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Pierzynski inks three-year extension with White Sox

MLB, Chicago White Sox

CHICAGO -- All along, A.J. Pierzynski claimed he found a
home in Chicago. He probably won't be moving anytime soon.

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border=0 alt="A.J. Pierzynski">
Pierzynski,

The catcher and the Chicago White Sox agreed Monday to a $15
million, three-year contract and avoided salary arbitration.

Pierzynski, who was eligible for free agency in 2006, will earn
$4 million next season and $5.5 million each in 2007 and 2008.

"A.J. has really found a home in Chicago," Steve Hilliard, Pierzynski's agent, told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. "He loves the city and his teammates, and the organization has been terrific through this whole process. It's nice that he's going to be there as part of a core group of guys going forward."

"At least I know for three years what I'm going to be doing and
hopefully where I'll be playing," Pierzynski said. "They could
always trade me, but hopefully, we can stay together and we can
win. If we win, hopefully, I won't go anywhere. It means a lot that
a team has enough respect for what you do to give you three years
and make you feel comfortable."

Assistant general manager Rick Hahn said negotiations with
Pierzynski "went smoothly. A.J., we feel, has found a home here."

Signed after spending a year in San Francisco, Pierzynski helped
the White Sox win their first World Series since 1917 last season.
He committed one error -- none over his final 119 games -- and batted
.257 with a career-high 18 home runs and 56 RBI.

He was involved in several controversial plays during the AL
championship series.

In Game 2, Pierzynski ran to first after strike three when plate
umpire Doug Eddings ruled Los Angeles Angels catcher Josh Paul
trapped Kelvim Escobar's low pitch with two out in the bottom of
the ninth. Moments later, Joe Crede hit the game-winning double to
tie the series at a game apiece.

In Game 4, plate umpire Ron Kulpa did not call interference when
Pierzynski's glove tipped Steve Finley's bat, causing a double-play
grounder.

And with two outs in the eighth inning of Game 5, Pierzynski hit
a hard shot off Escobar, who picked up the ball and tagged
Pierzynski with his glove. But the ball was in Escobar's right hand
and not the mitt.

Escobar threw to first, but Darin Erstad was off the base as he
tried to barehand it. The Angels ran into the dugout thinking the
inning had ended after first base umpire Randy Marsh, apparently
screened on the play, signaled an out. The call was overturned, and
the White Sox went on to beat the Houston Astros in the World
Series.

Questions about his attitude accompanied Pierzynski to Chicago
from San Francisco, where three pitchers anonymously criticized his
work ethic and claimed he was bad-mouthing Giants hitters to
opponents while behind the plate in the spring 2004. It was no
surprise that Pierzynski found himself on the defensive when he
entered the free agent market.

But Hahn said all concerns evaporated once spring training
started.

"It became clear that he was dedicated to proving to us and
probably all of baseball what he was capable of doing," Hahn said.
"We not only were thrilled with how he performed in 2005, but we
feel he is extremely important to sustaining that success going
forward the next few years. It was certainly a priority for us to
get him locked up for the next few years and get control over those
free agent years that were coming up in the not-too-distant
future."

Hahn would not comment on the White Sox's remaining
arbitration-eligible players -- 18-game winner Jon Garland, Crede,
infielders Rob Mackowiak and Willie Harris, and outfielder Timo
Perez

Signing Pierzynski is the latest in a lengthy list of moves this
offseason.

The White Sox re-signed first baseman Paul Konerko, traded
center fielder Aaron Rowand to Philadelphia for slugger Jim Thome,
and sent pitchers Orlando Hernandez and Luis Vizcaino and minor
league outfielder Chris Young to Arizona for starter Javier
Vazquez. They also acquired utility player Mackowiak in a deal with
Pittsburgh, and severed ties with two-time MVP Frank Thomas and DH
Carl Everett by not offering them salary arbitration.

The acquisition of Vazquez has fueled speculation that the White
Sox might trade Garland.

"Right now, we have six starting pitchers," said Pierzynski,
who turns 29 on Dec. 30. "Garland's due to make a big raise, and
you know what? Good for Gar because he deserves it. I hope Gar
stays. I saw him last week, and he wants to stay. But at the same
time, the White Sox have to do what's best for their organization.
If he makes $10 million, that's going to put a dent in the budget,
and that means someone else is going to have to go."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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