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Peavy has a contract that runs through the 2012 season, with an option for 2013. So he's not a rent-a-player.

However, the 28-year-old has been on the disabled list since June 9 with a strained tendon in his right ankle.

White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams said prior to tonight's game Peavy would not be available to pitch until late August. That probably means only about 5 or 6 starts for the rest of the season.

Now, it's up to the Sox to stay in contention for the next month as they battle Detroit and Minnesota for the AL Central title.

The Sox gave up pitchers Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Adam Russell and Dexter Carter. Richard had an up-and-down season for the South Siders, but his last two starts were outstanding. Poreda logged some time in bullpen before being sent down to Charlotte. Russell and Carter have spent the season in the minors.

I believe the pitching can hold up during this stretch, but the offensive needs to heat up or else it might not be worth it to get Peavy back on the mound until next season.

- Tom

Gone are center fielder Brian Anderson (traded), infielder Josh Fields (sent down to Triple-A Charlotte) and pitcher Bartolo Colon (placed on disabled list due to right elbow inflammation). Anderson – who was sent down Charlotte last week – was traded to the Boston Red Sox for veteran outfielder/infielder Mark Kotsay. To make room for Kotsay, the Sox demoted Fields. And Colon, who was supposed to start tonight at Minnesota, will take another turn on the DL. In his place will be left-handed relief pitcher Randy Williams, called up from Charlotte.

For Anderson, it marks the end of a disappointing White Sox career. The Sox drafted him in the first round (No. 15 overall) of the 2003 draft, but he could never figure out major league pitching, hitting a paltry .225 in 782 at-bats. He also didn't seem to get along real well with Manager Ozzie Guillen.

Kotsay will be counted on to back up Paul Konerko at first base, spot start in the outfield and pinch hit. Kotsay, 33, has a .281 career batting average, but played sparingly for the Red Sox this year, hitting .257 in 74 at-bats.

Williams will provide Guillen with a second left-hander out of the bullpen (ahead of Matt Thornton). He is 3-0 with a 3.44 ERA in 33 games for Charlotte.  

CUBS FANS, PLEASE SPEAK UP: After being one of the most disappointing teams in baseball, the Cubs have been playing great baseball since the All-Star break with 10 wins and three losses. A 12-0 pounding of Houston this afternoon tied the Cubbies with St. Louis for first place. I have been somewhat skeptical of the North Siders recent surge, pointing out they have pretty much been beating up on marginal teams. The upcoming road trip includes stops in Florida and Colorado, which will give me a better of idea of where they stand. Do you, Cubs fans, think the team has turned it around and will cruise to the NL Central title? Or will it be a roller coaster ride to the end, with enough ups and downs that make you unsure if they will qualify for the playoffs or not? Please leave your comments.          

 - Tom

After all, Buehrle is in rare company of pitchers tossing both a no-hitter and perfect game. He has also won 133 games this decade, pitched in four All-Star games and earned a World Series ring in 2005. He's only 30 years old, has never been on the disabled list, and is not a hard thrower, so arm injuries should not be an issue.

An impressive resume, but since Buehrle is not a strikeout pitcher, and has yet to win 20 games in a season – 19 games is his high – or a Cy Young Award, his best bet to gain entry to the Hall would probably have to be win 300 games.

And that thought made me ponder if 300 wins is a realistic milestone for even the very best pitchers the way the game is played today.

With five-man rotations, most starters being lifted after 100 to 115 pitches, it practically takes a perfect game – or at least a shutout  – for a starter to complete a game.

These factors all contribute to less innings pitched, less opportunities for victories, and relying more on the bullpen to secure wins.

And, any pitcher finishing with 250 wins currently would rank No. 47 in career victories.

Roy Halladay, recognized as one of the best pitchers in baseball, has 142 victories, one Cy Young Award and is 32. Johan Santana has 120 wins, two Cy Youngs, and is 30.

And while Buehrle needs at least one 20-win season and a Cy Young to get serious consideration for the Hall, 300 wins shouldn't be a  benchmark in today's game.

The Cubs are 8-2 since the All-Star break, sure you might say that it was against weak opponents; but the Cubs can't control who they play.  They're playing the schedule given to them and beating teams they should beat.  With the Astros coming into town, it appears the offense has woken up from an 80+ game slumber.  Aramis Ramirez is back and contributing and Derrek Lee is scorching hot.

The Cards have made some moves, some good moves...they snatched Mark DeRosa away from the Indians and Matt Holliday away from Oakland.  Moves that improve their chances, but I think the Cubs lineup and starting rotation is superior to the Cardinals.  In a division where no one wants to pull away health and consistency are going to be with the team that wins.  The Cubs currently have 2 starters on the DL, but they're expected to be relatively short stints.  When Geovany Soto comes back, the offense should be better; with all the vitriol that surrounded this team a few months back; the Cubs have brought some optimism back to the Northside.

I knew the Sox were winning 4-0 thanks to grand slam by Josh Fields, but didn't realize Buehrle was perfect as I tended to my design work.

Now the thought of a perfect game was starting to race around through my head, but I didn't want to get too far ahead of myself, for all it would take was one bad pitch, bad play or lucky bounce for the dream to die.

One of televisions in The Times office was turned on, and I watched the top of the seventh inning at a distance from my desk, interested, but not yet "all in" to the possibility Buehrle – who tossed a no-hitter in 2007 against the Texas Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field – could retire 27 batters in a row.

Once it was the top of the eighth inning I moved close to the television to watch, and believe, this could happen. I had a nervous moment as Tampa Designated Hitter Pat Burrell lined a shot down the left field line just inches foul. But Burrell eventually made the last out of the inning, lining out to third baseman Gordon Beckham.

Now to the ninth. Buehrle had the home fans rooting him on at The Cell. More people gathered around the television to watch history in the making. Until Gabe Kapler pounded a Buehrle pitching to center field. Oh no I thought, a home run. Perfect game, no hitter, shutout, down the tubes.

Then, out of nowhere, center fielder DeWayne Wise - yes, the same DeWayne Wise I said earlier this week should have been shipped out instead of Brian Anderson - goes on a full sprint to the wall, jumps, makes the catch, then as he falls back to the ground the ball pops out, but he snags it with his bare hand. Phewwww!!!

Buehrle went 3-1 on the next batter, catcher Michel Hernandez, then struck him out. One more to go. Jason Bartlett then grounded a ball to short, and Alexei Ramirez threw to first to complete the 18th perfect game in major league history.

Then, a couple of fist pumps. Then, a feeling of pure joy. Then, a status update on Facebook.