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White Sox Try To Repeat Rule-5 Magic With Latest Roster Move

By
Craig Rowland
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Salem's Jedixson Paez (17) pitches against the Shorebirds Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland.

The White Sox had a ton of success last season when it came to the Rule-5 Draft, as they drafted all-star Shane Smith with the first pick and traded for Mike Vasil, who was also selected in the first round of the Rule-5 draft.

This year the White Sox will look to replicate that success, as they made two selections in the Rule-5 Draft. They selected right-handed pitcher Jedixson Paez with the second overall pick and right-handed reliever Alexander Alberto with the only pick in the second round.

Unfortunately, they won’t be able to quite replicate that success, as they have already returned Alberto back to the Tampa Bay Rays organization. I thought they would try and give him a shot in the majors, but the White Sox must have felt he wasn’t quite ready for the major leagues.

However, it has now been reported that their first pick, Jedixson Paez, has made the Opening Day roster. This is a great sign for Paez, as he will have plenty of opportunities to show he belongs in the major leagues. The White Sox also released a super cool video of Paez getting notified that he made the roster.

Paez had a pretty good spring outside of one outing. In total, he threw 11.1 innings of 6.97 ERA baseball. However, that was due to one bad outing where he gave up 6 runs in just 1 and 1/3rd innings. Outside of that, he was much better.

In the other 10 innings, he gave up just two runs and six hits, while walking five and striking out nine. This is a pretty good performance for a 22-year-old who has not pitched above high-A. With the rotation set, he will look to fill the void from Mike Vasil’s injury in a long relief and spot starting role.

Last season due to injury, Paez only threw 19 innings, but he had a very solid 2.79 ERA in those innings. He struck out 23 compared to just three walks. This was a pretty good season for Paez and if he was not injured, he would have likely gotten a promotion to AA.

Overall in Paez’s minor league career, he owns a 3.22 ERA with 307 strikeouts to just 49 walks in 307 innings. While he doesn’t have the gaudy strikeout numbers as some of the other top pitching prospects in the White Sox organization, he has elite control. This has constantly been one of the traits GM Chris Getz has targeted in his pitching acquisitions.

Due to Paez’s age and lack of time spent in the upper minors, there may be an adjustment period to start his MLB career. However, I could see Paez having a season similar to Vasil and carving out a role for the next good White Sox roster.

3 Things To Know for the Chicago Cubs Opening Day Game vs. Washington Nationals

By
Aldo Soto
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Hello there, fellow baseball fans, we’ve made it back to another Opening Day. The Chicago Cubs are beginning the season at home against the Washington Nationals with a pitching matchup featuring Matthew Boyd vs. Cade Cavalli.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell revealed the team’s Opening Day lineup, and although there are obviously a few changes from last October, he followed much of the same strategy. Michael Busch is leading off, while Matt Shaw gets the start in right field, where he’s filling in for Seiya Suzuki. Similar to the team’s batting order throughout the 2025 postseason, Counsell is once again sticking close to alternating left-handed and right-handed batters 1-9.

We’ll see how different the starting nine looks once Suzuki returns from the injured list.

Here are three things to know about the Cubs’ Opening Day game against the Nationals.

Weather Factor

It’s March, it’s Chicago, the wind is going to play a factor and this one should help out the pitchers at Wrigley Field.

Matthew Boyd had an All-Star 2025 season in his first year with the Cubs, and he was especially great pitching at Wrigley Field. The lefty only had one blowup at Wrigley Field in April, when some bad defense led to Boyd giving up six runs on 10 hits, including two home runs. However, only three of those were earned. Overall, Boyd started 15 games at home, where he posted a 2.51 ERA, with a 23.2 K%.

We’ll also see how Shaw looks in right field at Wrigley Field. He prepared for the new role in spring training, and it’s still a work in progress, so adding those crazy Wrigley winds will only make it more challenging for Shaw.

No one on the Cubs has ever faced Cade Cavalli during his MLB career. The Nationals’ Opening Day starter made his MLB debut back in 2022, but Tommy John surgery and his recovery from the elbow procedure delyed his return to the big leagues until last August.

Cavalli made 10 starts with the Nationals in 2025, posting a few strong outings, finishing with a 4.25 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 48.2 innings.

Boyd started twice against the Nationals last season and pitched well, as the lefty tossed 14.1 innings, while giving up four total earned runs, two in each start. However, Boyd was the tough-luck loser in both games, as the Cubs’ offense only scored one run for him.

Watch Out For These Guys

In September, Boyd threw seven innings against the Nationals, and although he allowed only two runs, the Cubs lost 2-1. The difference was Daylen Lile’s solo home run in the fourth inning.

Lile, a left-handed hitting outfielder, had a solid rookie year with the Nationals in 2025, as he had an .845 OPS across 351 plate appearances. He slashed .299/.347/.498, with nine home runs and 15 doubles, and, although he only played in 91 games, he had 11 triples, tied for fifth-most in MLB.

Nationals’ shortstop CJ Abrams is 2-for-7, with a pair of doubles against Boyd, and although James Wood only went 1-for-6 against Boyd last year, he’s always a threat at the plate. The left-handed slugger hit 31 home runs in 2025 and had a .825 OPS, while still producing at the same clip against left-handed pitching.

Best Matchups vs. Cade Cavalli

Michael Busch had a .906 OPS and hit 30 home runs against right-handed pitchers in 2025, while Pete Crow-Armstrong also feasted on righties to the tune of an .838 OPS. However, Cavalli was actually a lot better facing left-handed batters in 2025, compared to righties.

Cade Cavalli Splits
vs. RHH: .381/.442/.548, 3 HR, 6.11 ERA, 13.7 K%, 7.4 BB%
vs. LHH: .221/.279/.372, 4 HR, 3.19 ERA, 21.8 K%, 6.5 BB%

The right-handed pitcher features a 97 mph fastball and a curveball that he used 30% of the time with the Nationals in 2025. He’ll also use a sinker that’s in the upper 90s, while sprinkling in a changeup and a cutter.

Dansby Swanson is a good fastball hitter, so he can catch up to Cavalli’s velocity to potentially create damage at Wrigley Field today. Busch and Crow-Armstrong remain strong candidates to produce and jump on a mistake, while Nico Hoerner’s high contact rate makes him a candidate to get a few knocks off Washington’s starter.

This Newly Speculated Donovan Angle Wasn’t on Anyone’s Radar

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Jan 7, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan argues with referee Michael Smith (38) during a timeout against the Detroit Pistons in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

This week has been all about Billy Donovan’s future with the Chicago Bulls. First, the Chicago Sun-Times posted an article by Joe Cowley detailing his potential exit as the team’s head coach. Next, Hubert Davis’s firing yesterday from the North Carolina Tar Heels has immediately sparked speculation that Donovan could pivot into the open vacancy and return to the college level. As recently as yesterday afternoon, a new angle has entered the discussion on what Chicago’s head coach will do next, and it is already making Bulls fans scratch their heads. How much traction does this new direction have, and what outcome would be best for the franchise moving forward?

Laying Out All Options

The most important first step in determining where Billy Donovan will land after this season and what is best for the Chicago Bulls moving forward is setting the scene for where things currently stand.

The report that started all the questions regarding his head coaching future in Chicago was brought to light by Joe Cowley, stating that Donovan’s desire to win, disinterest in a rebuild, fatigue built up from another disappointing season, and some disheartening events away from the court have all led the general public to believe he might be done after the next ten games.

Next, the North Carolina head coaching position. There have been half a dozen reports circulating on social media from various sources, tying Donovan to being the next man up. His impressive college resume, his looming departure from the Chicago Bulls, and the Tar Heels’ reportedly “aggressive pursuit” of the Naismith Hall of Fame leader have all grown momentum toward this being his next chapter.

The third option, which to this point has to be the favorite since no substantial evidence has proved otherwise, is that he remains the coach of the Chicago Bulls. His contract was described as “multi-year” by multiple sources, including Yahoo Sports, and was inked in July of 2025. This means he’s under contract for at least one more year, and more likely multiple seasons beyond 2026.

Lastly, as introduced yesterday afternoon, a move similar to Brad Stevens could be in play. This would mean a step away from his head coaching role but a promotion into front-office operations. He’d remain with the organization and have greater influence over roster decisions, draft choices, and the future structure of player personnel.

A Potential Move To The Front Office

Marc Eversley, currently the general manager of the franchise, is the next hottest name to get the boot this summer. Whether it’s been botched draft selections or whiffed trade opportunities, the roster simply hasn’t been good enough for his entire six-year tenure with the team, and someone is going to have to answer soon for the continued failures. As discussed on Chicago’s 670 The Score with David Haugh, there is speculation that Donovan could fill that role rather than leaving the organization entirely. He’s got the basketball knowledge and resume; his name value would help lure free agents and high-profile players to the historic basketball city, and with his age and disinterest in leading a rebuilding product on the floor, the intrigue of pulling the strings for one could be present. If last summer’s evaluation of a draft prospect Chicago had a great chance to draft is any indication, he’d be an instant upgrade from the current situation in the front office.

Could the Bulls be eyeing a move similar to Brad Stevens, promoting Billy Donovan into the decision-making group in the organization, or does he opt for a college blue blood head coaching vacancy to rekindle his legendary track record at that level?

Why Austin Booker Might Kill Bears’ Edge Rusher Plans At #25

By
Erik Lambert
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austin booker
Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; in Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) pressures Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during an NFC Wild Card Round game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Everybody is convinced the Chicago Bears are locked in on targeting an edge rusher with their 25th overall pick in the 1st round next month. The organization hasn’t taken one that high since Leonard Floyd in 2016. The team has desperately needed another option opposite Montez Sweat. By all accounts, this draft class is stacked at the position, giving them a great opportunity to find a true difference-maker. However, all of these discussions have glossed over a key factor in all of this: Austin Booker.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reiterated recently that the Bears are much higher on the young defensive end than people realize. It is enough to believe that they aren’t anxious to upset his development. That is why they haven’t signed a prominent free agent, and it could be why they don’t draft an edge rusher in the 1st round.

“If Austin Booker can pick up where he left off at the end of last season, that’s one way for the Bears to be better rushing the passer. We saw him playing at a pretty high level for a little less than half a season. If Booker is healthy and can make a jump from Year 2 to Year 3 like he did from his rookie season to 2025 (once he got healthy), they’ll have an interesting player. Is that a lock to happen? Of course not. But I believe the Bears are optimistic about his career arc.”

The Bears knew Booker would be a project when they drafted him in the 5th round two years ago. It would require patience and work to get him up to speed. Everything was going well last summer. He’d dominated the preseason and looked great in training camp. Then he injured his knee.

Austin Booker quietly saved the Bears defense.

Through the first seven games of the season, all of which he missed with the knee issue, the Bears gave up at least 24 points in four of them. After returning in week nine, the Bears’ defense allowed 24 or more in four of the final ten games. The improvement was pretty clear. While far from perfect, Booker’s addition to the pass rush is starting to force turnovers more regularly and get the team off the field on 3rd down. Chicago actually gave up fewer than 20 points five times. Booker was a major factor in all of it. The numbers don’t lie.

Week OpponentPressuresPass Rush SnapsSacks
9at Cincinnati Bengals1241.0
10vs New York Giants5380.0
11at Minnesota Vikings3290.0
12vs Pittsburgh Steelers2260.0
13at Philadelphia Eagles3310.0
14at Green Bay Packers3280.0
15vs Cleveland Browns4332.0
16vs Green Bay Packers4300.5
17at San Francisco 49ers1221.0
18vs Detroit Lions3240.0
WCvs Green Bay Packers3211.0
DIVvs Los Angeles Rams1180.0
Total333245.5

If Booker had played a full season, he would’ve finished with eight sacks and 49 total pressures. That would’ve been the best campaign for a homegrown Bears pass rusher since Mark Anderson way back in 2006. This would explain why the Bears are eager to see what he can do in 2026. They feel he is scratching the surface of something big. Remember, Austin Booker is still only 23 years old. He is coming into his physical prime and is no doubt gaining confidence from how he finished last season.

The Bears don’t feel the need to force the issue.

That is the underlying point of this. If Booker weren’t on the team, there is no question Chicago would’ve signed a veteran two weeks ago and would be locked in on the best possible options in the 1st round. His presence means the Bears are not edge rusher-or-bust at #25. Sure, if a really good player at the position sits on the board, they’ll take him. However, if the best possibilities are picked clean, and they often are that late in the 1st round, they won’t feel conflicted by pivoting to another position.

They need help at defensive tackle, safety, and linebacker. Wide receiver could also be in play after sacrificing D.J. Moore via trade. Their options are open. Beyond all of that, the Bears are taking the right approach. If you want your young players to develop properly, you must let them play. Booker showed enough on tape last season to justify giving him more time. His knee is healthy, and his confidence is ascending. Let it play out rather than trying to force the issue.

How The Browns Just Opened The Door Wide For A Myles Garrett Bears Trade

By
Erik Lambert
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myles garrett
Jan 4, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates following a sack against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium. The play set a new NFL single season sack record by Garrett. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Myles Garrett has been a topic of discussion among Chicago Bears fans for what feels like forever. It is clear that the superstar defensive end is unhappy. Despite putting together an all-time great career as a pass rusher, the Cleveland Browns have continuously bungled their opportunities to build a winner. Last season might’ve been the last straw. Garrett turned 30 years old in December. His prime won’t last much longer, and now the Browns are about to enter another rebuilding phase with a new head coach and no clear quarterback.

It feels like the perfect time for him to push for a trade. While nothing has been spoken publicly, there are rumors that Garrett and the organization haven’t been in contact since the season ended. That by itself doesn’t say much, but Cleveland just sent up a flare with the latest news. According to Field Yates of ESPN, the team has modified Garrett’s contract to gain some cap flexibility and provide their star with additional benefits. However, a closer inspection makes the intention far clearer.

That contract is now significantly more tradeable.

Myles Garrett has suddenly become possible for the Bears.

While the compensation to acquire the future Hall of Famer would almost certainly be two 1st round picks and more, the contract was always the biggest obstacle. Chicago has been up against the cap since the offseason began, and that hasn’t changed despite moves aimed at gaining flexibility. With Garrett suddenly only costing $9 million against the cap this year, it wouldn’t be a huge task for the Bears to create enough space for him. They could restructure two of their veteran contracts to make room for both him and the upcoming draft class without hurting their future finances.

His cap number for the next three seasons is plenty affordable. The Bears wouldn’t have to make any decisions until 2029. By then, it would likely be far more possible to release him without a doomsday dead money hit. So is the idea worth it? There are precious few players in the NFL like Myles Garrett. We’re talking about one of the greats of the sport. Bruce Smith and Reggie White levels of ability. White was 32 when the Green Bay Packers signed him. Everybody remembers how that went. Garrett is one of the few talents who can instantly transform a defense.

We already know the Bears have explored this.

Right before they traded for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka last year, it was reported they asked about Garrett. Unsurprisingly, the Browns said no. The pass rusher was in the middle of chasing the single-season NFL sack record and Cleveland no doubt hoped he’d break it in a Browns uniform. Things have changed since then. Everybody has accepted that their window of opportunity to chase a Super Bowl likely closed. Deshaun Watson isn’t ever going to regain his old form. Shedeur Sanders is a forlorn hope. If Cleveland hopes to get a serious return in a trade, it must be done now.

This contract maneuver is a first step. Now, more teams should be interested in making a deal happen. Ironically, the Bears might be better positioned than most because they were the only team that hadn’t made any significant additions to the position. Dallas traded for Rashan Gary. Baltimore signed Trey Hendrickson. Philadelphia added Arnold Ebiketie and is rumored to be a favorite for Jonathan Greenard. The competition is much thinner than it would’ve been a month ago.

Chicago White Sox Shock With Unexpected Bullpen Move

By
Craig Rowland
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Mar 2, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Brandon Eisert against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

As we sit less than 24 hours away from Opening Day, the White Sox have officially announced their roster to open the season. This included a few surprising DFA’s, but one of the more interesting moves came a few days ago.

On Sunday, the White Sox announced that they optioned left handed reliever Brandon Eisert to AAA Charlotte.

This is a bit surprising, as Eisert was one of the most heavily used pitchers in Will Venable’s bullpen last season. He ranked 6th in innings pitched on the roster, behind all the starting pitchers and Mike Vasil. Additionally, he had the most games pitched on the roster. To cut him a few days before even finalizing the roster is a bit surprising due to his usage last season.

Last season Eisert went 3–8 with a 4.39 ERA over 69.2 innings. He struck out 74 batters and had an elevated 1.44 WHIP. Despite not having much velocity, Eisert was still able to miss a good amount of bats.

While those stats aren’t overly impressive, he had some very good stretches of baseball. In June, he posted a 3.18 ERA over 11 innings. In August, he posted a 2.19 ERA over 12 innings. However, the rest of the season was up and down for Eisert, as he posted a 6 + ERA in two separate months and a 5+ ERA in another month.

As we flip the script to 2026, Eisert had a decent Spring Training. In 9 innings, he had a 3 ERA, striking out 12 batter while walking two. This is a pretty good stat-line and it was good to see his K/9 ratio increase from last season.

But, with newly acquired lefty Chris Murphy having a good Spring Training, the pressure was on Eisert to make the team, especially with the White Sox bringing in lefty Sean Newcomb in free agency. This made the last lefty reliever spot in the bullpen a three man race between Eisert, Tyler Gilbert, and Ryan Borucki.

Ultimately, the White Sox opted with Tyler Gilbert over Eisert, as Gilbert also had a very good Spring Training performance, as he had a 3.86 ERA over seven innings. I believe Gilbert’s ability to pitch more than one inning helped him make the roster, as the White Sox have a lot of innings to make up with the injury to Mike Vasil. I also believe the fact that Eisert had minor league options helped make the White Sox decision, as he would not be subject to waivers if he didn’t make the team.

However, it is still a bit surprising that the White Sox moved off one of their most used relievers last season so quickly. They must think that Gilbert and Murphy give them a better chance to win, and they went with it. This just shows the new era of White Sox baseball, as they are clearly not afraid to move on from players and replace them if they have the opportunity. Regardless, I believe that we will see Eisert again this season, as if there is an injury in the bullpen, he will be the first guy called up.

JB Pritzker Finally Provides Hope The Bears Stadium Saga Is Nearing Its End

By
Erik Lambert
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jb pritzker
Gov. JB Pritzker answers questions after signing the Sonya Massey Act at the Illinois State Capitol on Aug. 12, 2025.

The moment is at hand. Or at least it feels that way. The Chicago Bears have been eager to get the megaprojects bill passed in the Illinois legislature for years. Up until a few months ago, the state government had been unwilling to even hear. It looked like things were finally progressing at the start of this month, but things fell apart, and the legislature adjourned without even voting on it. That meant another few weeks of waiting until the end of the month, when the next opportunity arose. General feelings from the team’s side were that they were fast reaching the end of their patience. Another delay might force their hand, leading to a decision to leave for Indiana. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker got the chance to speak on the situation.

He was asked, following a speech on state agriculture, whether a potential vote is close, and he offered some hope. There is a clear sense of urgency among many in the government to get something done. The deal the two sides have put together is considered favorable by both, including the McCaskey family. The challenge now is to see if it gets the necessary votes in the House and the Senate over the next couple of days.

It sounds like JB Pritzker feels there is enough momentum now.

Up until recently, there was a lot of resistance down in Springfield to any deal with the Bears. For some, it was because they didn’t want to give a billion-dollar private organization tax breaks when the state is trying to keep people fed and housed. Others were resistant because they didn’t want the Bears to leave Chicago, feeling they belonged there. However, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the move is happening. It comes down to a decision of whether people want to keep them in Illinois or let them leave for Indiana.

Considering the Bears have been an Illinois institution for over a century, it would not reflect well on the government to let them walk. That is why Pritzker seems confident the bill will pass. Still, this is politics we’re talking about. People always look to interfere in high-profile situations like this to serve their own ends. That is particularly true in Illinois. SM has been informed that there is optimism that a deal will come together shortly. Results should be expected by the end of Thursday.

Arlington Heights always felt like the endgame.

Make no mistake. Indiana was a very real threat. The Hammond location is just over the state border and still within sight of downtown. There is plenty of land to build on and renovate. The state was ready and willing to provide as much financial assistance as possible. However, Illinois has always been home. George McCaskey would never want his legacy to be the man who moved the Bears out of the state. Using Indiana as leverage finally forced JB Pritzker and the government into serious negotiations.

This took way longer than anybody wanted it to. Team president Kevin Warren deserves plenty of blame for hijacking the process and trying to get a downtown stadium built despite everybody knowing it would never happen. If he’d gone with the Indiana play sooner, the project might already be under construction. Here’s hoping everybody sees sense and puts this nightmare to bed.

White Sox Make Head Scratching Move On Opening Day Eve

By
Craig Rowland
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Feb 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Curtis Mead against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This Spring Training was a bit different for the White Sox, as they had more set in stone going into February than the past few seasons. This led to less of a chance to make the squad for the non-roster invitees, but there were still some pretty intriguing names that were fighting for the last few spots.

Now, as we sit just one day before the White Sox open the season in Milwaukee against the Brewers, they announced their Opening Day roster.

As you can see above, this is a much improved roster, as there are a ton of intriguing young players, specifically in the lineup. The White Sox have not been able to say that for a quite a long time. However, it was the players that didn’t make the roster that caught the attention of most White Sox fans.

It was reported a few days ago that Korey Lee wasn’t going to break camp with the team, so seeing him get DFA’d wasn’t surprising. However, seeing Curtis Mead get DFA’d was quite shocking.

This is kind of out of the blue, as Mead was the headliner in the Adrian Houser trade at last year’s trading deadline. This was due to the fact that he was a former top-100 prospect. Mead started out in AAA with the Charlotte Knights after the trade, but quickly made his way up to Chicago to make his debut for the White Sox. 

Mead had a strong month of August for the White Sox, as he hit .258 with a .312 on-base percentage. He added seven RBIs and one stolen base. This was a solid start for him, as he hadn’t had much consistent playing time in the major leagues.

Mead continued his nice start into the first week of September, as he had nine hits over the first five games. Unfortunately, Mead hit a cold streak, as he only had six more hits from September 6th to September 28th. This tanked his average, as it fell to .220 in the month of September. However, Mead flashed his ability to be a productive major league player. 

Mead had an alright Spring Training, as he hit .233 with a .258 OBP over 10 games, adding two homeruns, two doubles, and four RBIs. He struck out seven times compared to just one walk. However, Mead was productive in the World Baseball Classic, as he hit .357 with a homerun in four games.

It is really surprising to see the White Sox cut ties with Mead so quickly, as he hasn’t gotten much of a chance to establish himself in the major leagues. Additionally, with his prospect pedigree, I would have liked for him to get more run with consistent at-bats.

Now, the White Sox will look for a trade partner, but if they can’t, any team can claim him on waivers. I would imagine teams would have some interest in trading for him, as there could be a few teams interested in letting him play everyday. If nobody trades for him, he will for sure be claimed on waivers.

This move is shocking for a lot of reasons, but when they chose to carry six outfielders, two of which were not originally projected to make the roster, it is even more head scratching. Hopefully the White Sox can find a way to keep him, as Mead could be a very good major league hitter. Otherwise, this seems like it could come back to haunt the White Sox.

Chicago’s Rebuild Timeline Rides On One Western Conference Cinderella Story

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Nov 19, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) celebrates after making a three-point shot during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Many fans in Chicago can admit that the last five years have been a tough product to support. While there have been scattered high points and one playoff appearance sprinkled in, the majority of this decade has been disappointment. From the front-office decisions to ownership’s failure to keep them accountable, to the product on the court, and the finite failure to stack wins and build a successful franchise. As this season winds down, at least having a clear direction moving forward, Bulls fans can hang their hat on the clarity that the organization has gone all-in on a rebuild for the first time since Arturas Karnisovas’s arrival. In parallel with cheering for Chicago to lose to improve their draft positioning and develop young assets, there’s a second storyline worth investing in. Here’s what Bulls fans need to add to their scope of attention as the year winds down, and how they can finally strike some good fortune while riding a team that held the same title odds as Chicago before the season began.

Big Portland Trail Blazers Fans

Any sports fan can relate when they say that rooting for another franchise is widely frowned upon. Chicago to the moon, dismiss any other organizations. Well, for the next month, Bulls fans should pull for the Portland Trail Blazers. Take solace in the fact that they’re in the Western Conference, have little association or history with Chicago, and they can do us a massive favor. If Portland can sneak its way into the Western Conference playoffs and power through the juggernaut field of teams in the Play-In tournament on that side of the bracket, the Bulls will add a second first-round pick to their ammunition toward a rebuild this summer. That selection is lottery-protected, meaning if they don’t qualify for the NBA Playoffs, they would retain the draft slot.

The Reality Of Portland’s Playoff Chances

The good news is that the Blazers will be in the Play-In tournament. The bad news is that they’ll have to go through a combination of the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, or Golden State Warriors. If they can pass the Clippers in the standings, who they trail by half a game, they’ll only have to win one game in Phoenix to qualify for the postseason. The most likely scenario is that they’ll host Golden State, and if they win, visit the loser of the Suns versus the Clippers to battle for the final slot in the dance.

A few more important notes for Chicago include Portland being 4-8 against its three Play-In tournament foes, with a -69 point differential in those dozen games. They also have the second-easiest strength of schedule for the remainder of the year, which should translate into improved seeding heading into the tournament.

Can Deni Avdija carry the Blazers into the playoffs and do the Bulls a massive favor?

White Sox Hand Luisangel Acuña Full Runway to Prove He’s a Core Piece

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Mar 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox outfielder Luisangel Acuna slides into home to score a run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Luisangel Acuña will open the season as the Chicago White Sox starting center fielder despite logging just three innings at the position, but recent roster moves suggest the team plans to use him all over the diamond. 

That became official on Wednesday, when the White Sox unveiled their Opening Day lineup with Acuña batting ninth and starting in center field, setting the stage for a pivotal season for the 24-year-old.

What makes Acuña such an intriguing player this season is the fact that he has five years of control. It’s one of the reasons that White Sox general manager Chris Getz decided to pull the trigger on the deal.

“We’re talking about a player with five-plus years of control, one of the younger, exciting players in our game who hasn’t really gotten a runway at the major league level,” Getz said when discussing Acuña. “We have an opportunity here, and we can provide that runway to show off his talent and his ability.”

After being traded to the Chicago White Sox for Luis Robert Jr, Acuña turned in an impressive spring. In 44 at-bats, he racked up 18 hits, including a home run and three doubles, finishing camp with a .409 average and a 1.003 OPS. 

Acuña’s opportunities in New York were limited by a Mets roster in win-now mode, where playoff aspirations left little room for consistent playing time. With the move to the White Sox, he’ll finally get a chance to play regularly, despite an already crowded infield mix. 

By designating infielder Curtis Mead for assignment, the White Sox now carry three outfielders on the bench in Derek Hill, Everson Pereira and Tristain Peters. That roster construction opens the door for Acuña to see time in the infield as well, logging innings at second base, shortstop and the hot corner when Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery or Chase Meidroth are out of the lineup.

Acuña has all the tools to be a serviceable center fielder after getting time at the position in the Venezuelan Winter League. But even with his speed and athleticism, some growing pains are expected at the position, something the White Sox are willing to tolerate if he can produce offensively. 

Consistent offensive production could also help him earn some more platoon action in the infield. But putting together Spring Training numbers is one thing, having that translate into MLB success is another. 

In his first 109 major-league games, Acuña has yet to live up to his former Top-100 prospect billing, posting a career .248/.299/.341 slash line. While he grabbed headlines this offseason by becoming the first player to hit four home runs in a Venezuelan Winter League game, he has never been regarded as a true power hitter. Although any added pop would be a welcome sign, Acuña’s best asset remains his speed, and to fully leverage it, he needs to reach base at a higher clip. 

While he strikes out at a modest rate, he has failed to generate walks or much hard contact over his first two seasons in New York. In fact, his 35.5% hard-hit percentage would have ranked amongst the lowest in baseball last season, if he had enough at-bats to qualify. 

It’s that limited sample size that makes Acuña such an intriguing piece, given his wide-ranging skill set. By DFAing Mead, whom they acquired for Adrian Houser at last year’s trade deadline, the White Sox are prioritizing upside and flexibility by giving Acuña a full runway to prove he can turn tools into production and potentially become a core piece.

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