By: Will Farlow 

The Chicago White Sox have a MLB roster with a bright future, and tonight another piece is added to the puzzle. The Chicago White Sox make the call to former Oregon State Beaver Nick Madrigal to take over second base for Chicago. The Chicago White Sox designated reliever Kelvin Herrera for assignment to make room on the roster for Madrigal. Madrigal came in as the fourth overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft as a pick White Sox fans couldn't wait to see play for the White Sox. The speedy right hander is great at contact hitting and a special trait of a low strike out rate that can get White Sox fans excited for many years to come.   

Madrigal played very good during the 2020 spring training team intrasquad games prior to the 2020 season start. Madrigal received compliments on his plate discipline and consistent hitting from veterans pitchers he faced like Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel. The new White Sox second baseman is a hard working, confident rookie that should mesh really well with the good character players already with the White Sox.  

Madrigal comes up to a major league club in the White Sox in need of more defense and consistent hitting this early in the season. Madrigal will be batting ninth in his major league debut as the White Sox face the division rival Kansas City Royals. The Chicago White Sox have great potential for this season early, and Madrigal I hope brings his winning experience from college to this team. I see the new second baseman as a main focal point in the White Sox infield for the next decade. I like Nick Madrigal's work ethic , and after not making the Opening Day roster he continued to work toward his goals. I see him as a successful second baseman in the MLB and wish Nick the best of luck in his MLB Debut tonight in White Sox black and white at Kaufman Stadium tonight.

By: Will Farlow 

The Chicago Cubs ended the 2019 season on a sour note finishing in third place in the NL Central and falling short to the Milwaukee Brewers and the St Louis Cardinals for a chance in the 2019 postseason. The Cubs with a small amount of flexibility in the payroll brought in some veterans to add to the already strong roster featured on the Northside of Chicago. The Cubs have a new manager and familiar face leading the team in a unique Covid-19 affected 60 game season that will determine whether the contention window is closing and if the Cubs need to rebuild . Here is my 2020 Cubs season preview recapping their offseason, the opening day roster , and my takes on the future of the team that calls Wrigley Field home.

Cubs 2020 Offseason

​One Door Closes, Another One Opens  

The Chicago Cubs faced a decision for a new manager as on September 29th, 2019 it was announced the Cubs would part was with Manager Joe Maddon after five seasons. Cubs fans wondered who would be their next manager following the departure of Maddon, and little did they know the answer that would come. The old saying where as one door closes another opens was the case for the Cubs as on October 23rd 2019 the team announced former 2016 clubhouse leader and catcher David Ross is the new manager. Ross brings in my opinion a good personality and knowledge of the game along with the good connection and bond with the Cubs team and organization.  

​Key Free Agent Moves and Contract Extensions  

​The Cubs faced a tough situation in terms of signing free agents and extending key players with a high payroll near the luxury tax threshold. This is a list of the free agent signings and key contact extensions for the Cubs.  

RHP Jeremy Jeffress – 1 year 850,000 dollars

2B Jason Kipnis – minor league contract

OF Steven Souza Jr. - 1 year 1 million

C Jose Lobaton- minor league contract

RHP Rex Brothers – minor league contract  

2020 Chicago Cubs Opening Day Roster  

The Chicago Cubs announced on Thursday July 23rd their official 30 man roster for Friday's Opening Day game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs have many players returning from their roster in the 2019 MLB season. Illinois native infielder Jason Kipnis was added to the Opening Day roster and could be a help to Chicago at second base.  

2020 Outlook 

Projected record: 34-26

​I feel like the Cubs have a talented roster that can still make some noise in the NL Central in 2020. I have them finishing with a record of 36-24 in this shortened 60 game season with a new manager in David Ross and a tough schedule with NL Central rivals that feature a lot of roster improvement made in the off season. The Cubs with the report of 16 team expanded playoffs have a chance for postseason if David Ross leads them in a way that brings consistent play for Chicago and not too many injuries. If this is the last dance for this current roster they should look to go for it all this season in 2020. The Cubs have questions to answer during and following the season as contracts to stars like Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Baez are still unanswered to each player's future in a Cubs uniform. I believe the results of this 2020 season determine whether the Cubs keep parts of this roster or if the team is headed for another rebuild.  

By: Will Farlow 

The Chicago White Sox are finishing a chapter of the organization's history as they finish a rebuild phase heading into a new area with hope of contention for many years to come. GM Rick Hahn and his staff started it back in 2016-2017 with the Chris Sale, Adam Eaton , and Jose Quintana trades. Now those prospects from those trades and more can help the White Sox put their franchise back to its winning ways. The 2020 MLB season will be unique as due to the Covid-19 pandemic it is a 60 game season. Here is my takes on the 2020 offseason, the 2020 White Sox roster for opening day, and whether 2020 opens the window of contention for the Southsiders.  

2020 Offseason 

New Faces and Contract Extensions

The Chicago White Sox hit the ground running in the 2020 MLB off season by bringing in key veterans that could help the youngsters and bring the team toward success. The most notable of these was resigning team leader Jose Abreu who is a key part in the White Sox clubhouse. The Chicago White Sox started the off season with signings and trades such as the ones listed below. 

C Yasmani Grandal – 4 years 73 million (highest contract in team history)

Resigned 1B Jose Abreu – 3 year 50 million

Trade w/ Texas Rangers: White Sox acquire OF Nomar Mazara for prospect OF Steele Walker

LHP Gio Gonzalez 1 year 5 million

LHP Dallas Keuchel – 3 years 55 million

1B Edwin Encarnacion – 1 year 12 million

RHP Steve Cishek – 2 years 6 million  

Following these smart free agent signings by the White Sox, Rick Hahn made some contract extensions to key Sox players part of the team's long term plans.

3B Yoan Moncada – 5 years 70 million

RHP Aaron Bummer- 5 years 16 million

OF Luis Robert- 6 years 50 million

​2020 White Sox Roster entering Opening Day 

The White Sox announced on Thursday July 23rd their official 30 man roster for Friday's Opening Day game against the Minnesota Twins. Sox fans will notice a key infield prospect name missing from the list. Nomar Mazara is on the White Sox roster but temporarily on the injured list. White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech is not included due to his opt out of the 2020 season. 

2020 Outlook 

Projected record: 38-22

The Chicago White Sox have not had a winning record since 2012 and are looking to get back to their winning ways here in 2020. The White Sox feature a greatly improved lineup along with a rotation and bullpen that should continue success from last year. I am looking for players like Reynaldo Lopez and Dylan Cease to improve for this rotation along with Giolito continuing where he left off in 2019. The lineup should put up a lot of runs and be fairly effective on defense as we look for continued growth from Eloy Jimenez, Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and new center fielder Luis Robert. The new veterans like Yasmani Grandal , Nomar Mazara, Edwin Encarnacion, and Chesler Cuthbert should make an immediate impact to the White Sox line up to add with star veteran first baseman in Chicago Jose Abreu. I have the Southsiders taking first place and a division title in 2020 being able to lead over talented division rivals Minnesota and Cleveland. I saw great growth and development from this White Sox team during the offseason and spring training games making there future starting here in 2020 to be very bright.