Lamont's Contract `Tabled'

While there is almost certainly a contract extension in the worksfor manager Gene Lamont, who is signed through next season, generalmanager Ron Schueler said Tuesday nothing will be done "until the endof the season."

The future of White Sox reliever Bobby Thigpen might be resolvedsooner, however, if the number of scouts attending Comiskey Park thishomestand is any indication.

"We've been hit more in the last 10 days with scouts than allseason," Schueler said. "There have been clubs from both leagues inhere to see him."

As for any trade talks on the horizon, Schueler said the current"quiet" time might soon change.

"It might pick up," Schueler said. "I'm hoping it does."

HOT TIMES: Maybe it was the weather, but what started as somegood-natured kidding between Ozzie Guillen and Frank Thomas duringTuesday's batting practice, turned into a heated discussion asThomas, the White Sox first baseman, was taking ground balls atshortstop - the injured Guillen's position.

What ensued for the next few minutes was a pointed discussion oneach player's defensive and offensive capabilities.

"I didn't see any problem myself," said Lamont, when asked aboutthe confrontation. "I think guys ride each other more than peopleknow.

"Sometimes they're kidding - sometimes not. But to me, it wasno big deal."

INVITATION ONLY: Expect Brian Drahman to be one of the "two orthree" minor league players Schueler indicated will be joining theWhite Sox from Class AAA Vancouver Sept. 1 when the major leaguerosters expand.

After the season, Schueler said a total of "six or seven"players from the farm system would be added to the White Sox roster.

SVEUM REBOUNDING: Shortstop Dale Sveum, who has lost sevenpounds over the course of his week-long battle with a virus, said hefelt much better Tuesday.

"At least I was able to eat something today," he said. "Beforethat, I wasn't able to swallow."

OWNERS' RIGHTS: White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said he hadn'tmade up his mind on whether Fay Vincent should be forced out ascommissioner, but said he believed he could be fired by the owners.

"Every lawyer that I have spoken to has concluded that acommissioner can be removed from office," Reinsdorf said. "But let'sdeal with that if we get to that point. We haven't gotten to thatpoint yet."

Contributing: Associated Press