Adam Dunn already a team player for Sox

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Free-agent Adam Dunn finalized his 4-year, $56-million contract with the White Sox on Friday.

Even before he inked his four-year, $56 million contract with the White Sox, slugger Adam Dunn showed what kind of teammate he is going to be on the South Side.

The sought-after free agent agreed to back-load money on his contract so Sox general manager Ken Williams might have more to offer Paul Konerko in an attempt to keep the Sox longtime captain and now free agent first baseman.

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 Friday and confirmed the signing of Pierzynski to remain the Sox principal backstop. ``It's not just lip service from our guys [wanting to re-sign Konerko.]''

There is substantial money involved now as the Sox commit to another effort to reach the World Series, with Williams admitting the Sox ``are going out on a limb a bit'' in securing the 31-year-old Dunn--arguably the most coveted hitter on the free agent market--and retaining Pierzynski while still trying to bring back Konerko. The Sox captain is coming off one of his best all-around seasons and commanding interest from several teams, making Williams task to bring him back more difficult.

Williams plans to meet Monday with Konerko's representatives in Orlando, Florida where baseball's annual winter meetings will be held.

``Very few people will spend as much as I have before Christmas,'' Williams said with a smile. ``Fortunately Jerry [Reinsdorf, team chairman] has to pay for it. We want to keep adding to the puzzle. We're out on a limb a little bit [the team payroll potentially climbing to $120 million], but we have faith in our fans that' they'll support the product [in attendance.]''

The newest payroll chunk goes to Dunn, who will be paid $12 million in 2011, $14 million in 2012 and $15 million in both 2013 and 2014. Pierzynski's deal calls for $2 million in 2011 and $6 million in 2012.

``I would love for Paul to return,'' said Dunn, the 6-6 slugger who brings a career average of .250 and 354 homers and 880 RBI in 10 seasons. ``He's a great player and I know how much he means to this organization.''

More important is that Dunn is willing to relinquish his first baseman's mitt to Konerko, moving to the designated hitter role that in the past he had said he would shun. ``I don't care,'' he said of where he plays. ``I've thought long and hard about it, and if that's what they want me to do, fine,'' he said. ``I'm on a team that has a chance to win a World Series and I'll do anything they want me to,'' he said, as manager Ozzie Guillen looked on. ``I'm okay to do anything. This is my first chance to contend for a World Series. I'll do whatever they want.''

The Sox had attempted to acquire Dunn from the Washington Nationals before the trading deadline in July, a time when Dunn said he put out of his mind the talk of his possible trade. But once he became a free agent, the Sox were at the top of his list.

``As soon as I heard the Sox were interested, that's the team I wanted. It went fairly quickly for me. This was my number one place I wanted to be,'' he said, having talked to former Sox players like Ken Griffey Jr. and Willie Harris. ``They told me `it's a great hitter's park.' I'm looking forward to it.''

Williams did make one salary-shedding move Friday, trading reliever Scott Linebrink to Atlanta for minor league pitcher Kyle Coffield. Linebrink is owed $5.5 million next season, with the Sox sending $1.5 million to the Braves as part of an off-setting deal.