[SBR_John]

I actually like the White Sox and Rangers however I'm a National League'r all the way. Still hoping the Astros can find a bat or learn how to cork one or something.

[raiders72001]

Clemens playing in Hou one more year would be big. I don't think that Stl runs away with the division this year. I hate the Cubs but if that SP stays healthy look out.

[Illusion]

Clemens playing in Hou one more year would be big. I don't think that Stl runs away with the division this year. I hate the Cubs but if that SP stays healthy look out.

The Cubs do not have an offense. They will be lucky to win 75 games this year. Their pitching has always benn overrated.

[raiders72001]

Why did the White Sox basically give the CF job to Anderson? Bouchard should get first shot at an OF position.

[Illusion]

Good question, I would like to know myself.

[onlooker]

They probably didnt know either so they just went alphabetical, and left it at that.

[raiders72001]

I still think that not only are the WSox the best team in the AL Central but they are the best team in baseball.

[Willie Bee]

Forgot to add that my play on the '06 Pale Hose is over 91 wins.

Borchard has a huge hole in his swing, see 140+ Ks at Triple-A in 2005. Anderson makes better contact and plays defense as well as Borchard.

[raiders72001]

Willie- Just read today in the Chicago Sun-Times that Machoviak and Bouchard may have a shot at CF because of the Nov surgery that Anderson had. Ken Williams said that Owens will not make the ML squad.

[BuddyBear]

so when is the trip...anything official yet? And who is all coming?

[Willie Bee]

Interesting, raider. The surgery was just to remove a plate from a previous injury, and my initial info was the knife job went well. Wonder if something very recent hs changed that? Thanks for the heads up on that.

The only way Owens would make the squad, especially after they acquired Mackowiak, was if Borchard couldn't cut the mustard this spring or if the ChiSox traded Borchard (which would be contingent on Anderson claiming a job outright in spring).

[raiders72001]

Anderson still has some scar tissue that hasn't healed as of yet is what they reported.

[Illusion]

so when is the trip...anything official yet? And who is all coming?

BB, they play all of the central teams except Milwaukee. We could go to the Det game on June 8th and or the Cle game on June 9th.

[bigboydan]

Dan- You aren't that far away. How about making the trip?

depends what i have going on that day raiders.

[BuddyBear]

whatever day works for me...we can talk more about it as it nears i only live two hours away so no need to plan so far ahead but right now...the list of people going is me, raiders, SBRJohn, Illusion, BBD, Bill Dozer, Pags11, IMGV, Onlooker, and Mudcat....some of these guys will have to fly in though I suspect...but just go ahead fellows and buy that ticket and send the bill to SBR. I'l make sure to keep the receipt from the tolls when i come down there.

[Illusion]

I would be happy if half of those guys showed. It will be fun nonetheless.

[imgv94]

Hey if Bill Dozer pays for my plane ticket I'll be there!!

[Willie Bee]

Rick Gano / AP

OF Joe Borchard, who is out of minor league options and who has not emerged as the player the White Sox hoped for when they drafted him in the first round six years ago, said he's fully committed to baseball. Borchard was a quarterback at Stanford before signing a $5.3 million bonus to join the White Sox. He's spent most of his time in the minors and has batted just .191 in 102 major league games with 12 homers. He had 29 homers at Triple-A Charlotte last year. "Make no mistake I'm completely committed to baseball and you know if they have a spot for me here, that's great," Borchard said Thursday. "If not, you know that's also OK. There are certainly no hard feelings, no finger pointing going to be involved. You just have to go where you are wanted. And where the situation takes you."

[Willie Bee]

As rumored, Joe Borchard is traded away, going to the Mariners for lefty reliever Matt Thornton...

AP @ ESPN.com

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Seattle Mariners traded lefty Matt Thornton to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Joe Borchard on Monday.

The 29-year-old Thornton struggled last season with the Mariners, going 0-4 with a 5.21 ERA in 55 games. He has a 4.82 ERA in 74 career relief appearances with Seattle.

The 27-year-old Borchard was at Triple-A Charlotte for most of the 2005 season, where he finished second in the International League with 29 home runs. He spent the last month of the season with the White Sox, appearing in seven games and going 5-for-12.

The switch-hitter has appeared in 102 games with the White Sox and hit .191 with 12 homers and 30 RBI during his four seasons.

[presley177]

good trade for the Mariners. Borchard needed a change of enviornment and maybe with a new batting coach he can cut down his swing and fully be able to show-off his Adam Dunn type power.

White Sox get *a* left-handed reliever they've been looking for....throws hard(94-96 mph) but with no control at all. Basically a traded of former 1st rounders who are busts.

[bigboydan]

looks like they got marte's replacement via a trade today

[Illusion]

looks like they got marte's replacement via a trade today

Don Cooper should be able to straighten him out.

[presley177]

Don Cooper should be able to straighten him out.

could happen. Imagine a left-handed Bobby Jenks : )

[Illusion]

could happen. Imagine a left-handed Bobby Jenks : )

That would be pretty sweet.

[Willie Bee]

My first preview here, if you will allow me a stroll down Memory Lane I failed to post futures in it, typical newbie mistake

Pinnacle breaks at 91½ ... o(-107) and u(-109).

The Greek also puts it at 91½ wins with the over (+105) and under at (-125).

[Willie Bee]

Forgot to add that my play on the '06 Pale Hose is over 91 wins.

Standing 33-17 this morning, last year's World Series Champs are on pace for about 107 wins. Not bad considering the Pale Hose were 1-4 very early in the year. And in case you were wondering, they are on about the same pace as they were a year ago when they stood 34-15 on May 30, 2005.

With one of the most well-rounded clubs statistically in the majors this year, it's a bit difficult to point at one phase of their game or another as the primary strength/weakness, especially after watching them pound the Indians yesterday 11-0 when they were clicking on all cylinders.

Chicago's Southsiders lead the AL with 77 HR and are stealing bases at about a 67% rate. Jim Thome has been as good as advertised with 20 clouts, 49 RBI, nearly a .300 average and a 1.103 OPS. Four other sticks --- AJ Pierzynksi (.321), Joe Crede (.305), Paul Konerko (.303) and Jermaine Dye (.301) --- are hitting above .300 while Soctt Podsednik and Tad Iguchi set the table for the rest of the order.

On the mound the White Sox rank second in the AL with a 4.04 ERA and boast better than a 2-to-1 ratio in K:BB. Jose Contreras and Mark Buehrle are a combined 11-2 in 18 starts with a 2.25 ERA between them. Javier Vazquez and Freddy Garcia have six and seven wins respectively. Jon Garland is the only concern in the rotation.

Bobby Jenks had a slow start out of the pen as the closer but has started to come around. Neal Cotts has been effective setting up once again, but that's about it in the bullpen so far. So perhaps middle relief is the club's one true weakness.

Manager Ozzie Guillen is himself once again, wearing his feelings on his sleeve and continually challenging his club, often through the press. Chicago is in the early stages of a challenging part of their schedule as well. After they leave Cleveland this week, they will face the Rangers (twice), Tigers, Reds, Cardinals and Astros before we get to the last few days of June. The good news is 15 of their next 25 games, including the remaining three in Cleveland this week, are at home where the White Sox are 19-6 so far in 2006.

[presley177]

The Sox still could use a solid RP reliever come trading deadline time. Also another outfielder couldn't hurt...either to play center or move Podsednik over to play center.