It doesn't quite have the same rich history as "KONERKO TO THE ANGELS???" but free-agent flirtation with a cellar-dwelling AL East team is becoming a tradition in the same fashion.
In both his times on the open market, Paul Konerko received a "significant" offer from the Baltimore Orioles, according to XM Radio's Jim Bowden. You can add it to the list of eerie contract year similarities, such as a monster power output and a single-digit total of GIDPs.
Much like the last time, it probably has to be pretty significant to sway Konerko, because I don't see a lot of appeal otherwise. Baltimore has a chance of gaining traction, but Konerko's contract might be up by the time that happens.
*In other contract news, Alexei Ramirez officially opted out of his $1.1 million salary for 2011. The Sox will have ta week to decide whether to pick up his $2.75 million option, and it's probably safe to say that'll happen.
Ramirez's camp is amenable to a multi-year deal, but I'm thinking he's the kind of guy the Sox should go year-to-year with. He's already 29, and his offensive game is based around whipping his bat through the zone. Should he suffer any kind of wrist/hand injury or age sets in early, he'll need to make some major adjustments, and selectivity is the most difficult part of hitting to learn.
*And speaking of deadlines, the Sox are expected to non-tender Bobby Jenks later today. J.J. calls this "right but risky."
*Josh Phegley had his spleen removed in a bold attempt to overcome ITP. Best of luck to him.
*Jayson Stark says the Sox are open-minded with regards to trading Carlos Quentin, which kind-of-but-not-really conflicts with an earlier report saying the Sox aren't shopping him. There's no pressure to deal him, because he's still cheap enough to take one last stab at greatness, and he has two positions to choose from at this time. At the same time, he's not indispensable, either.
*I liked Jeff Passan's column pleading against an expanded postseason. Sadly, it makes sense for everything but the charm of the regular season. What irritates me is that I don't think this idea would have as strong a foothold if the Red Sox made the playoffs.
