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A.J. Pierzynski News & Rumors

A.J. Pierzynski has been money with runners in scoring position
May 27
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A.J. Pierzynski's All-Star-caliber play has propelled him to the top of the American League in hitting with runners in scoring position (.429). His power numbers are ­rising, too. He ranks in the top 10 with 32 RBI, and he has eight home runs. In the most grueling position on the field, Pierzynski is tied for second in games caught (39) and third in innings caught (342?2/3). "I don't feel any different than I have in the past,'' said Pierzynski, who has reached safely in 10 of his last 11 games with four doubles, a triple and three homers. "I'm a little bit more relaxed, but other than that, I'm just trying to have as much fun and not think about anything. I have a good feeling that we"
A.J. Pierzynski has been great, but he might not be back in 2013
May 22
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"For White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, there was no better feeling than winning the World Series in 2005. Remarkably, his 35-year-old body feels better now than it did during that championship season seven years ago. Chalk it up to a small measure of good fortune and to large doses of conditioning, weightlifting and flexibility work. ''It's a 365-day commitment, and it's a lot,'' Pierzynski said. Keep in mind that Pierzynski plays the most physically and mentally demanding position in baseball. Crouches, squats, foul tips, calling a game, hitting — they're all in a day's work."
Sox veterans Konerko, Pierzynski look forward to Cubs series
May 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"After making a four-hour flight to Southern California just to play two games, a return to Chicago to open a three-game series against the rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field starting Friday seems invigorating for Sox veterans Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski. "It's big for our fans," Konerko said Thursday. "It means a lot to our fans, Since we won the World Series (in 2005), and since the Cubs had a lot of those good teams in a row a few years back (2007-08), both fan bases have focused on the bigger prize. But still, the games are still good. "There have been few blowouts and a lot of good baseball games, no matter where the teams are at. You expect more of that. And as a player, they're"
Even without a deal for next season, A.J. Pierzynski says he is 'in a better spot'
April 20
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A.J. Pierzynski has been down this road before. This time, the pavement is smoother, and every light he hits is green. When the White Sox catcher was entering a contract year two seasons ago, he wanted badly to extend his career on the South Side, and he took a wrong turn by taking it upon himself to prove his worth. It was the wrong approach, and his performance on the field suffered for it. Pierzynski, 35, wants to come back in 2013 and he's playing like he's on a mission to prove it with a .400 average, .829 slugging percentage, four homers and 13 RBI that rank among the American League leaders. Never regarded as the best throwing catcher in baseball — the Sox ranked last in steals"
Peavy's third good start, A.J. Pierzynski's homer help White Sox snap three-game skid
April 19
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Three up, three down for Jake Peavy. The 2007 Cy Young winner, who has been a shell of his old self since coming to the White Sox, had his third good start in as many outings Wednesday night, holding the Baltimore Orioles to four hits in seven innings in the Sox' 8-1 victory at U.S. Cellular Field. After giving up three runs in six innings against the American League champion Texas Rangers on April 7, Peavy held the Detroit Tigers to two runs in the Sox' home opener and might have been even better against the O's. Peavy (2-0) struck out eight, walked none and lowered his ERA to 2.75. He has 23 strikeouts and two walks. "It starts with Jake and just what he brings, energy-wise and the way"
Pierzynski scoffs at critics
March 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"A.J. Pierzynski doesn't care what his statistics say. The White Sox's probable No. 2 hitter said he will adjust to any situation, especially if leadoff batter Alejandro De Aza reaches base. "Then everything will be fine," Pierzynski said Saturday, one day after he singled and laid down a sacrifice bunt with De Aza on base. Pierzynski said the Sox had a daily morning workout in which bunting was emphasized, so he laid down a sacrifice that moved Gordon Beckham and De Aza into scoring position against the Cubs."
Don't worry, A.J. Pierzynski says — playoffs are White Sox' goal
March 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A.J. Pierzynski agrees with Paul Konerko but says he's as motivated as ever to play in the postseason and win a World Series, even though he has a ring from 2005. ''I know once you've been there, you want to do it again. If you haven't, you want to get there to know what the feeling is like,'' Pierzynski said. ''My motivation is always to get to the postseason. The ultimate goal is to play in the postseason and win a World Series.'' The only other Sox left from 2005 is captain Konerko, who said Tuesday the season can be successful without a playoff appearance. That caused a stir."
Tyler Flowers' task: Unmasking A.J. Pierzynski as White Sox' catcher
February 25
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A little competition, friendly or unfriendly, never hurt anyone. So if A.J. Pierzynski sees Tyler Flowers sneaking up on him in his rearview mirror, good for the White Sox. Whether Flowers is on Pierzynski's bumper or somewhere off in the distance will play itself out this spring and into the season. Pierzynski, 35, is the savvy, left-handed-hitting fan favorite who helped the Sox win a World Series in 2005. He's also in the final year of a two-year contract. And his throwing — one part of the Sox' problem with defending the steal in 2011 — has been a topic of conversation at SoxFest and at camp among Sox coaching staffers. Flowers, 26, is the heir apparent and possibly the 2013 Opening"
Pierzynski upbeat about White Sox future
December 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"After watching his team's top starting pitcher and closer depart this week, catcher A.J. Pierzynski had two wishes. "I want to be with the White Sox," said Pierzynski, who, with Paul Konerko, are the lone members of the 2005 World Series team still on the active roster. "I want to win with the White Sox." The latter task will be tougher after the departures of Mark Buehrle and Sergio Santos. Pierzynski and Konerko, among the few productive returning players, have full no-trade rights. One industry source said getting those players to agree to a trade and dealing them would further fracture a Sox fan base that has had its patience tested by three consecutive non-playoff seasons and a"
Sox's Pierzynski pays tribute to Buehrle
December 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Not only did A.J. Pierzynski lose a high-quality teammate, but the departure of Mark Buehrle could tax the patience of the Chicago White Sox and their fans. "I know the game times will go up," Pierzynski quipped Wednesday night, alluding to Buehrle's fast-working style that pleased his teammates, fans and writers. But the reality of Buehrle's departure hit home throughout the Sox's organization - especially Pierzynski, who had played with Buehrle since 2005 and shared a large role in the Sox's World Series title."
Pierzynski on clubhouse drinking: 'Sometimes you need a rally beer'
October 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski addressed reports Wednesday that Boston Red Sox players drank beer in the clubhouse during games last season and admitted that he has done the same. "Yes, absolutely I have before," Pierzynski told "The Dan Patrick Show." "Sometimes you're just really struggling and you just say, 'Hey, you know what, I need something to calm me down and let's have a beer.' A couple of us will do it together, and sometimes it works out."
Sox's Pierzynski reaches catching milestone
September 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"It didn't seem possible that A.J. Pierzynski could extend his streak of catching at least 1,000 innings to 10 consecutive seasons after suffering a fracture of his left wrist that caused him to miss three weeks in August. But Pierzynski managed to play through the pain and reached the 1,000-inning mark after the first inning of the Chicago White Sox's 2-1 victory Tuesday night over Toronto."
Pierzynski has satisfying day: 2 HRs, 4 RBIs
September 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"It wasn't payback, but A.J. Pierzynski got some satisfaction Sunday. About 41/2 weeks after suffering a hairline fracture of his left wrist when hit by Royals left-hander Bruce Chen, Pierzynski got two hits off him before hitting home runs in his final two at-bats to secure the White Sox's 10-5 win. "It's still nagging and bothering me, but day by day it gets a little better," said Pierzynski, who will have his wrist re-examined this week in Cleveland. "It's nice to have a good day. It was nice to win. It seemed like forever since we last one. It was nice for John (Danks) to get a win and to score some runs and put some pressure on the other guys for once.""
Sox activate Pierzynski, promote 3 from Charlotte
September 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Catcher A.J. Pierzynski was activated from the 15-day disabled list, and the Chicago White Sox promoted relievers Shane Lindsay and Addison Reed and infielder Eduardo Escobar from Triple-A Charlotte. Lindsay, 26, will become the first Australian-born player to play for the Sox. Lindsay was a combined 3-3 with a 2.18 ERA, four saves and 90 strikeouts in 50 games with Double-A Birmingham and Charlotte."
Pierzynski hits RBI single in second rehab game for Charlotte
September 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"A.J. Pierzynski went 1-for-3 with an RBI single in the first inning Wednesday night as Triple-A Charlotte rolled to a 10-2 victory over Durham. Pierzynski, in his second game on a minor league rehab assignment, served as the Knights' designated hitter. He hit an infield single to score Justin Greene during a five-run first. Pierzynski grounded out and popped to first in his next two at-bats."
White Sox' A.J. Pierzynski would prefer to skip the rehab
August 28
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A.J. Pierzynski can do without making his first minor-league rehab appearance, but he'll go along with the program and head to Class AAA Charlotte on Monday. ''If it was up to me, I wish they would just activate me [Sunday],'' said Pierzynski, who's recovering from a hairline fracture in his left wrist. ''But it's not my decision, and I'll just do what I'm told.'' If the Sox wait until Sept.??1, when rosters can be expanded anyway, they don't waste a roster move. Besides, a tune-up probably won't hurt Pierzynski, who's enjoying a good offensive year with a .296 average."
A.J. Pierzynski full of tips for White Sox understudy Tyler Flowers
August 19
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A.J. Pierzynski is making himself useful while he spends time on the disabled list for the first time in his career. ''A.J. has been playing against these hitters for years. I haven't,'' said Tyler Flowers, Pierzynski's fill-in at catcher. ''So I have a lot to learn about the other teams, how to pitch hitters and learn about situations. What pitches are smart, which ones aren't.'' Flowers has been arriving at the park earlier than usual, going through his normal catching drills with bullpen catcher Mark Salas. Calling pitches is an important part of his job, so he's all ears on that subject, too. ''We talked the other day about some situations where I maybe should've gone with another"
Sox get good news on Pierzynski
August 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"Thursday was a good day on the medical front, as far as the White Sox were concerned. Catcher A.J. Pierzynski returned from a quick trip to Cleveland, where a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic confirmed he has a hairline fracture of his left wrist. Pierzynski got the OK to return to baseball duties Friday. Also, X-rays taken on the right hand of Triple-A Charlotte right fielder Dayan Viciedo were negative, and Viciedo was listed as day-to-day. Viciedo hurt his hand Wednesday while diving for a ball in right field and wasn't in the Knights' starting lineup Thursday night. Viciedo likely will be promoted when 25-man rosters can be expanded on Sept. 1. He was voted as the top hitting"
Pierzynski to see wrist specialist
August 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski will fly to Cleveland on Thursday to have a specialist examine his fractured left wrist. He hopes to return from the 15-day disabled list Aug. 28, when he can be activated. Pierzynski, sporting a new cast Wednesday, has modified his workout routine by continuing to throw, performing leg exercises and taking one-handed swings. Floyd stays on schedule: Rookie Zach Stewart will remain in the bullpen through this weekend, manager Ozzie Guillen said. The move means Gavin Floyd will pitch Sunday's series finale against the Rangers on four days' rest. If Stewart had stayed in the rotation and pitched Sunday, Floyd would have had six days between starts."
A.J. Pierzynski Injury: Fractured Wrist Sends White Sox Catcher To DL
August 16
SB Nation
 
"On Friday, Bruce Chen hit A.J. Pierzynski on the right wrist with a pitch. This is because Chen is a pitcher, and pitchers aren't perfect. It wasn't because he empathized for the common fan, the ticket-buying shlub who will never know what it's like to hit Pierzynski with a projectile. Chen wasn't trying to allow us to live vicariously through him. Put away those conspiracy theories and urban legends. But no one would have wished the outcome of the HBP on Pierzynski: after the initial x-rays came back negative, further tests showed a fractured right wrist, and the White Sox placed the catcher on the 15-day DL. It's a tough blow for Pierzynski, who was having a very nice season with the"
Pierzynski exits after being hit on wrist
August 13
MLB.com
 
"There was a moment after A.J. Pierzynski was hit in the left wrist by a Bruce Chen pitch in the third inning of Friday's 5-1 loss to the Royals where the White Sox catching ironman really didn't know what to expect. All the 2011 American League leader among catchers in innings caught and games played knew was that the soreness or pain was too much for him to return behind the plate in the fifth inning. And getting Pierzynski to come out of a game takes some doing. "Obviously, until it came back and said X-rays were negative, you know, there's always ... you know," said Pierzynski, expressing his worry about a serious injury. "It's sore, I mean, to get hit there is not good. "It could have"
A.J. Pierzynski remains a constant irritant
July 10
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"In Minnesota and other stops around the major leagues, A.J. Pierzynski is a menace. In Chicago, he's a hero - at least south of Madison Avenue. At the White Sox's U.S. Cellular Field, where 35th Street meets Shields Avenue, Pierzynski is enshrined on a piece of sculpture celebrating the team's 2005 World Series title, rising in bronze above a mural that includes the catcher at the center of the Game 4 celebration. "We park on the other side (of the stadium), so you don't really see it a whole lot," Pierzynski said. "You know it's there, and obviously they show it a lot. It's cool. It's cool to know that we did something here that hadn't been done in a long time, and people will always"
Pierzynski coming through in clutch
July 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Juan Pierre was more than happy to give some of the credit of the White Sox's 6-4 comeback victory to the timely hitting of A.J. Pierzynski. "He loves playing, especially in this series," Pierre said of Pierzynski, whose RBI single capped a two-run first and seventh-inning single started a four-run rally. "Any time he can do something to get the fans riled up, he's all for it. He's known to be clutch in those situations. "I don't know if it's because he wants to do well for the team or just to have more people to hate him." Pierzynski raised his lifetime average at Wrigley Field to .329 in 22 games. But he is hitting .421 in his last 10 games overall to raise his batting average to .299."
Redemption time for Beckham, Pierzynski and Rios in Sox's win
June 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"Despite another stressful performance by the Chicago White Sox's offense, they received contributions in other departments to compensate for the fact they scored three runs or fewer for the fourth consecutive game. Gordon Beckham, who went 0-for-3 that dropped his batting average to .226, quickly started a double play with the bases loaded that helped the Sox get out of a jam in the eighth inning. "I think that was the key right there," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "The play Gordon and (shortstop Alexei) Ramirez make, I think that lifted the team. That's a hell of a play in a great situation. (Reliever) Brian Bruney turned the double play, but I think the play by Beckham was outstanding.""
Jake Peavy, A.J. Pierzynski downplay spat after White Sox' win
June 23
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"White Sox general manager Ken Williams got his wish. Hoping the Cubs would inject a shot of adrenaline into his team and U.S. Cellular Field this week, the North Siders came through as always. Starting pitcher Jake Peavy and catcher A.J. Pierzynski going nose-to-nose in the dugout after the sixth inning wasn't exactly Pierzynski vs. Michael Barrett in the main event, but it was an invigorating in-house undercard that sparked the Sox to a 4-3 victory that gave them two out of three in the series and pushed them to within two games of .500. Pierzynski and Peavy both talked down the significance of their verbal exchange and made light of it while declining to offer specifics. "Well, we were"
Sox's Pierzynski comes to play
April 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"Sunday was like almost every other day during a six-month period for A.J. Pierzynski: He worked. Through hot and cold, collisions and controversy, days and nights, Pierzynski has strapped on the shin guards and squatted behind home plate. He has done it for at least 118 games over the last decade and has joined Jason Kendall as the only active catchers with more than 1,000 innings for nine consecutive years. Of course, that means the White Sox catcher has never been on the disabled list, as Twins 27-year-old catcher Joe Mauer is right now. "It's something to be proud of," Pierzynski said. "I always joke it's good genes. But bottom line is it's a lot of luck — balls hitting you in the right"
Flying bat riles Sox
April 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"Saturday's ninth inning created some extra excitement when the White Sox's Chris Sale gave up a home run to the Rays' Felipe Lopez and turned around to see Lopez's bat lying near the mound. Lopez had been buzzed on an inside pitch before the homer and then had words with catcher A.J. Pierzynski as he crossed home plate before umpires stepped in. "I just said hi," Pierzynski said. "He lives down the street from me in Orlando, and I was asking how his house was." Lopez called Sox manager Ozzie Guillen after the game to apologize and say he didn't throw the bat at Sale on purpose. Guillen said he believed it. Sox batters have been hit a majors-high seven times this season while their pitchers"
Sox' Pierzynski moves up on innings-caught list
April 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A.J. Pierzynski has a new contract in his pocket and an old-school approach to earning his money: Never ask for a day off and always, always, let them see you sweat. The White Sox catcher, who signed a two-year extension in the offseason just when it appeared as though he might not return, is 34. He has 10 years of service time and the enormous supply of foul tips, squats and throws that goes with it. When he took the field for the third inning of the Indians' 7-1 win against the Sox on Sunday, it was his 1,108th inning with the gear on, tying him with Thurman Munson for 25th all-time in innings caught. Despite it all, Pierzynski feels great physically at the outset of his seventh year"
Pierzynski has turned out to be quite a catch for White Sox
March 29
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"Tomorrow, there's another game. That's the last page in a great children's book about baseball. It's also the thought that drives one of the sport's perpetual teenagers, White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski. "At the end of the day you want to win, want to do well," Pierzynski says. "At the same time, there's always another day." Pierzynski is 34. He was 17 when the Twins drafted him, a third-round pick from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Fla. He has played baseball half his life and still loves it — lives for it, really — like he did when all he wanted was for his team to win and his parents to stop at Dairy Queen on the way home. That's the beauty of the guy who did as much to earn his"
A.J. Pierzynski catches speeding ticket on way to game
March 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The original story coming out of the clubhouse was better, that a Cubs-fan police officer gave A.J. Pierzynski — wearing his full uniform — a speeding ticket on his way to the White Sox' spring-training game against the Cincinnati Reds. Turns out the cop who ticketed the Sox catcher for going 75 mph in a 65 zone on Interstate 10 said nothing of the sort, but "if it's clear in the paper that it did not come from me, you can go ahead and run that," Pierzynski said. "I've never been pulled over in my uniform and given a ticket. Full uni was interesting. So I loved it when he said, 'Oh, you play for the White Sox?' I said, 'How did you guess?' Figure it out." Pierzynski's afternoon didn't"
Pierzynski cited for speeding on way to ballpark
March 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"Catcher A.J. Pierzynski apparently was too eager Wednesday to drive to Goodyear Ballpark. An Arizona Department of Public Safety officer cited him for speeding on Highway 10 while he was driving to a game in his White Sox uniform. "I loved it when he said, 'Oh, you play for the White Sox?'" Pierzynski said with amusement. "I said, 'How did you guess? Figure it out." Pierzynski elected to make the 15-minute drive instead of taking the team bus. His citation was first reported via Twitter by manager Ozzie Guillen, who joked later that the ticket was "awesome news" in light of the Sox's 0-3 start. Pierzynski said he never had an inkling he would receive only a warning, adding he would pay the"
Pierzynski working hard to live up to new deal
January 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"It took a lunch meeting with Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and a last-minute call for A.J. Pierzynski to stay with the White Sox instead of going to the Dodgers and forcing the Sox to turn to Miguel Olivo. Now one of baseball's most durable catchers seems ready for a challenge most receivers tend to avoid in their mid-30s. "I know I have to do more," Pierzynski, 34, said of his offseason conditioning program. "I know I have to do something every day to stay ready. With my kids being in school, it gives me a little more free time. When they were younger, it was hard because I always had them. "I've been fortunate to make a little money and have an opportunity to have a gym (in Orlando, Fla.)"
Source: Dodgers were very close to signing A.J. Pierzynski
December 6
ESPN.com
 
"The Los Angeles Dodgers came tantalizingly close to signing free-agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski to a one-year contract before the Chicago White Sox added a second year to their offer, resulting in Pierzynski accepting a two-year, $8 million deal to remain with the White Sox. A source with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Dodgers were close to a one-year agreement last week that would have paid Pierzynski in excess of $4 million to join the Dodgers as Los Angeles' deadline neared for offering a contract to catcher Russell Martin."
A small price for Paulie
December 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Even before he inked his four-year, $56 million contract with the White Sox, slugger Adam Dunn showed what kind of teammate he's going to be on the South Side. The sought-after free agent agreed to backloaded money on his contract so Sox general manager Ken Williams might have more to offer Paul Konerko in an attempt to keep the longtime captain and first baseman, now a free agent. Catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal Friday, also deferred $6 million of his new contract to its second year to help the Konerko cause. ''They're putting their money where their mouth is,'' Williams said as he introduced Dunn on Friday and confirmed the signing of Pierzynski to"
Dunn, Pierzynski deals could pave way for Konerko's return
December 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"If Paul Konerko returns to the White Sox, he can thank Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski, who deferred big chunks of their new contracts, for their generous contributions. And he can thank, in a roundabout way, reliever Scott Linebrink, whom the Sox traded to the Braves on Friday for pitcher Kyle Cofield. Even though the Sox sent $1.5 million to Atlanta with Linebrink, their savings for next season will be about $4 million. Now it's up to Konerko. "I would love for Paul to return," Dunn said Friday during an introductory news conference at U.S. Cellular Field. "I know he's a great player and one of (the leaders), if not the leader, of this team.""
Free-spending Sox sign Dunn, Pierzynski, hope to bring back Konerko
December 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"After the White Sox finished last season six games behind the Twins, general manager Ken Williams proposed two 2011 budgets to Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. One plan was to go young by eliminating veteran salaries and rebuilding through the farm system. The other was to spend even more than the $108 million payroll of last season, despite the iffy economy and declining attendance. "The decision was that if we're going all in, we're going all in," Williams said. So while they are doing some subtracting -- they declined to tender an offer to former closer Bobby Jenks on Thursday -- the Sox are adding. Big time. They signed free agent Adam Dunn on Thursday to a four-year, $56 million contract"
Arbitration offers for Sox' Konerko, Putz, but not Pierzynski
November 24
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Let the offseason posturing begin. The White Sox announced before Tuesday's 11 p.m. deadline that they offered salary arbitration to free agents Paul Konerko and J.J. Putz, but declined that same offer to catcher A.J. Pierzynski and designated hitter Manny Ramirez. What does it mean for the 2011 Opening Day roster? Well, actually nothing yet. All it means is that if Konerko or Putz sign elsewhere, the Sox are compensated with draft picks -- two for Konerko, one for Putz. It does show their hand a bit, however, with the team counting on Konerko and Putz drawing enough interest from other organizations on a multiyear deal. Neither player seemed real interested in working out a one-year"
Interest in Pierzynski expected to pick up
November 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"After not being offered salary arbitration, catcher A.J. Pierzynski remained hopeful he could still re-sign with the White Sox. "Of course," Pierzynski said while fishing Tuesday night near his Orlando area home. "But you know how this works." And since the Sox were willing to give up receiving compensation for Pierzynski, a Type A free agent, teams can accelerate their pursuit of the durable left-handed hitting catcher without losing a high draft pick. Texas could be among the strongest suitors. The Rangers pursued Pierzynski last May but were unable to strike a deal before Pierzynski earned full no-trade rights on June 14. The Rangers traded for Bengie Molina from San Francisco 2 1/2"
Sox must decide whether to offer Konerko, Pierzynski arbitration
November 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"Memories, but no compensation? That's what's facing the White Sox, who must decide by 11 p.m. Tuesday whether to offer salary arbitration to Type A free agents and local institutions Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski. The Sox can assure themselves of two high draft picks for each player if they offer salary arbitration and those players sign elsewhere. But there are dangers to offering arbitration. Konerko would likely get a raise from his $12 million salary and the same for Pierzynski, who earned $6.75 million last season. That would place further stress on a payroll that has earmarked more than $80 million for 13 players for 2011. The Sox could decline to offer arbitration to either"
Buehrle: Sox have better chance of keeping A.J. over Konerko
November 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle believes catcher A.J. Pierzynski has a better chance of returning to the team than veteran slugger Paul Konerko. "My feeling -- just my feeling -- is I think A.J. has a better chance of coming back than Konerko," Buehrle said Tuesday during a conference call after he won his second consecutive American League Gold Glove award for his stellar defense. "I just think in talking to Konerko and hearing some of the stuff he says, I don't know what the deal is going to be with other teams offering him money. If it's going to be a better situation for him and his family, I just have a feeling that A.J. has a better chance of coming back." Buehrle admitted he"
Catching quandary for Sox, Pierzynski
November 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen admitted that he had trouble filling out a lineup during his first season in 2004 because pitchers were reluctant to throw to Miguel Olivo and preferred veteran Sandy Alomar. That was just one of the many reasons why A.J. Pierzynski was so valuable to the Sox over the past six seasons. But the Sox and Pierzynski are at a crossroads, with Pierzynski now a free agent and in-house candidates Ramon Castro and Tyler Flowers never handled the catching duties at the major league level on a full-time basis. One major league scout said in late May that he thought Pierzynski got too comfortable and that the Sox's unwillingness to discuss an extension at the start of"
A.J. Pierzynski's future with Sox still foggy
September 29
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"After fielding five minutes of questions about his future Tuesday, White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski glanced at the media members surrounding him and said: ''You guys are talking like there's no chance I'm coming back. Apparently, you guys know something that I don't know, so fill me in.'' Actually, there isn't much to fill in. Not yet, at least. Pierzynski will be a free agent after the season, and the Sox are set to cut some payroll before adding to the roster for a 2011 run. There had been speculation they would look to get by next season on the cheap and hope for the best. But according to one member of the organization, general manager Ken Williams might have a few tricks up his"
Guillen has no plans to bench struggling Pierzynski
August 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"A.J. Pierzynski received a vote of confidence from White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who has no plans to sit his struggling catcher because of his subpar offensive season. "I have to put the best guys out there among the guys we have, and I think A.J. is doing a lot more stuff," Guillen said. "I put a couple hit-and-run (plays) on here and there, and that's why he's in the lineup." Guillen said he might play Ramon Castro a few more times in the next two weeks to give Pierzynski extra rest in day games following night games and because of the heat."
Pierzynski tweaks left ankle
August 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"A.J. Pierzynski's frustrating season took another downward turn Saturday night when he tweaked his left ankle after a game-tying hit and left in the seventh inning of the White Sox's 4-2 victory over the Orioles. Pierzynski, who was 1-for-17 before getting two hits, slided awkwardly into third base and was in obvious pain. He walked off the field with a noticeable limp. After the game, the Sox said his was day-to-day. Before the game, the slumping catcher Pierzynski took little solace in his handling of a pitching staff that has posted a 2.74 ERA during a 53-game span. "Other than that, it has been one of those years I want to basically just jump off a building because you don't know what"
'The Club' not must-see TV for Pierzynski
July 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"Some White Sox players won't go out of their way to watch "The Club," a reality television show on MLB Network. "Apparently it's great for the organization," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said of the series that began Sunday night. "They're really proud of it, but I'm not going to put my TiVo on and make sure I watch it. I know about it. I know there have been cameras everywhere." Unlike Major League Baseball-produced series on the Diamondbacks in 2002 and the Phillies' bullpen in 2009, players aren't the focus. "So it is what it is," Pierzynski said. "It's part of the game, and I hope it helps the organization and (Chairman) Jerry Reinsdorf. But other than that, I'm not going to sit down and"
Pierzynski homers twice
July 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"The White Sox have put themselves into position to scoreboard-watch before the All-Star break, knowing that the Central Division lead is within grasp. In their final series before the break, the Sox opened with as 8-2 victory over the Royals, staying within a half-game of the division-leading Tigers. Mark Buehrle was the winner by throwing seven shutout innings, improving to 5-1 in his last six starts. White Sox hitters hot him an early lead, with Andruw Jones' long single driving in two runs in the second-inning. It scored Paul Konerko and Carlos Quentin, who had singled and moved up a base on a sacrifice by A. J. Pierzynski. Two innings later, Pierzynski made it 3-0 with a homer that"
Reinsdorf: GM will make call on A.J., Konerko
June 21
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"However this season plays out, chairman Jerry Reinsdorf knows that tough decisions are coming with his roster, specifically with two of his favorite players. Catcher A.J. Pierzynski and first baseman Paul Konerko are free agents at the end of the year. They are two of the five players left from the 2005 World Series champions (Freddy Garcia, Mark Buehrle and Bobby Jenks are the others). ''You pick two guys, and I love both those guys, especially A.J. because he's got my kind of sense of humor,'' Reinsdorf said when asked about the futures of both players. ''But I'm not the guy that makes that kind of decision. I give [general manager] Kenny [Williams] a total budget, and then he has to"
A.J. Pierzynski's no-trade rights kick in
June 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Catcher A.J. Pierzynski came into Sunday night a member of the White Sox and entered this morning the same way -- albeit with a lot more say in his immediate future. Pierzynski's 10-and-5 rights kicked in, meaning the veteran has earned complete no-trade say on any deal the Sox want to make with the free agent-to-be. ''I don't think too much is being made of it because I have the right that if I don't want to go, I don't have to go,'' Pierzynski said. ''I can't just be shipped without me having a say in the matter. I don't think it's overrated at all. It's one of the great rights you have as a player. Not a lot of guys get to that point and have this opportunity, so it's not overrated at"
Ozzie tells A.J. he won't get traded
June 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A.J. Pierzynski continued playing the role of Cub killer Friday, as well as being the subject of trade rumors. But manager Ozzie Guillen all but squashed that talk for now. ''[The Cubs] need a catcher?'' Guillen said with a laugh, when first discussing Pierzynski after the win. ''I take five guys for him right now. I said five. I can't say [which ones] or I'll get in trouble. ''They talk about trade [rumors] with him like two months ago. Then the scouts started watching him. ... I talked to A.J. a couple of days ago and said, 'Listen man, you're not going to get traded. Just go and play the game and don't worry about trades.' If the trade is going to be made, they will let you know when.''"