INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- A.J. Pierzynski sounds as if hes more prepared to handle free agency this time around.
During a Wednesday morning appearance on the Golf Channel, the free agent catcher said his previous stint on the market two offseasons ago has him ready for the drawn-out process ahead. Pierzynski, who spent the past eight seasons with the White Sox, said unlike 2010, when he eventually returned to the South Siders on a two-year, 8 million deal, knows what to expect.
Its a long process, Pierzynski said. Your mom and aunts and uncles and friends call and say, Hey, you going to sign? You dont have a job yet. Mom, it just started a week ago and nobody signed yet. Its a long process and Ive been through it before, which helps me. The first time I went through it was a nightmare because I was expecting everyday, Where am I going to go? Where am I going to go? Ive learned now to just let it play out and youll end up where youre supposed to end up and itll be the right decision in the end.
With a limited amount of resources and a potential everyday replacement in Tyler Flowers, the White Sox will take a wait-and-see approach with Pierzynski. The veteran catcher hit a career-best 27 home runs last season and is one of the top free-agent options along with Mike Napoli at a premium position.
Rick Hahn said the club is in constant contact with all of its free agents and has said hed like all -- third baseman Kevin Youkilis and pitcher Brett Myers are also available -- to return. But Hahn understands Pierzynski and agent Steve Hilliard would like to explore their options.
Its just one of those things you have to let it play out, Pierzynski said. You cant get too wrapped up in it, too nervous. I speak with my agent every day or every couple days about who he has talked to and you just keep the information, get as informed as you can and let him work.
Asked where hed ideally like to land, Pierzynski acknowledge he loves the White Sox. The Florida-native also mentioned the Tampa Bay Rays. But his dream would be to play for the Atlanta Braves, though Pierzynski acknowledged its not a realistic option because the team recently picked up veteran Brian McCanns 2013 option.
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In a perfect situation, if there were no other deciding factors (money, another catcher), my ideal situation would be to play for the Braves, Pierzynski said. I grew up a Braves fan. That would be ideal, but with Brian McCann I dont think its going to happen.