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OFFSEASON PLAYER MOVEMENT

Player signed	Player lost
LHP Kelly Wunsch (re-signed)	SS Royce Clayton (free agent)
DH Frank Thomas (re-signed)
Acquired via trade	Players traded
RHP Billy Koch, two minor-league players (Athletics)	RHP Keith Foulke, C Mark Johnson, RHP Joe Valentine and cash

Complete Player Movement

Big Hurt coming back


	Thomas

Frank Thomas will stay in Chicago after all, agreeing with the White Sox on a one-year contract with three mutual options Dec. 6. Thomas tested the free-agent market for the first time in his career after the team invoked a contract clause that allowed them to defer most of his $10 million salary. However, with the market tighter than in recent years and the luxury tax looming, there was little interest in the two-time MVP. "We have never lost sight of what Frank Thomas has meant to this organization over the past 13 seasons and are pleased to have reached this agreement," said owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

Gammons: Diamond notes

Big relief: Sox acquire Koch


	Koch had 44 saves in 50 opportunities last season.

The White Sox acquired closer Billy Koch from the Athletics on Dec. 3 in a six-player trade. In exchange for Koch and two minor leaguers, the White Sox will send the A's relief pitcher Keith Foulke, catcher Mark Johnson and minor league right-hander Joe Valentine. The Athletics also receive cash in the deal. Both Koch and Foulke are established major league closers, although Foulke lost his job early in the 2002 season. Koch was 11-4 with 44 saves and a 3.27 ERA in his lone season with Oakland, appearing in an AL-high 84 games. Koch had a $2.35 million base salary this season and made $150,000 in performance bonuses. He's eligible for salary arbitration this year, and his salary is likely to double.

Konerko's reward: $23M
First baseman Paul Konerko, who had his first 100-RBI season and made the AL All-Star team for the first time, agreed to a $23 million, three-year contract with the White Sox on Nov. 14. "Any time a team is going to go and offer you a multiyear deal, whether it be three or four years, they're saying they are committed to you and believe in you," said Konerko, who batted a career-high .304 with 27 home runs and 104 RBIs in 151 games last season. "It's me saying I don't want to go anywhere else, I'm happy where I'm at."

NEWS AND NOTES

The Brewers signed SS Royce Clayton to a one-year, $1.5 million deal Dec. 11.
LH reliever Kelly Wunsch and the White Sox agreed Nov. 26 to a $575,000, one-year contract, more than double his $285,000 salary last season.
OF Aaron Rowand underwent successful surgery Nov. 13 for injuries he received in an off-road dirt bike accident earlier in the month. After rehabilitation, Rowand is expected to be ready for the start of spring training in February at Tucson, Ariz.
OF Magglio Ordonez won a Silver Slugger award Nov. 5. The award honors the best offensive players at each position in each league and was voted on by major league managers and coaches.

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AUDIO/VIDEO
Video Two Wrongs
Paul Konerko doesn't think it was right to call-out Frank Thomas in public.
Standard | Cable Modem

Frankly Speaking
White Sox slugger Frank Thomas clears the air about his recent frustrations.
Standard | Cable Modem

Too Late?
Paul Konerko questions the team commitment of veteran teammate Frank Thomas.
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"He is the greatest offensive player in the history of this franchise, and his career certainly is of Hall of Fame caliber."
– Owner Jerry Reinsdorf on re-signing Frank Thomas

2002 AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
TEAM	W	L	PCT	GB
Minnesota	94	67	.584	-
Chicago	81	81	.500	13.5
Cleveland	74	88	.457	20.5
Kansas City	62	100	.383	32.5
Detroit	55	106	.342	39.0
Complete Standings

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ON THE FARM

Minor league affiliates:
Charlotte Knights (AAA):
    Sched./Results | Stats | Official Site
Birmingham Barons (AA):
    Sched./Results | Stats | Official Site
Winston-Salem Warthogs (A):
    Stats | Official Site
Kannapolis Intimidators (A):
    Stats | Official Site
Bristol White Sox (R):
    Official Site
Arizona White Sox (R)


AVG	M. Ordonez	.320
HR	M. Ordonez	38
RBI	M. Ordonez	135
RUN	M. Ordonez	116
SB	K. Lofton	22
WIN	M. Buehrle	19
SV	2 tied @	11
ERA	M. Buehrle	3.58
Complete Team Statistics: Batting \| Pitching


C	M. Olivo	ROTATION
1B	P. Konerko	M. Buehrle
2B	W. Harris	D. Wright
3B	J. Crede	J. Garland
SS	D. Jimenez	R. Biddle
LF	C. Lee	J. Rauch
CF	A. Rowand	CLOSER
RF	M. Ordonez	A. Osuna
DH	F. Thomas

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Dec 7: Agreed to terms with designated hitter Frank Thomas on a one-year contract with three mutual option years.
Dec 3: Acquired pitcher Billy Koch and two players to be named later for pitchers Keith Foulke and Joe Valentine, catcher Mark Johnson and cash considerations.
Complete Team Transactions


No significant injuries.