Monday's performance wasn't an encouraging sign for what is currently a rag-tag offensive line. Josh Beekman, last year's fourth-round pick who is starting at center until Olin Kreutz returns, was manhandled by backup defensive tackle Matt Toeaina in one-on-one pass-rush drills. Beekman has also been touted as a possible contender for the starting left guard spot currently held by Terrence Metcalf. Toeaina might not even make the final roster, considering he's behind Tommie Harris, Anthony Adams, Israel Idonije, Dusty Dvoracek and rookie Marcus Harrison on the depth chart.

"Hey Ozzie, if you love the Twins so much, why don't you marry them?'' Throw in a couple of profanities and a slur or two, and you're pretty much reading most of the e-mails White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has been getting lately. Without a doubt, Guillen is a big fan of the AL Central rival Twins. He likes their scrappy style of play and their manager (Ron Gardenhire). But it goes much deeper than that. When asked about Justin Morneau, Minnesota's slugging first baseman, before the first of four big games at the Metrodome Monday, here's what Ozzie said:

Kerry Wood threw a bullpen session today, but did so with a protective pad on his troublesome right index finger. That part went fine, but when Wood took the pad off, the persistent blister gave him problems. Of course, such pads are not legal in games, so Wood is still on hold as far his return to the active roster goes. It certainly won't be in this series at Milwaukee. But Wood may throw a simulated game, facing hitters, Wednesday. He'll likely wear the finger pad then, too. Lou said he'll go with a three-man closer's mix, consisting of Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry and Jeff Samardzija. "Why not?" Lou said.

What a way to get back to work after two weeks of vacation -- sitting in Springfield traffic court for a couple hours waiting for State Rep. Bob Biggins DUI case to be called. He pleaded guilty, gets a restricted permit, fine and mandatory counseling. A story should be up soon and in tomorrow's paper. But if you ever want to see a different slice of life, go hangout in a courtroom for a couple hours. And some advice if you ever find yourself waiting for your case to be called: t-shirts and flip-flops probably aren't the best choice for making a good impression with the judge. No, Biggins was wearing a nice suit. But other then he and I and the lawyers running around, the dress code was more dive bar.

That wasn't hard to figure, was it? A few minutes after Jeff Samardzija earned a 2-inning save today, Lou was talking about how "impressive" he was and how the Cubs may have "found" the bullpen arm they've been looking for. If nothing else, Lou loves, just loves, "power arms" in his bullpen. Samardzija is certainly that even though he's rough around the edges. As long as he's up with the Cubs, there will be times he struggles, and there will be times when he has trouble throwing strikes. But with Lou, first impressions are everything, and Samardzija has made a good one. In 4 innings, he has no walks, 5 strikeouts, 1 save and 1 blown save.

A much richer and healthier Devin Hester is expected to join his teammates in today's 3 p.m. practice after agreeing to terms on a four-year contract extension that contains $15 million in guaranteed money and a total of $30 million minimum but could be worth up to $40 million if he reaches all the incentives. According to ESPN.com, the final year of the deal, 2013, includes a $10 million roster bonus if Hester reaches performance levels of a No. 1 receiver over the course of the deal. Hester's base pay for this season is $445,000.

The Bears agreed to terms with Pro Bowl return specialist Devin Hester on a four-year contract extension just before noon today. Terms of the deal were not immediately available. Hester’s new contract runs through the 2013 season. After just two seasons, Hester is only 2 kick-return touchdowns away from tying the all-time NFL career record of 13 set by Brian Mitchell in 14 seasons. Hester has 89 punt returns for 1,251 yards, 7 touchdowns and a 14.1-yard average - the highest in NFL history. On 63 kickoff returns Hester has 1,462 yards, 4 touchdowns and a 23.2-yard average. He also has a 108-yard return touchdown on a missed field goal and a 92-yard kickoff return score on the opening play of Super Bowl XLI.

Paul Konerko was on the bench Saturday night, and White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said the slumping first baseman is going to back in the lineup today. Guillen _ along with GM Kenny Williams _ is still backing the slumping Konerko, but how much longer can they wait for the captain to get it going with the bat? More important, is it even possible for Konerko to contribute this season? I still think the answer is yes, but I also think I'm in the minority. It's not like the Sox don't have options. They can play Nick Swisher at first base and platoon Brian Anderson and Dewayne Wise in center field. They can platoon Konerko at designated hitter with Thome _ but that's unlikely because Thome is quietly putting up solid numbers.

Devin Hester attended the Bears' Saturday morning practice that featured a heavy dose of special teams, but he did not participate, even though he did not appear to be hindered by the phantom hamstring injury that is likely to linger until his contract extension is finalized. First-round pick Chris Williams was also just an observer, and the offensive tackle did not appear to be moving particularly well in the wake of the back spasms he suffered Thursday. Veteran backup John St. Clair remains the starting left tackle and could be there for quite a while, perhaps even into the regular season, if Williams misses significant practice time. The Bears have a 7 p.m. practice this evening at ONU's Ward Field.

You can't ask much more of the Cubs' starting pitchers since the all-star break. That brings me back once again to the subject of the "quality start." I had heard so much deamining of the quality start as a cheap, or meaningless, stat that I decided to log them for the Cubs last year. A "quality start" is defined as a start in which the pitcher goes at least 6 innings and gives up no more than 3 earned runs. Where people get hung up is on the minimum requirement. If a starter goes 6 and gives up 3, he has an ERA of 4.50. That's not exactly "quality," but you have to start somewhere. In logging quality starts last year _ and I'm doing it again this year _ I found some pretty interesting results: