Is Phil Roger's mind on the way out?

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune wrote this article regarding the futures of two Chicago baseball stars. Paul Konerko and Derrek Lee have become faces of their respective franchises through...well Phil will go into all of that. What he will not get into the a solid reason why these two aging stars should be given million dollar contracts as they move past their primes. How about you "Phil(PUN!!!)" us in:

In many ways, Paul Konerko and Derrek Lee have been the glue holding together Chicago's two Major League Baseball teams for a combined 17 seasons.

You know, fans have this way of looking at players like Lee and Konerko as though the franchise would stop if they left. I'm afraid Phil has fallen into that trap here. All this paragraph shows is that they are both getting close to retirement and probably on the downsides of their careers. Personally I think it short changes both of them, they weren't just good personalities, they were both really great players.

They are consummate pros and reliable run producers...

Oh, OK he covered it, thanks for making me look like a jerk Phil.

Yet neither is signed beyond 2010, and there has not been a clamor from either fan base for the White Sox or Cubs to assure their continued presence. At 33 and 34 respectively, Konerko and Lee have moved beyond their actuarial peaks.

Looks like the fan base is being more sensible than you are Phil. They respect what these players have done, but realize you have to move towards the future at some point.

They pose difficult decisions and theoretically huge risks for general managers Ken Williams and Jim Hendry, who aren't likely to give them three- or four-year deals at another $12 million or $13 million per year.

Let's hope not, as you just pointed out, they have moved past their peaks.

But you don't let players like these just walk away, not when there's a reasonable chance of playing high-stakes games in September and October. The White Sox and Cubs would be smart to approach Konerko and Lee with contract extensions — one-year deals at existing levels for 2011, possibly with vesting options that could trigger a second year at the same level in '12.

Assuming they would take such offers, how much would they be for Phil? I mean it's really easy to say, "you should give a player a contract" without saying how much they're worth. Also, as you yourself point out later in the article:

The White Sox have first base options in the high minors in Dayan Viciedo and left-handed-hitting Christian Marrero, who is poised for a breakout year. They also believe third baseman Brent Morel could get to the big leagues sometime in 2011, freeing up recently acquired Mark Teahen for a move to first base.

That makes it seem like it's a good opportunity to thank Konerko and send him on his way. Not hand him an extension and hold back two young players who are ready to shine.

When Konerko reached free agency four years ago, Reinsdorf didn't seem inclined to give him five years but realized the value when Konerko's quiet leadership and power hitting played a huge role in an 11-1 postseason run to the World Series crown.

Well, Reinsdorf was on a World Series high at that point and handed out contracts like they were...well White Sox tickets. Also, I'm pretty sure his power hitting had much more to do with that contract than his "quiet leadership."

Wear and tear, especially a series of hand injuries, has taken a toll on the White Sox captain in recent years. But on a team that ranked 12th in the American League in scoring, Konerko drove in 88 runs last year.

I would like to point out that in another section of this column, one that has nothing to do with this section, Phil talks about win shares. So I would expect someone who references win shares to realize that the counting stat "runs" is pretty much meaningless in this day and age. Also, the mentioning of wear and tear is another reason why the White Sox SHOULDN'T give him an extension.

The Cubs don't have as much depth behind Lee after trading Jake Fox to the A's in a deal that seemed as much about dumping Aaron Miles as adding reliever Jeff Gray.

That is an actual good reason to keep Lee. Way to go, 2nd to last paragraph and you've finally made a good point.

But you better believe Hendry knows all about the free-agent possibilities at first base the next two seasons: Adam Dunn and Carlos Pena after next year; possibly Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, Adrian Gonzalez and Lance Berkman after 2011.

That's a whole list of reasons to be saving you money and not spending it on players past their primes.

Konerko and Lee aren't likely to try to use their sterling reputations to pressure their teams into extensions. They aren't the game-playing types. But both enjoy Chicago and their standing in their organizations.

Great. They can come back and coach one day if they enjoy Chicago and their organizations so much.