BN Podcast Episode 24: How Good is Jeff Samardzija, and How Bad is Carlos Marmol?

The results of this year's National Baseball Hall of Fame voting were revealed tonight, as the BBWAA announced there will be three members of the 2025 class: Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner. We all knew that Ichiro and Sabathia would get in this year in their first try, and they'll be joined by Wagner, who gets in on his 10th and final try. Pretty cool. You know what's...

Presumably because of the brutal cold gripping the Midwest, the folks at Marquee decided to share a clip of one of the greatest regular season games I've ever seen (thankfully from the warm confines of a bar): that ungodly cold, massive come-back win over the Braves in April 2018. I love everything about that game. So, I'll spare the narrative - in case you've forgotten any of the game and...

The Chicago Cubs - I must reiterate! - would be looking at reclamation reliever options no matter what else they were doing on the big league roster. So just as the Trevor Richards signing was not a "response" to missing out on Tanner Scott, this latest report has absolutely nothing to do with the whole eye-rolling Kirby Yates thing. (And there are some good late-inning arms still available.) The Cubs...

FREE AGENT RELIEVERS — When Tanner Scott left the Cubs (and their reported $66M offer) at the altar, I was bummed, but not devastated. On the one hand, it does suck to whiff on a bona fide closer when the Cubs were FINALLY willing to lay out the sort of big-money, multi-year offer it takes to get one. But on the other, I knew that Kirby Yates was still out there...

I thought I was kidding around this morning when I mentioned that the Cubs could maybe just sign Kirby Yates if the Dodgers didn't go get him, too. Like a damn idiot, I didn't think the Dodgers would ACTUALLY do that. But why wouldn't they? Of course they would: The Los Angeles Dodgers, who already have folks screaming about their payroll, have reached a tentative agreement with free-agent closer Kirby...

Easily one of the biggest moments of the Cubs Convention, and the one that left few dry eyes in the room, was when Ryne Sandberg came out onto the stage. Battling cancer once again but looking strong, Sandberg received a booming roar and standing ovation from everyone in the room. I will always remember it. And so will Ryne Sandberg: Ryne Sandberg is introduced at Cubs Convention to a rousing...

Hey, Go Bucks! I'd be lying if I said I followed Ohio State this year with an ardent fervor, but you cannot live in the Columbus area - especially as an alum - and not get a little swept up. So I was happy to see them win it last night, even if my days as a college football fan are are in the rearview. That would probably depress me...

Get all the Tanner Scott jokes out of your system and then proceed to the part where the Chicago Cubs sign lots of guys on minor league deals, and this one has nothing to do with the Cubs whiffing on Scott this weekend. Suffice to say, they still have work to do on that front. The Cubs are reportedly signing reliever Trevor Richards to a minor league deal: The Cubs...

Yes. Yes. Yes. YES. This is excellent news, my friends. According to Jordan Bastian (Cubs.com), Cubs top pitching prospect Cade Horton has already resumed light throwing off a mound and "is on target for a normal Spring Training." YAHOOOOOOOOOO. Great News for Cade Horton That is HUGE, huge news. Sure, the Cubs may still elect to slowplay Horton to start the season (both for health/safety reasons, but also to limit...

Top Chicago Cubs prospect Matt Shaw was a heavy presence this weekend at the Cubs Convention, with the future big leaguer a prominent part of any conversation that didn't focus on Sammy Sosa or Kyle Tucker. That includes the front office panel, which spoke about the opportunity that Shaw has to win the third base job and run with it. The Cubs will want to have support around him, but...

The nightmare that was the 2024 Chicago Bears season is over. Before the transactional period starts and the roster changes begin, we will recap the seasons of most of the 53-man roster. Next up: We're looking at the 2024 season of defensive lineman Montez Sweat. Montez Sweat's 2024 Snapshot Montez Sweat finished his 2024 season as the team leader in sacks, which says much more about how bad Chicago's pass...

Chicago Bears fans are flying high now that the Ben Johnson hire is officially official. But if you think you're feeling good about things right now, just imagine how Ryan Poles feels. The Bears general manager has overseen a team put up a 15-36 record in his three years running the show after Ryan Pace's dismissal. Under Ryan Poles' watch, the Bears have fired a head coach, dumped two offensive...

We can end all of the silly Kevin O'Connell trade chatter now after the Minnesota Vikings, to really no one's surprise, have extended the Coach of the Year candidate this afternoon. https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1881816391797690630 Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell is sticking around in Minnesota "Kevin is exactly who we believed him to be when we named him as our head coach – an innovative play caller, an excellent communicator, and a strong leader...

The Chicago Bears have a new head coach, and for once, they got the guy. Getting their guy is one thing, but Ben Johnson was the guy. Every fanbase of a team searching for a head coach had Johnson atop their list, and the Bears stepped up and ensured they landed him. Let's talk about the franchise's newest head coach in this week's Bears Bits. Ben Johnson Was The Guy,...

Not only is Ben Johnson's hiring as the Chicago Bears' new head coach officially official, we already have already witnessed his first pep talk. Johnson arrived at Halas Hall on Tuesday and made quite the entrance (via the Chicago Bears on Twitter/X): 🗣️ "This is exactly where we wanted to be." pic.twitter.com/mT56UoVGdl— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 21, 2025 Well, that was certainly riveting! Words from the new Bears head coach:...

It's officially official. We are in our Ben Johnson era as Chicago Bears fans. https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1881778867389800760 A statement from the new Bears head coach (via the team's official website): "The Chicago Bears are a world-class franchise with a phenomenal history and incredible fanbase," said Johnson. "I am thankful to George, Kevin, Ryan and the entire organization for presenting me and my family with this tremendous opportunity. Having been on the opposing...

The Chicago Bears have yet to make the Ben Johnson news officially official. However, his agency sent out a tweet that pretty much seals the deal as far as I'm concerned. And now, there is some new video (h/t Windy City Gridiron) of Johnson arriving at Halas Hall. It truly doesn't get much more official than this, does it? In any case, whenever the Bears *DO* make it officially official...

If you are wondering how the Chicago Bears were able to move so quickly to strike a deal with Ben Johnson, just know that you are not alone. This thing moved quickly and stunningly to the point where I am still a bit slack-jawed in amusement and amazement that this got done. Thankfully, we are starting to see pieces come together that explain how we got here. One such piece...

Day 16 of the Chicago Bears offseason. I've never had to eat crow. But if it were forced upon me, I would want it fried hard with lemon pepper and mild sauce on it. I'm not going to waste much time at the top because I have a to-do list that would make a CVS receipt blush. Here are my three favorite reactions to the Bears' pending hire of Ben...

Former New Orleans Saints Interim Head Coach Darren Rizzi is on the radar as a candidate to join Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears coaching staff. To be clear, the Johnson hire hasn't been made officially official by the Bears just yet. So there is a part of me that wants to hold my horses on that front. After all, I *AM* old enough to remember the Dave McGinnis fiasco. However, Johnson's...

While pretty much everything is a first for rookie Matas Buzelis this season, his trip to All-Star Weekend in February will be anything but. The 20-year-old has felt the bright lights of the NBA's annual extravaganza before. Playing for the G League Ignite during the 2023-24 campaign, he was one of several pre-draft players invited to the league's Rising Stars Game. And, boy, did Buzelis make the most of the...

As the Feb. 6 trade deadline inches closer, all indications are that the Chicago Bulls are open for business. A report last week stated that the organization would be "sellers" at this year's deadline. Since then, we have seen Nikola Vucevic continuously connected to the Golden State Warriors and Patrick Williams name-dropped as a change of scenery candidate. To be sure, it will be impossible to believe front office leader...

Chicago Bulls fans needed something to look forward to, and they got that something on Monday night. Matas Buzelis confirmed on Instagram that he will be the fifth Bulls player in franchise history to compete in the NBA's iconic Slam Dunk contest. He joins Orlando Woodridge (1984), Michael Jordan (1985, 1987, 1988), Scottie Pippen (1990), and Tyrus Thomas (2007) on the shortlist. While we're still waiting for the NBA to...

After failing to score a single point on Sunday night in the Chicago Bulls' loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Josh Giddey came out looking like the energizer bunny. The lead guard attempted to set the tone early with his uptempo play and decision-making. He ended up scoring or assisting on 14 of the team's first 17 points, paving the way for Chicago to go up by double digits midway...

Matas Buzelis is headed to All-Star Weekend! According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Chicago Bulls' rookie has committed to participating in this season's Slam Dunk Contest! The No. 11 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, he is expected to join Spurs lottery selection Stephon Castle in the iconic competition. This will mark the second straight year that Buzelis is part of the NBA's All-Star festivities. He competed in the Rising...

If the Chicago Bulls want to snap a five-game skid, they will have to slow down James Harden and a well-coached Los Angeles Clippers team. BRING ON THE HOOPS AFTER DARK! Game Info Chicago Bulls (18-25) at Los Angeles Clippers (24-17) – 9:30 p.m. CT on Chicago Sports Network (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Josh Giddey Zach LaVine Patrick Williams Nikola Vucevic Los Angeles Clippers James...

The Chicago Bulls have ruled out Coby White ahead of Monday's late-night meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers. On the backend of a back-to-back, White is dealing with ankle soreness. He clocked 27.0 minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, struggling with only 9 points on 4-10 shooting. This marked White's lowest-scoring effort since Nov. 27, 2024, against the Orlando Magic. While we should keep an eye out...

While a five-game losing streak suggests the Chicago Bulls are on the brink of entering tank mode, the trade deadline remains the real test. The front office has a little over two weeks to finally press self-destruct. To be sure, rumors have continued to suggest that Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley are open for business, but how willing they are to do that business in earnest remains to be seen....

Well, the Bulls are starting to look like who we thought they were. Last night's 11-point loss to one of the West's worst teams, the Portland Trail Blazers, was Chicago's fifth-straight loss and three of those came against bottom-five teams in the NBA. While it's frustrating in real-time to watch, it's likely what's best for the franchise long term. Arturas Karnisovas has sat on his hands for three straight trade...

When I stepped outside to walk my dog this morning in sub-zero temperatures, I was sporting all the typical apparel: A hoodie, insulated winter coat, hat, gloves, boots, and thick scarf. My dog didn't look a whole lot different. The 15-pound Jack Russell Terrier was wrapped in her own puffy winter coat with four rubber booties. She hates the salt. Everyone else I encountered on my quick stroll had been...

We're getting closer to the NHL's trade deadline (March 7), but the rumors are hot already. A big reason for that is the fact that 15 of the 16 teams in the Eastern Conference can plausibly argue they have a shot at making the playoffs. Which is great news for sellers this year -- including the Chicago Blackhawks. A couple good pieces this week on the subject that I recommend...

The Blackhawks played a really good team last night and almost mirrored the script from the Vegas game perfectly -- until they gave up a tying goal in the third period and lost in overtime. The difference between the two teams: Carolina's speed. The Canes are one of the fastest teams in the league and have speed from top to bottom in the lineup; you saw it on Seth Jarvis'...

I know the product the Blackhawks have put on the ice at the NHL level this season has left a lot to be desired at times, but we need a frequent reminder that this is a rebuild, and those things take time. It's about stockpiling draft capital and using picks on quality players who can help the NHL roster at some point. The Blackhawks have done the first part --...

As was the case against Vegas on Saturday night, the Blackhawks wanted to get off to a fast start. The volume of shots were heavily in favor of the Canes early in the first period, but the Blackhawks were getting really high quality chances when they got it on net. Eventually the pace of play picked up in both directions and, at the end of a first period in which...

We'll see if the Blackhawks can string together two straight good games with a very good -- but struggling -- Carolina Hurricanes team in town. And you know who could probably give the Blackhawks an in-depth scouting report? Teuvo Teräväinen. A couple notes on the lineup you're going to read below: Pat Maroon is dealing with a back issue so he gets the night off and Philipp Kurashev will draw...

Michael Russo of The Athletic reported on Monday evening that the Blackhawks are hiring former Minnesota Wild assistant general manager Chris O'Hearn as the new vice president of hockey operations. From Russo's tweet: "An attorney, O'Hearn's expertise is contract negotiations and CBA." According to EliteProspects, O'Hearn spent six years in the front office of the Coyotes, starting as the director of hockey administration in 2012 and moving up to assistant...

The game between the Canucks and Oilers got physical this weekend. And then it crossed the line -- a few times. On Monday, the NHL had to hand out punishments to a couple players who got launched from the game for dirty, dangerous hits. Among those sitting out: superstar Connor McDavid. McDavid and Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers each received a three-game suspension from the NHL Dept. of Player Safety for...

So let's take a minute to chat about this whole top line situation the Blackhawks have going on right now. I think a lot of us really like the idea of Frank Nazar being a second-line center behind Connor Bedard when he initially came up, and he was doing a really nice job at the dot and playing a good, defensively-responsible game. Then the Hawks threw him on the wing...

The Blackhawks won a game against a really good opponent -- again -- last night. Beating Vegas 5-3 was probably a result that some folks in the home town of the Golden Knights appreciated. The first period was one of the best they've played all year. The second was your classic wheels-about-to-fall-off that got bailed out by a late goal and the third period saw the Hawks get back on...

What if I told you the Blackhawks came out a little sluggish, gave up the first goal while chasing the puck and then... scored three times in the final four minutes of the first period? Yeah, it really happened. I swear it did. Nine different Blackhawks had a point in the period. It was something else. The Blackhawks out-shot the Golden Knights 13-5 in the first period. The next goal...