Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010
CSNChicago.com
Jenks disappointed in departure from Sox
Bobby Jenks, the White Sox's closer the past several seasons, was non-tendered by the team this offseason and wound up signing with the Boston Red Sox. The 29-year-old veteran said he understood the business behind the call, but was still upset nonetheless.
"It was my first hope, and it hurt," Jenks said in an article on mlb.com. "During my first conversation with my wife after the season, she looked me in the eyes and said that she would go anywhere with me. I said that I wanted to go back to Chicago.
"Once they signed Adam Dunn and gave him my number, I knew it was official. With that move right there, even though they talked to me after Paul Konerko and Dunn signed, it was almost like an afterthought, I felt. They never made it seem like they wanted to bring me back."(MLB.com)
Guillen's son fires back at Jenks
Oney Guillen, the son of White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, took some shots right back at departed pitcher Bobby Jenks, who was unhappy with the way the White Sox handled his situation in the offseason.
MLB
The younger Guillen had several tweets ripping Jenks after the former hefty closer said he "was looking forward to playing for a manager who knows how to run a bullpen."
One such Tweet: "and you say the manager didnt trust u? he kept putting ur fatthere and u kept blowing it, he never took u away from that role unreal" (Yahoo Sports)
Is Jay Cutler the best Bears QB ever?
Maybe, according to Daily Chicago Sports Tab blog, even considering Cutler still has one game left to play in just his second season with the team. As it stands right now, he already ranks eighth in team history in passing yards (with 6,772) and is tied for sixth with 50 touchdown passes. Cutlers QB rating of 82.5 is better than any other quarterback in the franchise's top ten yards in passing while his completion percentage of 60.8 is best among those ten passers.
On this current trend, Cutler could be the Bears best statistical quarterback sometime in the 2012-13 season, overtaking Sid Luckman. (Daily Chicago Sports Tab)
Cubs going after Fausto Carmona?
Reports have come out from ESPN's Bruce Levine that the Cubs may be interested in Cleveland Indians starter Fausto Carmona. But, Al Yellon of the blog Bleed Cubbie Blue doesn't think that will be such a good idea, as the asking price from Cleveland is likely too much.
To get Carmona, a former 19-game winner, it would likely cost the Cubs Brett Jackson and Chris Archer, two of the top prospects in the organization. But, to get Matt Garza from the Tampa Bay Rays, it may only take minor league catcher Robinson Chirinos and shortstop Hak-Ju Lee. (Bleed Cubbie Blue)
Former Bear takes a shot at team
Brandon Lloyd, a former Chicago Bears receiver, was named to the AFC Pro Bowl Tuesday and in a conference call with the press, was asked if he had anything to say to his former teams (San Francisco, Washington and Chicago). He responded with "Yeah, there is something I'd like to say to them: Bleep you. I mean that in the most professional way." (Denver Post)
Joe Blanton an option for Cubs?
If the Cubs don't trade for Carmona or Garza, they could go after Joe Blanton of the Philadelphia Phillies, according to BleacherReport.com. Blanton could be a perfect Plan B after he was deemed expendable when the Phillies shocked the world by signing Cliff Lee in the offseason. (BleacherReport.com)
Bulls targeting a shooting guard
There has been a lot of talk lately regarding the Bulls and trading for a shooting guard, which is their main area of need. One such name being brought up in the discussion is J.R. Smith of the Denver Nuggets, but he likely wouldn't be dealt until Denver determines where superstar Carmelo Anthony is going. However, another name has been thrown into the mix as Courtney Lee of the Houston Rockets could be a good fit. (Yahoo Sports)
Bears-Jets game sets ratings record
The Bears' tilt against the New York Jets Sunday ranked as the highest preliminary television rating for the single-game window in the 13 seasons of the current AFC package on CBS. The package of all NFL games on CBS earned a 15.4 overnight rating and 30 share, the best ever. (Wall Street Journal)Palmeiro to miss out on Hall of Fame?
Rafael Palmeiro, a member of the 500 home-run club who spent his career with the Cubs, Rangers and Orioles, is likely not to be voted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame after testing positive for steroids in his career. Palmeiro is one of four players in MLB history to have at least 3,000 hits and 500 home runs, but his positive steroid test is a big blemish on his otherwise Hall of Fame career. (USA Today)