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Cubs Are Holding Championship Ring Bearer Contest For Fans

By
Sean Sears
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cubs world series rings

The Cubs are looking for ring bearers to help present the players their 2016 World Series Championship rings on April 12th at Wrigley Field, and you have a shot!

To apply, you will need to tweet a video no more than 60-seconds long proving why you as a Cubs fan are worthy of the honor of World Series ring bearer by February 14th. The Cubs will pick 20 lucky Cubs fans to participate in the on-field ceremony. The full list of rules can be found here.

Former Cubs Pitcher Ryan Dempster Will Reportedly Play For Team Canada In WBC

By
Sean Sears
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CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 15: Ryan Dempster #46 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning on June 15, 2012 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

Former Chicago Cubs pitcher and current Cubs front office assistant will reportedly be pitching for Team Canada in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Dempster hasn’t pitched since 2013, finishing his final season in Boston, but 39-year-old is going to give it a go for his home country. The Cubs fan-favorite arrived in Chicago in 2004 as a closer, but would eventually make the transition from closer to starter in 2008 when he would make the All-Star team. Dempster won fans over with his solid pitching and his hilarious antics, famously impersonating beloved Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray.

No word yet from Dempster, Cubs, or Team Canada but all signs point to Dempster pitching again in 2017.

Three Targets The Cubs Need To Consider To Round Out Their Rotation

By
Sean Sears
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The Chicago Cubs are in need of a fifth pitcher now that Tyson Ross has officially chosen the Texas Rangers over the North-Siders.

While it is somewhat late in free agency, there are still plenty of names for the Cubs to pick from. With in-house options like second-year-lefty Rob Zastryzny who shined in his lone start of 2016 or World Series game seven closer Mike Montgomery, who has 23 starts under his belt.

However, Theo Epstein told Phil Rodgers of the MLB Network not to expect the Cubs to just go with what they have quite yet, implying more could happen this offseason.

With Epstein apparently still searching for more arms to add to his club, I decided to put together a list of players the Cubs could be interested in for 2017.

Bleacher Report Names Three White Sox Prospects To Watch In Spring Training

By
Dan Fappiano
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Bleacher Report believes fans should have their eyes on these three White Sox prospects throughout Spring Training. (Photo courtesy of CSN Chicago)

On February 14th, White Sox pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. Just four days later, on February 18th, the entire team will report to Spring Training.

Normally, Spring Training is used to figure out position battles, or who will win the last few roster spots on the team. But with the White Sox rebuilding, Spring Training will allow fans to get a better look at some of the club’s highly touted prospects.

Even with a depleted major league roster, it’s hard to follow all of the White Sox minor league teams. Spring Training gives fans an opportunity to see all of the team’s young talent in one place.

Fans will surely have their favorite prospects, but Bleacher Report believes there are three in particular you should be paying attention to. Recently the site has been running down all the positions on the diamond, naming ten players at each to watch in Spring Training.

Tim Anderson, Zack Collins and Yoan Moncada all made the top 10 at their respective positions.

Anderson isn’t necessarily a prospect, as he appeared in 99 games for the club last season. In his first year in the MLB, Anderson hit .283 with nine home runs, 30 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Appearing in 332 minor league games, Anderson hit .301 with 19 home runs, 127 RBIs and 94 stolen bases.

Rick Weiner of Bleacher Report wrote of Anderson:

While he’s not in danger of losing his grip on the starting job in Chicago, Anderson must show that he’s made some adjustments this spring.

Anderson will be one of the bright spots on the White Sox season. Spring Training will give fans a better look as to if he could lead the White Sox youth movement. While Anderson got ample experience in the major leagues last season, he is just one year removed from being the White Sox top prospect. If Anderson shines in Spring Training he will prove that he could be the team’s shortstop of the future going forward.

Collins was the team’s first round draft pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. He is currently the White Sox sixth best prospect and the 80th best prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline. Collins has appeared in 39 minor league games, hitting .244 with six homeruns and 18 RBIs.

It’s important to note that Collins was listed under the top 10 catchers to watch. Some have questioned his ability behind the plate, however Spring Training will give fans and the front office the opportunity to see if he could be the catcher of the future.

Weiner wrote:

How he handles himself while catching big league pitching early this spring will go a long way toward dictating what that rate is. More importantly, it’ll serve as a good indication as to whether Chicago’s seemingly never-ending search for its “catcher of the future” is finally over.

Given Collins’ advanced approach at the plate, it’s not inconceivable that he could begin to move quickly through the team’s farm system if he shows enough improvement behind the plate in what limited playing time he’ll receive in spring training.

Collins is one of the best power hitters in the White Sox farm system and a big part of the White Sox future. Spring Training will allow for management to decide if that future will be behind the plate or at first base/DH.

Moncada was the headliner of the Chris Sale trade. He is currently the White Sox best prospect and the best prospect in all of baseball. In his 187 minor league games, Moncada hit .287 with 23 homeruns, 100 RBIs and 94 stolen bases.

Moncada is expected to lead the charge and be the face of the franchise for the White Sox. He is the leader of the rebuild and is expected to be the Kris Bryant of the White Sox World Series team of the future.

Spring Training gives fans a chance to see exactly what he can do. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter wrote:

There he has a chance to emerge as a true five-tool talent with the wheels to steal 50-plus bases, a compact swing that should produce a high batting average and a developing power stroke that could yield 20-plus home runs annually.

Moncada seems like the real deal. Spring Training gives the former Red Sox an opportunity to prove just how valuable he really is.

There is a chance more White Sox get put on BR’s watch list. The team still has highly touted pitchers in Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech, Reynaldo Lopez and others.

However if you want to get a good look into the White Sox future offense in Spring Training, look no further than Tim Anderson, Zack Collins and Yoan Moncada.

 

Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14

RUMOR: Pirates, Yankees and Braves Potential Offers For Jose Quintana Revealed

By
Dan Fappiano
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Jose Quintana is one of the most coveted pitchers on the free agent market. He has been dominant on the mound – atleast 200 innings pitched with a sub 3.60 ERA the past four seasons – and comes at a discounted rate – just $7 million in 2017 and under team control until 2020.

Any team in need of front-line pitching could be interested in Quintana. However reports had his market down to the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Both teams aren’t just in need of starting pitching, but have the farm systems to get a deal done. It has seemed as if one of those two teams would be Quintana’s eventual landing spot.

However while Quintana’s potential landing spot was thought to be figured out, fans never really got a great understanding of what the White Sox would receive in return. Brian Bilek of Sox Net recently wrote an article in an effort to change that.

In Bilek’s latest piece, he detailed the seven most likely landing spots for Quintana and what it would take to get a deal done. The seven teams he listed, in order from least to most likely, were the Rangers, Dodgers, Rockies, Yankees, Astros, Braves and Pirates.

For the Rangers, he reported that the White Sox have insisted on either Nomar Mazara or Yohander Mendez as headliners, an idea Texas has balked at. Due to this, the Rangers seem like an unlikely landing spot for Quintana.

Bilek did say that a likely trade package includes: Leody Tavares, Andy Ibanez, Joey Gallo and a Single A pitcher. However it seemed as if Bilek was speculating rather than reporting with that offer.

Bilek noted that while the Dodgers and White Sox have had talks over Quintana, the Los Angeles refused to include top prospect Cody Bellinger, making a deal unlikely.

Finally, the Sox Net reporter wrote that the White Sox would want one of David Dahl or Brendan Rodgers in return from the Rockies. He noted that with due to Colorado’s confusing front office, it’s hard to gauge just how serious talks have gotten.

As for the Pirates, Astros, Yankees and Braves, Bilek reported what seems to be the team’s offers for Jose Quintana. While he did note that his article was conjecture, or a conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information, each trade package seems similar to what the White Sox would get in a deal.

While it isn’t certain that each trade package is 100% correct, Bilek’s report pinpoints the outline of any Quintana deal.

With Bilek touching on every team involved, fans can now decide which trade package they feel is best if the White Sox were to trade Jose Quintana.

Here’s An Inside Look From Day 1 At Cubs Convention

By
Gus
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Cubs Convention is usually a three-day time period where Cubs fans congregate to meet and discuss their hopes and dreams for the upcoming season. Last year I remember talking to a guy from Peoria who told me, “I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the team that won it all.” I kind of smiled and laughed but really didn’t take him too serious.

As we all know, the random dude from Peoria was right.

They did win it all.

So instead of talking about our hopes and dreams at the 2017 convention, Cubs fans from across the world got together to relive one of the best seasons in Chicago Cubs history.

Here’s a look from inside.

(use the arrow at the top to continue)

Patriots Beat Writer Has Interesting Answer For Bears Jimmy Garoppolo Trade

By
Erik Lambert
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jimmy garoppolo instagram

A Chicago Bears Jimmy Garoppolo trade has been in the debate pool for months now. It’s no secret the New England Patriots backup quarterback figures to be the hottest commodity on the market. His contract will be up after the 2017 season. The odds of them resigning him with Tom Brady still playing so well are remote. Thus they must deal him if they want to get any sort of value in return.

The Bears seem to make so much sense. Garoppolo is an Illinois-native from Arlington Heights. He grew up watching them. He’s also an Eastern Illinois University alum, the same as GM Ryan Pace. Combine that with his particular skill set and how well it fits their system, it certainly feels like a good match.

At the end of the day though, the question is can and should they pursue him? It would be nice if they could get him cheap but that’s unlikely. Thus price becomes a factor. In such cases it might be best to ask somebody who knows the Patriots best.

School Histories Say Chicago Bears Should Avoid Drafting These QBs

By
Erik Lambert
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It’s becoming clearer by the day that the Chicago Bears are gearing up to get a quarterback in the NFL draft. That much was alluded to recently when it was revealed by multiple sources that the teams’ scouts and front office were hard at work examining the current class. Something that was first hinted at months ago.

It shouldn’t be a surprise. After watching injuries and erratic play dominate the position in 2016, it’s clear GM Ryan Pace is ready to look toward the future. He’s patiently bided his time, not taking a quarterback through his first two drafts. Now he has the instrument required to possibly get a franchise-caliber player. That being the #3 overall pick in the draft.

Moving forward the mission is clear:  find out which quarterback in this class presents the highest likelihood of having success in the NFL. Almost everything will be considered from personal background, to physical talent and mental intelligence. However, there may be one other area the team should consider very carefully.

RUMOR: A New Team Could Enter The Jose Quintana Pursuit

By
Dan Fappiano
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One MLB Insider thinks a new team could be interested in Jose Quintana. (Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated)

While most teams in the league covet a pitcher like Jose Quintana, it seemed as if his market boiled down to the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates.

The New York Yankees were once considered one of the favorites, but General Manager Brian Cashman has recently said that he doesn’t believe his team will be adding any more pieces to the 2017 roster. While that stance could always change, it seems as if the Yankees are out on the White Sox pitcher.

As for the Astros and Pirates, both teams are in need of a front-line starter and have the farm system to facilitate the deal. While neither team can come to terms on the ace pitcher, both have been the most involved with the White Sox over Quintana.

Houston and Pittsburgh likely remain as Quintana’s most likely landing spots. However a new report states that a third team may be entering the mix.

Mark Bowman is the Atlanta Braves beat reporter for MLB.com. Recently he wrote an article discussing how the Braves could still be interested in acquiring either Quintana or Rays starter Chris Archer.

He wrote:

Braves general manager John Coppolella couldn’t quite make his end-of-the-year wish come true — to acquire Chris Archer as a Christmas present. But that doesn’t mean he won’t continue weighing the possibility of trading for either Archer or Jose Quintana before the upcoming season begins.

The Braves have already significantly altered their rotation, and they are not comfortable with the Rays’ current asking price for Archer or what the White Sox are seeking for Quintana. So it might be easy to assume neither of these pitchers will be in Atlanta’s rotation at the start of the season. But in order to do so, you must also ignore the reality that it has never been wise to make assumptions about what the always aggressive Coppolella might do.

Though neither Quintana nor Archer would provide the Braves the ace they sought during their early and brief pursuit of Chris Sale, both can legitimately be described as front-line starters with attractive contracts.

There’s certainly reason to think the Astros or another pitching-hungry club with legitimate playoff hopes will feel a greater temptation to acquire Quintana or Archer. But as the Braves continue to crave both immediate and long-term rotation stability, they’ll stay in the mix for Quintana or Archer. Either would boost expectations for the upcoming season while helping to anchor rotations that, over the next few years, will be enriched by some of the organization’s top prospects.

Bowman’s words are a lot to digest, but what it boils down to is that the Braves are still searching for a front-line starter. The team was in on Chris Sale, but was unable to acquire him. The team views Quintana as a true ace, and could make a move prior to the season.

The team has already added pitchers in R.A Dickey, Bartolo Colon and Jaime Garcia. While the team is still technically in their rebuild, if they want to compete any time soon, adding Quintana could help them over the hump.

Bowman notes that while it may be unlikely to picture the Braves unloading prospects in a major deal, General Manager John Coppolella has made aggressive moves in the past and could look to make one last splash before the offseason ends.

If the Braves are truly interested in acquiring Quintana, they more than have the resources to do so. Atlanta currently has seven top 100 prospects including two in the top 12, according to MLB Pipeline.

While the team is unlikely to move Dansby Swanson, there is a chance the team moves their second best prospect in Ozzie Albies. With Albies and a mix of 2-3 of Atlanta’s top prospects, the Braves should be able to land Quintana.

In the end, it all comes down to if the Braves want to mortgage their future for Quintana. If they feel that they’re ready to contend, then there’s a chance they make a move and try to push for the playoffs in 2017.

Overall, the Astros and Pirates are likely still the favorites to land Jose Quintana. But the Atlanta Braves have the ammunition, and could make a push to trade for the White Sox ace before the offseason is over.

 

Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14

Bleacher Report Predicts White Sox Will Sign This 2016 All Star

By
Dan Fappiano
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Bleacher Report recently predicted that the White Sox would sign a 2016 All Star. (Photo courtesy of Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press)

The Chicago White Sox have been scouring the free agent market for low-cost bounce-back type free agents. In a rebuilding year, the team is looking for either players they could flip at the trade deadline (Derek Holland) or players who could help fill a depleted roster (Geovany Soto, Cody Asche, Everth Cabrera).

However while the White Sox are looking to fill their 2017 roster, it doesn’t appear as if the team is willing to spend big money. Chicago would rather save their resources to pounce in free agency when they’re ready to make their postseason push.

Atleast that’s what makes sense in theory.

Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer recently wrote an article predicting where the top remaining free agents would sign. In that article Rymer predicted that the White Sox will sign former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders.

He wrote:

Another team that could do that is the Chicago White Sox, whom MLB Trade Rumors listed as a possibility for Saunders in November. They could use him in right field and at DH and then flip him this summer for more prospects to add to their growing farm system.

The White Sox are the more off-the-board pick for Saunders. However, it’s easier to see them signing him to play over Avisail Garcia and Matt Davidson than it is to see the Phillies signing him to share time with Howie Kendrick and Roman Quinn.

Saunders has been in the MLB for the past eight seasons, playing for the Mariners and the Blue Jays. In his 702 career games Saunders has hit .235 with 75 home runs, 242 RBIs and 55 stolen bases. He also has a career .991 fielding percentage.

In signing Saunders, the White Sox are hoping that he could have a first half similar to the one he had in 2016. While he fell off in the second half, he was an absolute beast prior to the All Star Game.

If Saunders is able to have another All Star type season, then he will surely draw trade interest on the open market.

It is yet to be seen what Saunders price tag will look like. MLB Trade Rumors predicted he would sign a three year/$33 million contract.

That price could scare away the White Sox, but if they feel that he could be a valuable trade piece, perhaps they take a chance. Saunders hasn’t found the market he had hoped entering free agency. By signing with the White Sox, he would be able to rebuild his value while showcasing his potential to other teams.

The White Sox haven’t been connected to any major free agents. But Saunders is more likely to draw trade interest than Avisail Garcia.

If Bleacher Report’s prediction comes true, the White Sox would be getting a very talented outfielder for the first half of the season, and an even more valuable trade piece at the Deadline.

 

Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14

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