Torborg Ready to Put Raines at Leadoff Spot : Baseball: After faltering at batting No. 3 in Montreal, he will resume batting No. 1 for the White Sox.

The Chicago White Sox got their leadoff man, and the Montreal Expos picked up a proven run producer and one of baseball’s top set-up pitchers.

Seven-time All-Star Tim Raines was traded from the Expos to the White Sox for outfielder Ivan Calderon and pitcher Barry Jones. The deal was made Sunday and formally announced Monday morning.

The White Sox, who finished second in the American League West, nine games behind Oakland, have been looking for ways to strengthen the top of their order.

“Every club that has made it to the World Series in recent years has a solid leadoff man who helped get them there--Barry Larkin, Rickey Henderson, Steve Sax,” White Sox General Manager Ron Schueler said. “They all had a leadoff player who could get on base, steal a base and get something started.”

White Sox Manager Jeff Torborg said he was looking forward to writing in Raines’ name at the top of his lineup card.

“He is a catalyst who can do a lot of things for us,” Torborg said.

Raines, 31, had lost his leadoff position and wanted out of Montreal, where he played for 10 years. He had a career average of .301 for the Expos and averaged 63 steals.

“I’ve always taken pride in being a leadoff man,” Raines said Monday. “Now I get my opportunity to get back.”

Raines and the White Sox agreed to a $10.5 million, three-year contract, making him the 28th $3 million-a-year player.

Expo General Manager David Dombrowski said that shifting Raines to third in the order last year didn’t work. Raines hit .287 in 1990 with nine home runs and 62 RBIs as Montreal finished third in the NL East.

Dombrowski added that Raines’ history of injuries was a factor in the trade, especially hamstring problems that have cut his speed. Another factor was that Montreal plays on artificial turf and Chicago plays on grass.

Calderon hit .273 with 14 homers and 74 RBIs last season. He earned $925,000 in 1990 and is eligible for free agency after the 1991 season.

Jones, 27, was 11-4 with a 2.31 ERA and one save in 1990. He was used as a set-up man for Bobby Thigpen, who set a major league record with 57 saves.