Former Packer Is Ideal Choice To Fill Key Chicago Bears Coaching Vacancy

Erik Lambert
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Former Packer Is Ideal Choice To Fill Key Chicago Bears Coaching Vacancy

The Senior Bowl is less than 24 hours away from beginning down in Mobile, Alabama. Yet the Chicago Bears still haven’t completed the makeover of their coaching staff. Three of the four vacancies made over the past month have since been filled by new faces. Curtis Modkins takes over the running backs, Jeremiah Washburn the offensive line and Roy Anderson the safeties.

Only one spot remains open. The one managing the outside linebackers. It was vacated by Clint Hurtt who chose not to renew his contract with the team. Given the developmental stage Leonard Floyd is at, there is no question this position may rank as the most important one for head coach John Fox to fill.

Thus far there has been no word on potential candidates outside of a flimsy rumor they were interested in Joe Barry. He has since found a job elsewhere after being fired in Washington. The wait continues. If Fox is as thorough an eye for coaching talent as he’s proven, then no doubt he’s smart enough to look at a man who frankly shouldn’t still be available.

Cubs Fans Will Cringe When They See Who Willson Contreras Was Taking Batting Practice With

Gus
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Cubs Fans Will Cringe When They See Who Willson Contreras Was Taking Batting Practice With

With Spring Training right around the corner, Cubs players have begun to get back into the groove of things and attempt to put that World Series championship behind them. Pitchers and catchers will report to Mesa in just 22 days so the expected Opening Day starting catcher, Willson Contreras, has begun to get his body ready for the grind of his first full Major League season.

Contreras posted a video on his Instagram story today of him taking some hacks in the batting cages. I’m also glad to see he’s taking swings with a customized Bulls jersey on as well.

Contreras wasn’t alone during BP session however and be warned Cubs fans, his partner in the cages may make you cringe just a little bit.

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Let’s Celebrate Addison Russell’s 23rd Birthday By Watching His Sick Dance Moves

Gus
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Let’s Celebrate Addison Russell’s 23rd Birthday By Watching His Sick Dance Moves

Addison Russell celebrated his 23rd birthday today and in case you didn’t know…he’s a pretty good dancer. During Cubs Convention, a panel of Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist, Anthony Rizzo, and Russell were asked who the best dancer on the team was and all of them answered in unison, “Addy.”

Rizzo took it a step further and told the audience,

“Matter of fact, Addy’s the best dancer in this entire building.”

When you see some of these videos, it appears Rizzo wasn’t exaggerating.

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A New Suitor May Be Emerging For Jay Cutler If Bears Cut Him

Erik Lambert
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A New Suitor May Be Emerging For Jay Cutler If Bears Cut Him

Eight years ago Jay Cutler was a far off dream for Chicago Bears fans. Another Pro Bowl quarterback another team had successfully drafted and developed. Then thanks to a freak set of circumstances that almost never happen in the NFL, the opportunity came for the Bears to trade for him. When they succeeded, it was felt this would usher in a whole new era for Chicago football.

They were almost right. Cutler overcome a rough start to help the Bears to the NFC championship in 2010. Unfortunately, that would prove to be his high water mark. It’s been nothing but injuries, controversy and heartbreaking defeats since then. As he’s set to turn 34-years old, it feels more than ever like the franchise is ready to move on.

Most of the discussion over the past month is who the man replacing him will be. A free agent? A draft pick? Another trade acquisition? Opinions have varied, but not many people are asking the other side of that question. Where will Cutler land in 2017 if the Bears decide to cut him loose? An answer may be coming to light.

REPORT: Surprising Team Drops Out Of The Jose Quintana Sweepstakes

Dan Fappiano
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REPORT: Surprising Team Drops Out Of The Jose Quintana Sweepstakes

Jose Quintana has been one of the most coveted trade candidates on the market this offseason. Any team in need of front-line starting pitching could afford Quintana’s modest $7 million salary in 2017. That same team would have control of the ace through 2020.

Through five MLB seasons, Quintana has appeared in 154 games and 951 innings; all with the White Sox. He holds a career 46-46 record with a 3.41 ERA and a 781/244 K/BB ratio. Quintana was voted to his first All Star Game in 2016.

The White Sox ace has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the major leagues. He has thrown atleast 200 innings, holding a sub 3.60 ERA the past four seasons.

Any team acquiring Quintana is getting one of the best pitchers in the MLB at a discounted rate. He immediately improves any pitching staff and adds a consistent options towards the top of their rotation. Any team planning on contending could use a pitcher like Quintana for their future playoff push.

For a while it seemed as if Quintana’s future trade destination would be the Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates or New York Yankees.

However recently, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said the team was likely done adding to their 2017 roster. That statement essentially took the Yankees out of the Quintana hunt.

The Astros and Pirates both seemed like logical landing spots for Quintana. Both Houston and Pittsburgh are in need of front-line starting pitching, and both have the farm system to get a deal done.

While it seems like it would be a two horse race for Quintana’s services, a new report states that a former favorite has dropped out of the pursuit. 

Chicago White Sox Sign Eight Free Agents To Minor League Deals

Dan Fappiano
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Chicago White Sox Sign Eight Free Agents To Minor League Deals

On Monday the Chicago White Sox announced multiple transactions, including the team signing eight free agents to minor league deals.

Cody Asche, Everth Cabrera, Cory Luebke and Geovany Soto have all been reported on by Sports Mockery. However David Holmberg, Roberto Pena, Blake Smith and Anthony Swarzak are all new to the site.

Holmberg has been in the MLB for the past three seasons, playing for the Diamondbacks and Reds. In his 14 games and 62 innings, Holmberg has pitched to a 3-6 record with a 6.24 ERA and a 33/35 K/BB ratio.

Holmberg appears to be a bust in the major leagues. But he is just 24 years old and the White Sox are losing nothing by taking a chance on him on a minor league contract.

Pena has never appeared in a major league game, but has played in 530 minor league games. He has hit .237 with 35 home runs and 216 RBIs.

Pena is nothing more than catching depth for the White Sox. However with the team being so weak at the catching position, if Pena performs in the minor leagues, there’s a chance he could reach the MLB in 2017.

Smith appeared in five games with the White Sox in 2016, registering a 6.23 ERA and a 1/0 K/BB ratio. In 152 minor league games and 205.1 innings, Smith held a 8-14 record with a 3.86 ERA and a 212/99 K/BB ratio.

Smith is a former outfielder turned pitcher. He has spent the past two seasons in the White Sox organization. The team knows exactly what they’re getting out of Smith, and if the team moves a few bullpen pieces, he could be on the shortlist of names to get called up to the big leagues.

Swarzak has been in the MLB for the past seven seasons, playing for the Twins, Indians and Yankees. He has appeared in 217 games and 484 innings, holding a career 17-26 record with a 4.52 ERA and a 311/138 K/BB ratio.

Swarzak has shown spurts of greatness in his career including a 2.91 ERA in 2013. Due to his struggles in recent years he hasn’t drawn much interest on the open market. The White Sox are smart to take a chance on him and see if he has anything left in the tank.

Overall players like Asche, Cabrera, Soto and Luebke are more likely to make the roster than Holmberg, Pena, Smith and Swarzak. However the White Sox have nothing to lose by taking a chance on any of these players.

Look for atleast one of these eight to make a name for themselves in Spring Training. Perhaps guys like Geovany Soto and Cody Asche could even earn a starting role going into 2017.

 

Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14

Jimmy Butler Doesn’t Like Bulls Roster, Wants Front Office To Take Action

Matt Peck
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Jimmy Butler Doesn’t Like Bulls Roster, Wants Front Office To Take Action

At 22-23 after a 1-1 back to back over the weekend, the Chicago Bulls remain the definition of mediocre in the NBA. A recent report from Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times is the latest bit of news to stir the bubbling pot of frustration within the organization. According to Cowley’s sources, the Bulls front office is actively shopping Rajon Rondo and Nikola Mirotic “in hopes of bolstering the roster and making a second-half run in the wide-open Eastern Conference.”

Who’s Buying?

And what pieces, exactly, are Gar Forman and John Paxson expecting to receive for a washed up point guard and a streaky shooter who can’t play defense? Which teams in the league would give the Bulls value in return for those two, in a way that significantly bolsters their roster to contend this season?

So far, GarPax aren’t generating much interest by dangling Rondo and Niko. Let me show you my shocked face.

jimmy butler doesnt like bulls roster front office take action

Here’s what one of Cowley’s sources had to say:

‘‘Obviously, you knew that would be the case with Rondo. But [the Bulls] don’t like what they’re hearing back on [Mirotic], either. Then again, that’s a [front office] that tends to overvalue its assets.’’ – Joe Cowley’s Unnamed Source

Speaking of overvaluing their assets, GarPax must be disappointed by more than the weak offers for Rondo and Mirotic. As they watch their hand-picked coach Fred Hoiberg tinker with his rotation, the Bulls’ recent first round picks are losing ground to afterthoughts like undrafted Cristiano Felicio and second round rookie Paul Zipser. Where is 2015’s “steal” Bobby Portis? Where is the #14 overall pick from 2016 Denzel Valentine? How about Doug McDermott, whose inconsistency is so frustrating when you remember the Bulls gave up two first round picks to trade up for him in 2014.

The younger guys on this roster just aren’t very good, plain and simple. And that leads us to the part of Cowley’s report that seemed to go largely unnoticed.

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WATCH: Blackhawks’ Hjalmarsson Having A Father & Son Moment

Marc-Louis Paprzyca
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WATCH: Blackhawks’ Hjalmarsson Having A Father & Son Moment

A few days ago, Niklas Hjalmarsson enjoyed the unseasonable weather with his son, Theo, by taking his “hockeyass” down a slide. The Chicago Blackhawks defenseman is best known for his grit and ability to block shots with his body. It’s moments like these that remind us these guys do have a soft side.

It kind of looks like he’s racing Theo based on his push start and reaction at the end. What do you think?

Father and son bonding in the beautiful weather the other day. Surprised my big hockeyass fit down that slide

A post shared by Niklas Hjalmarsson (@niklas.hjalmarsson4) on

Chicago Bears Get Some Great News In The Jimmy Garoppolo Chase

Erik Lambert
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Chicago Bears Get Some Great News In The Jimmy Garoppolo Chase

People will talk about the defense or the tight ends or the offensive line or the wide receiver. All of that pales in comparison to the big question. What in the world do the Chicago Bears have planned for quarterback? All anybody knows at this point is a combination of Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley led them to the worst record ever in a 16-game season for this franchise. They aren’t the answers.

Debating has already raged for the past month or more. Most of it centering on who they can or should target. Of course there is the draft route since they hold high position in the first round. There also could be some intriguing free agents like Kirk Cousins and Mike Glennon. The one name though that continues to pop up most often is New England Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo.

With Tom Brady on the cusp of winning his fifth Super Bowl, it’s clear his ability shows no signs of slacking anytime soon. That makes Garoppolo a prime trade candidate. His rookie contract will be up after 2017. So if the Patriots want to get anything in return for him, it has to be this off-season. Initial reports rumored they’re seeking a first round pick, but that may be a pipe dream.

NBA Insiders Says The Bulls Are Shopping Rondo and Mirotic

Sean Sears
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NBA Insiders Says The Bulls Are Shopping Rondo and Mirotic

The Chicago Bulls are one game below .500 currently, and with roster as currently constructed, look to be heading for another first-round-playoff exit in 2017.

And while the Bulls front office duo of Gar Forman and John Paxson refusing to admit this team has some serious flaws, rumors are starting to become more apparent as the NBA’s trade deadline sits just one month away (Feb. 23rd).

With many names being linked to the Bulls, like Suns P.J. Tucker and Brandon Knight, the team is being identified as Sellers for this trade deadline season. And according to two different Chicago journalists, these two players are the most likely to be moved come February.

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