AL Central

One of the orchestrators of the biggest deal of both the 2007 and 2009 winter meetings, many were shocked not to hear from Dave Dombrowski and the Detroit Tigers at the meetings this past week.

For those Kansas City Royal fans who thought the last 15 years were the worst, wait until they get a load of next year. The Royals might have the best farm system in baseball and are gearing up for 2013, but they are officially in bottom-out mode in 2011.

The MLB's winter meetings have come and gone, and the former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke still has not been traded out of Kansas City.

Royals GM Dayton Moore made statements during the winter meetings that KC would be willing to trade their star player to anyone that was interested. In the end, there were some teams that would have like Greinke's services, but could never come to an agreement with the Royals for what they wanted in return.

The Royals are on the verge of making the biggest mistake in franchise history. And that is saying something! 

Trading David Cone for principally Ed Hearn was bad. Carlos Beltran for Mark Teahan, John Buck and Mike Wood was suspect at best. Johnny Damon for a bucket of chicken was downright embarrassing.

The big signings have been completed by White Sox GM Kenny Williams during the Winter Meetings.  Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski are safely in the fold, and Adam Dunn is looking for some Chi-town digs.

Now the wheeling and dealing can begin.

I don't think Williams is anywhere near finished trying to improve this team.  Right now payroll could be in the $125 million range next year, or even a few dollars more.  I don't think Williams wants to spend quite that much.

Earlier today, the Kansas City Royals made it official that they have indeed signed free agent outfielder Jeff Francoeur.

The team announced that it was a one-year dear that includes an option for 2012, and is still pending a physical.

The signing also puts to rest the rumors about Royals GM Dayton Moore trying to sign Francoeur many times in the past.

According to ESPN.com, the Minnesota Twins are making a "serious push" to re-sign Carl Pavano.

Pavano has spent the last year-and-a-half in the Twin Cities after being acquired from the Cleveland Indians in 2009.

Last season Pavano stepped up as a top-of-the-rotation starter for the Twins, going 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA.

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a deal for Paul Konerko for three years and $37.5 million. Konerko will receive $12 million in the first two years, $6 million in the third year and seven years deferred at $1 million each.

Negotiations were said to be at a "standstill" Tuesday, but apparently that didn't last long as movement toward an agreement came at around midnight central standard time.

Three years, $37.5 million.

A $500,000 per year raise.

Not too shabby for having one of the greatest years of your career in a contract season.

The table is set on the south side. With Adam Dunn now definitely playing DH, and A.J Pierzynski returning to his catching duties, the White Sox are "all-in" as Kenny Williams put it.

Signing Adam Dunn was step one for the White Sox this off-season. However that signing doesn't look nearly as good if the Sox don't find a way to bring Paul Konerko back to the South Side.

The question is: how much is Paul Konerko worth? At what point do his salary demands become unrealistic for a first baseman who will be 35 by the time he reports to spring training next season?