Despite the poor season, I still think this move can’t hurt the White Sox. Unless the White Sox can find a way to unload Adam Dunn and his large contract, Konerko is expected to fill the role of part-time designated hitter and clubhouse mentor. With free-agent signing of Cuban defector Jose Abreu, Konerko probably won’t see much time at first base. Instead, Konerko and Dunn will likely split DH duties with Konerko facing left-handed pitchers.
White Sox fans might scoff at the notion of having over $17
million invested in a platoon, but honestly it is probably the best they can do
with Dunn still on the roster.
Let’s take a look and see how a potential platoon might work
out.
In 2013, Konerko was
his usual self versus southpaws by hitting .313 with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs in
just 99 at-bats. Likewise, Konerko’s .226 average and .290 on-base percentage
against righties suggests that his time as an everyday player might be over.
Konerko’s success versus lefties also means that White Sox
fans don’t have to watch Adam Dunn hit .197 and carry a .296 OBP versus
left-handed pitching. Ideally, with a platoon, the White Sox will maximize each player’s skills into production. In fact, if you put Konerko’s stats versus lefties and Dunn’s stats against righties together, it is pretty solid stat-line for 502 at-bats. In 2013, the duo would have accounted for a .243 average, .341 OBP, 33 home runs, and 80 RBIs. That stat-line might not be all-star caliber, but it is probably a lot better than either one can produce as an everyday player at this stage of their respective careers.
For an additional $2.5 million, the White Sox could do much
worse than bringing back Paul Konerko.
-Eric TichelbautFollow me on Twitter @etichel07
No comments:
Post a Comment