Unfortunately, GM Kenny Williams can't shed the terrible contracts he took on at the last trading deadline. Earlier this season he took on Alex Rios' five-year, $61 million deal from the Blue Jays. (Rios is currently hitting .192 for the Sox.) This was shortly after trading for a pitcher who was already on the disabled list and has yet to throw a single inning in Chicago. Since Williams traded Jim Thome to the Dodgers on Monday, I guess Jake Peavy can take his time with that rehab thing.

I suppose it is still possible that Chicago could rally and win the AL Central (since no one else seems to want to win it), but the Thome trade is a clear signal to fans that they should give up that dream. The Dodgers on the other hand,also added former White Sock(?) and Diamondback pitcher Jon Garland, so they are clearly going all in on 2009.

A team doing everything possible to win. I wonder what that feels like.

The Sox Surrender, Trade Both Jim Thome and Jose Contreras [Foul Balls]
What, Exactly, Are The White Sox Doing? [Rumors and Rants]

Plus, Thome's homer had the disctinction of winning a game for the White Sox; breaking a 7-7 tie in the ninth for a walkoff 9-7 win over the Angels. Rookie second baseman Danny Richar had tied it with a two-run homer in the eighth, setting the stage for Thome, who was 0-for-11 since hitting his 499th homer on Wednesday. Other great stuff about the clout: As he rounded third, Thome slapped hands with base coach Razor Shines; the fact that the Sox have a coach named Razor Shines gives me great joy. Thome was then carried off the field by Jermaine Dye and Bobby Jenks — possibly the only two teammates strong enough to lift him — as the crowd cheered and refused to leave until chased out by security. Then, the fan who caught the ball met with Thome after the game and gave it back to him. Will Stewart, an accountant from Austin Texas, was given two season tickets by the team, which he then announced he would be donating to the charity of Thome's choice. But that's not all ... it is said that White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's heart grew three sizes that day. "The guy is special," Guillen told the Chicago Tribune. "He plays the game right, he respects the game, he respects the fans. I tell our young kids, 'You want to look up to somebody, that's the guy you look up to, on the field and off. He's a great man.' I don't think there's anyone in baseball who will say anything bad about Jim Thome. He's what we need in this game." And they all lived happily ever after. Oh, and the White Sox are still in last place (waa-waaaaa).

There's also a heartwarming feature on the White Sox home page about a "typical White Sox family" who have been brought closer together by attending games at Cellular Field. Click on the sixth item in the flash stage. Now look at the kid's forehead. Is that some sort of protest? Wasn't Iguchi traded in July? Will that wash off?

• Yankees, Red Sox Bid So Long, For Now. So the Red Sox hold a somewhat substantial 4 1/2 game lead over the Yankees in the East after losing to them, 4-3 on Sunday. But since New York officially won the season series, 10-8, Boston fans have to be a little concerned. Will the Sox be able to handle them if they meet in the playoffs? Hey, it's a legitimate concern. Derek Jeter's three-run homer off Curt Schilling broke an eighth-inning tie, and Marino Rivera got David Ortiz on a pop out with the bases loaded to end the game, as the Yankees beat the Red Sox for the sixth time in seven games. New York leads Detroit by 2 1/2 in the wild-card standings.

• Marquis Performance. Matt Murton had a three-run homer, and Jason Marquis threw a seven-inning one-hitter as the Cubs beat the Cardinals 4-2. The Brewers beat the Reds 5-2; leaving Milwaukee one game back in the Central.

• Jake The Giant Killer. If you're thinking of not voting for Jake Peavy for the NL Cy Young, then here, I'm afraid I shall slap you with this fish, sir. His ERA is 2.39, he leads the majors with 225 strikeouts and he won his 18th game, 5-1 over the Giants.

It's pretty rare that the epic comedic trilogy of Oprah Winfrey, douching and White Sox slugger Jim Thome unite for a good ole middle-aged Midwesterner gigglefest ... but today is that day.

Seriously, you haven't lived until you've watched Oprah ask Jim Thome about vaginas. You really haven't.

• 1. Indians Fans Never Forget. He was mericlessly booed in his return to his former home stadium on Monday. No, not Johnny Damon; we're referring to Chicago's Jim Thome, who found that his first game at the Jake since Sept. 29, 2002 was a pretty intense experience. The Indians' career home run leader left as a free agent following the 2002 season to sign a six-year, $85 million contract with the Phillies. On Monday he went 1-for-5 with an RBI in Chicago's 8-6 win over the Indians.

• 2. Hall Ball. OK, everyone check on your Bill Hall baseball cards and make sure that they are in mint condition, because they are bound to ... what? You don't have any? Come on people, it's Bill Hall! All he did on Monday was get three hits for the third straight game, including a home run, to lead the Brewers over the Astros 4-2. But don't worry Houston fans, help is on the way. The Astros want Roger Clemens back and are ready to make him "an enticing offer." Hey, that's what they said.

• 3. A Barry We Can All Get Behind. Now, this is the Barry Zito we know and love. Forget the 5.93 ERA, which the A's hurler owned going into Monday's game with the Angels. Zito went 7 2/3, giving up five singles, striking out four and walking two, as Oakland won 1-0. Just the way Catfish Hunter used to do it.

• 4. Mr. Met Is Getting A Little Cocky. In case you forgot, the Mets are running away with the NL East (if you call a six-game lead on May 2 running away). The reason is that they've played the Nationals in every single game so far. The latest was a 2-1 win as Endy Chavez scored the winning run on a throwing error in the ninth.

• 5. Arroyo A Cut Above. Wait a minute, what the hell? What have they done with Bronson Arroyo? Get this man to a barber, stat! On second thought, if he keeps pitching as he did on Monday — complete-game four-hitter in the Reds' 6-1 win over the Cardinals — he can do what he wants. Arroyo is 5-0, and unlike Johnny Damon, has the luxury of not having to return to Fenway Park this season.

Well, now you can bid on Jim Thome's New Hope, Penn. home, which he won't be needing now that he's playing for the White Sox. (Think he'll live in Kankakee?) The price, somewhat depressingly, is $4.25 million. All told, we think it might be a deal; it has columns and even a guest house. Where's the hospital wing?

Property Info [Christie's]