Giles reaches deal to stay in San Diego

SAN DIEGO -- Right fielder Brian Giles reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night to re-sign with his hometown San Diego Padres for $30 million over three years.

The deal is pending Giles' scheduled physical this morning and an announcement is expected later in the day, two baseball officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized yet.

One of the top outfielders on the free-agent market, Giles batted .301 with 15 homers and 83 RBIs last season, leading the NL West-champion Padres in most offensive categories. He drew a major league-best 119 walks and had a .423 on-base percentage.

The two-time All-Star will earn $9 million per season from 2006-08, with a $9 million option for 2009 that could raise the value of the deal to $36 million over four years. The club has a $3 million buyout for 2009.

Late last week, it appeared that Giles would leave the Padres after the team rejected a proposal from his agent, Joe Bick.

Bick wouldn't confirm that Giles had agreed to a deal, but said he had spoken throughout the day with the Padres.

"It's been a pleasant surprise," Bick said Wednesday night. "I guess the Padres had a change of heart."

Konerko to stay with Sox

Paul Konerko promised to be meticulous and explore all the options as a free agent. And he did, jumping into a stressful monthlong journey that landed him back right where he started.

Having received a $60 million, five-year offer from the Chicago White Sox, Konerko decided the proposal was fair and agreed Wednesday to return to the World Series champions.

"It's a simple as where your heart is," Konerko said. "That's what brought me back."

The first baseman led the White Sox with 40 homers and 100 RBIs last season, hitting .283. He was MVP of the AL championship series win over the Los Angeles Angels after hitting two homers and seven RBIs. He had a go-ahead grand slam in Game 2 of the World Series sweep over Houston, the first Series title for the White Sox since 1917.

"You have family, all things came into play," Konerko said. "At the end of the day, 'OK, I'm a baseball player and where am I going to feel the best?'"

Konerko's decision and last week's acquisition of Jim Thome from Philadelphia could mean the end of Frank Thomas' career with the White Sox. Thomas, a two-time AL MVP, became a free agent after Chicago declined a 2006 option.