Will's Fifth Quarter Sports Talk
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By: Will Farlow
The Chicago White Sox entered the final week prior to the trade deadline with an eight game lead in first place in the AL Central. The Southsiders prior to the deadline had key needs at second base and in the bullpen. GM Rick Hahn as usual kept things quiet and surprised the White Sox fanbase with three season changing trades. I feel the special excitement and energy that this White Sox team can show fans for many years to come. These are my views of each trade made at the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline , and the grade I give the White Sox.
Trade #1: Chicago White Sox trade LHP Konnor Pilkington to the Cleveland Indians for 2B Cesar Hernandez
I love this unexpected trade between two division rivals just nine games separated in the standings. The White Sox surprise fans by trading for the power hitting, defensive pro in Cesar Hernandez. It seems like Rick Hahn almost had Nick Madrigal ready in a future trade idea by getting a second baseman with a team option for 2022. This trade gives the White Sox improved defense and power hitting at second base helping their lineup in a big way. The Southsiders send a talented young left hander to the Indians making this a fair swap for both sides. Hernandez brings his bat and positive clubhouse prescense to this already tight knit White Sox squad.
Trade #2: Chicago White Sox trade LHP Bailey Horn to the Chicago Cubs for RHP Ryan Tepera
The Chicago White Sox pull a surprise crosstown trade with rivals from the Northside of town to fill a big need for bullpen help. I think Tepera is a good reliever to bring to a White Sox bullpen in need of more pitchers good in game situations. Tepera did just that for one Chicago team, and GM Rick Hahn hopes the reliever will continue that on the Southside. Good simple swap here for the White Sox as they just give up left hander Bailey Horn to a future rebuilding Cubs team.
Trade #3: Chicago White Sox trade 2B Nick Madrigal and RHP Codi Heuer to the Chicago Cubs for RHP Craig Kimbrel
I don’t think this is a final trade White Sox fans expected when they woke up this morning. The Southsiders make a blockbuster trade with the rival Chicago Cubs for NL All Star closer Craig Kimbrel. I love this move for Chicago as the White Sox now feature one of the best bullpens in all of baseball. The price is steep, however, as they send their 2018 first round pick Nick Madrigal and young Codi Heuer to the Cubs. You have to pay for top talent, and Rick Hahn does that here sending a message to other teams that the White Sox are all in for a possible World Series title.
Grade: A+
I definitely have to give the White Sox an A+ here filling their team needs and putting this team in an even better spot to contend for a World Series Championship. The White Sox can feel ensured that Kimbrel and Hernandez can be on the Southside next year in 2022 also. The Southsiders face questions of more offensive consistency, and the return of Luis Robert and Yasmani Grandal. GM Rick Hahn followed his instincts that now can bring this team to future postseason success , and maybe a parade at the end.
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By: Will Farlow
The Chicago Cubs fans saw the Northsiders comfortably in first place a few months ago, but little did they know that could change the future in just a week. The Cubs GM Jed Hoyer was faced with many cornerstone players that helped the team win in 2016 in contract years. Hoyer did the unexpected trading nine Cubs key players , and beginning a new rebuild at the Friendly Confines. Cubs fans feel sadness and anger toward the fire sale of the the players that brought their favorite team a world series many years ago. However, this is not 2016 anymore its 2021, and sadly the business end of the game led to the Cubs fire sale. Here are my takes on the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline for the Cubs , and my grade on how well they began this new rebuild.
Trade #1: Chicago Cubs trade OF Joc Pederson to the Atlanta Braves for 1B Bryce Ball
I like this first trade in what would become the Cubs fire sale trade deadline , and in a way a prepared prospect grab. This trade allows the Cubs to get value for a one year outfielder in acquiring a power hitting first base prospect. I like how Bryce Ball now fits as a potential new first baseman of the future at this point for the Cubs. This is a good first move by GM Jed Hoyer.
Trade #2: Chicago Cubs trade LHP Andrew Chafin to the Oakland Athletics for 1B Greg Deichmann and RHP Daniel Palencia
Hoyer makes another good trade here as there are always contenders seeking a bullpen arm. Chafin played great in the Cubs bullpen , and should fit in well with the Athletics talented bullpen. The Cubs acquire two players with experience in the minors , and potential to help the Cubs as plugs in the roster early on in their rebuild. I see Deichmann being a stopgap at first, but I see Palencia needing more time to develop in the minor leagues.
Trade #3: Chicago Cubs trade 1B Anthony Rizzo and cash to the New York Yankees for CF Kevin Alcantara and RHP Alexander Vizcaino
GM Jed Hoyer shocks Cubs fans with this trade sending their team leader to the Bronx in New York. Rizzo was a key leader for the Cubs in many seasons , and heads to a Yankee lineup in need of a first base upgrade. The Yankees send over two top prospects that the Cubs develop in the beginning of their rebuild. The Cubs trade a player that as a free agent at the end of the year may resign in the offseason. Overall, I like this trade for the Cubs maximizing value remaining with Rizzo by sending him to New York.
Trade #4: Chicago Cubs trade RHP Ryan Tepera to the Chicago White Sox for LHP Bailey Horn
The Chicago Cubs continue their fire sale by making a simple pitching swap trade with their crosstown rivals the Chicago White Sox. The Cubs send a reliever that preformed well in his time on the Northside down south to 35th and Shields. The White Sox send the Cubs a talented former 2020 MLB Draft pick left handed pitcher that can be either in the rotation or bullpen. The Cubs make a smart swap with the continued need for bullpen arms , and secure a prospect for the future. This first crosstown trade since the 2017 Eloy, Cease for Quintana trade ends up working out here for both teams.
Trade #5: Chicago Cubs trade star RHP Craig Kimbrel to the Chicago White Sox for 2B Nick Madrigal and RHP Codi Heuer
The Chicago Cubs send a trade deadline day stunner by making a blockbuster trade sending their star closer to their rivals on the Southside. The Cubs in my opinion got the top value they hoped for a closer in Kimbrel that finished his Cubs tenure on a high note. The Cubs acquire from the White Sox two talented young players. Second baseman Nick Madrigal I like as a player, and I think Cubs fans will embrace him as one of their own for many years. Madrigal is joined by his fellow teammate Codi Heuer heading to the Friendly Confines. The Cubs can put Madrigal in a middle infield long term with one of their talented shortstops in the system. Codi fits the Cubs as a future setup man or closer making this trade my favorite for the Cubs in their fire sale.
Trade #6: Chicago Cubs trade SS Javier Baez, RHP Trevor Williams, and cash to the New York Mets for OF Pete Crow-Armstrong
The Northsiders make another trade involving players in contract years , and Jed Hoyer once again finds a good young prospect in return. Javier Baez takes his energy and home run hitting with Trevor Williams to Queens. The Cubs acquire a very young talent in Crow-Armstrong who I think has potential to be a talented outfielder when he reaches the major leagues. Cub fans will enjoy this young man in their future long term outfield catching line drives in the Wrigley Field ivy.
Trade #7: Chicago Cubs trade 3B Kris Bryant to the San Francisco Giants for LF Alexander Canario and RHP Caleb Kilian
Cub fans once again see a key contributor to their 2016 World Series title leave the Friendly Confines for the Golden Gate Bridge near San Francisco. Kris Bryant leaves in a deal that allows the Cubs to acquire good talent for a future Scott Boras free agent. The Giants send over two prospects to Chicago I believe fans will enjoy . The Giants feature many talented outfield prospects from their farm system which in my opinion makes Canario a good grab for Chicago in this trade. You can never have enough good developed pitching, and RHP Caleb Kilian gives the Cubs a chance to try to develop young controllable pitchers. The Cubs say a sad goodbye to the former World Series hero , and prepare for the future.
Trade #8: Chicago Cubs trade OF Jake Marisnick to the San Diego Padres for RHP Anderson Espinoza
The Chicago Cubs finish their trade deadline fire sale by trading a depth outfielder to San Diego. Anderson Espinoza coming to Chicago gives the Cubs another talented contract controllable pitcher. Espinoza had a bit of injury history with the Padres so it’s smart if the Cubs continue his development properly. The young right hander could become a future rotation piece behind Cubs ace Kyle Hendricks. I think this is a good final trade for Chicago as they begin their team rebuild.
Grade : A
I give a nice A grade to the eight trades made by GM Jed Hoyer as the Chicago Cubs close their contention window into a new rebuild beginning . Fans may miss their favorite Cubs , but the Friendly Confines within a few years can feature new fan favorites. Rebuilds are never easy for an MLB to execute properly, but the Cubs learned lessons in their last rebuild that if improved can be a better future for their organization.
By: Will Farlow
The Chicago White Sox came out of last night's 7-1 loss to the Houston Astro’s by giving fans an exciting surprise before tonight’s game. The team extended Lance Lynn to a two-year 38 million dollar deal with a club option in 2024. Lynn is set to be a free agent is now a key piece in this young White Sox rotation. Lynn in his first season with the White Sox has pitched to a 9-3 record and a 1.99 ERA.
Lynn is a pitcher with experience in good consistent pitching, and he has continued to do that with Chicago. I think that trade back in the off-season with Texas for Lynn was the best move by Rick Hahn before the season. Lynn is a key veteran mentor to Sox starters like Lucas Giolito and Dylan Cease. The Indiana native is now staying with his former Cardinals manager in Tony La Russa.
When it comes to striving for a solid, dependable rotation extending Lynn is huge for the Southsiders. Lynn slides in with Giolito, Cease, Keuchel, and Kopech next year. I think Lance Lynn is a great pitcher Sox fans can back each start. The White Sox are shooting for continued success in October this next decade, and Lynn signed the extension with excitement in being a part of it. Lynn showed White Sox fans his fit here with a complete-game win back the April home opener against Kansas City. Congratulations to a pitcher in Lance Lynn getting a well-deserved contract extension. Chicago White Sox fans and GM Rick Hahn can rest well tonight knowing Lynn is in Chicago the next few seasons.
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