Konerko signs new deal with White Sox

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- First baseman Paul Konerko has signed a three-year contract worth $37.5 million with the Chicago White Sox.

Konerko has spent the last 12 seasons with the White Sox and hit .312 with 39 home runs and 11 runs batted in in 149 games last year. For his 14-year major-league career -- he also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds -- Konerko has a .280 batting average with 365 home runs and 1,156 RBI.

He has been selected to the American League All-Star team four times, including last season.

"We have made no secret of the fact that re-signing Paul Konerko was our top offseason priority," said White Sox General Manager Ken Williams in a statement. "Paul's value to the organization on the field and in the clubhouse can never be overstated. He is one of the greatest players in franchise history, and we hope he finishes his career in a White Sox uniform."

Konerko is to receive $12 million in both 2011 an 2012 and $13.5 million for playing in 2013. Much of the salary of the final year of the agreement is to be paid out from 2014-20.

The White Sox also recently signed former Washington Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn to a four-year contract worth $56 million.