Chisoxfn

I figured the timing of the report wasn't too good given they were probably going to move him. This hurts there leverage, to extent they have any.

I don't think the move is anything to freak out about over. And it is just 2.5M so it technically doesn't prevent the Sox from going after Grandal with McCann as the backup (and moving Castillo seperately). However, I do believe if the team intends to contend, it should be looking at upgrading the catcher position.

Dissapointed. I very much wanted Grandal. He'd be a HUGE upgrade (assuming they wanted to contend). In isolation I don't have a massive issue with McCann, other then the fact the Sox still have a massive hole at catcher, imo.

Aren’t the minutes mainly going to carter, Lauri and Portis? I suppose Lopez too but I presume it is more to make sure those guys plus dunn, Lavine and Hutch all play with each other without worrying about the high number of shots Jabari will put up? bulls defense and effort looked superb today. Lauri needs to step up...only a few games but he hasn’t looked as good at getting to the basket this year. Needs to stop just jacking threes and getting more involved down low...make the d really work. Forgot how good Dunn is defensively.

That was quick. I can appreciate taking the chance and now they have clearly decided they won't be moving forward with him and I'm presuming want to focus the minutes on other players.

All I'm going to say is if Wood is on the block, I see no reason not to kick the tires if the club is attempting to contend. While I think Gio could turn things around, I think the Sox rotation has MASSIVE issues and still quite a bit of unknown / not ready talent in the minors (and obviously Kopech out for the year). Waiting and hoping the guys magically all come from within probably isn't the right answer, especially since you know guys are going to get hurt.

Maybe Grandal's postseason was a sign of things to come, but presuming it isn't, he's been flat out a very productive player and would be a massive upgrade for the Sox. They need quite a few of those if they are going to contend.

If the Sox ended up going with Machado, I would think either of those could be nice adds. Wood isn't a huge innings eater but he's been very effective and it largely appears any trade by Dodgers would be more of a payroll dump for them. I think if the Sox intend on contending, they need to make some significant upgrades to their rotation (and lineup) beyond the one big FA signing.

By the way, I should point out, when I read the quotes from the article in the Trib (and I realize it is the Trib and written by KC) and while I absolutely disagree with the 2nd substitution and the need for a public lashing (it was beyond over-kill), I can't really argue Boylan's overall message and focus. I think for most of the time in NBA history his exact focus would absolutely work, however, the league has gone soft the past few years and players just can't handle this type of coaching. Or at least that is the media bias. And while that is the media bias, the reality is to be great at anything it takes a combination of a special talent and a special work ethic. Additionally (and I said this when we started the "tank journey"), people underestimate how a team filled of youth can learn really bad and poor habits and you can end up creating a culture of losing ways that is so toxic that your organization is gutted (regardless of talent). I think the Bulls players response to Boylan's demands showed some of that toxcity and "easy culture" that existed on the club. That said, there is a time and a place and a balance for how to do it, but I don't think the actual message Boylan has been giving is the wrong message, albeit, he very well might have crossed an unnecessary line that he can't go back from (we shall see).

I just want to point out, in terms of on the field production, I find it highly unlikely Harper lives up to the deal. But hopefully he can create lots of revenue, excitement and TV deals that increases the Sox ability to spend money and regularly field highly competitive teams (and obviously Harper would be a critical piece in terms of on the field performance).

Do the Bears clinch playoffs with a Vikings loss? Or is there magic number 1 for the division and a playoff birth? Just curious?

I do think if the Bears had Cousins (near term...ignoring salary cap...but just his play), I would be more confident stating Bears might be a super bowl team. That is more just a component that the Bears don't need tremendous play out of their QB, but above average to good play is probably enough. I do think Trubisky could be more than that (he certainly could be less than that as well). His accuracy (or lapses there of) will have to improve over the off-season and as he continues to refine his game. I expect that will happen as accuracy was one of his strenghts and its something he's flashed at many points in time of the season. That said, while Lombardi's comments were absurd, I certainly understood where he is coming from. Mitch has had his fair share of extremely inaccurate passes (all QB's have him, but I'd say he's had more "bad misses" than many QB's). I happen to think those should not be expected from a young QB who is rushing everything.

Question...I read somewhere that Trubisky had seperated/disclosed his shoulder (vs. what had originally been reported as a bruise). Is that actually the case?

By the way, I very much believe how the franchise responds to this will be a very defining moment. This could get insanely ugly in a hurry or it could turn into a galvanizing moment. It is also the type of thing, that if it turns into a disaster that will cost Gar/Pax their positions.

I figured 100% that it was Lavine who pushed the revolt. You saw a microcosym into how he emotional his responses can be based upon his twitter comments during the free agent window.

I meant it in the sense that the Bears big defensive plays, were largely because the Bears made plays, not because the Rams were just terrible. I never was watching the Rams game going, wow, Goff is terrible and giving the game away, I watched it and thought, wow, the Bears D is freaking everywhere tonight. On the flipside, all but the pick at the end of halftime, was completely on Mitch (and while I will give credit to the Rams D for catching the ball...the passes were just awful).

My big issue last night was the Bears left points on the field last night. I don't think the Rams did. I think Mitch played worse and it wasn't because of the Rams playing great defense. Not to take anything away from the Rams D, but Mitch's picks were almost all on drives where the Bears were moving the football and where he was missing an open receiver. There is no way to sugarcoat it, he played a lousy football game. I'd say it was his worst game all season, by far. Hopefully it was a combination of rust, cold, and just coming back from the shoulder, but he just wasn't sharp. I've said it before but I think next year will be where he takes another step forward, as he has mechanical stuff he has to clean up, and the game is still slowing down for him. Both of those things matter when it comes to consistently being accurate.

I wouldn't mind adding him into the Bears front office. He's a good talent evaluator. I presume he goes to Green Bay or Cleveland.

I also think it concerns me that it almost got to that extent (from the players perspective). I was glad to here Lauri was like, STFU, get here (as was Lopez). I'm guessing Lavine was like...I'm not showing up.

Yes...this. I agree with everything you said. I literally thought I might wake up on Sunday to the Bulls hiring another new coach. Maybe they can turn this all into a positive...who knows...but man, it is not good to have that sort of toxicity around a young team.

Wow awesome win. Mitch get that footwork and mechanics cleaned up. You had one bad pick (decision wise) and a number of just bad throws (to open guys nonetheless).

Yeah...this might be a hot take but after seeing some clips of his post game press conference...he might have just lost the lockeroom and his job. Basically Said the benching saved those guys from further embarrassment. And then went on from there.

Yes the second time he did it was not a good look. The first time was completely deserved. That said the starters were pathetic. Crazy cause the whole team played really well against the Thunder. Like really well.

I don’t even know what game you were watching if you thought the starters got good looks. That was one of the worst offensive stretches of basketball I’ve ever seen. God awful ball movement, god awful shots. It looked like a high school team vs an NBA team. Literally I’ve never seen a team look so shut down on offense than the start of that game. Awful performance. Boylen might have taken things too far, but he obviously thinks this is a soft team that needs to toughen up and he’s making a calculated bet that the message he sends will motivate and not cause the players to quickly tune him out.

Iowa needed that!