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Avisail Garcia Thinks White Sox Prospects Will Be Better Than The Cubs Prospects Who Won The World Series

By
Aldo Soto
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There’s no question what the biggest surprise in baseball has been this year in the city of Chicago. No, it’s not that the Cubs are below .500 and chasing the Milwaukee Brewers, it’s that Avisail Garcia has been great for the White Sox and was selected to his first All-Star Game. He went from potentially being left behind to now being a part of the White Sox future core.

I’m not going bash Garcia for backing up his guys because honestly what else is he going to say, “I don’t think they’re going to be that good,” but boy oh boy does he have some high expectations for White Sox prospects. Before Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Miami, Garcia talked about the future of the White Sox, as year one of the rebuild has so far gone to plan.

Via the Chicago Sun-Times:

“We have a great future,” Garcia said when asked what he expects the roster to look like after the July 31 trade deadline. “That future might not be this year, but for the next year we’re going to be a great club and have a pretty good chance to win.”

After the White Sox traded Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox and Adam Eaton to the Washington Nationals this last offseason, their farm system immediately became one of the best in MLB. Yoan Moncada leads the way, ranked as the No. 1 prospect in baseball, but overall the White Sox have five prospects ranked in the top-100 in every publication out there.

However, as Cubs fans know from a lot of disappointment in the past, having a lot of highly-ranked prospects doesn’t guarantee you anything. But man, Garcia has A LOT of confidence in the White Sox core prospects. He thinks they can be better than the Cubs core that won the World Series last year.

Soaking up the All-Star vibe during media hour Monday, Garcia rattled off names of young players coming through the Sox system he expects to be on the same stage soon — and even -expects to be better than the Cubs’ Kris Bryant/Kyle Schwarber/Addison -Russell core.

“For sure, 100 percent yes,” he said. “I believe it, and I see it. -Believe me.”

“We have a lot of talented guys and a great future,” Garcia said. “We got Moncada, we got Kopech, we got [pitcher Reynaldo] Lopez. They’ve got to keep working and we’ll see what happens for next year.”

Again, I’m not going to go all “fuck you, you idiot Avi, dumbass,” meatball Cubs act, but slow down Avi!

We’ll go worst to best out of the core of prospects mentioned above and see what they’ve accomplished in a short time with the Cubs.

Kyle Schwarber:

Cubs franchise leader in postseason HRs (did it in 9 games, as a 22-year-old rookie)

A career 1.178 OPS in 16 postseason games

Came back from a torn ACL and ankle, was the best Cubs hitter in the World Series after not playing for six months

A 2.1 fWAR player in 139 career games

Addison Russell:

A 3.0 fWAR as a rookie in 2015 (age 21)

A 3.9 fWAR and 20-home run season in 2016

A combined 7.7 fWAR after 2.5 years

Kris Bryant:

2015 Rookie of the Year

2016 NL MVP

By the way, this isn’t even including Javier Baez, who is an elite defender at three positions, was the 2016 NLCS MVP and just had a 2.7 fWAR season at the age of 23. So, settle down there Avi.

By the way, all six Cubs prospects from the top-100 at the end of the 2014 season played on the World Series winning team in 2016. So, lofty expectations to meet.

I do have to say, it would’ve been hilarious if Garcia went the route of the Cleveland Cavaliers right before they drafted LeBron James. This is an all-time clip. You have Carlos fucking Boozer saying the Cavs have better players at LeBron’s position and Darius Miles being extremely skeptical that a high school kid can make a team better.

Anyway, as far as the White Sox prospects go, you might see Moncada sooner rather than later and the farm system might get a lot better too because there’s been a lot of Jose Quintana trade talk flying around during the All-Star break.

So, all good on the South Side and what a pleasant surprise Avisail Garcia has been.

Blackhawks Are Delaying NHL Decision On Marian Hossa Contract

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
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Marian Hossa, Chicago Blackhawks

Everyone already knows that Marian Hossa will miss the 2017-2018 season but the Blackhawks still haven’t put him on Long-Term Injured Reserve. This decision has also indefinitely pushed back the July 1 deadline the NHL had for reaching a decision about handling Hossa’s contract.

The NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly responded to The Athletic’s Scott Powers in an email about the Blackhawks decision. “Chicago is not attempting to utilize LTI(R) during the offseason for Hossa and, as a result, the determination of whether it will be available next season is not a time-sensitive matter.”

People have been wondering why the NHL is going to make a ruling on Hossa being put on the LTIR. The precedence has been set and a move like this is not uncommon by NHL teams. Chris Pronger had been on the list for the last 5 years before officially retiring this offseason.

This seems like the Blackhawks are playing a game within the game and saying “We’ll wait until the season starts to put him on LTIR because you can’t change the rules then.”

We all have to wait to see what the Blackhawks and the NHL do until October but there will be tons of speculation until then. It’s unfortunate that the NHL finds the need to create drama around a sad situation for such an honorable player.

Follow @Pappy_Hour on Twitter more Blackhawks news and musings.

 

 

Vegas Still Likes The Cubs Despite An Average First Half Of The Season

By
Gus
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If you’ve watched the first half of the 2017 season for the Chicago Cubs, there are a couple words that come to mind — disappointing, underwhelming, confusing, or pretty much any word that translates into “hot garbage.”

While many Cubs fans have already flushed the 2017 season down the drain (yes, really), the experts in Las Vegas still like the Cubs chances to repeat this fall.

According to Bovada, the Cubs have an 8-to-1 odds to win the World Series this year, along with their 2016 opponent, the Cleveland Indians.

If you recall, the Cubs opened the season as the favorite to win the World Series in 2017 when they opened with 3-1 odds. Currently, they have the fifth best odds behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (7-to-2), the Houston Astros (17-to-4), Boston Red Sox (6-to-1), and Washington Nationals (7-to-1).

So why are the Cubs still considered to be a top 5 team despite playing terrible through the first 88 games?

Their schedule.

Of their remaining 74 games, an overwhelming 71% of them are against opponents which have a record currently below .500. Now, does that mean they’ll walk through the second half?

No.

However, since Joe Maddon took over the Cubs in 2015, the Cubs have blown away the rest of baseball in terms of their second half record (100-48).

So when you see a relatively weak schedule and pair it with the fact the Cubs have historically been a hot second half team, the people in Vegas still think the Cubs are a serious threat to win it all in 2017.

Place your bets now.

Clay Matthews Delivers One Last Parting Shot to Jay Cutler

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears villain
Credit: JSonline.com

One would think nobody plays the Chicago Bears villain role better than Aaron Rodgers over the past several years. Truth be told though, if given the choice, many fans would say they hate Clay Matthews a lot more. The Pro Bowl outside linebacker of the Green Bay Packers has a reputation for showboating, arrogance and just generally being a bit of an a-hole.

That’s why it’s always must-see television whenever he gets humbled, often through either a huge blunder on his own part or enduring a big hit. Still the man just lives for getting under the skin of Chicago. His latest attempt came during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Podcast. In it he was asked his thoughts about Jay Cutler leaving active competition for the broadcast booth.

His answer was from the hip and most definitely intended to prod both Cutler and Bears fans alike.

Chicago Bears villain Clay Matthews thanks Cutler for the sacks

“Listen, I always enjoyed playing against Jay,” Matthews said on the Rich Eisen Show on NFL Network. “Obviously, he rubbed some fans the wrong way. I know people get on him about his nonchalant attitude, but I always enjoyed playing against him. I’m glad I got a lot of sacks against him. I’ll miss that the most. But hopefully the next in line in Chicago will be as equally willing to help me pad my stats.”

Matthews has 8.5 sacks in his career against the Bears. That’s the second-most of any opposing team he’s played against. Most of them came at the expense of Cutler. He also had three interceptions as well. However, he should be careful about talking so much trash. Turns out the 31-year old hasn’t been the dominant force he once was over the past few years.

Hopes of padding those stats aren’t about to get any easier for him. Julius Peppers is gone, which will allow opposing offenses to focus even more of their attention on Matthews. With age becoming more of a factor every day, it’s hard to imagine he’ll have anywhere near the success of tormenting Mike Glennon or Mitch Trubisky as he did Cutler. Instead, football gods willing, he may bear witness to the rise of the first true Bears franchise quarterback seen since the 1940s.

Won’t that be fun.

Wade Davis Gives Up Game-Winning Home Run In All-Star Game

By
Aldo Soto
-

Well, at least Wade Davis blew a game in a meaningless exhibition game. After the American League and National League finished nine innings tied at one in the 2017 MLB All-Star Game, Joe Maddon put in the Chicago Cubs closer and Davis promptly gave up a home run to Robinson Cano.

Davis was the only Cubs player selected to this year’s All-Star Game.

First time there’s been a go-ahead home run in extras in the All-Star Game since Tony Perez did it exactly 50 years ago today.

However, I know what Wade Davis was really up to.

Sly move, Wade.

And with that the American League won 2-1. Again, no more winner determines home field in the World Series nonsense.

Cubs get back to action on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles.

Mitch Trubisky’s High School Coach Has Loads of Stories To Tell

By
Erik Lambert
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mitch trubisky high school

Chicago Bears fans have heard plenty about the draft and college. Understandable since they are the freshest memories. Still, every top football talent had to start somewhere, and it’s almost always in high school. So what stories are there to tell regarding the Mitch Trubisky high school experience? Quite a bit, as it turns out.

There is no man better to ask that question than Steve Trivisonno. The man has been the head football coach at Mentor High School since 2004. During that time he’s enjoyed a prolonged run of success including three trips to the state finals. He knows what good football looks like. That’s why it didn’t take him long to realize how special Trubisky was.

He was kind enough to talk with me about his four years coaching the young quarterback, from his getting the starting job to his ascent to the best high school football player in Ohio. Suffice to say there were plenty of memorable moments. Many of which offer a possible preview into what’s on the horizon for Chicago.

Mitch Trubisky high school odyssey began on grand stage

As with any origin story, there must be a beginning. So where did it begin for Trubisky? Coach Trivisonno explained the rather remarkable introduction he got, one that seemed to foreshadow his eventual rendezvous with the NFL.

“Early in his sophomore year he ended up starting for us on the varsity as a sophomore. We were a very big high school in Ohio. One of the biggest. So not typical to start a sophomore quarterback. His first game he played in was at Cleveland Browns stadium, to be honest with you. Threw a touchdown there. We knew he had something pretty special at that point. Then I believe it was a playoff game of his sophomore year he ended up playing against the eventual state championship team and had a great ball game.”

Good first impressions are everything, no matter the line of work. One thing that started to become clear about Trubisky even early on was his ability to raise his game based on the situation. It seemed like the tougher the opponent, the better he played.

Playing up to his competition

Never was this clearer than in 2012 when he took Mentor to the playoffs. Facing two big rivals in back-to-back weeks, it became apparent pretty fast that only his singular brilliance would get them through the gauntlet.

“His legend though kind of grew as a senior. We were a pretty good football team. His second round and third round games were against two big catholic schools. I think it was the second round with about 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, we’re down 21. He brings us back and we win it. We win by seven so it was an amazing fourth quarter. Just an incredible comeback. They just couldn’t stop him.

Then we played in the regional finals against the other big catholic school who had beat us earlier in the year by like 21. We beat them in triple overtime with Mitch on a two-point conversion to win it which was considered in the city of Cleveland that year and their sports awards, it was the Sports Moment of the Year. It was just an incredible high school football game and was in front of like 15,000. It was back and forth and just one of those games that put him on the map.”

All told Mentor put up 120 points in those two games. That they needed every last one of them is proof that Trubisky was a big game player even at that age.

Handing him the reins

The fact he started as a sophomore was rare back then. One must remember that Ohio high school football is some of the most competitive in the country. Rosters are rich in talent, so it’s difficult for younger players to crack the varsity starting lineup. For Trivisonno it came down to how Trubisky carried himself off the field and how he operated on it. What stuck out the most?

“Probably, well obviously his arm was always incredible. He’s always had a great arm, but what he’s always been exceptional at was his accuracy. Even from a young age he was always deadly accurate. At that point you’re not going to sit a kid like that. You’re going to get him ready to go. He played from his sophomore year on and became Mr. Football in the state of Ohio.”

The accuracy is something top football scouts have referenced on multiple occasions. Mitch is able to place the ball with such precision that whenever he threw incompletions in practice, receivers asked if there was something wrong with him. That singular trait is what will propel him as high as he wants to go.

So the time came to ask the big question.

Can he have success in the NFL?

Trivisonno clearly loves Trubisky and to this day has a ton of respect for him. The confidence in his voice was unmistakable when I asked whether he thought the young quarterback was capable of getting to the top of the NFL.

“If they can add the pieces around him. I don’t know a lot about Chicago. I know they got a great back and pretty darn good offensive line. If they get the other pieces to go with it, I think he’s the real deal. He’s extremely accurate, which in the NFL the guy who can put it where he needs to put it (has success). He’s really good on his feet.  He doesn’t always get the credit for being a gifted athlete, but he’s a gifted athlete. He’s a great leader and I think he’s the kind of kid who’ll be the face of the franchise.”

That’s good to hear. Of course there is a lot of proving to do before that happens. Trubisky comes in with plenty of doubters about whether he can hang at the NFL level. Certainly not after just 13 college starts. Then again this is a kid who led his high school team to the playoffs as a sophomore despite not even starting the full season.

Maybe, just maybe people aren’t getting a full appreciation for how good he is. Nor how good he can be.

Jimmy Butler’s Home Is For Sale But Maybe Not His Aquarium And Definitely Not His Moccasins

By
Matthew Milakovich
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It’s a sad reality for Chicago Bulls fans knowing our best player has left the team, have you seen where Vegas projects the Bulls to finish? To add insult to injury, it’s seemingly now just as real for the man himself, as his plans to leave the city have just been expedited. Let’s get down to brass tax. Jimmy Butler’s home on Huron street is for sale, and boy is it a beauty.

$85,000 in property taxes worth of beauty, to be exact.

Aside from that, according to the listing the place comes equipped with a 750-bottle wine cellar, three outdoor spaces for leisure activities, including a large rooftop deck– and it wouldn’t be a true Midwestern home without a full finished basement now would it?

However, it is unclear whether or not his massive boom-box shaped aquarium will be included. The overzealous fish sanctuary became almost as famous as it’s owner when it was featured on Animal Planet’s “Tanked.”

Some other personal effects that will be sure to make their way up north to Minnesota are his enormous collection of Jordan sneakers and his… moccasins?

Butler is obviously not the first celebrity to have an infatuation with Jordan sneakers; certainly not the first basketball player. Especially considering he is currently on the Jordan Brand roster.

However, there is one fact regarding Butler’s fashion that may actually surprise you.

The guy apparently loves moccasins.

In an interview with complex Butler detailed his love for Jordan’s at length, but rest assured, he definitely made a point to show the moccasins some love.

 

“I’ve got some moccasins I have in house, true story,” he told Complex. “The little brown ones that you slide your feet in. Got some of those. But other than that, it’s really all Jordan. I rep that brand. I don’t wear too many Nikes. That’s it. I’m a Jordan guy, head to toe … unless I got on moccasins.”

The home, which Butler bought for a cool $4.3 million through a trust in September 2015 also includes a bathroom adorned in marble and a three story staircase with some damn snazzy carpet.

Seriously though, I really like it.

I don’t have $4.3 million though. As if he wasn’t going to try and sell it for more than that anyways. Godspeed to Colin Hebson of Dream Town Realty who currently holds the listing. Make sure you try to keep Jimmy from taking that ridiculous fish-tank Colin.

Check out some more pictures below courtesy of Redfin:

 

Andre Dawson Almost Hit An Actual HR During The All-Star Celebrity Softball Game On His 63rd Birthday

By
Aldo Soto
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Andre Dawson is a beast!

Celebrating his 63rd birthday on Monday, the Hall of Famer gave fans watching the celebrity softball game a great encore to the Home Run Derby. Again, 63-years-old, the former Chicago Cubs 1987 MVP, destroyed two balls and nearly hit an actual home run to left field at Marlins Park.

Look at this baby soar!

Happy birthday, Hawk!

Dick Butkus Tells Story of Nearly Getting Into a Fight With George Halas

By
Erik Lambert
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dick butkus george halas
Credit: Chicago Tribune

The Dick Butkus George Halas relationship has always been one kept largely under wraps. All people knew for sure was that the late Chicago Bears owner sold the South Side native and Illinois All-American on signing with the team in 1965. Then proceeded to stiff him out of some promised money. Nonetheless Butkus became arguably the greatest defender in Chicago football history.

As time has passed though, the man hasn’t lost his memory. With his age advancing it seems he’s no longer interested in protecting the legacy of Halas any longer. That much was apparent during an interview with The Sports Bank at the inaugural Illini Athletics Hall of Fame gala. Butkus spoke about the college and his beliefs regarding the future.

After a time the conversation underwent a surprising shift. It’s no secret that the nine-time Pro Bowler was a little bitter about his NFL career. He never once got a chance to participate in the postseason. Much of the blame for that he leveled on Halas. In fact he once confronted “Papa Bear” about it back in the early 1970s.

Dick Butkus George Halas confrontation almost got physical

“You know what – I don’t think you really want to win here, and I thought he was going to reach over and really take a poke at me.”

“And he said ‘what do you mean?’ I said look who’s in the Super Bowl, Miami and Dallas, two expansion teams, and you’re the one who started the bullshit 50 years ago. Look at us! What are we doing here?”

That would’ve been early 1972 when the Cowboys defeated the Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. The Bears had gone 6-8 for the second-straight year, their third-straight losing season. One can understand Butkus’ frustration. He was practically killing himself with his physical style of play trying to help the team win and it was taking a toll.

Not only that but Halas both refused to trade him elsewhere where he’d have that opportunity and also had a bad habit of letting good people walk while keeping others out of loyalty. A bad habit that did indeed plague the iconic coach and owner throughout his football life.

“We were the franchise that started it all, c’mon! They were using computers when I was playing, the print-outs of big sheets and stuff. I guess he was just so loyal to a fault that it slipped away,” Butkus said of Halas.

“I think the first big mistake is he let George Allen go, look what he did with Washington. He loved the Bears, but he had an opportunity to take three or four jobs. With the Rams he tried to trade for me every year, Halas wouldn’t do it.”

“It’s embarrassing. I don’t give a damn (about) the draft or whatever; there’s no reason we should be in this situation, one of the best franchises.”

George Allen was defensive coordinator for the 1963 Bears championship team. A unit that finished first both in points and yards allowed. He stayed on through 1965. Halas had a chance to promote him to the job in 1966, but elected instead to continue coaching the team himself at age 71. Something he’d do for another two years. Unwilling to wait any longer, Allen went to Los Angeles and took over the Rams.

For the next 12 years with them and the Redskins, Allen made the playoffs seven times and always had a winning record. That had to sting for Butkus. Just one of several disappointments in an otherwise brilliant career.

The Latest Kyle Schwarber Trade Rumor To The Tigers Is Total Bullshit

By
Aldo Soto
-

This was actually a great way for Jim Bowden to get people talking about him again, but if you know anything about his past you know that it mostly consists of making fun of him. Yesterday Peter Gammons reported that the Chicago Cubs asked the Detroit Tigers about 2016 ROY Michael Fulmer. Couple that with Ken Rosenthal’s report that the Cubs were considering trading a young position player and we had ourselves some fun, with trade proposals thrown around by fans. Then, Jim Bowden made everyone laugh.

So, the latest Kyle Schwarber trade rumor was that the Cubs reportedly offered him to the Tigers for Fulmer, who’s 24-years-old and under control through 2023. That’s it, that’s all Bowden said. Not Schwarber and these prospects. Just Kyle Schwarber for Michael Fulmer.

This blew up on Twitter by an account I’ve never seen before.

And here’s the actual “report” coming from Bowden in a radio show.

If you’re the Tigers, you don’t want Kyle Schwarber as the centerpiece of a trade in which you’re dealing away one of the best young pitchers in the game. That’d be terrible value. Plus, Schwarber’s value is at an all-time low, so I don’t see the Cubs dangling him out there at all, unless they think the Tigers have the dumbest front office in baseball.

Anyway, Jim Bowden sounded weird, probably had a creepy-ass smirk on his face as he said the Cubs called for Fulmer and Daniel Norris. Why I am saying the Kyle Schwarber part is complete bullshit?

Jim Bowden is the same guy, who before the season started said it would be a good trade for the Cubs if they got Billy Hamilton from the Cincinnati Reds for Albert Almora Jr. AND Ian Happ.

ESPN’s Jim Bowden Must Have Been Drunk When He Came Up With This Cubs Trade Proposal

Not only do I feel like he just throws shit to the wall and hopes something sticks, but he also didn’t bring up the fact that Theo Epstein absolutely adores Schwarber.

Epstein said the following just two months ago.

“If anyone wants to sell their Kyle Schwarber stock, we’re buying,” Epstein said. “If they want to sell low, we’ll buy low. He’s going to have tremendous production at the end of the year. He’s going to have a lot of big hits to help us win games. It just means there’s a lot of hits out there for the rest of the year.

“He hasn’t gotten on track yet, but we have no doubts that he will.”

The Cubs are obviously trying to get a cost-effective, young controllable starting pitcher. There’s no doubt about that because as I’ll say once again, the rotation sucks right now and after the season is over they’ll have to find two new starters. So yes, no doubt they asked the Tigers about Fulmer and Norris, but you’re certainly not getting Fulmer for Schwarber. Again, unless the Cubs have a very low opinion of the Tigers front office.

I have a very low opinion of Jim Bowden. This “report” is bullshit. Nice try Jim, but I guess you did get me to write about you, so you win.

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