You can remove Paul Konerko and Brian Giles from the list of available free agents - both have agreed to return to their current teams. Konerko agreed to a five-year, $60 million contract with the White Sox, while Giles has apparently agreed to terms on a three-year, $30 million deal with the Padres. Both teams have been active this offseason, with Chicago sending Aaron Rowand to Philadelphia for Jim Thome and San Diego sending Xavier Nady to the Mets for Mike Cameron, and getting their big free agents back will be important pieces to the puzzle if both teams are to win their divisions again in 2006.

By re-signing Konerko and acquiring Thome, it appears to signal the end of Frank Thomas's career with the White Sox. Thomas could still sign with the team, but with Konerko and Thome to split time at first base and designated hitter, that leaves no room in the everyday lineup for one of the best hitters in baseball history. I guess we'll have to wait to see now how the rest of the offseason plays out.

» Konerko re-signs with White Sox [mlb.com]
» Giles reaches agreement with Padres [mlb.com]

11:05 AM | (0)
file under: chicago white sox | san diego padres