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Kris Bryant’s Older Brother, Nick, Sits Down To Chat With Sports Mockery

By
Gus
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I recently got the chance to sit down with Kris Bryant’s older brother, Nick, to talk about a variety of topics about life growing up with the future NL MVP. A few months back, I interviewed Bryant’s high school coaches to give fans some insight as to how much of a bad ass player he was in high school and by talking to Nick, I’d get to unveil yet another side of Bryant that very few fans know — the little brother.

After talking to Nick for about an hour, it dawned on me that the two boys childhoods were driven by common aspects that would eventually help them form a bond that remains very strong to this day.

3 Things That Should Be On Every White Sox Fan’s Wish List In 2017

By
Emmet McClain
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With Spring Training just days away, the chances of another blockbuster trade happening are all about dried up for the White Sox this offseason. There’s no reason to be upset by this, as Rick Hahn has stressed patience to all White Sox fans since the Winter Meetings in December. So far, many fans would say that the rebuild is off to a great start on the South Side.

With that being said, for those White Sox fans hoping to see the rebuild hit warp speed, here’s three things you should have on your wish list for 2017.

1) Colorado Rockies In A Pennant Race At The Trade Deadline

As talked about in one of my previous articles, the Colorado Rockies have the potential to make a postseason run. Offensively, they are loaded with the likes of Trevor Story, Nolan Arenado, D.J. LeMahieu, and more. The one thing that might be holding them back from being a true contender is starting pitching. The trade deadline in 2017 is already being rumored to be one of the busiest and most exciting in recent memory. If the Rockies find themselves in a situation where they are a starting pitcher away from being a legit contender, it would be the best thing possible for the White Sox.

Let’s say for now that the Rockies will be in a pennant race at the deadline and will need a starting pitcher. Let’s also say that Jose Quintana is still a member of the White Sox at that time. The Sox could send Quintana to Colorado for a package centered around prized short stop prospect Brendan Rodgers. Rodgers is still about a year away, but even if he wasn’t, he is blocked at virtually every infield position anyways. Depending on how desperate Colorado might get, they could even throw in OF prospect Raimel Tapia, the Rockies’ 4th rated prospect. The Sox would receive at least one young stud in this potential deal, in turn speeding up their rebuild, while the Rockies get the frontline starter they need to make a real postseason run. Win-win.

If Rick Hahn is waiting for the perfect opportunity to get a maximum talent return for Quintana, this would be the dream scenario for it to happen.  

Pro Football Focus Says Bears Get Jimmy Garoppolo For This Vital Reason

By
Erik Lambert
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jimmy garoppolo

The Chicago Bears searching for a quarterback is the worst kept secret in America. They’ve technically been doing so dating back decades. The active search though probably began a couple months ago when Jay Cutler ruined his last opportunity. On the heels of a terrific performance against Minnesota on Halloween night, the veteran threw it away in an ugly effort against Tampa Bay two weeks later.

For many that day was the final straw. He played against an average defense with plenty of time to prepare and delivered a forgettable effort. There are those who still stand behind Cutler, but it’s clearer than ever they’re in the minority. Every sign points to the Bears wiping the slate clean with a new starting quarterback in 2017.

All their options are on the table. It’s a matter of finding out which one they’ll go with. The popular route of late is a trade involving New England Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo. Most have heard the story by now:  young, smart, accurate, learned behind best QB of all-time and an Illinois native. It’s an easy sell. The issue is which team has the best chance to get him?

This Underrated Free Agent Screams Ryan Pace Type For Bears

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears duron harmon

Thinking about Super Bowls just isn’t in the cards for the Chicago Bears right now. GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox have to set more realistic goals for 2017. Posting a winning record would be a step in the right direction. Otherwise they both know the odds of them keeping their jobs into 2018 grow more remote by the day.

Not an easy proposition, what with the team having just finished 3-13 last season. If it’s going to happen, the Bears have to make an all-out push this off-season to improve the roster. It was injuries and lack of depth that doomed them in 2016. They can’t control the former, but a productive process in free agency and the draft can correct the latter.

Free agency will be up first in early March. Given how the Bears have operated the past two years, it’s fair to assume they will stick to that same methodology. With that in mind, there is one name that sticks out as a probable target for them.

Former Bears Scout Pinpoints Best Quarterback in NFL Draft

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears deshone kizer
Credit: ESPN

It’s no secret the Chicago Bears are on the hunt for a new quarterback. Rumors are already off to a hot start and it’s only February. Dominating conversations of late is Jimmy Garoppolo. The New England Patriots backup and Illinois-native certainly makes for the most interesting story at the position thus far. However, is he the best option?

That is the all-encompassing question GM Ryan Pace has to have answered over the next couple months. He knows this decision will make or break his entire tenure in charge of this franchise. Getting it wrong will result in his termination in fairly short order. Getting it right? Well he’d be the first to do so since Jim Finks way back in 1982.

Garoppolo can’t be the only option for the Bears. Odds are much higher they may have to look at the NFL draft for an answer. If they want to exhaust every possible connection they have for help, then they might to call up an old friend.

This Chicago Bears Youngster Is Predicted To Rip Up NFL in 2017

By
Erik Lambert
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vic fangio reputation

The 2017 Chicago Bears are hardly even a reality yet. It’s no question that this team has loads of reshaping to do before next September. Thus it’s beyond difficult for fans to know how they feel about. So far all they know are two overall factors, each completely opposite of the other. This Bears team finished 3-13, its worst record since 1969. At the same time there was a host of young talent that began to emerge.

Younger veterans like Akiem Hicks and Cameron Meredith really began to show glimpses of what they could do. Yet it was the rookies that really generated the excitement. Cody Whitehair became pleasant surprise at center, claiming All-Rookie honors despite never playing the position in college. Then of course there was Jordan Howard, finishing second in the NFL in rushing and reaching his first Pro Bowl.

Amazingly it wasn’t them that were predicted to stampede through the NFL going into next season. That was saved for another.

Cubs Bring Back Key Piece To Their Bullpen

By
Gus
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The Cubs bullpen just got deeper.

Hard throwing right-hander Pedro Strop and the club avoided arbitration today when the team inked Strop to a one-year, $5.5 million dollar deal. Patrick Mooney of CSN was the first to report.

Adding Strop into the bullpen mix in 2017 is undoubtedly a huge addition. The Cubs have targeted both starting pitching and relief pitching this off season and arguably have a better bullpen then they did in 2016.

A bullpen that Strop played a big role in.

In 2016, Strop pitched 47.1 innings and gave up 16 runs as primarily the 7th or 8th inning guy. He saw his time decrease in the post season pitching only 5 innings in 8 games but that is not uncommon to see in the post season when all hands are on deck in the bullpen.

Where exactly Strop will fit into the pen in 2017 is yet to be seen. Carl Edwards Jr. is quickly rising as a potential superstar and seems to have Joe Maddon’s trust which was shown when he stepped into a huge Game 7 spot in the World Series, instead of Strop. Hector Rondon’s health will be questioned going into the season so it’s unsure where he fits in and you have to figure Justin Grimm and newly acquired Koji Uehara will be in the mix to fill that “set up” role in 2017.

However, having too much depth in the bullpen is a problem that I’m sure Joe Maddon and pitching coach Chris Bosio do not mind having.

Even though he sometimes resembles Carlos Marmol to a certain degree, I’ve always been a fan of Strop. He brings high energy to the mound and has a devastating slider that when controlled, is damn near untouchable.

Plus he gave me one of my favorite moments from 2015.

I’m also glad I get to hear people bitch about him not wearing his hat straight for yet another season.

#HatToTheLeft

5 NFL Draft Trade Scenarios The Chicago Bears Could Pull Off

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears draft trades

Jimmy Johnson had a great line about how he built the Dallas Cowboys dynasty. He said, “The way this league works, if we just take our picks as they fall, it’s going to be a long time before we get good.” That was the overriding motivation behind the frantic number of trades his team made from 1989 through 1992 that transformed it into a juggernaut. It’s also why the Chicago Bears should be considered a prime team to do the same in 2017.

GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox aren’t fools. They know the score. After going 6-10 in 2015 and 3-13 this past season, the pressure is mounting for them to take a big step forward this coming year. Letting things fall where they do, both in free agency and the draft doesn’t feel like a winning strategy at this point.

That means the Bears have to start getting aggressive in their pursuit of talent. Often a favorite way of doing that is through trades, namely in the NFL draft. Last year they traded up to grab Leonard Floyd at #9. Early signs hint that was a good decision. Could this team do some more maneuvering? Yes, and here are some ideas that make sense.

Chicago Bears May Already Have Backup Plan If Alshon Walks

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears pierre garcon

The Chicago Bears face a serious dilemma going into 2017. Despite having notable problems at quarterback and in the secondary, another big one threatens to open up this coming March. That involved productive wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. To this point the team hasn’t been able to reach a long-term agreement with the 26-year old. If they fails to do so by the 9th of that month, it’s likely he’ll leave via free agency.

Despite his considerable hiccups the past two years with injury and suspension problems, Jeffery is still the most dynamic receiver they have. Losing him would be tough to get over. GM Ryan Pace is no fool. He’ll need alternatives in mind if that happens. Receivers who can at least cover up the loss as he continues trying to find his future quarterback.

Will it be in the draft, free agency or via a trade? No doubt the list of possible names will be long. Then again one or two have already begun to surface. Options that may not bring a lot of hype, but plenty of productivity.

Analyzing Phil Rogers Five Step Plan For A Quick White Sox Rebuild

By
Dan Fappiano
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Phil Rogers suggested a five step plan for a "quick" White Sox rebuild. But does it make much sense? (Photo courtesy of Brian Casella/Chicago Tribune)

After moving both Chris Sale and Adam Eaton, the White Sox have committed to a rebuild. However more work still needs to be done.

With Spring Training looming the Sox would need to work fast to get any deal done. There’s a good chance some of their top trade assets aren’t moved until Trade Deadline. Regardless of timing, General Manager Rick Hahn has his work cut out for him as he looks to improve the team.

No one expects a championship by 2017, however most would expect the White Sox ready to compete by the 2019-2020 season. By then the team’s top prospects already acquired should be ready to compete at the MLB level. By adding more prospects and free agency, the White Sox could become true World Series contenders.

While it may seem like ages to fans, the 2019 season is just two years away. That is incredibly quick to how long it is taking teams like the Phillies, Brewers and even Cubs to rebuild their franchise.

No rebuild is necessarily “quick”, but there are steps that could be taken to ensure that the White Sox field the best team possible in the fastest amount of time.

MLB.com’s Phil Rogers recently laid out his five step plan of how the White Sox could get back into contention. Rogers’ five steps would certainly have the team playoff ready by 2019.

It’s going to take some work from Hahn, but if the White Sox are able to accomplish these five things, they should be back in the playoff hunt sooner than fans expect.

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