What...that is a steal for the Padres.

Great signing of one of the most underrated players in the game, even when he was the top free agent this winter.

I'm a Yankees fan, but I'm glad to see Giles back with the Padres. I don't think they ever had a real shot at him, and if that's the case, then at least with SD he's at home in an atmosphere that doesn't smother him and with a team that is pretty decent.

When will we hear the players association get mad that Giles and Konerko gave their teams discounts?

i give giles and ESPECIALLY konerko ABSOLUTELY ZERO credit for their supposed 'home town discounts.' giles may be worth $30mil, but konerko, who has no defensive skill, no speed, no versatility, and little chance of increasing productivity over this contract is not worth $60mil in this market or any other. im not saying i'd pass up the money (geez, if it's offered then take it!), but it's hardly a bargain for the white sox.

if konerko is worth $12mil/year, then furcal must be worth closer to carlos delgado money for playing shortstop and bringing other (aka: real baseball) skills to the field.

Well if you could make near the same amount of money to live in San Diego, most of us would take it.

Konerko's contract isn't a bargain, but he's worth more money at U.S. Cellular than he would in other markets and ballparks.

Giles has to be giving a discount, though, because I'm sure if he had turned around and said to the NYY, pay me more and I'm yours, it would have happened. Or St. Louis, for that matter.

i give giles and ESPECIALLY konerko ABSOLUTELY ZERO credit for their supposed 'home town discounts.'

Why does Konerko not get credit for turning down Baltimore's larger offer?

wwewwwwwww.... thought his kids would starve or something.

glad to see he did not sign with the hated dodgers.

when are the padres going to deal burroughs and dave roberts to the red soxs for david wells?

i give konerko no credit b/c baltimore's offer was only 0.0833% larger. some discount. here's a scenario that would make me plotz and set up a church in his honor:

--konerko rejects baltimore's 65m offer and takes 5yr/40m from chicago, telling kwilliams to spend the extra 25 on other good players so they can win again.

i'm just wondering (and maybe totally offbase): if a great player is someone who can make others around him better, can taking less salary to improve the personnel on the team make one a better teammate??

If they did what was right for them, be it more $ or staying in a comfortable place, good for them. Thome may teach Konerko a little D. As for Brian Giles, I fear it means that Marcus may be headed west in a year. Seems to want to play with his big brother.