TUCSON, Ariz. -- Jerry Owens claims that he hasn't read any of the newspaper or Internet stories regarding the White Sox displeasure with him for leaving winter ball early during the offseason, departing a Los Tiburones de La Guaira team managed by third-base coach Joey Cora.

That lack of information explains why the talented center field prospect said he didn't know how the White Sox felt because they hadn't told him. But on Thursday, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said any disagreement over Owens' decision would not hamper his chances to make the 2006 Opening Day roster.

"What happened in winter ball, that stays there," Guillen said. "I wasn't happy about it, but I turn the page and move on. Just because he did something we didn't want him to do, I'm going to give him the same opportunity to get a shot.

"Was I real upset about it? Yes. But winter ball is over, and I think they punished him for that. I'm not going to take anything away from this kid to make the club."

Guillen went on to hint that Owens possibly received some bad advice from someone outside the White Sox organization, people "that think it's right for them and forget about the kid." Owens, in turn, told MLB.com in January that despite enjoying his time playing for Cora, he wanted to come back to the United States and prepare for his first real Major League Spring Training.

Between his stellar Minor League season with Double-A Birmingham and his time in Venezuela, Owens amassed more than 775 plate appearances. To Owens' credit, he is not trying to rationalize the decision or dodge the issue. He's standing behind what he believes.

"It's kind of a thing where we agree to disagree, and hopefully they don't hold it against me," the fleet-footed Owens said. "I'm going to stand by my decision, and I take full responsibility for it. And I'm going to face the music, whatever the music might be.

"I'm just here to play hard and open some eyes. I'm taking it like normal, like nothing ever happened. I'm going to come out here and continue to play, and I'm not going to worry about it. For me, it's in the past. I did what I did, and I have to live with the consequences, whatever those might be, and I understand that."

Owens, who turned 25 on Feb. 16, posted a Southern League-leading .331 average for the Barons, with 173 hits and 38 stolen bases in 2005. Owens hit .356 with a team-high 11 stolen bases for La Guaira.

Brian Anderson still is the favorite to emerge as the starting center fielder for the defending World Series champions, and Owens understands he still has something to prove regarding the strength of his throwing arm. But if Guillen decides he wants to go a speed route with the 25th man on the roster, Owens could get the call.

He's ready for the challenge, regardless of the recent issues.

"Now I'm on the 40-man [roster], and there's a small chance to show what I can do and see if I can make the big-league team," Owens said. "I kind of am coming in with a little different attitude. I'm here to earn a spot this year, as opposed to last year. I'm ready to go."

No pigskin plans: If Joe Borchard's batting eye is as sharp in 2006 as his wit was Thursday, the affable switch-hitter could be an American League All-Star. When kidded by a reporter about switching from No. 25 to No. 27 so Jim Thome could wear No. 25, Borchard quickly responded with a smile, "Yeah, what's he ever done?"

When asked about his offseason home in Charlotte, N.C., Borchard sarcastically added, "I figured I played there for so long, they love me. I should run for mayor."

The main topic of conversation, though, was Borchard's recent comments in the Chicago Sun-Times that he had given consideration to playing in the Canadian Football League if baseball continued to fall short of his expectations. Borchard clarified those comments Thursday.

He had talked recently to Bill Diedrick, an old friend and his former offensive coordinator when he played quarterback for Stanford. Diedrick also happens to be the quarterbacks and receivers coach for Calgary of the CFL. Borchard was bouncing some ideas off Diedrick, given the circumstances that soon could arise.

Borchard, 27, begins his seventh year in the organization but has only 102 Major League games and 298 at-bats to show for his time. He also is out of Minor League options, meaning that if he doesn't earn the White Sox's final roster spot, he could wind up with another team. Whatever the outcome, Borchard is committed to baseball before entertaining any other ideas.

"The bottom line is that I made a commitment to this sport a long time ago and I've committed myself to that wholeheartedly," said Borchard, who was the team's first-round pick in 2000. "It's just a matter of getting in a place where you know those things are, you know, they pay off for you. Hopefully, it's rapidly approaching.

"If they have a spot for me here, that's great. If not, that's also OK. There are certainly no hard feelings, no finger-pointing is going to be involved. You just have to go where you are wanted and where the situation takes you."

Be the best: With everyone but Juan Uribe in camp, Guillen held a 45-minute session with his full squad Thursday morning. General manager Ken Williams spoke first, followed by the charismatic but very direct manager. In addition to the usual list of rules and regulations, Guillen's point was very clear: He wants the White Sox to be a great organization, not just a good one.

"I don't say 'great team'; I say 'great organization,'" said Guillen. "We got the right people. Hopefully, they perform the way they should perform.

"A lot of people say we should repeat. You can't repeat if you don't win the division. It means we're saying we're going to try to repeat. That's a slap in the face to Cleveland, Minnesota and the Kansas City Royals. We just try to compete to win the division, and hopefully everything comes right and we do it."

Paul Konerko said the meeting was less about baseball matters and more about how the players interact with one another and being a family on and off the field. The new White Sox captain believes that sort of cohesiveness will get the best out of the given talent, as proven last year.

"Bunting guys over and all that stuff, that stuff takes care of itself," Konerko said. "It's about how you treat your teammates and how you have to stick together."

Konerko added with a laugh that anyone who had the under in regard to the over/under on Guillen obscenities during the speech probably lost the bet.

Third to first: Guillen is still uncertain about Uribe's status. He's hoping the shortstop will arrive Friday, but it could be as late as Tuesday. ... Minor League mini-camp opened for selected players on Thursday.