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Cubs Pursuit Of Yu Darvish Just Got To The Next Level

By
Aldo Soto
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While the Chicago Cubs have addressed some of their pitching needs this offseason, the front office hasn’t made a big splash yet. Tyler Chatwood, Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek were all solid acquisitions, but the Cubs still have one more spot in the starting rotation to fill and it certainly appears as though their pursuit of the top free agent is heating up.

A few days ago, Bruce Levine reported that the Cubs were kicking the tires on free agent starting pitcher Yu Darvish.

On Monday, Levine reported that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer flew to Dallas and that their likely plan was to meet with Darvish.

Less than an hour later, Jon Heyman confirmed Levine’s report, saying the Cubs are meeting with Darvish.

Darvish, 31, along with Cubs free agent Jake Arrieta, are seen as the top pitchers in this year’s free agent class. However, if reports are true that Arrieta is seeking a deal worth $200 million, then you can assume the Cubs will say good luck and move on elsewhere in the market. There’s also the report that Alex Cobb’s asking price has so far lowered the Cubs interest in him. So, these factors seemingly have led the Cubs to upping their interest in Darvish.

Before you lose your mind and think the Cubs are going to give Darvish some outlandish deal, remember that the front office will do everything it can to remain in the mix for next year’s free agent class. So, ideally their contract offer to Darvish would make sure that the team doesn’t go over the luxury tax threshold for the 2018 season. Because you know, the Cubs are going to try and sign Bryce Harper.

You can have the debate on who the better pitcher is, Darvish or Arrieta, but right now the focus is Darvish, so in my perfect world the Cubs do sign him, but only to a four-year deal. Obviously, Darvish is going to try and get as much money and security as he can, but if the Cubs go up to $110 million or even $120 million over the four years, that amount of money could be enough to entice the right-hander to sign with the Cubs.

Plus, we’re almost at Christmas, maybe Darvish is getting a little desperate, as interest in him hasn’t really been high so far this offseason. But again, the ideal contract structure would guarantee that the Cubs stay under the luxury tax for 2018, making the final three years of Darvish’s deal enormous. The other main reason a four-year deal would be perfect is because the contract would expire at the time the Cubs core hits free agency. So, by that time Darvish’s and Jon Lester’s money would be off the books.

So, what do you guys think, $110 million over four years for Darvish? For reference, before the start of free agency, MLB Trade Rumors projected Darvish signing with the Cubs on a six-year contract, worth $160 million. My proposed deal would be $27.5 million on average per season.

Or maybe even four years at $120 million?

Darvish missed the entire 2015 season after having Tommy John Surgery. He came back to make 17 starts in 2016 and made 31 in 2017 with the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. He has a career 3.42 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, starting his career in 2012.

Will his next start be as a member of the Cubs?

Carlos Rodon Shares A Subway-Bathroom Confessional

By
Matt Enuco
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Bulls Look To Stay Hot & Keep Streak Alive Versus 76ers

By
Patrick Mooney
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One thing we didn’t expect to say before Christmas (or Easter, or next Christmas… or next Easter): The Chicago Bulls are playing great basketball.

Well, it’s December 18th, and the Bulls are playing great basketball.

Their abysmal play in October and November was to be expected, but since Nikola Mirotic returned to the lineup on December 8th, the Bulls have strung together five wins in a row.

Mirotic has been something of an enigma throughout his NBA career. He came into the league in the fall of 2014 with some pretty legitimate hype for a team that was hoping to contend. Coming to the NBA from overseas and making an immediate impact on a contender is no small task.

Yet still, relatively speaking? Mirotic was a good rookie. He earned over 20 minutes per game under Tom Thibodeau, a coach notorious for keeping rookies buried on the bench, and he led the NBA in fourth quarter scoring during March of that season when both Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler were sidelined with injuries.

However, the last two seasons have yielded mostly disappointing results.

Mirotic began the 2015-2016 season as the starting power forward under Fred Hoiberg, a move that pushed fan favorite Joakim Noah to the bench. That move barely lasted a month, and he’s been primarily coming off the bench ever since, producing at a mediocre rate offensively while being a defensive liability.

Mirotic entered this season on a new two-year contract with low expectations, certainly no one was worried about him disrupting the teams plans of tanking.

Well, it’s December 18th, Niko is back, and the Bulls are playing great basketball.

After Bobby Portis infamously sidelined Mirotic for the first 23 games of the season with a right hook in practice, the duo has combined to lead the team through the oddest of win streaks.

Mirotic is averaging 20 points on 54% shooting in just 26 minutes per game since his return. Portis is averaging 15.6 ppg and 6.2 rpg over the winning streak.

With the Sixers coming to town with a banged up bunch, it appears as if the Bulls win streak has a good chance to continue.

While this win streak has brought on complicated feelings, it won’t last forever and the Bulls record remains one of the league’s worst at 8-20. The tank is still on.

For tonight, let’s sit back and enjoy what Mirotic & Co. have in store for us.

Michael Kopech Looks To Change The Art Of Pitching Forever

By
Emmet McClain
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Every off season, White Sox top ranked pitching prospect Michael Kopech trains at APEC training facility in Tyler, TX. It is the same place that the flamethrower recorded a video of him hitting 110 on the radar gun last year. Now, he was aided by an underweight ball and a crow hop, but it is still an absurd feat nonetheless.

This season, Kopech figures to be up with the White Sox as soon as early May and as late as July. When he does, he will bring his burning desire to win along with his red hot arm. His trainers, teammates, and even opposing MLB players all seem to share one opinion: Michael Kopech is going to be a top player in baseball for a very long time.

The exclusive video by NBC Sports does a great job of showing just how badly Kopech wants to win. If he isn’t already one of your favorite White Sox prospects, or players in general, it won’t be long until he is. Because the flame that drives him to be the best is just as hot as his fastball.

Carlos Rodon Is Getting Active On Twitter

By
Matt Enuco
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There are moments in our lives that we hold reverence for. For a baseball player, one of those moments is their debut in The Show.  

The White Sox have several offseason social media campaigns but Carlos Rodon basked in his glory today with this little nugget.

Maybe it was the massive Kansas buck they call “Johnny Rockets”…

…or maybe he’s just gearing up for SoxFest.

Rodon is usually quiet on Twitter, but recently he has been fairly visible.  And after glorifying Rodon’s debut and praising his dominant numbers against Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Kris Bryant, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge…

…the White Sox had a little fun with the good-natured youngster.

And just when we thought it might be over for the day, Rodon drops this bombshell on the world.

There may be something lost in translation here. “Honey hole” is not a sexual innuendo. My friends, that is a sweet hunting nook that, like fishermen, hunters do not make public.

I guess the South Siders need as much encouragement to endure the offseason as fans do.

 

Cam Newton Trash Talking The Packers Before a TD Pass Is So Delightful

By
Erik Lambert
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cam newton

The Carolina Panthers are a team built much in the image of the 2006 Chicago Bears. The only big (okay HUGE) difference is they have quarterback Cam Newton. One can safely say he’s an upgrade over Rex Grossman. Well that team gave Chicago an idea of what they could’ve had if they’d ever found their MVP-caliber quarterback.

Nothing is more enjoyable on the planet for Bears fans these days than watching the Green Bay Packers lose. Watching them lose and likely miss the playoffs? That’s practically Nirvana. Well such was the case Sunday. Despite a returning Aaron Rodgers, the Packers knew they were going into a hostile stadium against a good, balanced team.

Early on it became clear that Green Bay’s momentum from the two previous weeks didn’t mean much. Midway through the first quarter Carolina drove it down the field to inside the Packers 10-yard line. It was there that Newton and longtime Bears nemesis Clay Matthews had a terrific exchange before the snap.

Cam Newton laughs in face of Packers, then throws TD

The best part about that play is Matthews was right. He knew exactly who the ball was going to in running back Christian McCaffrey. What he didn’t know, until it was too late of course, was the type of route being run. Film study had told him the Panthers loved to run McCaffrey on a wheel route to the outside.

The Panthers, likely known the Packers had seen that, implanted an adjustment where McCaffrey would instead fake the wheel and run an inside slant. The play worked perfectly. McCaffrey was barely touched going into the end zone. It set the tone for the rest of the game, Carolina holding on for a 31-24 victory.

Now the Packers are in dire straits. If Atlanta beats Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football, they will officially be eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Rumor: Chicago Bears Head Coach List Is Coming Into Focus

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears head coach list

The Chicago Bears head coach list for 2018 seems to be coming into focus now. John Fox blew his last, fleeting chance to save his job when his team fell flat against the Lions in Detroit. The loss assures the Bears will finish no better than 6-10, which would match the best record Fox has had in Chicago during his 2015 season. That’s certainly not what one might call growth.

Thus all focus now is on January 1st. That is the day the season ends for the Bears, the infamous “Black Monday” for many head coaches each year. Fox should feel fortunate he’ll manage to survive that far. Given some of the losses this season, it’s a surprise he wasn’t canned before then. Ownership has never done that in franchise history though.

Still, GM Ryan Pace knows his top priority will be finding an able replacement. Somebody who can get the most from young quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Who though? There will be a long list of options available. It’s a matter of the type the Bears want and also who’s available. Don’t forget one key. Several of the top options will be in the playoffs. Are the Bears willing to wait to get their guy?

Since it’s Pace in charge, patience likely won’t be a problem. Still it appears the Bears have narrowed their short list.

Chicago Bears head coach list features lots of youth

A source reached out to me stating that the team has an idea of who they want to pursue. When I asked who they might be, five names came up.

“They are currently ruling names out and narrowing their list. Right now Matt Lafleur, Frank Reich, John DeFilippo, Matt Nagy and Pete Carmichael have become their targets. Those are the five with an understanding other coaches may become available.”

A few things are clear from that list. One is Pace certainly is completely focused on Trubisky. All five are top offensive minds. Another is most of them are young. Lafleur, DeFilippo and Nagy have yet to turn 40-years old. Carmichael is 46. Only Reich stands out as an elder at 56. Last but not least, all are currently poised to enter the playoffs at the head of a highly successful offenses.

Total Offense rankings:

  • New Orleans Saints – 1st (Carmichael)
  • Philadelphia Eagles – 3rd (Reich & DeFilippo)
  • Kansas City Chiefs – 5th (Nagy)
  • Los Angeles Rams – 9th (Lafleur)

Carmichael has been the loyal subordinate to Sean Payton in New Orleans for 11 years. Pace of course has connections to the Saints, so that’s something to watch. Reich is a former NFL backup quarterback who is enjoying a successful run with his second team as an offensive coordinator. DeFilippo is his quarterbacks coach, responsible for the outstanding play of both Carson Wentz and Nick Foles.

Nagy has really saved the season in Kansas City, reviving their stagnant offense over the past three weeks since he took over play calling duties. Lafleur, though he doesn’t call plays, is primarily responsible for the drastic turnaround by Jared Goff from his ugly rookie season to a possible Pro Bowl. It’s a strong group to be sure.

Now it’s likely this list is subject to change. There are still two weeks left to go in the season. As the end of the quote stated, it’s unknown which other coaches might become available. There are rumblings that Bill O’Brien in Houston and Jay Gruden in Washington may end up free agents. At that point Pace may have to consider them. Both are proven QB specialists who have led their teams to the playoffs.

It will be fascinating to see which direction this all goes.

Chicago Bears Now Have Good Idea of 2018 Schedule and Draft Slot

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears 2018 schedule

The Chicago Bears 2018 schedule and likely draft position are now the biggest topics of discussion. This outside of who the next head coach will be of course. Considering this team will be expected to compete once the necessary changes are made, this information could prove most interesting.

For two-straight years now the Bears have endured one of the most difficult schedules in the NFL. Combined with a rebuilding roster it’s little wonder their record has been so dismal the past two years. At present they’ve won just seven of 30 possible games since the start of 2016. That’s not an easy thing to stomach.

Will 2018 offer any relief at all? At least on paper it doesn’t appear that way. Brad Biggs revealed who the Bears’ opponents next season will be, and it features a list of notables in the current playoff race.

Chicago Bears 2018 schedule will be another stiff test

“The NFC North is paired up with the AFC East and NFC West next season, meaning Tom Brady will be making his second and likely final visit to Soldier Field. The Patriots, Jets, Rams and Seahawks will all come to Soldier Field. The Bears will have road games against the Bills, Dolphins, Cardinals and 49ers.

Based on the Bears’ last-place finish in the division, they will host the Buccaneers (last in the NFC South) and play at the Giants (last in the NFC East). Those games go along with the traditional home-and-away series with NFC North rivals.”

So to recap that means seven of their 13 opponents next year will likely finish with a record of .500 or better this season. That’s not counting the 49ers who already beat them this year. In other words Pace and the new coaching staff will have to work some magic to have this team ready to meet that challenge.

Speaking of which, the schedule isn’t the only bit of information coming into focus. With their loss to Detroit the Bears now have a much clearer idea of where they’ll be picking in the draft come next April.

In essence it’s all but a lock that the Bears will be picking in the top 10 for the fourth-straight time this coming spring. Pace has had mixed results thus far. Leonard Floyd and Trubisky look like quality finds, but Kevin White was a bust. Can he deliver with another big opportunity? Much will become clearer in the next few weeks.

Bears Fans Need to See the Play That Ended the Packers’ Season

By
Erik Lambert
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Chicago Bears fans won’t have a lot to celebrate for the next few weeks. At least not until the day John Fox is mercifully fired. Seeing him hold a 13-33 overall record (3-14 vs. NFC North) has been one, long walk across hot coals. Nonetheless, if one tries hard enough they can find something enjoyable. For Bears faithful, the latest is reveling in the pain of Green Bay Packers fans.

No doubt people haven’t forgotten the exuberant “Bears Still Suck” chants at Lambeau Field a few months back. It stung then, but then again karma has a way of working itself out. Green Bay was ready to celebrate this week. The team had won a couple of vital games with Brett Hundley at QB. Aaron Rodgers was returning from his collarbone injury.

Everything was set up for another miraculous turnaround to make the playoffs. It was 2013 all over again. Then the Carolina Panthers gleefully slapped them back to reality.

Bears fans might’ve missed the glorious way Green Bay lost

It was a tough day for the Packers in general. Rodgers was not at his best. He threw three costly interceptions on the afternoon, his worst performance since 2009. Even so the Packers had a chance to tie the game with under two minutes to go. Then the Panthers defense, coached by former Bear Ron Rivera, uncorked an old classic to ruin everything.

Few players ever gave Packers receivers more nightmares than Charles Tillman. He was the greatest master of the forced fumble in defensive back history. His patented “Peanut Punch” was feared and respected across the NFL. Rivera of course coached Tillman as a defensive coordinator in Chicago. So it’s no shock he taught that style to the Panthers players too.

The ghost of Peanut is strong and he haunted Green Bay once again. What wonderful silver lining to an otherwise tough season.

A New Coaching Name Is Rocketing Up the Chicago Bears Board

By
Erik Lambert
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matt nagy

The Detroit Lions put it to rest on Sunday. John Fox had one last slim opportunity to save his job. If he could win the final four games of the season to finish 7-9, that might convince the Bears higher ups to resist sending him packing. Then in predictable fashion he blew it. Coming off a huge win over Cincinnati, Fox returned to his usual, conservative style. With nothing to lose he refused to take chances and as a result the team couldn’t get anything going. Now the search for the next Bears head coach will really begin.

GM Ryan Pace was in attendance for the game. Onlookers stated that he did not seem happy. No doubt he was watching his prized young quarterback Mitch Trubisky play. Though the rookie reached 300 yards on the day, he had three costly interceptions. Problems continue to persist with his mechanics.

That falls at the feet of the coaching staff. Pace is not dumb. He recognizes the task ahead. Above anything else it must be the continued development of this potential franchise quarterback. Trubisky has shown the signs. Now it’s a matter for fine tuning it all. The question is who will they get to do it?

Bears head coach search has a new name rising up list in Matt Nagy

Two months ago the name Matt Nagy wasn’t widely known around the NFL landscape. Most saw him as the successor to Doug Pederson in Kansas City. The heir apparent to their offensive coordinator job. Not that it mattered of course. Head coach Andy Reid called the plays so nobody took the idea of the 39-year old Nagy being a head coach option seriously.

Things have changed. With the Chiefs offense struggling, Reid made the decision to hand play calling duties to Nagy before their game against the New York Jets on December 3rd. In the three previous games to that point they had scored 17, 9 and 10 points respectively. In the three games since Nagy has taken over they’ve scored 31, 26 and 30.

It’s also been a huge boost for quarterback Alex Smith. He had three touchdowns and four interceptions in that three-game stretch prior to Nagy’s promotion. Since then he has six touchdowns and one interception.

Nagy carries a major chip on his shoulder

One thing that becomes clear about Nagy when researching his background is the man was never handed anything. He’s had to fight tooth and nail to get this far in his coaching career. He sounds like a man who is confident in himself and determined to show others what he can do.

“I wasn’t given the opportunity to play Division I football out of high school, and in my opinion, I felt I could. I wasn’t given an opportunity to play in the NFL out of college, and I felt I should have.”

That didn’t stop him. After finishing his college career at Delaware, he landed in the Arena Football League. There he led two different teams to the ArenaBowl championship game. During that time he also doubled as a high school coach, learning the ropes. This earned him a coaching internship for the Philadelphia Eagles under then head coach Andy Reid. The rest as they say is history.

Nagy followed Reid to Kansas City where he became quarterbacks coach in 2013. With his help Alex Smith has had the best run of his career including two trips to the Pro Bowl. Currently the Chiefs rank ninth passing and fifth in scoring. If those hold they will each be the highest of the Reid era, with Nagy getting much of the credit.

If the Bears are looking for a young, hungry coach trained by one of the best in the business then they won’t do much better than him.

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