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Pinch-Hit King: Randal Grichuk Defying Expectations With White Sox

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Jun 24, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox outfielder Randal Grichuk (34) reacts after hitting a home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the ninth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

When the Chicago White Sox added Randal Grichuk to the roster, expectations were understandably modest.

The veteran outfielder had gone homerless in his first 16 games with the New York Yankees and was slashing just .194/.212/.323 over 31 at-bats before being designated for assignment.

At 34 years old, Grichuk’s peak production as a hitter appeared to be behind him. Still, he represented a worthwhile flier for the White Sox, particularly because of his track record against left-handed pitching.

With Austin Hill and Everson Pereira on the injured list and Lusinagel Acuña struggling to find his footing at the plate, Chicago needed more production from its outfield. While Grichuk’s overall numbers in New York were underwhelming, he was still hitting the ball hard, suggesting there was still something left in the tank.

His barrel rate remained above the league average, and he continued to generate some of the fastest swing speeds in baseball. Combined with a career .816 OPS against left-handed pitching, Grichuk appeared capable of being a serviceable platoon player. 

While he has been a platoon player, Grichuk has been more than serviceable; he’s been a revelation off the bench. 

Wednesday served as just the latest example. With the White Sox trailing by a run and down to their final out against the Cleveland Guardians, Grichuk, who entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, crushed the first pitch he saw 416 feet into the right-center field seats for a game-tying home run.

The home run marked his ninth of the season, which is currently tied for fourth on the White Sox roster despite only appearing in 36 games. Of his nine home runs this season, four have come as a pinch hitter. 

Much of what has made Grichuk so effective in that role has been his dominance against left-handed pitching. In 74 plate appearances against southpaws, he is slashing .324 with a staggering 1.084 OPS, along with seven home runs and 14 RBIs. With so many left-handed bats in the White Sox lineup, that production has been invaluable. 

But Grichuk’s success with the White Sox has not happened by accident. Manager Will Venable has maximized his value by deploying him in favorable matchups, with 63 percent of his at-bats this season coming against lefties. The reasoning is obvious. While Grichuk has punished lefties, in 44 plate appearances versus righties, his OPS drops to .577. 

While his veteran presence and added power have been a welcome boost to the lineup, Grichuk’s sudden resurgence also represents a much more encouraging development. 

For years, there has been a perception that players tend to find another level after leaving the White Sox. But this season, Chicago has started to flip that narrative, showing an ability not only to develop talent but also to put players in positions to succeed. It’s not just the culture the players have created in the locker room that’s changed; it’s the culture of the organization. 

Much of the White Sox roster has produced above league-average levels. Several prospects promoted from within the organization have made immediate impacts. And players acquired from outside the organization, such as Grichuk and Tristain Peters, have exceeded expectations and become meaningful contributors.

Do the White Sox still have a long way to go before being considered a first-class organization? Absolutely. But this season has offered tangible signs that the franchise is moving in the right direction.

How The Chicago Bulls Scored Twice In Undrafted Free Agency After Punting 2nd Round

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bulls
Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) knocks the ball from Purdue Boilermakers center Oscar Cluff’s (45) hands during a NCAA Tournament game Saturday, March 28, 2026 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Purdue fell to Arizona 79-64.

The excitement around the Chicago Bulls was at a fever following what many felt was an excellent 1st round of the 2026 NBA draft. In a span of mere hours, they added two premier athletes in Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain, who were premier rim attackers with elite defensive upside. With two picks in the 2nd round, hopes were high that they might continue going after possible hidden gems. Instead, the team pulled a surprise. It started when they sold the 56th overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for cash. Then they selected Purdue guard Braden Smith with the 38th pick, only to trade him to the Indiana Pacers for Kam Jones.

It was a lackluster day for most. People couldn’t understand the reasoning behind the Bulls’ decision-making. Thankfully, the team appears to have redeemed itself with some exciting moves on the undrafted free agent market. It started with the addition of Arizona big man Tobe Awaka. He likely went overlooked because of his underdeveloped offensive game and lack of upside, but one thing is clear. Awaka is a rebounding savant.

His 18.69 offensive rebound rate was the 9th-best in college basketball history. Despite playing only 20 minutes a game last season, he very nearly averaged a double-double (9.3 points and 9.1 rebounds). Then came Jaylin Sellers, a 6’4″ guard from Providence. An older prospect at 23, he never showcased shot-creating skill or defensive versatility. What he does possess is shooting. He averaged 39.2% from three-point range for his entire college career (42% as a senior) and over 50% from inside the arc.

The Chicago Bulls addressed two needs with those additions.

One of the biggest criticisms of the 1st round approach by VP of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham was not adding any pure shooters. It is something the Bulls have been missing for the past few years. While Wilson and Swain are terrific talents, they aren’t reliable shooters yet. Sellers changes that. His smooth stroke can be put to immediate use to create more spacing for Wilson, Josh Giddey, and Matas Buzelis. Chicago was 19th in three-point shooting percentage last season.

It was much the same story last season in the paint. Opponents killed the Bulls on the offensive glass. They ranked 23rd in offensive rebounds per game with just 10.4. Awaka may only be 6’8″, but he’s strong and physical down low. His intelligence and long arms should help Chicago tilt that number more in their favor. It won’t make them contenders, but these are the kinds of small moves that can have a big impact. Much depends on how new head coach Tiago Splitter utilizes them.

Don’t forget, Graham comes from a strong UDFA background.

People may overlook the undrafted market compared to the draft, but good basketball executives always find talent there. Graham was a big part of helping the New Orleans Pelicans find success in this area. He was there when they signed Jose Alvarado, who developed into one of the best defenders in the league, becoming a critical piece on the New York Knicks’ championship team this past season. There was also Naji Marshall, a talented young forward who has blossomed in Dallas over the previous two years.

Don’t immediately dismiss what the Chicago Bulls acquired because of their status. Evidence suggests both Sellers and Awaka can play. If either of them emerges to give the team serious minutes in the near future, that is a huge victory for the franchise. You’ll often find that the genesis of championship teams often starts with an unexpected find on the undrafted market. This team would know. Their first three-peat in the 1990s wouldn’t have happened without the major contributions of Scott Williams.

Lions’ Hopes Of Dethroning Bears Just Took A Big Hit With Ugly Terrion Arnold News

By
Erik Lambert
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terrion arnold
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold runs onto the field during player introductions before the Thanksgiving game against Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.

The Detroit Lions went 9-8 and missed the playoffs last season. Much of that came from the loss of star offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who headed south to take over the Chicago Bears as their new head coach. While the Lions swept the season series, they had to watch Johnson lead his team to an 11-6 record and the NFC North crown. Despite that, plenty of experts have picked Detroit as the favorite to reclaim it this upcoming season. They have a new offensive coordinator, close Johnson friend Drew Petzing. The offensive roster is still stacked. All they need is a decent year from the defense. So you can imagine the recent Terrion Arnold news wasn’t well-received.

Reports surfaced on Wednesday evening that the team’s former 1st round pick was arrested in connection with a robbery and kidnapping in Tampa Bay, Florida. This brings multiple felony charges that, if convicted, could send him to prison for life. It involves an incident where a group of men conducted an armed robbery, where three victims were pistol-whipped while being held at gunpoint before being robbed. Arnold is said to have been the ringleader of the entire incident.

This Terrion Arnold fiasco was so unnecessary.

Everything stemmed from personal property belonging to Arnold worth upwards of $250,000 being stolen from an Airbnb he rented in Largo, Florida. Initially, he did the right thing and reported the theft to the police. Just a few hours later, though, the cornerback orchestrated the kidnapping and robbery of the people he suspected were responsible. It is believed there is evidence via a group chat that proves Arnold gave directions to his accomplices. If true, then it is quite possible his football career is over.

This serves as another reminder that you never truly know what professional athletes are like away from the building. They could be one of the great humanitarians of their day or a closet serial killer. There is no way to know. Terrion Arnold had zero reasons to do what he did. Despite losing such expensive property, he wasn’t hurting for money. His NFL salary would’ve ensured he was fine. This action wasn’t about recovering what was stolen. It was about revenge, and that rarely leads to good outcomes.

This is brutal for the Lions.

Detroit was really counting on Arnold being a key contributor for the team this season. They drafted him in the 1st round for a reason. He was playing extremely well for them in 2025, collecting an interception and eight passes defended in just eight games before a shoulder injury ended his season. This leaves the Lions’ defense in a tough spot. Their pass defense wasn’t great last year, ranking 20th in the NFL. Not much was done to boost their cornerback position in the spring. Their only notable moves were signing veteran Roger McCreary to a one-year deal and drafting Keith Abney II in the 5th round.

Lots of faith was being placed in Arnold to pick up where he left off. Instead, he may never step on the field again. While it doesn’t kill the season outright, it makes everything harder for Detroit. Unless somebody steps up in a big way, they may have to go through another year of a middling secondary. Not ideal when you’re facing Caleb Williams, Jordan Love, and now Kyler Murray in the same division.

Chicago Cubs Trade for New York Mets Starting Pitcher

By
Aldo Soto
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Jun 15, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher David Peterson (23) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the seventh inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs, desperate for help in the starting rotation following the injuries to Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera, have struck a deal with the New York Mets. After sweeping the Mets in Wednesday’s doubleheader, the Cubs traded for left-handed starting pitcher David Peterson.

According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Cubs are sending 2024 second-round pick Cole Mathis to the Mets in exchange for Peterson. Prior to Wednesday’s action, the Cubs placed Brown on the injured list because of a neck strain, while Cabrera is expected to be out for several weeks after MRI results revealed a moderate hamstring strain.

The Cubs have been marred with pitching injuries in 2026, and the latest batch of bad luck had the team in a horrible spot, having only four active starting pitchers on the 26-man roster. Peterson, who will be a free agent following this season, made eight starts with the Mets and 16 total appearances this year. The traditional numbers are bad, as Peterson has posted a 6.09 ERA in 68 innings of work, but you can certainly see the left-handed pitcher having much more success with the Cubs, who feature a great infield defense.

As the Mets showed in the nightcap against the Cubs, New York is one of the worst defensive teams in MLB. Peterson does a great job of keeping the ball in the yard, giving up less than a home run per nine innings since making his debut in the majors back in 2020. He avoids hard contact, and Peterson’s 51.1% ground ball rate so far in 2026 should translate to better results with the Cubs.

In 2025, Peterson was an All-Star, and he finished the year with a 4.22 ERA in 168.2 innings over 30 starts. His best overall season was in 2024, when the left-handed pitcher recorded a 2.90 ERA in 21 starts with the Mets.

At this point, the Cubs simply needed anyone with MLB experience who could not only eat up innings in place of injured starters but also give the team a shot to win. Peterson was far from the sexy rental name in the trade market, but his profile always made sense for the Cubs.

The price for half a season of Peterson was right-handed hitting 1B/DH Cole Mathis. The 22-year-old put up good numbers in the lower levels of the Cubs’ minor league system this year to the tune of a .981 OPS with 10 home runs in 39 games so far in 2026. However, there’s been some mystery surrounding the slugger, as Mathis has not appeared in a game for two weeks and has only played in three games in the past month.

Mathis was placed on the injured list with the South Bend Cubs on June 21, but his injury has not been made public.

The Cubs will look to sweep their four-game series against the Mets on Thursday, when Matthew Boyd returns from the injured list. Peterson will likely make his Cubs debut on Friday, when the Cubs begin a weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Peterson last pitched on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies in a losing effort, allowing four runs on six hits over four innings.

How The Bulls Outmaneuvered The NBA’s Best GM To Land Dailyn Swain

By
Erik Lambert
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dailyn swain
Sam Presti, Thunder General Manager, has his end-of-season media access, Monday, June 8, 2026.

One thing is inevitable about the NBA draft. There are very few draft picks outside of the top five each year that earn unanimous praise. More often than not, there will always be mixed reactions to certain selections. Some love it, some hate it. That is the nature of the beast. It comes down to whether a team like the Chicago Bulls or others has the conviction and foresight to take somebody that might be an unpopular choice. New VP of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham did that on Tuesday night when he took Texas forward Dailyn Swain with the 15th overall pick.

It was a puzzling choice to some. The Bulls badly needed shooting after spending their 4th overall pick on Caleb Wilson, a ridiculously athletic rim-attacker with an underdeveloped jump shot. Instead, they grabbed Swain, who is essentially the same type of player. Did Graham make a big mistake? CBS Sports analyst Adam Finklestein dropped a surprising nugget on the selection. He has it on good authority that had the Bulls not taken Swain when they did, Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti would have.

“Let me first say that Daylon Swain is a polarizing prospect. I mean, if you believe in him, you think he’s got a chance to emerge into one of the best defenders in this class. You love his creation and his rim pressure at his size, and you are hoping that he’s going to get better as both a shooter and with a really high turnover rate.

This is also proof that the Chicago Bulls front office is valuing exactly what we thought, size, length, and athleticism. I personally don’t love this, but what I will tell you is if the Bulls didn’t take Swain here, that it was a very strong possibility that Sam Presti took him with OKC with the Thunder’s next pick. So I’m going to go C+, but generally speaking, it’s a pretty good assumption that Sam Presti’s smarter than I am.”

If Presti wanted Dailyn Swain, that is a huge deal.

Make no mistake. The Thunder GM is the best in the NBA today when it comes to evaluating talent. He has built some of the most stacked rosters the league has seen in the past 20 years. His first iteration in the early 2010s included Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka. All of them became All-Stars. Three of them became league MVPs, and two are surefire future Hall of Famers. More recently, he’s assembled a roster that includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (MVP), Chet Holmgren (All-Star), Jalen Williams (All-Star), and Luguentz Dort (All-Defensive team). It took home the NBA championship in 2024-2025.

So yeah, Presti has the sharpest eye for talent in this league. If he wanted Dailyn Swain, there was a pretty good reason. It seems the Bulls, who also liked him, got the sense that Oklahoma City was lurking. Rather than risk moving around, they just stayed put and made the pick. The fact that the Thunder traded up from #17 to #16 right after that to make sure they got Bennett Stirtz was a good sign that they didn’t want to risk missing out on any more players they wanted.

Graham already understands an important NBA lesson.

There are two of them. Don’t make trade deals with Sam Presti, and if he’s paying attention to certain prospects, you should probably be doing the same. Does this guarantee Dailyn Swain is a future superstar? Of course not. Even Presti doesn’t hit on every pick, but his track record is stronger than most. If nothing else, it justifies the Bulls’ decision. Everybody kept saying that the young forward was probably going somewhere in the 20s range. Well, based on this information, that assumption was wrong.

Judging by the reactions from Thunder Twitter (X), they would’ve been happy with Swain at the 12th overall pick, let alone the 17th. He represents the type of player they’ve had tons of success drafting: big, versatile, good ball-handling, and aggressive at the rim. It is what turned them into champions. Now the Bulls are following the same formula. It is so exciting to seemingly have an adult in the room with that front office again. This team already looks way more fun.

Derek Carr Is Grateful He Doesn’t Play In The NFC North. Why? Caleb Williams

By
Erik Lambert
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derek carr
Oct 13, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) celebrates while leaving the field after the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Derek Carr didn’t play last season. Some wonder if the 35-year-old quarterback is unofficially retired at this point. That isn’t clear yet, but one thing is. If he does return at some point, it won’t be to the NFC North. The four-time Pro Bowler has kept an eye on that division since last year. Nobody caught his attention more than Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. His mixture of Houdini escapes, arm strength demonstrations, and late-game magic was a thrill to watch, both as a fan and a quarterback.

Then Carr realized something. What he and everybody else saw last year was the worst form of Williams in that offense. What could the ascending quarterback become with more time and experience in the system? Carr explained it on the Home Grown podcast.

“The scary part about Caleb Williams is that he’s not even close to his ceiling……I think this marriage between Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson, the future is very bright for Chicago. If I’m a Bears fan, they haven’t been this excited in the offseason in a long time. We got a team, we’re going in the right direction…..I’m excited to see it. Can’t wait.”

Carr backed up his comments by breaking down several minutes of film. Williams’ evolution from early in the season to where he was going into the playoffs was night and day. With another offseason of work coming, it’s only going to get better.

Derek Carr speaks from experience.

Like Williams, he endured a lot of turmoil early in his career. His head coach, Dennis Allen, was fired midseason during his rookie year. Then, after a new coaching staff arrived, he overcame a rough start to his second season to finish strong, both in the win column and on the stat sheet. Everything coalesced in 2016. He threw for 3,937 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, earning him Pro Bowl honors and getting the Oakland Raiders to the playoffs. Sadly, his progression was stunted the next year when his offensive coordinator left for another position.

That is where Williams is in a better situation. Head coach Ben Johnson isn’t going anywhere. He runs the team and the offense, meaning continuity will be a regular benefit for the Bears’ quarterback. If Carr was able to play at such a high level in that third season, there is no telling what Williams will do. He has every bit the arm Carr had, and also happens to be a top-tier athlete for a quarterback. Add growing mastery of a highly successful system on top of it, and you may have the makings of a superstar.

Carr probably hides some jealousy.

After all, Williams is getting to experience something he never did. His first two head coaches in Oakland were defensive guys. The Raiders finally wised up when they hired Jon Gruden to replace them, finally giving the quarterback stability. It worked really well for a time. Sadly, his poor luck returned when Gruden was forced to resign over controversial emails he sent that had racial overtones. Derek Carr declined from there and was eventually traded to New Orleans. One can only wonder how his career might’ve gone if Gruden had stayed.

Hopefully, Williams won’t have to worry about that. Johnson is firmly entrenched in his position and plans to build a Hall of Fame legacy in Chicago. The two have formed a tight partnership after the success last season. Such chemistry hasn’t really existed for the Bears going back many years. Even Mike Ditka and Jim McMahon weren’t on the same page all the time. That is why what Carr says is true. Williams only showed his first form last season. What happens when he goes Super Saiyan this year?

Carr already saw this movie once before with Patrick Mahomes. Never again.

White Sox Getting Unexpected Boost from Sean Burke, And He May Just Be Scratching the Surface

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Jun 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Burke (59) delivers the ball during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

After earning the Opening Day nod in 2025, Sean Burke entered the 2026 season as something of an afterthought in the Chicago White Sox rotation, with little fanfare and few expectations. Now, the 26-year-old has quietly emerged as one of Chicago’s most reliable arms, and he may only be scratching the surface of his potential.

Burke took the mound at Rate Field on Tuesday with first-place implications on the line against a Cleveland Guardians team that entered the night tied with the White Sox atop the AL Central. The 26-year-old rose to the occasion, delivering 6.1 innings of one-run ball while striking out six and issuing just one walk. The lone blemish on an otherwise dominant outing came on a solo home run by Kahlil Wilson in the fifth.

This comes after Burke entered the game as an opener in New York and turned in a masterpiece, firing 7.1 innings of one-run ball, while striking out eight and issuing just one free pass to pick up his fourth win of the season.

On the season, Burke now owns a 3.71 ERA with 87 strikeouts vs. 30 walks. 

As the season has worn on, Burke’s swing-and-miss stuff has gradually improved. He has punched out six or more hitters in each of his last six outings, and much of that success has been driven by his knuckle-curve. The pitch, which has become the second-most utilized offering in his seven-pitch arsenal, limits opponents to a .213 average. That knuckle-curve is complemented by an 86 mph slider, which has generated the highest whiff rate in his repertoire.

But Burke’s value this season has been his ability to eat innings. His 87.1 innings pitched rank second on the White Sox staff, just behind Davis Martin, who has logged 87.2. 

What has stood out about Burke’s performance this season is how much it deviates from the typical White Sox rotation trends. While White Sox starters have generally performed better at Rate Field than on the road, Burke has been the lone exception, posting a 4.09 ERA on the Southside compared to a 3.06 mark on the road. 

His consistency on the road has been crucial for a young White Sox team that has struggled away from home. The White Sox’s .375 winning percentage on the road will need to improve if they hope to make any noise in the postseason. Of the 15 road wins Chicago has managed, Burke has been on the mound for four of them.

Burke’s numbers improve even further when he follows an opener. While many starters resist the strategy because it disrupts their routine, Burke has embraced it. In 12 traditional starts this season, he has posted a 4.48 ERA while averaging 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. In four appearances as a long reliever, he has been far more effective, logging a 1.80 ERA with 9.4 strikeouts per nine.

Regardless of how he is used, Burke may have the highest upside of anyone in the White Sox rotation not named Noah Schultz. While Davis Martin has established himself as the clear ace of the staff with a 3.18 ERA, it’s difficult to argue that his ceiling is much higher given his 4.08 career mark.

Anthony Kay has also been a steady presence for the White Sox this season, but at 31 years old with some concerning underlying metrics, he likely profiles as little more than a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm.

Burke, meanwhile, has continued to trend upward. His walk rate has steadily declined, and he has done a respectable job of limiting hard contact, suggesting there may still be another level for him to reach as he settles into a larger role within the rotation. If this stretch is any indication, the White Sox may have a legitimate long-term piece of their rotation moving forward.

Longtime Bulls Hater Bill Simmons Can’t Believe How Much They Crushed The Draft

By
Erik Lambert
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bill simmons
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces the fifteenth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Texas guard Dailyn Swain after he was selected by the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Anybody who has followed the NBA for long enough should be familiar with the name Bill Simmons. He emerged as one of the first fan-to-analyst personalities in sports media two decades ago, working for ESPN and other prominent outlets. He’s also a diehard basketball fan, particularly the Boston Celtics. For most of the past several years, one of his favorite hobbies has been taking shots at the Chicago Bulls, calling them stagnant, directionless, cheap, and underwhelming talent-wise.

Just last year, he called their future “bleak.” Harsh? Sure. To be fair, he also made a good point. It was why Arturas Karnisovas was fired as VP of Basketball Operations. Bryson Graham has since taken over that position and just completed the 1st round of his first draft. Chicago came away with North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson with the #4 pick and Texas forward Dailyn Swain with the 15th pick. Not only did Simmons love what the Bulls did, but he went so far as to say it was the best performance of any team in the draft.

“They get Wilson at number four, with a chip on his shoulder. I love Wilson. I just think I’m completely all 100% in. I’m all in. he’s the first legit Bulls star since Derrick Rose. This kid has it. They’ll probably build the team around him. They’ll be playing up and down and everybody’s going to love him.”

@billsimmonspod

“He’s the first legit Bulls star since Derrick Rose.” Bill on why Chicago is the biggest winner of the NBA Draft after drafting Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain. #nba #nbabasketball #chicagobulls #calebwilson #dailynswain #fyp

♬ original sound – The Bill Simmons Podcast – The Bill Simmons Podcast

Bill Simmons doesn’t make statements like that lightly.

While he might not be your traditional unbiased analyst, he’s also known for being fair in his assessments. If he doesn’t think somebody can play, he’ll say so. For him to come right out and claim Wilson is a future star is a big deal. This is the same guy who urged Portland to take Kevin Durant over Greg Oden and warned anybody who passed on Luka Doncic would regret it. He also stated Minnesota would forever rue the day they passed on Steph Curry in 2009. The guy knows basketball. So for him to speak this highly of Wilson is a big deal.

He was also complimentary of Swain. Bill Simmons sees the Texas product as another Kawhi Leonard type. Not specifically in terms of physical makeup, but more that one player who has every possible tool to succeed except one. If he can somehow find a way to develop that missing tool, he’s going to be great.

“Every year, there’s the Kawhi Leonard of, ‘Wow, if this guy could just ____, he’ll be awesome.’ So with Swain, isn’t it if this guy can just figure out how to shoot, this kid’s going to be awesome?

He rebounds, he defends, like he runs the floor, he does everything else. But the shot is why he wasn’t a lottery pick. So what if he learns how to shoot?”

It’s true. Swain can run the floor, dribble, pass, and create his own shot. He attacks the rim at every opportunity and plays good defense. The one thing holding him back is that jump shot.

The Bulls suddenly have an identity.

VP of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham made it clear what he wanted from the beginning. That was a big, long, and athletic roster that can play physical defense. Wilson and Swain checked all of those boxes. These are easily two of the best pure athletes the organization has drafted in years. Both play above the rim and have the capability to create their own offense. At the same time, they show aggression and effort on defense. Combinations like this always tend to succeed in the NBA.

There is no denying that the 1987 draft, when the Bulls landed Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant, was the best in Bulls history. While it will be years before a proper assessment can be made, rest assured that 2026 has a real chance to be in the same conversation. That is how gifted these two players are. Simmons sees it. Everything comes down to development. All eyes are on Splitter. Considering he was an understudy of the great Gregg Popovich, the odds look pretty favorable.

Chicago Cubs Curse Continues: Best Pitcher Goes on the Injured List

By
Aldo Soto
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Apr 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown (32) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

This is a sick, cruel joke. A day after Edward Cabrera suffered a leg injury, the Chicago Cubs placed a second starting pitcher on the injured list prior to Wednesday’s doubleheader against the New York Mets. This one really sucks because, as inconsistent or bad as everyone else has been, Ben Brown has stepped up in a major way for the Cubs this year, beginning the season in the bullpen, and turning into the team’s best starting pitcher since he joined the rotation in May. Now, Brown will be sidelined because of a neck strain.

The Cubs announced a flurry of roster moves on Wednesday, placing Cabrera and Brown on the 15-day injured list. We already knew Cabrera was going to be knocked out of the rotation after he was carted off on Tuesday, but the Brown news was certainly a shock, and yet another punch to the face. The 26-year-old has recorded a 1.85 ERA in 20 games this season, which includes a 1.70 ERA with a 25.0 K% in eight starts.

Brown has not given up more than three runs in any of his appearances this year, and the Cubs, even in the middle of their horrid losing stretch, were winning with Brown on the mound. The Cubs won Brown’s last four starts and six of eight.

The latest setback in the rotation has forced the Cubs to bring back Matthew Boyd a day or two earlier than they would have liked. Boyd made a rehab start on Saturday, throwing 59 pitches for South Bend. Boyd will now start Thursday’s series finale against the Mets.

If you count Justin Steele in the total, the Cubs now have six starting pitchers on the injured list at the same time, given that Boyd will return by tomorrow.

Justin Steele: 60-day IL (rehabbing from elbow surgery)
Cade Horton: 60-day IL (out for the season, Tommy John surgery)
Matthew Boyd: 15-day IL (rehabbing from knee surgery)
Jameson Taillon: 15-day IL (hamstring strain)
Edward Cabrera: 15-day IL (hamstring/adductor strain)
Ben Brown: 15-day IL (neck strain)

As things currently stand, Steele is not expected to start games this season if he does return at all. Horton is out for not only the rest of the 2026 season, but he might miss the first half of next year, too. Taillon will be out until after the All-Star break. The Cubs will know the severity of Cabrera’s injury after receiving MRI results, and now we’ll see how long it takes for Brown to recover from the neck strain. Brown last pitched on Friday in a 16-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Looking ahead, the Cubs only have four healthy starting pitchers on the active roster: Shōta Imanaga, Javier Assad, Matthew Boyd, and Colin Rea.

Veteran right-hander Vince Velasquez was called up from Triple-A on Wednesday. The 34-year-old has thrown 33.2 innings with the Iowa Cubs this season. Will he be tasked to cover starting innings in a bulk role? No one wants to see Jordan Wicks pitch again, so if the Cubs call up a starting pitcher, it would have to be a prospect who isn’t currently on the 40-man roster.

Insider Info Reveals Why Blackhawks Had To Overpay In Blockbuster Deal

By
Isaac Nielsen
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Mar 14, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) during a stoppage in play against the Toronto Maple Leafs at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

The dust is finally settling on Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson’s first blockbuster trade since taking the helm in 2022. On Tuesday night, he snagged Bowen Byram from Buffalo along with Jordan Greenway, a move Blackhawks fans would normally be in favor of.

The problem for many was what he gave up. Chicago let go of the fourth overall pick in Friday’s draft, defenseman Louis Crevier, and the 45th-overall pick this year. It certainly isn’t common to trade a top-five pick in the NHL, but rumors suggested it was always a possibility—the Blackhawks are looking for star players at this point, not more what-if prospects.


To put it clearly: I don’t think this trade is as terrible as many online suggest. The asking price was steep, but a superstar offensive defenseman like Byram is just what the Blackhawks need at this point. There’s a reason why the most “jacked up person in the Chicago Blackhawks organization last night” was Connor Bedard, according to Frank Seravalli:

It’s because, while the Blackhawks should be actively pursuing a top-tier linemate for Bedard (that hasn’t changed), a really good offensive defenseman is probably the next-best thing. Byram at least partially fulfills Chicago’s mission to get Bedard the puck more and give him teammates to pass to in the offensive zone. 

The other reason I don’t have a problem with the Blackhawks overpaying is because that was apparently what they had to do to get a player like Byram, according to ESPN’s John Buccigross: 

If the Sharks were willing to offer the Nos. 9 and 27 overall picks along with a prospect, this was the cost of doing business for the Blackhawks. The same fans complaining now that they overpaid would still be complaining if San Jose was more active in the trade market than Chicago.

It’s worth noting that the Sharks had just moved William Eklund to Ottawa earlier Tuesday afternoon to get the No. 9 overall pick, so this was an absolute seller’s market. With the Blackhawks still looking to grab a bona fide NHL star, I’d still rather be a buyer, and that’s exactly what Davidson did. 

I’ll die on this hill with a few caveats. One, this cannot be the only move the Blackhawks make. Roman Kantserov will be a good addition assuming he slides onto the top line, but this team absolutely still needs another star winger—the Andre Burakovsky experiment cannot happen again. Two, this deal was made with a plan to sign him already in place. In his first media appearance for the Blackhawks on Wednesday morning, Byram said he wants to be in Chicago for a long time. That obviously needs to be true, and it can’t be at $15 million a year. David Pagnotta tweeted Tuesday night that he’d guess around $10 million AAV for Byram, and the Blackhawks can certainly afford it. Then, he’ll just have to go prove he’s worth it as the face of Chicago’s defense for the next decade. No pressure.

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