Paul

Konerko

Konerko’s average now sits at .185. Manager Jerry Manuel said he would keep him in the lineup, but how can he justify it over Brian Daubach?

That means Paul Konerko, Joe Crede and Aaron Rowand will all sit out in favor of Ross Gload, Juan Uribe and Timo Perez. In the second game expect to see the aforementioned regulars.

Konerko is hopeful the White Sox will step up with a quality offer at some point. ''It’s just a matter of if we ever got to a fair deal before the end of the season,’' Konerko said. ''I’ll be happy to do it and be a White Sox.’'

It may not have gotten the attention of the A-Rod deal, but this one has been in the works for just as long. A trade is only a possibility right now. The White Sox would do Konerko for Odalis Perez, but the Dodgers don’t like that idea. They would go for a Jeff Weaver-for-Konerko swap, but the White Sox would only do that if the Dodgers would pick up a portion of the $15.5 million Weaver is owed over the next two years. That would allow them to sign a quality first baseman to replace Konerko (Rafael Palmeiro?).

The offer apparently is still out there if Evans changes his mind. Since both players are a year away from free agenct, Perez for Carlos Lee would make more sense for the Dodgers.

Konerko later added a second RBI with a sacrifice fly. At least it’s an improvement.

Konerko was an All Star last season, but he just hasn’t had it this year.

It seems as if Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen will rotate Konerko and Frank Thomas on a game-to-game basis while the Sox are forced to play without a DH in National League parks.

Wow. One pinch-hit, game-tying home run for Konerko, and it’s so long Brian Daubach and your 1126 OPS since June 1? Don’t go dumping Daubach or rushing to pick up Konerko just yet.

Konerko has seen his batting average dip the past three seasons, but with 26 homers already this season and 41 last year he’s probably earned himself a bigger contract when he becomes a free agent this off-season. In a weak free agent class, he could get $10 million a year.