 season. Congratulations! You may remember Mark Buehrle's amazing play, where he chased a ball that bounced off his foot. His through-the-leg throw to Konerko can been seen here: MLB.com. This play along with others have made many believe, including myself, that Buehrle is one of the, if not the, best fielding pitchers ever to play professional baseball. Not to mention the 1,847 & 2/3 innings he has pitched resulting in 122 wins.

Bad news, though, concerning Mark Buuhrle, he may be considering retirement after the 2011 season. Apparently he has been thinking about retiring after next season when his contract is up. It seems he is concerned about being with his family, similar to the debacle concerning the White Sox's contract with Konerko. Whatever happens at least he retire a White Sox player rather than anything else.

White Sox May Bring Back Free Agents

The Chicago White Sox say they are open to bringing back most of the players who are going free-agent this season. I hope they do. They have already signed Omar Vizquel to a one-year deal for $1.75 million this week Tuesday. Among those who I hope return are Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski. Pierzynski and the White Sox have already been talking and are seemingly on the same page, at least both are open to talks.

Paul Konerko, however, is a different story. He is a great payer; he ended last season with 39 homeruns, 111 batted in and a batting average of .312. Not to mention he has been with the White Sox for over a decade. It would terrible to lose him, he is a great mid-order batter and his first base skills are unsurpassed. He was here when we won the World Series and, at this point in his career, I bet he is looking to win another one then retire. Apparently the Arizona D-Backs have expressed interest in Konerko. Now that Paul Konerko has a young family, he must consider them when deciding where to go, and being that his family resides in Scottsdale, AZ, that may be a viable option for him.

I hope he stays with the White Sox for one more season.

A.J. Pierzynski Willing to Return in 2011

The Chicago White Sox and A.J. Pierzynski have been in talks to decide whether or not he will be a part of the White Sox organization next year.

"The door has not been shut by me or by them. There are no hard feelings from me toward them, and I hope there's none from them toward me. Something still could be done, but if not, hopefully there's another team who will want me."

-MLB.com

Pierzynski is scheduled to go on as a free agent, but says he isn't really entertaining other offers yet. He has been with the White Sox since 2005 when they won the World Series and maintains a career .284 batting average with 120 home runs. Last season his batting average was .364 from mid-August to the end of the season, which was the best in the American League. Not to mention he has 1,000 innings caught for the past nine seasons.

Both sides seem to be open to making a deal. I hope they do. I like Castro just fine, he seems to hit better, but there's just something about Pierzynski that says baseball. He likes to call plays before the umpire does, and he is right all the time. He knows his stuff and new or younger players can learn from him.