The White Sox signed Paul Konerko, their own free agent first baseman, to a three year deal for something around 37 million. This is on top of signing Adam Dunn, presumably to split time at first and DH with Konerko, and resigning AJ Pierzynski.
The Cubs, meanwhile, signed Carlos Pena, a LH first baseman with some power, from the Tigers. He hit only .196 last year (but had a .340 OBP), and apparently this is good enough for a 1 year 10 million dollar deal.
The Cubs are also said to be interested in dealing for Matt Garza, whom the Rays would apparently like to trade for prospects.
*****
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Ron Santo passes away...
I woke up on Friday, December 3rd, like all the other Cubs fans, to the news that Ron Santo, the team's radio "analyst" and popular ex-player, had passed away of complications due to cancer.
Santo was not the best broadcaster, let's face it. He was a total homer, and his analysis left something to be desired. Pat Hughes, an excellent play-by-play radio voice, sort of left Ron to his devices, to the amusement of the radio audience and perhaps to himself also! An aside: One time when Hughes was sick, I heard a broadcast (during spring training, I believe) where Steve Stone, a top flight analyst himself, subbed as play-by-play man in the booth. I never, never, never heard Ron Santo sound better - Stone was setting him up for real analysis, and I was surprised to learn that he really did have it in him. He was not the lovable babbling superfan that we often heard with Hughes.
But I grew up in the late 60's, and watched Santo man the hot corner for the Cubs. Back then I watched a lot of baseball, and Santo could pick it with the best of them. He was only a little behind Brooks Robinson in the field, and I'd rather have had Santo coming to bat with men on base. He was my favorite player, so perhaps I'm biased a bit, but I see him as the best NL third baseman of his era.
We learned later that he played with diabetes, and did so at a high level for many years. He was a Cubs icon, if not for his work in the booth (where many would disagree with me - they loved him as a broadcaster), then for his contributions on the field.
RIP #10. It is fitting that no other Cub will ever wear that number.
*****
Santo was not the best broadcaster, let's face it. He was a total homer, and his analysis left something to be desired. Pat Hughes, an excellent play-by-play radio voice, sort of left Ron to his devices, to the amusement of the radio audience and perhaps to himself also! An aside: One time when Hughes was sick, I heard a broadcast (during spring training, I believe) where Steve Stone, a top flight analyst himself, subbed as play-by-play man in the booth. I never, never, never heard Ron Santo sound better - Stone was setting him up for real analysis, and I was surprised to learn that he really did have it in him. He was not the lovable babbling superfan that we often heard with Hughes.
But I grew up in the late 60's, and watched Santo man the hot corner for the Cubs. Back then I watched a lot of baseball, and Santo could pick it with the best of them. He was only a little behind Brooks Robinson in the field, and I'd rather have had Santo coming to bat with men on base. He was my favorite player, so perhaps I'm biased a bit, but I see him as the best NL third baseman of his era.
We learned later that he played with diabetes, and did so at a high level for many years. He was a Cubs icon, if not for his work in the booth (where many would disagree with me - they loved him as a broadcaster), then for his contributions on the field.
RIP #10. It is fitting that no other Cub will ever wear that number.
*****
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Ryan Theriot a Cardinal!
Fan favorite Ryan Theriot was apparently signed by the St. Louis Cardinals to man a middle infield position for them. I'd guess they'll put the former fan fave at shortstop, where he has the most value - his bat is a little weak for 2nd base but strong enough to make up for his defensive limitations (not liabilities because I think Theriot is an excellent fielder, just with limits on his range and arm strength) - but he could play elsewhere. He's the kind of player they seem to like and have success with.
Good luck to The Riot. Except when you're playing the Cubs, of course...
*****
Good luck to The Riot. Except when you're playing the Cubs, of course...
*****
Monday, November 15, 2010
Chitown Sports Update
- No news, really, from either major league baseball team. We're starting to hear a name here and there that the teams might be interested in, like Jon Garland and Adam LaRoche on the north side, and of course Adam Dunn on the south side, if Paul Konerko decides to go to Arizona to finish his career. But nothing concrete.
- The Bulls appear to be improving, beating the Golden State Warriors soundly at home, then handling the Washington Wizards, also at home. Now they go on their circus trip, 7 road games in a row. Three will be in Texas, then it's on to Los Angeles and other west coast teams. This trip has been the downfall of many Bulls' teams, and was even hard for the team back in the Jordan days. But this is a new team. It will be interesting to see how they handle it. I heard one beat reporter say that he thought if they came back 2-5, they'd have to consider it a decent trip.
- The Black Hawks have looked like anything but defending Stanley Cup champs, but I think they're finally getting healthy. Dave Boland gets back soon (maybe he has already returned!) and Marion Hossa should be back soon. They too depart on their own extended road trip while the circus is in town.
- The Bears are 6-3 after beating the Vikings at home yesterday. That isn't at all bad. Certainly better than most expected. They're 3-0 in the division, tied by record for the top spot, but owning the tie breaker with Green Bay. Currently that puts them in first place in the NFC North.
- Earlier in the year I read that the Bears' offensive line would need about half the season to really get comfortable with the new scheme and with each other. They've played better the last couple weeks in victories over the Buffalo Bills and now the Vikings. And they go to Miami, on a short week, with Miami down to their third string QB, and their right tackle and their leading rusher listed as doubtful for Thursday night's game.
That's it for today, I think.
*****
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Bulls and Cubs...
The Chicago Bulls lost their opener to a pretty good Oklahoma City team, then beat the Pistons with a strong 4th quarter, and played really well against the Trailblazers. This without Carlos Boozer, who has apparently gotten his cast off and his return is at least within sighting distance.
There's talk again about a deal for Carmelo Anthony. The names being bandied about are Luol Deng (who dropped 40 on the T-Blazers) and Taj Gibson (a valuable bench front court player who has been a starter with Boozer on the shelf). I'm assuming a draft pick, or picks, would be part of the deal. I've also heard James Johnson's name mentioned.
There are guys out there, unsigned as yet, who might be able to come in and play for this team if the Bulls move too many guys (read: 3 instead of 2). But Johnson's been looking better this year, and Gibson is the sort of blue collar player that winning teams need. (Hinrich was this sort, too, in my opinion...) It would thin the Bulls' bench and rotation a lot to make this deal, but I'd still do it. The NBA is a superstar-driven league, and Anthony is pretty close to a superstar. In my eyes, he is one, but I've read others' opinions that he is NOT in that upper tier. (I have him in my top 10, in the second tier of 5 players somewhere after Bryant, James, Wade, Howard and Durant.) A starting five of Rose, Brewer/Bogans, Anthony, Boozer and Noah is as good as any in the league, including Miami, because of the types of players that are in that five, in my opinion.
*****
The Cubs part ways with Ryno, as he has declined to return as manager of triple A Iowa. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the discussion has hinged on whether Lance Berkman would be a good target for the team as a place-holder first baseman. I'm okay with that as long as the contract isn't for more than 2 years and isn't much more than 10 million total. Next year Fukudome and maybe Ramirez come off the books, along with Carlos Silva (whose contract matched Milton Bradley's contract in length) and probably one or two others.
Unfortunately, Alfonso Soriano will be around for four more years at a cost of about 72 million. Think they're going to be able to move him with that contract hanging from around his neck? I seriously doubt it, even to an AL team needing a DH. I heard it suggested on sports radio that they have him take grounders at first, to see if he can manage the position. I don't know if he'd be able to. I've seen others suggest that he might get a line drive in the face because he seems to lack focus during games in the field, and that he'd be a total butcher in the field. To that I reply that this guy was a middle infielder for most of his career, and though he wasn't a good one, he just MIGHT be able to handle the easier position of first base with less problems than he handled 2nd and short. Also, it opens left field for one of two actual Cubs' prospects: Brett Jackson and Brandon Guyer.
I'm not saying hand the guy the position right away, but if it were me, I'd give him some innings there next spring. I'd tell him to make sure he works out at first this winter. If he could be adequate there for a year or even two, it would sure help. First, they wouldn't have to spend any money to acquire a first baseman through free agency, since there are none coming up through the system who would be ready in 2011, and second, they can find out what they have in those two young outfielders. Puts them that much ahead for 2012, when they might be able to actually sign some bigger names. Plus, if Soriano can actually handle 1st base, wouldn't that make him a more attractive trade target for another team, be it NL or AL?
*****
There's talk again about a deal for Carmelo Anthony. The names being bandied about are Luol Deng (who dropped 40 on the T-Blazers) and Taj Gibson (a valuable bench front court player who has been a starter with Boozer on the shelf). I'm assuming a draft pick, or picks, would be part of the deal. I've also heard James Johnson's name mentioned.
There are guys out there, unsigned as yet, who might be able to come in and play for this team if the Bulls move too many guys (read: 3 instead of 2). But Johnson's been looking better this year, and Gibson is the sort of blue collar player that winning teams need. (Hinrich was this sort, too, in my opinion...) It would thin the Bulls' bench and rotation a lot to make this deal, but I'd still do it. The NBA is a superstar-driven league, and Anthony is pretty close to a superstar. In my eyes, he is one, but I've read others' opinions that he is NOT in that upper tier. (I have him in my top 10, in the second tier of 5 players somewhere after Bryant, James, Wade, Howard and Durant.) A starting five of Rose, Brewer/Bogans, Anthony, Boozer and Noah is as good as any in the league, including Miami, because of the types of players that are in that five, in my opinion.
*****
The Cubs part ways with Ryno, as he has declined to return as manager of triple A Iowa. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the discussion has hinged on whether Lance Berkman would be a good target for the team as a place-holder first baseman. I'm okay with that as long as the contract isn't for more than 2 years and isn't much more than 10 million total. Next year Fukudome and maybe Ramirez come off the books, along with Carlos Silva (whose contract matched Milton Bradley's contract in length) and probably one or two others.
Unfortunately, Alfonso Soriano will be around for four more years at a cost of about 72 million. Think they're going to be able to move him with that contract hanging from around his neck? I seriously doubt it, even to an AL team needing a DH. I heard it suggested on sports radio that they have him take grounders at first, to see if he can manage the position. I don't know if he'd be able to. I've seen others suggest that he might get a line drive in the face because he seems to lack focus during games in the field, and that he'd be a total butcher in the field. To that I reply that this guy was a middle infielder for most of his career, and though he wasn't a good one, he just MIGHT be able to handle the easier position of first base with less problems than he handled 2nd and short. Also, it opens left field for one of two actual Cubs' prospects: Brett Jackson and Brandon Guyer.
I'm not saying hand the guy the position right away, but if it were me, I'd give him some innings there next spring. I'd tell him to make sure he works out at first this winter. If he could be adequate there for a year or even two, it would sure help. First, they wouldn't have to spend any money to acquire a first baseman through free agency, since there are none coming up through the system who would be ready in 2011, and second, they can find out what they have in those two young outfielders. Puts them that much ahead for 2012, when they might be able to actually sign some bigger names. Plus, if Soriano can actually handle 1st base, wouldn't that make him a more attractive trade target for another team, be it NL or AL?
*****
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Bulls Lose Opener
Unfortunately, I didn't get to see much of this game. I went to bed before the fourth quarter really got underway, and was working through most of the first half. I was able to listen to Chuck and Bill on my way home, then caught the beginning of the third quarter on the tube.
From what I heard and saw myself, the Bulls look like a pretty good team, even without Carlos Boozer. Their weakness seemed to be at shooting guard. The guys they have seem to have size, and can defend, but there isn't a lot of offense coming out of that position.
That might be okay when the Bulls get Boozer back. Then they will have a low post scoring threat to go with Rose, and their team will seem a whole lot more balanced. When you think about the really good Bulls championship teams, or even the Celtics of the past few years (before last year), their scoring wasn't coming from their point guard, as the Bulls' scoring is. Rose is this team's Jordan, their version of Paul Pierce, perhaps, a player who can create with the ball in his hands. If Boozer can be their Garnett or their Pippen (the secondary scorer), and Noah can be the Rodman for this team, it could be pretty darned good. Especially if Deng can become a guy who can play the whole 48 minutes instead of giving a half of good basketball followed by a half where he isn't a factor.
I understand that the roles are very mixed. Rose handles the ball, ala Pippen, or Rondo for the Celtics. He scores ala Allen or Pierce (or Rondo now), or as Jordan did. Boozer gives the Bulls a dimension they really haven't ever had since Grant left - a big low post scorer. Jordan was a post up player at times, but it's Boozer's specialty. But the ingredients are there for this to be a very good team.
The season hinges, perhaps, on Deng's ability to perform at a high level. He's got to be more consistent and much better down the stretch than he was last year. Playing 2 or 3 quarters is not going to cut it.
It's only one game. It seems in the past I've blogged (elsewhere) about Bulls' season opening victories, only to be more or less disappointed as the season progressed. I'd rather write about a loss starting off a highly successful season. We'll see...
*****
From what I heard and saw myself, the Bulls look like a pretty good team, even without Carlos Boozer. Their weakness seemed to be at shooting guard. The guys they have seem to have size, and can defend, but there isn't a lot of offense coming out of that position.
That might be okay when the Bulls get Boozer back. Then they will have a low post scoring threat to go with Rose, and their team will seem a whole lot more balanced. When you think about the really good Bulls championship teams, or even the Celtics of the past few years (before last year), their scoring wasn't coming from their point guard, as the Bulls' scoring is. Rose is this team's Jordan, their version of Paul Pierce, perhaps, a player who can create with the ball in his hands. If Boozer can be their Garnett or their Pippen (the secondary scorer), and Noah can be the Rodman for this team, it could be pretty darned good. Especially if Deng can become a guy who can play the whole 48 minutes instead of giving a half of good basketball followed by a half where he isn't a factor.
I understand that the roles are very mixed. Rose handles the ball, ala Pippen, or Rondo for the Celtics. He scores ala Allen or Pierce (or Rondo now), or as Jordan did. Boozer gives the Bulls a dimension they really haven't ever had since Grant left - a big low post scorer. Jordan was a post up player at times, but it's Boozer's specialty. But the ingredients are there for this to be a very good team.
The season hinges, perhaps, on Deng's ability to perform at a high level. He's got to be more consistent and much better down the stretch than he was last year. Playing 2 or 3 quarters is not going to cut it.
It's only one game. It seems in the past I've blogged (elsewhere) about Bulls' season opening victories, only to be more or less disappointed as the season progressed. I'd rather write about a loss starting off a highly successful season. We'll see...
*****
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Basketball Season Begins...
The Bulls open their season tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma. Starting lineup for the Bulls, if I heard correctly, is Derrick Rose at point guard, Joakim Noah at center, Luol Deng at small forward, Taj Gibson at power forward, and Keith Bogans at shooting guard.
It's not exactly a lineup to excite someone with title hopes, especially with Carlos Boozer out for another month or so with his broken hand. But it's a solid lineup with few weaknesses. When Boozer comes back this should be a team to reckon with.
On another happy note, the Heat lost their opener to the Celtics last night. Now I don't hate the Heat, and I recognize that James, Bosh and Wade had every right to do what they did in free agency. I'm not all that pissed at them. But I don't usually root for overwhelming favorites (unless they're a hometown team) and would prefer that underdogs win more. I was happy to see the Rangers beat the Yankees, and I'll be happy if the Heat don't live up to the hype. I'm happy to see the best laid plans of these superstars not work out the way they want them to. I won't be rooting for the Heat this year one bit.
It's not exactly a lineup to excite someone with title hopes, especially with Carlos Boozer out for another month or so with his broken hand. But it's a solid lineup with few weaknesses. When Boozer comes back this should be a team to reckon with.
On another happy note, the Heat lost their opener to the Celtics last night. Now I don't hate the Heat, and I recognize that James, Bosh and Wade had every right to do what they did in free agency. I'm not all that pissed at them. But I don't usually root for overwhelming favorites (unless they're a hometown team) and would prefer that underdogs win more. I was happy to see the Rangers beat the Yankees, and I'll be happy if the Heat don't live up to the hype. I'm happy to see the best laid plans of these superstars not work out the way they want them to. I won't be rooting for the Heat this year one bit.
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