Now Konoerko doesn't put up the type of numbers to justify that amount of money. Although I happen to think they will in fact improve as his walk rate went up dramatically and he has a very simple swing that I think will age well. Even still, Ithink the Sox would be able to get more for their money by not signing him for $13m, but the "fan" in me wants see Paulie in a Sox uniform next year. Anything over that amount and the Sox will have to let him walk. I hope it doesn't come to that.
Salaries in RED are my best guess at the final free agent/arbitration numbers. I think the table shows that Sox do have some flexibilty to trade some salaries and fill some holes. The main thing missing from the roster below is a dependable backup for Uribe.
2006 ROSTER
| Position Players | DH/Bench | Rotation | Bullpen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierzynski c $4m | Thomas DH $4m | Buehrle lhp $7.65m | Jenks rhp $350K |
| Konerko 1b $13m | Borchard of $500K | Contreras rhp $9m | Hermanson rhp $3m |
| Iguchi 2b $2.4m | Ozuna if $500K | Garland rhp $6m | Cotts lhp $1m |
| Crede 3b $2.5m | Harris if $400K | Garcia rhp $9m | Politte rhp $1.2m |
| Uribe ss $3.15m | Widger c $650k | McCarthy rhp $350K | Marte lhp $2.5m |
| Podesdnik lf $1.9m | Gload DH $400k | Hernandez rhp $4.5m | |
| Anderson cf $335k | |||
| Dye rf $5m | |||
| TOTAL $32.3m | TOTAL $6.4m | TOTAL $32m | TOTAL $12.6m |
| OVERALL | PAYROLL: | $83.3m |
