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Kris Bryant Just Broke Another Record With The Cubs

By
Aldo Soto
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Kris Bryant has far exceeded all the hype that was surrounding him before his MLB debut in 2015. He was Rookie of the Year in 2015 and won National League MVP the same season the Chicago Cubs won the World Series a year later. Despite his power numbers coming down a bit in 2017, Bryant improved in more areas during his third season in the Majors. Can’t really get off to a better start of a career than Bryant and the Cubs are certainly rewarding him. Bryant set the record for the highest first-year, arbitration eligible salary in MLB history on Friday.

Bryant, 26, and the Cubs settled on $10.85 million, avoiding arbitration. The Cubs also agreed to a deal with Addison Russell.

Before the start of the 2017 season, Bryant also set the record for the highest salary of a second-year player in MLB history.

And still, despite making 10x more than last year, what a bargain for the Cubs. We’re talking about a guy who’d easily get at least $27 million a year if he was a free agent.

Earlier in the day, the Cubs also avoided arbitration with three other players, Justin Wilson, Kyle Hendricks and Tommy La Stella.

The Cubs have now agreed to deals with five of the six arbitration-eligible players on their roster. Right-handed reliever Justin Grimm has still not settled on a salary with the Cubs.

Taking A Look At The White Sox Projected Bullpen

By
Emmet McClain
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After trading away a plethora of relievers last season, it was no secret that bullpen help was going to be a top priority for the White Sox heading into 2018. A recent move saw Rick Hahn bring in two relievers- one righty and one lefty- to help strengthen the bullpen. Add in the trade with the Seattle Mariners that brought over flamethrower Thyago Vieira, and a healthy Nate Jones, and suddenly the White Sox have built up their bullpen to be at least respectable heading into 2018.

If the season started today, the bullpen would look something like this:

Nate Jones- RHP

Juan Minaya- RHP

Danny Farquar- RHP

Luis Avilan- LHP

Gregory Infante- RHP

Aaron Bummer- LHP

Jace Fry- LHP

Joakim Soria- Closer RHP

 

If Nate Jones is in fact fully healthy, then the bullpen receives a huge boost. Vieira is left off the list because his control still needs work and he might not break camp with the White Sox. The intriguing thing abut this bullpen is that there is really no clear cut closer. Soria is the best bet at this point but either Nate Jones or Vieira could wind up in the closing role as well.

Avilan is the second player (Soria being the other) that came to the White Sox in the three team trade with Kansas City and the Dodgers. He is considered to be a lefty specialist, and should be great when it comes to getting situational outs late in games.

All in all, no name on this list is going to blow anyone away. But then again, no one thought anything of Anthony Swarzak and Tommy Kahnle last year either, and look what happened with them.

If the White Sox really do want to surprise people and compete for a wild card berth in 2018, the bullpen is going to have to step up and show that it can produce when needed most.

 

 

Bears All But Close Deal on Their Biggest Coaching Staff Priority

By
Erik Lambert
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vic fangio

Chicago Bears fans were waiting with baited breath. After an initial surge of belief that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was set to return on a new deal, things fell completely silent. Word began to filter out that the 59-year old was stalling. Belief was he might be considering a job elsewhere with positions in Seattle and Arizona set to open up. Some even felt he may choose to wait until other teams filled their head coaching vacancies, putting the Bears in a difficult position.

Days passed and there was still nothing. Soon news came out that the team was beginning to sniff around other possible candidates such as James Bettcher in Arizona or free agent Chuck Pagano. They had to be ready in case Fangio elected to pass on their offer. Thankfully according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune that won’t be necessary.

This is terrific news for the Bears defense which finished 9th in points allowed and 10th in total yards this past season. Fangio has done tremendous work rebuilding what was one of the oldest and most depleted units into league into one of the most formidable. His players have been urging the team brass to bring him back. It seems they got their wish.

Vic Fangio retention came down to a good pitch and more money

A few days ago when the news hit that Fangio was considering a return, I reported that much of that was thanks to new head coach Matt Nagy. He made a strong pitch that his new offense combined with Fangio’s defense could get the Bears back to where they belong. However not even that was enough. Something else was needed, but what?

In the end, according to a source, the solution was simple.

“The Bears upped their offer.”

Money does indeed make the world go round. There was no question Fangio had plenty of leverage in this situation. After the year he’d just had there were plenty of teams interested in his services. Just wanting him back wouldn’t be enough. If the Bears were serious then they’d have to show it with their pocket books. It wouldn’t surprise if Fangio will be the highest paid defensive coordinator in the NFL when he signs his new contract.

Truth be told it’s money well spent. With him back in charge Nagy won’t have to worry about the defense at all. He’ll be free to place his entire focus on Mitch Trubisky and the offense, which is where it should be. If things go the direction this team is pointed, the 2018 season could be loads of fun.

How The Matt Nagy Hire Could Alter The Bears 2018 Draft Plans

By
Erik Lambert
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matt nagy
Credit: AP

GM Ryan Pace remains in charge. That means the Chicago Bears roster is still his to do with as he wishes. Control of the final 53 for the 2018 season will rest on his shoulders. However, make no mistake. The Matt Nagy hire is going to alter things. In particular how Pace approaches the draft. Coaches have certain priorities when it comes to personnel. Nagy is not John Fox. Pace prides himself on collaborative efforts, so what can we expect?

Looking back over the past three years it became clear that the Bears tended to favor two positions during the Fox era. One was running back and the other was safety. Being a defensive coach it would make sense Fox favored a strong stable of backs. Chicago added Jeremy Langford, Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen respectively.

It’s also important to remember that way back when Fox was a defensive backs coach. So favoring safeties made sense as well with Adrian Amos, Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston-Carson and Eddie Jackson being new additions. Nagy though is not Fox. In fact he’s nothing like Fox. They come from completely different backgrounds and that will change things in the draft.

Matt Nagy hire could lead to heavier emphasis up front

John Mullin of CSN Chicago made an interesting point in regards to the draft situation. Nagy comes from the Andy Reid school. It’s been drilled into him over the past 10 years that nothing is more important to invest in for an offensive head coach than the offensive line.

Indeed it’s true. Between 2009 and 2017 with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, Reid’s teams have drafted a whopping 16 offensive linemen. Five of them ended up going in the first four rounds.

It’s hard to argue with the results. From 2008 to 2016, the Eagles and Chiefs produced a top 10 scoring offense seven times. It’s not always glamorous but constant investment in the offensive line coupled with an offensive head coach tends to get results. The Dallas Cowboys are another team that has proven this theory over the past few years.

The Bears hiring Harry Hiestand as their new offensive line coach adds to this idea of taking that area seriously. He is one of the best in the business and will help them identify quality linemen in the draft. That includes potential first round picks Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey whom he groomed personally at Notre Dame.

Above anything else this represents a likelihood that everything will be about controlling the line of scrimmage moving forward.

Top Defensive Mind (and Bears Fan) Interested In Coming To Chicago

By
Erik Lambert
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Credit: AZ Central

The situation regarding the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator position is extremely fluid. A couple days ago it was reported the team had heavy interest in retaining Vic Fangio. That hasn’t changed to this point. Initially it appeared the two sides were progressing towards a new deal. Those talks seem to have stalled for the moment. Exactly why remains a mystery. It could be over money or the possibility that Fangio wishes to wait and see if more options open up.

That’s well within his right of course, but it does put the Bears in an awkward position. They can’t afford to wait on him forever. This might be why they’ve begun to at least explore other possibilities in the event that Fangio chooses to leave. Ironically his exit might open the door for them to land an equally good option elsewhere.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune uncovered some interesting information regarding both Fangio and a developing situation out in Arizona. It was reported recently that Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur could be the favorite to land that job. In such an event that might be enough to lure Fangio west.

“Fangio is believed to be a possibility to take a job with Shurmur.”

Where it gets interesting is what might happen in such an event.

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator search zeroing in on James Bettcher

Biggs went on to explain that the team has inquired about the possibility of Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher being available. To this point there’s no indication either way of whether they can speak to him. Much of that is due to his waiting on whether the team might promote him to head coach. In the event that doesn’t happen though, Chicago has a serious shot at landing him.

“A source said Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher would be interested in talking to the Bears if the Cardinals don’t promote him to head coach. Bettcher clearly isn’t doing anything as long as he’s in play for the Cardinals’ top spot.

However, Bettcher has one year remaining on his contract and the Bears would have to request permission from the Cardinals to meet with the Lakeville, Ind., native who grew up a Bears fan.”

Bettcher is considered one of the rising stars in the NFL. The 39-year old has run the Cardinals defense for three seasons. During that time they’ve finished 5th, 2nd and 6th respectively in total defense. He runs a 3-4 alignment so it wouldn’t be a hard transition at all for him to make to Chicago in the event Arizona let him walk. The fact he has a personal stake in the Bears? That’s just icing on the cake.

All of this hinges on what Fangio does next. It wouldn’t matter if he re-ups with Chicago as originally expected. If he doesn’t, things will get interesting.

Vic Fangio Stall May Have Bears Exploring Backup Plans

By
Erik Lambert
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vic fangio

A couple days ago it looked like new Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy had accomplished his first major task. That was finding a way to convince defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to return. He was aided by the sudden closure of several other opportunities including Baltimore and Green Bay, considered two most likely landing spots for the 59-year old. At that point a deal felt like a foregone conclusion.

However things change fast in the NFL. Optimism remains high that a contract is eventually struck but the longer this plays out, the more nervous people get. It’s likely the continued stall is over money issues. That and the new complication of the Seattle Seahawks firing their defensive coordinator. Fangio has deep familiarity with that organization from his time San Francisco.

Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog, the same man who first broke whispers of the Harry Hiestand and Mark Helfrich hires, indicated that the two camps have reached a snafu. Belief is it’s coming from Fangio’s end.

There’s been no indication that the pendulum has begun to swing a new direction. However, history says the risk is there. If the Bears are smart they’d at least be starting to explore other possibilities in the event Fangio changes his mind.

Whispers hint Bears have a couple Vic Fangio contingencies in mind

Details are difficult to come by but a source did tell me that feelers have been sent out by Halas Hall to a number of different camps. Two names that stuck out? Chuck Pagano and Greg Schiano. Pagano is the former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Prior to that though he had a successful season as defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens in 2011, his unit finishing 3rd overall. He shares a connection with Nagy through former Andy Reid assistant John Harbaugh.

Schiano fulfills two criteria of focus that Nagy has demonstrated the past few days. He’s an accomplished college coach at a major program and he’s got a background working for the Bears. Schiano was an assistant coach under Dave Wannstedt from 1996 through 1998. The past two years he’s been defensive coordinator at Ohio State. His unit finished 9th overall this season and 4th in 2016.

While neither of those options can be considered as proven at the NFL level as Fangio, they certainly bring some credibility to the job. Still, fans should hope that the Bears are able to work through the lingering snag in negotiations. Fangio is worth the price. His defense matched with the potential of that Nagy offense give this team its best shot to make the playoffs in years.

Even so if the negotiations continue to draft those “explorations” could become pursuits in a hurry.

White Sox Re-Sign A Friendly Face Out Of Free Agency

By
Matt Enuco
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White Sox re-sign Gonzalez.
The White Sox re-signed Miguel Gonzalez to a one-year deal and joins a familiar team in an unchanged phase of rebuilding. (David Banks/Getty Images North America via zimbio)

The White Sox made news on Thursday in re-signing Miguel Gonzalez to a one-year deal worth $4.75 million.

Gonzalez is no stranger to White Sox fans and at one point last season was the finest pitcher in the South Siders’s rotation. He was eventually traded to the Texas Rangers in August just before the playoff waiver wire expired. The White Sox were able to net Ti’Quan Forbes in the exchange, a former high-round pick with an immense ceiling. Forbes is only 21 years old and if the Rick Hahn casts another spell over the league he could double-dip on a second deal involving Gonzalez at the trade deadline.

This appears to be the final move of the offseason for the White Sox. Jacob May was DFA’d to make room for Gonzalez on the 40-man roster and with the bullpen issues ironed out in the last trade with the Dodgers and Royals, adding Gonzalez checks the final box for the White Sox heading into Spring Training.

There is always a possibility that a suitor makes an enormous offer for Avisail Garcia, but given his history and a sluggish free-agent market, it is unlikely he will move before the mid-summer trade deadline. Yolmer Sanchez might have the most trade value among an evolving roster and Tyler Saladino is probably the next man on the chopping block if the White Sox grab another position player.

If Gonzalez can turn in another season similar to the one he had in 2017 the White Sox will be in good shape. He was a dependable starter that took the ball every fifth day and that will be critical to the White Sox surviving the 2018 season. Many believe this upcoming season will be the most difficult given the expectations on young talent and revolving door between Triple-A and the majors, and having reliable veterans will be imperative to surviving 2018.

Looming Bears Offensive Coordinator Hire Going Way Outside the Box

By
Erik Lambert
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bears offensive coordinator

It’s clear from early indications that new Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy isn’t afraid to go away from traditional paths to fill his assistant coaching positions. Already he dipped into the college ranks to secure his offensive line guru in Harry Hiestand. Is it possible the 39-year old could continue to seek out solutions for his staff in the college ranks? When it comes to the Bears offensive coordinator position that’s a definite yes.

No deal is done yet but there are reports that Chicago is in hot pursuit of one of the top offensive minds in the NCAA. Mike Mulligan who does the Mully & Hanley show for 670 The Score heard that the team is closing in on a deal to bring Mark Helfrich in as the new offensive coordinator. Helfrich was the head coach at Oregon from 2013 to 2016 and before that their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Chip Kelly.

Helfrich worked as an analyst at Fox Sports in 2017 so he’s a free agent. At age 44 he’s a young coach who is no doubt anxious to get back into the game. If this deal goes through it will mark the first time he’s ascended to the NFL ranks. Certainly a bold move by Nagy.

Mark Helfrich as Bears offensive coordinator will embrace the spread

It seems like more than ever the NFL has begun to embrace the concept of spread offenses. This is almost a necessity given that most college offenses run a variation of it. Oregon was one of the first major programs that truly embraced its concepts. Helfrich has been described as a keen mind who sees the game through the eyes of the quarterback. No doubt this move was meant to further the expertise around Mitch Trubisky.

The seeds were planted for him back in the 1990s as a graduate assistant at Oregon. There he worked under future NFL head coach Dirk Koetter. They would continue a working relationship until 2005 at Arizona State. During that time Koetter developed a healthy respect for what Helfrich could do and the potential he had as a coach.

“He can do it all in his head. He doesn’t have to draw the pictures on the board (…) not many people can do that. sees the game through the quarterback’s eyes. We all have ideas, but if your quarterback can’t execute those ideas, they are lines on a paper. Mark is as smart a football guy as I know.”

Helfrich had a direct hand in the rise of Marcus Mariota

Easily his biggest claim to fame was the nearly unstoppable Ducks no-huddle offense during the Chip Kelly era and his own as head coach. While the offense in general had great success, his biggest claim to fame was being the one to help turn Marcus Mariota into a future #2 overall pick. Under his direction Mariota threw for 10,796 yards, 105 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions in three years. He won the Heisman in 2014.

That same year they went 13-2 and made it to the first ever College Football Playoff. There they demolished Florida State in the Rose Bowl before coming up short in the national championship game against Ohio State. At its best the Oregon offense under Helfrich was quick, precise, balanced and relentless. It relied on speed and tempo to wear a defense down.

With Mariota it operated at its best for two key reasons. They were his quick trigger and accurate arm along with his mobility to extend plays. Both of these traits are something that Trubisky shares. The Bears quarterback operated a version of the spread offense at North Carolina. So these concepts won’t be foreign to him at all. In fact whenever Chicago ran certain plays that were similar to it in 2017, they tended to have a lot of success.

Helfrich’s style mixed with Nagy’s NFL experience could be quite an exciting combination for this offense. A total change from the dusty, old school style of John Fox and Dowell Loggains.

Richard Panik Traded To Arizona Coyotes For Duclair

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
-

Coming off the heels of his best game of an otherwise disappointing season, Richard Panik has been dealt to the Arizona Coyotes along with Laurent Dauphin. The Blackhawks will get 22 year old forward Anthony Duclair and Adam Clendening in return.

Duclair has been seen as one of the best trade deadline targets this season. Being an “offensive specialist,” he could add the scoring depth that the Blackhawks desire.

The 2013 80th overall draft pick by the New York Rangers has had his trouble with coach Rick Tocchet for his ineffectiveness on defense. He has been healthy-scratched often as of late and this led to a trade request and his movement to Chicago.

This is a potentially big win for the Blackhawks by trading an aging, under-achieving player with a high price tag for a young player yet to reach his ceiling.

Follow @Pappy_Hour on Twitter for more Blackhawks news and musings. 

Nick Friedell Believes Nikola Mirotic Is All But Gone

By
Matthew Milakovich
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Photo Credit: clutchpoints.com

Speaking to Carmen & Jurko on ESPN 1000, Nick Friedell shed some light on the Nikola Mirotic trade rumors today, and to say the least, ESPN’s Bulls insider believes it’s just a matter of time until the power forward is moved.

“I think he’s gone. I’ve been told a few times even the last few days it’s a matter of when, not if…

I think Niko will be out of here at some point soon.”

With that being said, it’s obvious Friedell believes Niko is all but gone, however, what the Bulls get in return is still a huge lingering question mark.

When asked by Carmen DeFalco if the Bulls receive a first rounder for the sweet shooting power forward Friedell had this to say:

Carmen DeFalco: “do you think they’re getting a first round pick for [Niko]?”

Nick Friedell: “I didn’t see how that was possible… I’ve been told a couple times today that the Bulls are pretty confident that it’s going to come from somewhere… I think there’s enough interest where maybe they get one of those protected picks later in the first round.”

Niko’s Suitors

Teams that have shown reported interest in Mirotic include the Portland Trailblazers, Utah Jazz, and Detroit Pistons. Rumors have been gaining steam today that Utah is attempting to unload the expiring contract of Derrick Favors in return for Niko, however it is unclear whether Favors would come with a first round pick.

Per Bleacher Report: According to Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune, the Bulls have also inquired about getting a first-round pick and that talks are past the preliminary stage and “getting serious.”

Only time will tell exactly what happens in the coming days regarding the future of Nikola Mirotic in a Bulls uniform. One thing is for sure though, that time appears to be rapidly coming to a close.

Interesting follow by Niko, no?

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