By Jim Coffman

Hauling in a fifth-round pick for Brandon Marshall has to give the Bears confidence they can get something for Jay Cutler.
Something that is, other than dumping his albatross of a contract.
All signs point to Cutler being out of here and let me offer up just one quick “Hallelujah!” It could happen as early as Tuesday, when the annual NFL free agent period begins. And it should happen before March 12th, when the league officially starts its 2015-2016 year. If March 12th passes without Cutler agreeing to re-work his contract (for someone else I would think – I don’t think he’ll be renegotiating with the Bears), he will be guaranteed $10 million in 2016 on top of the $15 million he is already guaranteed in 2015.

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Posted on March 9, 2015

By Jim Coffman and Steve Rhodes

Clearing the drama decks. Plus: Who The Hell Is E’Twaun Moore?; The Big Boy Blackhawks; Tony, Oh!; Joe Maddon Is A Madman; The Mesmerizing Minnie Miñoso; and The Chicago Fire Do Some Stuff.

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Posted on March 6, 2015

Just when the depth of fantasy value at 2B looked to be drying up, a new group of young stars has reloaded the position, making it one of the most intriguing positions come draft day.
I wish we could say the same at SS, where the talent pool remains somewhat shallow and injury-plagued – though a couple of local guys still make my top 10.

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Posted on March 4, 2015

A Final Fun Look Back At Saturnino Orestes Armas Minoso Arrieta

1. Orestes mysteriously became Minnie.
2. Chicago Celebrates The Life Of Minnie Miñoso | A statement by Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Minnie Miñoso was in the lineages of Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks and Larry Doby. He helped to globalize baseball. He was an outstanding player with both speed and long distance endurance. He helped to change the culture of baseball in America. He was an enduring All-Star.
Ultimately he helped to build the bridge between the Caribbean, Cuba, Latin America and American baseball. He was always a friendly person. We spent time together last week at Ernie Banks’ funeral services. Miñoso carved out a special place in the heart of Chicagoans and baseball lovers around the world.
The re-acquaintance of Ernie and Minnie Miñoso is a global and heavenly celebration. We miss both of them already.

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Posted on March 3, 2015

By Jim Coffman

Let’s hear it for the Blackhawks! No matter what may be happening in players’ personal lives, and it seems this morning that there is exactly as much confirmed information out there now about Patrick Sharp et al as there was before the weekend, they are going for it on the ice.
To do so, they are picking up veteran contracts, i.e., going well above the salary cap. But it is clear Blackhawk ownership is willing to increase expenses in pursuit of another championship. Too bad we can’t say the same about other teams in town.

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Posted on March 2, 2015

By Roger Wallenstein

“Beisbol been berry berry good to me,” was the creation of Saturday Night Live, but for Minnie Miñoso, it was only partially correct.
Miñoso, who died in the early morning hours Sunday, grew up outside Havana, and he very well might have followed his daddy into the sugar cane fields had it not been for baseball. His talent and drive lifted him off the island nation in order to play baseball in the major leagues. For that, Minnie always was grateful. He knew from whence he came.
Yet, like many other pioneer black players – Miñoso was the ninth when he broke in with Cleveland on April 19, 1949 – he suffered the indignities like those who came before and after him. While his White Sox teammates shared a hotel during spring training in Tampa, Minnie sought housing with families in the black community. After coming to the White Sox as a rookie in 1951, he lived in homes on the South Side rather than with teammates at Hyde Park’s Del Prado Hotel because he wasn’t welcome.

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Posted on March 2, 2015

By Jim Coffman and Steve Rhodes

Soap opera switches teams: Bulls Window Re-Opened! Blackhawks Window Slams Shut! Plus: Post-Combine Bears; What Kris Bryant’s Status Will Tell Us; White Sox Infield By Committee; Dismembering Ricky Renteria; and The Legend Of Theo.

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Posted on February 27, 2015

By Roger Wallenstein

“Good hitters don’t strike out,” said Ron Fairly, the featured guest last Wednesday at the monthly Hot Stove Luncheon in Palm Desert, California.
Fairly should know. In 21 big league seasons, including 12 with the Dodgers, the most times he went down on strikes in a season was 72. He averaged 58 strikeouts per year. After his playing days, Fairly spent 27 years as a broadcaster for the Angels, Giants and Mariners. In parts of seven decades, he’s either played in or broadcast more than 7,000 games.
Much of the lunch discussion dwelled on the stars of the ’50s and ’60s. Guys like Ted Williams, who averaged just 50 strikeouts a year. He fanned 64 times as a rookie in 1939, the most of his 19 big league seasons. Yet Teddy Ballgame hit 521 home runs to accompany a .344 lifetime average. No one today comes close in comparison.

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Posted on February 26, 2015

When you’re drafting the corner infield positions, you’re drafting for power and not much else. There are a few .300 hitters, and a handful of guys who might steal a handful of bases if the mood strikes, but in general you will only find a few five-category producers here.
What you also will find, heading up position rankings at both first and third, is a guy they call Miggy, who is still money in the bank. Probably.

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Posted on February 26, 2015

By Thomas Chambers

There’s not a weight allowance in existence for this kid, but it was back in the saddle again as the Fountain of Youth, a prep for a prep (Florida Derby) for the Kentucky Derby was run Saturday at sunny Gulfstream Park, Hallandale, Florida.
But let’s be clear. It was this saddle, not this one.
I don’t really pay much attention to two-year-olds and betting them in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is more like pub darts. But once they turn the corner into the new year, you start looking in. Always keep in mind the three-year-old coming out party happens when the calendar turns, not because they’re three years old. Derby buzz boy Upstart won’t really be three until April.

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Posted on February 25, 2015