White Sox 2009: Paul Konerko

He posted back-to-back sub-.260, sub-100-RBI seasons, showing he was no longer fit for the middle of the Sox lineup, but with few viable options, that's where Konerko spent most of '09. That said, Konerko rebounded and put together a quality season.

Like the White Sox as a whole, Konerko tailed off in the second half, but still finished batting .277 with 28 homers, 30 doubles and 88 RBIs while playing 152 games. Nothing spectacular, but you won't find spectacular anywhere on the '09 White Sox.

Close to spectacular was Konerko's glove.

Typically, the less a first baseman is tested, the better the defense. That should saya lot about Konerko. Always underrated on defense, Konerko was able to showcase his D time and time again this season thanks to a young, transitioning infield. With a pair of rookies at second (Chris Getz and Jayson Nix), the 2008 second baseman at short (Alexei Ramirez), and the once future shortstop at third (Gordon Beckham), Konerko was a vital part to the Sox defense, saving them from Washington National-embarrassment territory.

Going Forward

With Jim Thome gone and Jermaine Dye close to it, Konerko is a safe bet to return. While he isn't anywhere close to the hitter he was three years ago, he's still a productive bat and ideal further down in the order. And with the Sox getting younger, they could use some veterans in the clubhouse. Then again, Kenny Williams may be looking to makeover the Sox offense and get rid of the down and out attitude the team had.

With team staggering down the stretch and time running out, Konerko (the longest tenured White Sox) showed no sense of urgency, downplaying the importance of every game. That side of Konerko embodied the White Sox down the stretch, and needs to change going forward, with or without Konerko.