Three takes

Two weeks ago, manager Ozzie Guillen said he felt the White Sox had enough options at second base not to have to go outside the organization. That opinion might have changed. The perfect remedy would be Baltimore's Brian Roberts. The problem is even if the Orioles were looking to move him, the Sox wouldn't have the personnel to package in return.

The emergence of Gavin Floyd (left) as an all-of-a-sudden staff ace is not an overnight transformation. In fact, Floyd made Jon Garland expendable in the organization's eyes last winter with what he did in the last month of 2007. Dating to September, Floyd has posted a stingy 2.80 ERA in his last 11 starts.

General manager Ken Williams hesitated to blow up the roster last season at the July 31 trade deadline. That will change this time around if the team continues to stumble, with third baseman Joe Crede, shortstop Orlando Cabrera and designated hitter Jim Thome all possibly expendable.

BIG NUMBER3-7

The combined record of Mark Buehrle and Jose Contreras, the Sox' last two Opening Day starters. The duo also sports a combined 4.72 ERA.

THE LAST WORD--Sox captain Paul Konerko on "Dollgate''

Wins 16

Losses 17Place 2ndGB 1½Streak W1Home 9-7Away 7-10Day 10-5

Night 6-12vs. LHP 3-3vs. RHP 13-14vs. Cent. 9-7vs. East 6-9vs. West 1-1