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Vic Fangio Could Still Be Leaving The Chicago Bears

By
Sports Mockery
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matt nagy and mitch trubisky

According to CBS, the Chicago Bears could part ways with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, even though John Fox already indicated that his staff would remain intact. Earlier this season there was a reported “rift” between Fox and Fangio rumored to be about the team’s choice to pass the ball more than 60% of the time on offense.

This offensive approach, likely the game plan of new coordinator Dowell Loggains, resulted in Chicago ranking 30th in time of possession for the 2016 season at just over 28 minutes per game. To put that in perspective, the Eagles were ranked first with over 32 and a half minutes per game.

When the offense cannot hold onto the ball, the defense suffers. With Fangio’s elite coaching the Bears ranked 15th in total defense, based on yardage, last season. That ranking is a poor reflection of how well of a job Fangio did considering the injuries and the inefficient offense throughout the year.

Most coordinators are doing everything they can to earn a head coaching job, similar to the route Adam Gase took last season from Chicago to Miami. When you take that into consideration, you can see how an embarrassing time of possession stat could put a black eye on the fantastic work Fangio has done.

That’s why there was rumored to be frustration between Fox and Fangio, but it was denied by both parties publicly.

However, another job has opened up and if Fangio decides to make a lateral move, the Bears might be shit out of luck.

VIDEO: Michael Jordan The Man, The Myth, The Legend

By
Matt Eastman
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There will never be another Michael Jordan.

Enjoy.

Pro Bowl QB Suggested As Perfect Fit For Chicago Bears

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears tyrod taylor

There is no bigger question for the Chicago Bears to answer going into 2017 than the quarterback position. GM Ryan Pace made it clear that “everything is on the table” regarding that spot. Jay Cutler is recovering from his shoulder surgery but the team has remained mum on his future in the organization. Most feel he’s almost certain to be cut or traded.

Matt Barkley looked like an intriguing option the first couple weeks he started, then the turnover avalanche hit. At best he looks like an competent backup. Then there is Brian Hoyer. The journeyman vet had a strong showing as a starter, not throwing a single interception before breaking his arm in Green bay. He’s already indicated he has no problem returning as a spot starter while helping to mentor whatever young quarterback the team decides to bring in.

It’s not a bad idea, but also not a sexy one either. Hoyer is what he is. He’s good at managing the game, avoiding bad mistakes (most of the time) and keeping the offense on schedule. There are other suggestions out there though. One of them just gained a considerable amount of steam. (continue to next page from top)

Top 5 Moments Of The Chicago Blackhawks First Half

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
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The first half of the Chicago Blackhawks 2016-2017 season has been filled with wins as they’ve been atop the Western Conference much of the season. There have been many highlight reel plays but it has also had many accomplishments of significance that made the majority of this list.

#5 Artemi Panarin’s 100th Point

While 100 career points doesn’t seem that significant, it’s the pace at which Panarin reached it. It only took him 110 games to get there and puts him on a list with only 27 other NHL players. Nine of those players are in the Hall off fame and he is the fastest reach it since teammate Patrick Kane.

White Sox Sign Geovany Soto

By
Dan Fappiano
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The Angels' Geovany Soto grimaces after allowing a stolen base in the fourth inning during the Angels' 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by KEVIN SULLIVAN / Orange County Register)

Going into the offseason, catcher was one of the White Sox biggest needs. The team was planning on having Omar Narvaez and Kevan Smith as their backstops going into 2017.

However according to a new report, the White Sox added another catcher to the mix late Thursday night.

Bruce Levine of WSCR-AM and 670 The Score is reporting that the White Sox signed Geovany Soto to a minor league deal. He speculates that the with the Sox catching depth being so weak, there’s a chance he could break camp with the team in 2017.

Soto has been in the league for the past 12 years. He has played for the Cubs, Rangers, Athletics, Angels and White Sox. Soto played for the Souther Siders in 2015.

In 784 career games Soto has hit .246 with 105 homeruns and 352 RBIs. He has thrown out 27% of all base-stealers.

Soto provides the White Sox with a veteran presence behind the plate. With the White Sox projected to have such a young pitching staff, Soto’s leadership could help them grow.

Soto’s signing isn’t going to turn any heads, but he is the perfect guy to add on a one year deal. He not only helps the pitching staff, but allows prospect Zack Collins more time to improve in the minor leagues.

Of course this is all contingent on him making the 25-man roster. But with Navarez and Smith the only two catchers standing in front of him, he should have no problem doing so.

Signings like Derek Holland now Soto don’t excite the fans, but it shows how committed the team is to the rebuild. Adding veteran stopgap talent to either flip for prospects or help their young guns grow pays dividends in the long run.

Soto doesn’t make the White Sox World Series contenders, but he should be a decent veteran catcher to help lead the pitching staff in 2017.

While the signing will likely fall under the radar, Geovany Soto may very well be the starting catcher for the Chicago White Sox in 2017.

 

Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14

Overlooked Reason The Chicago Bears Could Win With A Rookie QB

By
Erik Lambert
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mitch trubisky

It’s no secret the Chicago Bears are planning a move of some kind at the quarterback position. Jay Cutler will be 34-years old in this year. He went the seventh-straight season in the NFL failing to start a full 16 games due to injuries. To say nothing of his significant regression from the peak efficient form he showed in 2015.

GM Ryan Pace declared “everything is on the table” for the Bears this coming off-season. That includes exploring free agency and even possible trades. However, most believe that the time has come for Chicago to consider drafting a quarterback high. Something this organization hasn’t done since 2003.

Some though warn that this class doesn’t have any potential rookies who can start from Day 1 and ever hope to win. Especially for a team that just went 3-13. Then again, that was said about many young quarterbacks when they came out of college, but somehow they excelled. It turns out that many of those that did had something in common.

Trade Out of the Top 5? The Chicago Bears Last Did It 14 Years Ago

By
Erik Lambert
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The 2016 season is (mercifully) over for the Chicago Bears. Fans watched as their beloved franchise endured a 3-13 campaign. It goes down as the worst record ever produced by this organization in a 16-game season. Not exactly something one wants on their resume. GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox were adamant it wouldn’t happen again.

Pace in particular seemed emphatic on that point and also that he intended to take full advantage of the resources that come in 2017. First is the healthy amount of salary cap space Chicago will have. Latest estimates via overthecap.com say they’ll have over $58 million to spend. That’s without additional moves to free space.

Then there is the NFL draft benefits. Owning the tiebreaker with Jacksonville, who had the same record, the Bears own the #3 overall pick. It’s the highest they’ve held since 1972 and their first top five selection since 2005. With it comes the inevitable speculation of who they might take. In addition comes the other favorite debate among draft enthusiasts. (continue to next page from top)

New Intriguing Team Beginning To Show Interest in White Sox Todd Frazier

By
Dan Fappiano
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Todd Frazier, White Sox, Chicago, Home Run

Todd Frazier is one of the more confusing trade assets on the Chicago White Sox. He offers enormous power potential, yet teams haven’t exactly been chomping at the bit to trade for the corner infielder.

Frazier has been in the MLB for the past six seasons, playing for the Reds before the White Sox. He has appeared in 791 major league games. Frazier has hit .250 with 148 homeruns, 422 RBIs and 58 stolen bases.

Frazier has atleast 29 homeruns, 80 RBIs and 13 stolen basess the past three seasons. He is coming off a 40 homerun season. Frazier is one of the best power hitters in the MLB, any team acquiring him is adding a massive power surge in the middle of their lineup.

However Frazier is also a free agent following the 2017 season. Teams have been reluctant to offer what the White Sox are asking for due to the potential of him walking at the end of the season.

Due to this, and most teams already having their third/first baseman in place, Frazier hasn’t seen the most extensive market. The Los Angeles Dodgers were thought to be the favorite, but after re-signing Justin Turner, they are out of the Frazier hunt.

Some teams have been thrown out as potential landing spots, but not many teams have come out and aid their interested. A new report gives more clarity into the situation and connects one intriguing team to the power hitting third basemen.

Matt Cerrone is the lead writer and creator of MetsBlog.com. Recently he wrote an article discussing if the Mets should target Frazier. While Cerrone wrote that the Mets are a questionable fit for Frazier, he dropped this tidbit of information:

MLB insiders say at least 10 teams — including the Cardinals and Rangers — have contacted the White Sox to ask about Frazier.

The Cardinals have been loosely connected to Frazier in the past. St. Louis was interested in Justin Turner, and like the Dodgers viewed Frazier as a potential Plan B.

However the Rangers haven’t really been connected to Frazier and make for an intriguing fit for the power hitter.

Texas already has Adrian Beltre in place at third base, meaning Frazier would play first for the team. After seeing Mitch Moreland sign with the Red Sox this offseason, the Rangers are in need of a starting first baseman.

While the need is definitely there, the team already has two in-house candidates for the position in Jurickson Profar and Joey Gallo.

Profar is more of a jack-of-all-trades kind of player rather than a pure first baseman. He could realistically play all over the diamond and suits better as a super utility player. However Profar has had flashes of greatness at the plate, leading manager Jeff Bannister doing everything in his power to try and get him in the lineup. Starting him at first base would be the best way to do so.

For his career, Profar has appeared in 184 major league games, all with the Rangers. He has hit .235 with 12 homeruns, 48 RBIs and four stolen bases.

Joey Gallo isn’t necessarily a first baseman either, but he is blocked at his natural positions of third base and left field. He has absolute tore up minor league pitching and is ready for the major leagues. Having him play first base or DH helps the Rangers get his power bat in the lineup.

Gallo has appeared in 485 minor league games. He hit .254 with 152 homeruns, 375 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.

Both Profar and Gallo would be fine first base candidates for the Rangers, but neither have the proven track record of Frazier. In starting Profar/Gallo, the Rangers are basically taking a chance of their young stars. In trading and starting Frazier, the Rangers know exactly what they’re getting.

Assuming Profar/Gallo aren’t apart of a Frazier deal, the Rangers would then be free to move one for a starting pitcher. Adding a frontline starter to an elite offense and a pitching rotation already featuring Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish could push the team over the edge.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Rangers end up pulling the trigger on a Frazier trade. The team could certainly use his offense at first, however one of Profar/Gallo would be out of a job.

The Todd Frazier saga doesn’t seem like it’s coming to an end anytime soon, but there’s atleast a chance that the power-hitting corner infielder ends up with the Texas Rangers for the 2017 season.

 

Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14

The Bulls Are Shopping All Star Jimmy Butler

By
Matt Peck
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bulls shopping jimmy butler

The Chicago Bulls are apparently finally ready to go “full rebuild.” Trying to move Rajon Rondo is an obvious goal to set before the trade deadline next month. That experiment failed miserably. But now we’re hearing that All Star and rising franchise player Jimmy Butler is on the trading block.

Bleacher Report‘s Ric Bucher just released a video report, claiming that the team does not want to build around Butler moving forward.

Here’s an excerpt from that report:

“League sources say that the team made it known weeks ago through back channels that Jimmy Butler is available for the right price…The Bulls have been uncertain about building around Butler, even after signing him to a 5 year, $95 million deal. One league executive said GM Gar Forman held off aggressively pursuing a move sooner this season because of the team’s surprising start. Now that the Bulls have leveled off, Butler is back on the market.” – Ric Bucher

Bring on the rebuild?

Not so fast, one of my sources close to the team tells me that they’re not likely to deal Butler before the deadline. Conflicting reports are common during this portion of the NBA calendar. Hold on to your butts.

Sports Mockery will keep you up to speed on any further developments regarding a Jimmy Butler trade. For the latest, follow our Bulls beat reporter @Bulls_Peck.

Cubs Rumored To Be Front-Runners For Tyson Ross

By
Dan Fappiano
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Tyson Ross has been one of the more intriguing pitchers on the free agent market this offseason. While Ross is coming off an injury plagued season which saw him receieve surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, up to 20 teams have been interested in the former Padre.

Ross has been in the MLB for the past seven seasons playing for the Athletics before the Padres. He has appeared in 153 games and 670.2 innings. Ross holds a career 32-53 record with a 3.64 ERA and a 633/271 K/BB ratio.

Ross may be coming off injury, but he has proven he could be a front-line starter in past seasons. He was named to the All Star game in 2014 and held a 3.26 ERA with a ridiculous 212/84 K/BB ratio in 2015.

Teams have been willing to take a chance on Ross injury history, given his track record of past success. One of those teams have been the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs have been the team most connected to Ross. The team is in need of another starting pitcher, with Ross being at the top of their wish-list. He would likely be the team’s fifth starter moving Mike Montgomery back into a long-relief role.

However the Cubs aren’t the only team interested in Tyson Ross. According to multiple sources, including our own Sean Sears, the Texas Rangers have begun to show interest in Ross.

Ken Rosenthal reported that the Nationals were also interested, although not as much as the Cubs and Rangers.

The Rangers are an interesting fit for Ross. The team is losing out on Derek Holland and potentially Colby Lewis, meaning the back-end of their rotation is in need of talented pitching. Ross would certainly fit the bill as a guy who could start the season as a back-of-the-rotation starter but end as one of the team’s aces.

The Rangers also have a history of dealing with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, as their pitcher Matt Harrison dealt with it in 2009. That history with the injury could help the Rangers better deal with Ross.

Even better for the club is that, as Sears reported, the interested in mutual between Texas and Ross.

But while the Rangers have begun to show interest in Ross, it appears as if the Cubs are still the favorites to land the big right-hander. According to Sears, there is a 60% chance Ross signs with the Cubs.

The Cubs have been connected to Ross for most of the offseason. Some reports even had him visiting Wrigley Field. While Chicago is now facing pressure from the Rangers, the team still seems like the favorite to land the pitcher.

With the Rangers jumping in the mix and Ross market seemingly heating up, it seems likely that the pitcher will sign in short-order. It seems like that contract will be signed in Chicago.

The Cubs are coming off a World Series winning season, they have courted the pitcher multiple times, including in their home stadium. They have done everything in their power to make Ross come to Chicago.

With the Rangers now showing pressure in the Ross sweepstakes, the Cubs will likely have to up their offer to bring in Ross. But with the team showing serious interest, they will likely do everything in their power to bring the former All Star to the Windy City.

Ross’ scenario should play out over the next few days. But in the end, it seems as if Tyson Ross should be a Chicago Cub going into the 2017 season.

 

Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14

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