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VIDEO: Yoan Moncada Just Hit A GRAND SLAM!

By
Aldo Soto
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This is the exact reason fans shouldn’t be completely freaking out about a young player after two weeks of baseball. Yoan Moncada is on fire and on Wednesday afternoon he kept the hot streak going with a grand slam.

The Chicago White Sox finally got a few hits with a runner in scoring position to go up 2-1 over the Oakland A’s, but then Moncada connected on a grand slam in the second inning, making it two games in a row with a dinger in Oakland.

Take a deep breath, White Sox fans, Moncada is gonna be pretty good.

Here’s An Answer To The Miguel Gonzalez Problem

By
Conor Strandquist
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The White Sox have plenty of issues. The bullpen has been inconsistent. The offense is not producing. On the rare occasion that we have a runner in scoring position (RISP), our run producers roll over and have the opposition pet their belly before trotting back to the dugout.

Not great Chuck!

Other than our hibernating offense, the backend of our rotation has had its fair share of struggles. Miguel Gonzalez and Carson Fulmer, in particular, have labored. In a year where the South Siders are not expected to compete, Fulmer, 24,  will have every opportunity to start.

Miguel Gonzalez, 33, does not have the youth or the upside of Fulmer. Struggling would be an understatement when describing Gonzalez’ 2018 performance. He has served up 17 earned runs (ER) in just 12.1 innings pitched (IP) resulting in a cool 12.41 ERA.

According to FanGraphs, Gonzalez’ average fastball velocity is at 89.8 mph, a pitch he throws 50% of the time. So not only is his velocity down from 2017, where he averaged close to 91.5 mph, the late movement has disappeared. Gonzalez has never been a flamethrower. What has made him effective was the late movement on his fastball coupled with his ability to throw four different breaking balls.

An 89 mph fastball coming in straight as an arrow may as well be a beachball to big league hitters.

Hold steady my friends, there may be a solution closer than you think.

Hector Santiago did not win the 5th starter’s job out of spring training. Fulmer won the job despite Santiago outpitching him. Hector has looked good out of the pen, giving up four ER in just over nine IP while striking out eight. Most of his appearances have been in long relief of the aforementioned Gonzalez and Fulmer.

Santiago has spent a majority of his career as a starter and has a track record of success. He was an All-Star in 2015 while with the Angels. It’s time to give him a shot Ricky.  I’m not saying that Santiago is a long-term answer to our pitching woes because he isn’t.

Let us not forget that help is on the way. Both Carlos Rodon and Michael Kopech could be dealing on the southside before the All-Star Break. These two will give a huge jolt to the rotation. Rodon has shown that he has true ace potential when healthy and is still just 25 years old. Kopech has had White Sox fans drooling since the Chris Sale trade in 2016.  Paul Sullivan, of the Chicago Tribune, writes here on when he envisions the flamethrower in the Majors. There has been some speculation about when Kopech will get the call. As long as he continues to dominate AAA, I don’t see a scenario where he isn’t suiting up for the Pale Hose come late May/early June.

Things are tough now but there are brighter days ahead Sox fans.

Theo Epstein Must Love This Bryce Harper Contract Projection

By
Aldo Soto
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Guys, I’m not saying it’s a guarantee that the Chicago Cubs are going to sign Bryce Harper, but I am saying if this latest contract projection is remotely close to being right, then yes the Cubs are signing Bryce Harper after the 2018 season.

Harper, as we know, will be a free agent this upcoming offseason and for a few years everyone has tried to estimate what his mega deal could be. I mean, you don’t always get the chance to sign one of the best players in the game when they’re in their mid-20s. So, $300 million, $400 million?

Honestly, I don’t care how much money he gets and I especially don’t care if the Cubs overpay, but Dan Szymborski’s contract projection for Harper would be a bargain for Harper and there’s no doubt in my mind Theo Epstein would jump on that in a split second.

In Szymborski’s ESPN Insider article, he projected contracts for some of the biggest free agents in the offseason and surprisingly Harper isn’t projected to get the most money.

Szymborski projected the contracts using the ZiPS projection system, and how teams have previously paid free agents.

The highest projected deal? Manny Machado.

Via ESPN.

Manny Machado: Eight years, $300 million priced as a shortstop, or $264 million over eight years as a third baseman.

That’s $42 million more than what’s projected for Harper.

Bryce Harper: Eight years, $258 million.

The difference goes back to the value at each position, so that’s why Machado is valued higher at third or shortstop compared to Harper in the outfield.

But anyway, eight years for $258 million, an average of $32.25 million per season for Bryce Harper’s prime years?!?!?! GET IT DONE THEO!

However, you know as well as I know that Harper is getting more than $258 million and whatever contract he receives will include a few opt-out clauses. If Giancarlo Stanton signed a 13-year deal worth $25 million a year, then Harper is getting more than $258 million.

Obviously there’s the chance that Harper gets hurt and misses games in 2018 that could decrease his value, or can be used against him in contract negotiations, but so far so good for the 2015 MVP.

We get it Bryce, you don’t have to keep impressing the Cubs like this, we know you’re great, now you’re just showing off. Not that Cubs fans will mind when he’s doing it on the North Side starting next season.

Harper is getting at least $300 million and $400 million is a real possibility. The Cubs signing him for that much is also a possibility and if you don’t think the Cubs are going to be in the mix then you’re going to be in for a nice surprise. Well, at least if you’e a Cubs fan.

And if you don’t want Bryce Harper on the team as a Cubs fan, then stop watching baseball.

Ian Happ Sucks Right Now And It’s Obvious What The Cubs Should Do With Him

By
Aldo Soto
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It’s 2018, so we all know that strikeouts are part of the game. Hell, even when Ian Happ was striking out 31% of the time in 2017, the Chicago Cubs weren’t too worried. Right now, though, boy does Ian Happ suck.

As it turns out, spring training was too good to be true, as Happ has had one of the most disappointing starts to the season not just for the Cubs, but in all of baseball. Everything has gone downhill for Happ since hitting a home run on the first pitch of the 2018 season.

After 13 games Happ has a 47.2% strikeout rate in 53 plate appearances. Just flat out brutal and the Cubs aren’t helping things out either. Happ has started 10 games this year and they have all come with him leading off. That needs to stop immediately.

We’ve seen this story before with Kyle Schwarber leading off in 2017, but even he wasn’t this bad. At least Schwarber was still drawing some walks when he was awful leading off through the first seven weeks of the season. Happ has only walked four times, while striking out 25 times. He has a .264 OBP so far.

We all know that’s not good enough and I’m not banging the drum, demanding the Cubs to ship Happ down to Iowa, but it’s pretty obvious what Joe Maddon has to do with him.

For starters, I’ve been in favor of just sitting him down for a few games and letting him clear his head. The bigger issue is that when Happ is in the lineup he can’t be leading off. Bat him somewhere down in the order and just have Ben Zobrist leadoff.

I’m not going to sit here and pretend to be a hitting coach, but it doesn’t take an expert to see that Happ looks lost at the plate. Again, it’s a 13-game sample size, but Happ is making a lot less contact swinging at pitches thrown in the strike zone.

In 2017, Happ made contact on pitches in the strike zone 77.9% of the time. So far in 2018, that’s down to 63.2%. He’s swinging at pitches in the strike zone at pretty much the same rate, (74.6%, 74.7%) but Happ’s swinging and missing at a higher rate. (FanGraphs)

So, right now giving Happ the most plate appearances when he’s striking out every other at-bat isn’t what’s best for the Cubs. If he’s going to start, move him down and avoid another disaster like Schwarber last year.

A trip to the minors? Not yet and really only the organization knows how that would impact Happ mentally. Plus, he’s not going to get better by facing Triple-A pitching.

But please, Joe, move Happ down already.

Akiem Hicks Sees Two Teammates Having Big Years in 2018

By
Erik Lambert
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leonard floyd

The Chicago Bears know they need their best players to step up in 2018 to make sure they get off on the right foot. Akiem Hicks is near the top of that list. He was brilliant last season, collecting seven sacks and easily being their most dominant defensive presence. However, just the good players from last year playing well won’t cut it. After all, the Bears finished 5-11 so that’s not going to be enough.

They need other names to take the next step up. Who will that be? That’s a game for educated guessers to play. Everybody has their theories. Most are centered around Mitch Trubisky for obvious reasons. Almost every notable move made by the team to this point was to his benefit in some fashion. Matt Nagy hired as head coach. Allen Robinson signed at wide receiver.

However, ask Hicks about this and the defensive leader might have a different answer. While he too is excited about his young quarterback, he has other names in mind for who could be ready to step into the spotlight this season.

Akiem Hicks sees big years from Leonard Floyd and Nick Kwiatkoski

Hicks is a smart guy. He knows what good football looks like, having played in New Orleans and New England before Chicago. So his opinion on this matter is worth hearing. It’s also worth reminding that he’s a defender at heart. He was bred to hate offensive guys. So is it any surprise that his choices for breakout players were both on defense?

It felt like Floyd was on the cusp of breaking out over the past two years but injuries got in the way. Last year he had 4.5 sacks in six games but hurting his knee that ended his season. As a rookie, he had 4.5 sacks in three games in late October and early November before a concussion against the Giants slowed him down. One can imagine he’s frustrated and carrying a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

That’s good.

It means he’ll come into 2018 with a purpose. Hicks believes the same can be said for fellow front seven teammate Nick Kwiatkoski.

The case for him is a bit different. He didn’t come in with high expectations like Floyd. He was a fourth round pick in 2016 who was expected to play a reserve role and perhaps work his way into the starting lineup. Though he saw the field quite a bit his first two years, he was unable to maintain a grip on the starting job when opportunities came.

Now the competition has vanished. Jerrell Freeman was cut. Christian Jones left to sign in Detroit. Unless the Bears draft somebody high, it looks like Kwiatkoski finally has his shot. He got experience now. If he can stay healthy it might indeed be a big year for him.

Mitch Trubisky Drew Shocked Responses During First Bears Practice

By
Erik Lambert
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mitch trubisky

Expectations for Mitch Trubisky going into 2018 are high. Chicago Bears fans are starved for a good quarterback. The closest they’ve gotten in the past 30 years is Jay Cutler and he was considered barely above average by most. Trubisky is a #2 overall pick and is going into his second season. He has experience now. Not only that but he also has help around him.

GM Ryan Pace made it his mission this off-season to build a top supporting cast for his young quarterback. Something far, far above what he had as a rookie. The results to this point are impressive. They secured two playmaking wide receivers in Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel. Gadget tight end Trey Burton also brings massive versatility to the this.

Yet the biggest addition may be head coach Matt Nagy. The Bears became infatuated with him during their work to find John Fox’s replacement. The Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator came with a strong reputation for developing quarterbacks and expressed sincere desire to coach the team. He was granted his wish.

At last the first chance to get Trubisky in practice came on Tuesday. First impressions? Unexpected.

Mitch Trubisky his head coach with his sharpness and preparation

Cutler always said that it takes three years to master an NFL offense. That’s a fair assessment. His third year in Denver resulted in a Pro Bowl. It seems rather ironic he never got a third year with anybody in Chicago. The Bears are hoping to avoid that mistake with Trubisky. It will take time for him to grow into Nagy’s offense, but the head coach admitted he came away surprised from how the QB looked in their first practice together.

Indeed it wasn’t just Nagy who have noticed how different Trubisky is since things got going. Akiem Hicks and Jordan Howard were asked about him during their respective pressers. Each admitted in turn that it’s hard not to be drawn in by his desire and his charisma. Certain qualities that weren’t mentioned much with previous quarterbacks.

There is plenty of proving left to do but it’s nice to hear all the same. Trubisky has talent and a reputation for a tireless work ethic. He’s also clearly smart and takes his role as leader seriously. The only thing left for him to do is prove it on the field. Then again that’s not only his job. The rest of this Bears team knows that time has come.

VIDEO: 3 Years Ago Today Someone Yelled “You Suck” At Kris Bryant In His MLB Debut

By
Aldo Soto
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Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

There’s nothing you can guarantee in sports and that is especially true when it comes to prospects in baseball. Yet, if there was ever a prospect that you could bet everything on to be great it was Kris Bryant.

Today, we celebrate the three-year anniversary of Bryant’s MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs by giving a shoutout to whoever yelled, “you suck,” in the fifth inning of his first MLB game.

I think most fans remember it like it was yesterday. James Shields was starting for the San Diego Padres was just a terrible matchup for Bryant, who finished the game 0-for-4, with three strikeouts.

The Cubs lost that game 5-4, and even though Bryant went hitless in his MLB debut, one fan gave us all something to remember. The last of Bryant’s three strikeouts came in the fifth inning, when the Cubs had already scored two runs to take a 4-2 lead and had runners at second and third with only one out.

Bryant struck out and an on-field microphone clearly picked up a fan yelling, “you suck,” at the future 2015 National League Rookie of the Year, 2016 MVP and World Series champion.

So yes, it’s a reminder that as much as we call out other fan bases like the Yankees, who booed Giancarlo Stanton in his home debut this year, there was a time that Kris freaking Bryant was booed in his very first game at Wrigley Field.

By the way, there is no doubt in my mind that the dude yelling not only has a signed Kris Bryant jersey, but most definitely has a Kris Bryant tattoo on him too.

Another White Sox Prospect Gets Injured, Out At Least 8 Weeks

By
Aldo Soto
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The Chicago White Sox have been frustrating to watch through the first two weeks of the 2018 season, but the minor-league year has started out with a bang. However, injuries continue to plague prospects for the White Sox.

Outfielder Ryan Cordell will be out of action for at least eight weeks after leaving Monday night’s Charlotte Knights game. Cordell crashed into the center-field wall and immediately crumbled to the ground in pain.

The White Sox acquired Cordell from the Milwaukee Brewers last year in the Anthony Swarzak trade.

Cordell, 26, was in spring training with the White Sox this year, hoping to win a roster spot and possibly the starting job in center field.

The right-handed hitter hasn’t played in the big leagues yet and was set back last season because of a back strain. In 68 games at Triple-A in 2017, Cordell had a slash line of .284/.349/.506, with 10 home runs.

Cordell was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2013, and was traded to the Brewers in 2016, as part of the Jonathan Lucroy deal.

Yet another set back for Cordell, who could have been a starter for the White Sox this season. Now, he’s out for a few months after already getting off to a 5-for-38 start with the Knights.

In March, Cordell was ranked 17th in the White Sox top-30 prospects list on MLB.com.

Jordan Howard Finally Speaks on His Trade Status

By
Erik Lambert
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jordan howard trade

The Jordan Howard trade rumors sent the entire Chicago Bears fandom into a mass panic last month. Here the team was. They had just added a slew of new offensive weapons. Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel at wide receiver. Trey Burton at tight end. Suddenly the Bears offense around Mitch Trubisky looked formidable. Then, out of nowhere, word emerges they might be shopping their best player.

Howard is 23-years old. He just completed the best first two years as Chicago running back has ever had with over 1,000 each. He did most of that with teams stacking the box to stop him. Now just when the box is about to get lighter, they want to deal him. Why? Some misguided belief he’s not an ideal fit for head coach Matt Nagy’s offense, which demands the running back be able to catch passes.

Admittedly with 12 drops so far in his career, that’s not a strength of Howard’s game. Yet he’s still a budding star. Could Nagy really not find a use for his obvious talents? People wanted to know. At last Howard himself was given the chance to address these matters after the teams’ first practice of 2018.

Jordan Howard was informed Bears have no trade plans for him

Everyone knew the questions were going to come up. Howard spoke about Nagy the coach and also his quarterback, Mitch Trubisky. Soon enough though somebody asked about the trade situation. Howard explained quite clearly that the Instagram incident where all his Bears photos vanished was nothing and that his agent was informed directly by the Bears that no trade was in the works or being planned.

There it is. Straight from the man himself. Now he could be deflecting to avoid making a scene, but Howard is a straight shooter. He’s not one to deceive like other players might. It’s okay to take him at his word. This means he will be a Bear in 2018 and hopefully for years to come.

Beginning Of The End For Aaron Rodgers In Green Bay?

By
Kyle Yates
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Bears fans have had it rough. The team’s most hated rival, the Green Bay Packers, have had the Quarterback position figured out for over two decades now. Quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers have terrorized the city of Chicago and have caused fans to rejoice whenever the backup QB has to play.

(This GIF still breaks my heart, by the way, and causes me to curse Chris Conte’s name repeatedly).

Rodgers is, arguably, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Bears fans know it, which is why it’s so frustrating to go up against an offense lead by him twice a year. But something might be brewing up in “Cheese Land” that should have Bears fans clapping their hands in excitement.

Rodgers is reportedly becoming discontent with the way management has handled certain situations without consulting him this offseason. Robinson, a writer for Yahoo Sports, brings up two major components of his discontent; Jordy Nelson being released and QB coach Alex Van Pelt being let go. Two major decisions that directly affect the star QB.

Nelson was a long-time friend and close teammate of Rodgers, who was also a thorn in the side of Bears fans. Van Pelt has worked closely with Rodgers since 2014 and was part of the Green Bay coaching overhaul that took place this offseason. But these two issues aren’t the only things that could be leading to a potentially messy divorce…

Rodgers is grossly underpaid. As one of the greatest to ever play the position, Rodgers is seeing guys like Jimmy Garoppolo sign contracts in excess of well over 100 million dollars and has been wanting a contract extension. (Essentially a “Pay me what I’m worth” argument).

Up until this point though, no news has come out of the Packers looking to extend Rodgers. From their perspective though, it makes sense to not extend him at this point. He’s under contract through 2019 for a very reasonable amount, which they can then take the money that they would be paying him and use it to fill holes on their roster. Except this can start to affect the relationship between Rodgers and the organization…

Would Rodgers leave Green Bay after 2019 to head somewhere else? It’s possible. He wants to be treated like the centerpiece of the organization that he is, like Tom Brady, and be included on conversations that directly pertain to him. He also wants to be paid like the superstar QB that he is. These are three major components that could combine for the perfect storm, coming together to cause Rodgers to go play somewhere else to finish up his career.

Is it a small percentage chance that Rodgers actually leaves Green Bay? Absolutely. However, this storyline certainly warrants closer attention moving forward. For Bears fans though, it’s a glimmer of hope. It could be the beginning of the end for Rodgers terrorizing the city of Chicago on a regular basis.

Hey, who knows, maybe Rodgers will leave and Jay Cutler will come back out of retirement in two years to play for another NFC North team. Talk about a dream scenario for Bears fans.

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