I was a little bit surprised to see the story splashed across the top of the Chicago Tribune sports section on Monday morning. I think the decision on this was pretty obvious. It really wasn't big news.
Qualifying offers are for one year and $14.1 million. Why $14.1 million, you ask? Well, that's the average of the highest 125 contracts in baseball. That's how they arrive at that figure, and obviously, neither Konerko nor Floyd is worth that kind of money at this stage of their respective careers.
Konerko, 37, is mulling retirement after a lackluster 2013 campaign in which he batted just .244 with a career-low 12 home runs and 54 RBIs.
Floyd, 30, is recovering from Tommy John surgery after going 0-4 with a 5.18 ERA in just five starts in 2013. It has been assumed for months that Floyd has thrown his last pitch in a Sox uniform.
Both players are free agents and are now able to sign with any team. If they do, the White Sox will not receive draft pick compensation as the result of their decision not to extend a qualifying offer.
I'm not sure we'll see either guy back with the Sox. Konerko might just retire now that there's no full-time work at first base or DH. Floyd, despite coming off an injury, might entice someone with a greater need for pitching to offer him more money than the Sox would.
ReplyDeleteIn Floyd's case, I wonder when he'll be ready to return to the mound. When he had surgery, they were talking 14 to 20 months. Whichever team signs him might not get anything from him until after the All-Star break, if anything at all.
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