Jesse Crain might be with the enemy. But Justin Morneau doesn't consider Crain an enemy because he signed with the AL Central Division rival, the Chicago White Sox.

Morneau appeared somewhat confused when informed of a report on the ESPN Chicago website in which Crain said that Morneau is the only former Twins player to not congratulate him on joining the White Sox.

"He never congratulated me; he's the one guy who didn't," Crain said. "Even [Michael] Cuddyer and [Denard] Span and all those guys, [Joe] Mauer, everybody did. But Morneau was the one guy who never did it."

Morneau said he sent Crain a text after the deal that read, "The White Sox? Are you kidding me?"

But it doesn't sound like Crain has lost his BFF status with Morneau.

"It was a joke," Morneau said, "I texted him before the Super Bowl to see if he wanted to come over and watch the Super Bowl. I didn't know if he was going to be in town yet. I played with Jesse since we were in the minors [in 2003]. Good for him [for the move]."

Morneau, who hopes to be ready for Opening Day after missing the second half last season because of a concussion, actually was amused by another report coming out of Chicago about the rivalry.

"They said they are the team to beat in the division," Morneau said. "So whatever."

That's in reaction to a statement by White Sox outfielder Alex Rios last week.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III