Steele Injury Watch, Who Replaces Him, Leiter and Neris, and Other Cubs Bullets

If you missed it yesterday, I’m dealing with some more-serious-than-I-realized back issues, and it’s making it very difficult to do normal things until I get it sorted out. There are stretches of time when I generally feel fine and undisturbed, and there are stretches where sitting (or laying) and trying to write feels impossible. I’m going to keep trying to keep the coverage as close to normal as possible because it’s what I WANT to do, but please understand if I’m just not quite as responsive or prompt as I usually am.

  • Speaking of injuries, I expect we’re going to hear about Justin Steele’s hamstring today when the media arrives at the ballpark to talk to Craig Counsell. Based on the manager’s comments after Thursday’s game, I don’t expect to be in for good news. A “mild” hamstring strain would be bad enough, but anything worse than that and I’m gonna be fetal for a little while. You simply could not pick a more perfect player to hit with the injury stick if you were really trying to hurt the 2024 Chicago Cubs.

  • Either way, we know an Injured List stint is coming, and we know Steele’s next time up in the rotation comes on Wednesday. So, barring a weather-impacted game early next week (certainly possible), the Cubs will need a fill-in starter. The Cubs could go short-term with a one-off start (optioning a pair of relievers up and down around that start in order to steal a free arm for the bullpen for 10 days bookending the start), or they could more strictly insert someone into the rotation starting Wednesday, until Jameson Taillon is ready to go in a few weeks (hopefully). The latter is my guess, though there are certainly ways to get creative (and more so if Steele is going to miss 60+ days and could go on the 60-day IL, which is something I’m deeply sorry for even saying out loud).

  • As for who that starter will be (potentially after a reliever is added for the four games UNTIL Wednesday), it could depend on how the next few days shake out. For example, if Drew Smyly is needed heavily out of the bullpen this weekend, it won’t be him. Also, if Hayden Wesneski or Ben Brown make starts at Iowa this weekend, that would take them out, too. Thomas Pannone, who threw five strong innings for Iowa last night in the opener would be the guy on rest for Wednesday, for what that’s worth. He has big league experience, but he is not on the 40-man roster.
  • All that said, any chance Tommy Birch was giving a clue here:

  • Of all the options, Ben Brown would certainly be the most exciting. You wouldn’t want him coming up and feeling like he has to “replace” Justin Steele, but you know he’s going to get big league exposure at some point this year anyway, and you know he has premium stuff. Maybe you just say what the heck and give him a few starts right now, asking only that he go a couple times through the order each time, with an understanding that it’s a limited stint and there are no expectations for him to try to prove anything. Just compete, be yourself, give the team innings, learn some things to take back to Iowa when Taillon/Steele return, and that’s it.

  • The Caleb Kilian shoulder injury sure is a bummer in timing for him right about now, because he otherwise would’ve been in the mix to get a shot, too.

  • Presently, the rotation lines up to go Kyle Hendricks tonight, Jordan Wicks tomorrow, Shota Imanaga on Monday, and Javier Assad on Tuesday.

  • This is just a set of small, relatively mundane interactions, but this is pretty darn interesting:

https://twitter.com/CubsZone/status/1773746507419656471
  • I chuckle at the idea that one of Shota Imanaga’s impressions of MLB is that guys get in brawls all the time, and Seiya Suzuki is basically like, yeah, it’s because everyone gets so excited and doesn’t try to stop it right away like in Japan. Probably a pretty good point, since I can’t remember the last time I saw a really good rumble video from an NPB game.

  • Very intriguing:

  • That’s definitely a sweeper profile, and the second one looked like a very good one (the first he completely lost). For the most part, Mark Leiter Jr.’s effectiveness is going to tethered to his signature splitter, but that pitch makes him elite against lefties. You’d love for him to have an additional weapon against righties, and that’s what the sweeper could be. You wouldn’t expect him to use it too much against lefties – tends not to be a particularly effective pitch against opposite-handed hitters – but, hey, more diversity in the arsenal is always a good thing if you can command it. Like Steven said, this is definitely going to be something to watch.

  • Speaking of things to watch, it was funny how good Hector Neris looked in the opener after his slog of a spring. I feel relatively justified in constantly reminding myself that, as an established veteran, his results in the spring simply do not predict his regular season performance. We’ll want to KEEP seeing him look like he did on Thursday, but that was pretty much the guy we expected to see all along.

  • Brandon Belt is “baffled” by the way his offseason went, without a team ever even discussing money with him. He was great last year for the Blue Jays in a match-up protected role (.254/.369/.490/138 wRC+), and it’s hard to believe there wasn’t a team out there that could’ve used his bat in a bench/DH/1B role against righties. He still wants to play, and I guess he’ll just have to wait for some injuries to mount around the league. I get that he’s about to be 36, the strikeout rate trended up, and there was a lot of batted ball luck, but yeah, not even a single offer of a big league deal anywhere. Teams clearly were projecting massive regression.

  • Oof. One of the Brewers’ top prospects:

  • That was ugly, and hopefully not as serious as it looked. Gives flashbacks of Jimmy Nelson at Wrigley Field back when he was with the Brewers.

  • Although I have nothing but well-wishes for Quero, I certainly have no love lost for the Brewers. They are BRAGGING about this:

  • Set aside whether Hoskins’ slide was dirty (questionable) or unnecessarily dangerous (definitely), and just look at the guy. He looks like the very thing he’s trying to imitate: a petulant, whiny baby. Embarrassing for him, and embarrassing for the Brewers to think this is something worth showing off. Instant relief that the Cubs didn’t sign this guy.

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 07, 2025

Chicago Cubs Announce Non-Roster Invites to 2025 Spring Training

As expected, the Chicago Cubs today announced their non-roster invites to big league Spring Training. The full list is below, with the reminder that these are the NON-40-MAN players who are coming to big league camp. So if you're wondering where someone obvious is, pretty good bet they're on the 40-man, so, yes, they'll be there. You know the minor league deal veterans already, but there are a host of...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
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Alex Bregman

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: Cubs Remain Involved, But Level-Setting Harder to Say

There's not a whole lot doing yet today on the Alex Bregman front, but there are a few updates to share, at least. First, from Bruce Levine, who says the Cubs are still working at it and seems to imply that some members of the organization might be trying to convince other members of the organization that a certain level of deal is worth it or not: Cubs remain in...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 07, 2025

What About Lefty Jalen Beeks As an Additional Depth Option for the Cubs?

The Athletic did a thing where they picked an available free a gent for each of the 30 MLB teams, and although I want to underscore that there's no "rumor" here, I did find the selection for the Cubs to be sufficiently interesting to merit a discussion. Particularly after going through the entire collection of bullpen options for the Cubs yesterday and noting how few of them throw lefty. Which...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 07, 2025

The Many New Top Chicago Cubs Prospects Lists

The many, many pre-2025 Chicago Cubs top-X-number-of-prospects lists have dropped the last couple weeks - MLB Pipeline is the only major one we're still waiting on - and if you haven't seen all or any of them, I thought I'd round them up here. I also have some thoughts. Baseball America dropped its full slate of top-30s for each organization: https://bsky.app/profile/baseballamerica.com/post/3lh22jl2hct2v No huge surprises on the list for the Cubs,...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 07, 2025
Matt Shaw, Cubs projections

Shaw and 2B-3B, Ricketts on McCaskey, Early Start, Mizuhara, Padres, and Other Cubs Bullets

I feel like a genius and an idiot: for *YEARS* I have loved peanut butter sauce as an ice cream topping, but you can't get it everywhere, and there's basically no good take-home variety. So I get it when I can get it, and otherwise am just sad. BUT THEN LAST NIGHT I WAS LIKE DUH I CAN MAKE MY OWN AT HOME! I've got this powdered peanut butter protein,...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
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Feb 06, 2025
Alex Bregman MLB Rumors Cubs

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: How Many Suitors? How Many Years? Red Sox Back-Up Plan? More

A few Alex Bregman bits to chew on as you settle down for the night ... Jon Heyman tonight writes that although Bregman is receiving "creative short-term offers," he and Scott Boras are still looking for six+ years. That tracks with Bob Nightengale's reporting earlier today. Heyman adds that the Astros actually have come up some amount from their offer from earlier in the offseason (reportedly six years and $156...

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Chicago Cubs
Michael Cerami
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Feb 06, 2025

Free Agent 3B Yoan Moncada Signs with the Angels

The Chicago Cubs, ostensibly still in the market for a free-agent third baseman, will watch one option fall off the board tonight. Former White Sox third baseman - and offseason Cubs target - Yoan Moncada is reportedly signing a modest deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Yoan Moncada to the Angels Ken Rosenthal reports the deal on X as a one-year, $5 million contract. https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1887654549227512106 Moncada, still just 29, is...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 06, 2025

Resetting the Chicago Cubs’ Excessively Crowded Bullpen Picture

Given the Ryan Brasier trade potentially capping off the Chicago Cubs' bullpen moves for the offseason, and given how much movement there has been in that group this offseason, I thought it worth a reset just to see where the Cubs stand. How many arms do they have available now for the bullpen group? How many can be moved up and down? Who is fighting for a roster spot? You...

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Chicago Cubs
Michael Cerami
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Feb 06, 2025

Let’s Look at the Cubs Payroll and Roster Implications of Signing Alex Bregman

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
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Feb 06, 2025

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: Still Holding Out for Maximum-Length Deal?

It has felt for a few days like maybe there was a thaw coming in the Alex Bregman/Scott Boras demands for a maximum-length deal in order to finally put pen to paper in free agency, but maybe that was just a vibes check that was based on nothing at all. Because, according to Bob Nightengale, nothing has changed: https://bsky.app/profile/bnightengale.bsky.social/post/3lhjifjffys2d Although we don't know exactly where the other involved parties are...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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Feb 07, 2025
Boise State takes on San Diego St. tonight

Ashton Jeanty Sees the Chicago Bears as a Potential Landing Spot

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Chicago Bears
Patrick K. Flowers
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Feb 07, 2025
Caleb Williams Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 Exit Interviews: Caleb Williams

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 quarterback Caleb Williams. Caleb Williams' 2024 Snapshot Caleb Williams' rookie season is in the books, featuring no shortage of peaks and valleys. Williams' rookie numbers weren't just the best...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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Feb 07, 2025
myles Garrett browns trade bears target

This is What a Myles Garrett Trade Could Look Like

The NFL moved so quickly during Super Bowl Week that Myles Garrett's trade request feels like it happened forever ago. Of course, we know it didn't happen forever ago. This week started with a bang as the Cleveland Browns star pass rusher put in a formal trade request, which shot to the top of the list of offseason storylines we are looking forward to watching unfold. But one thing we...

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Chicago Bears
Patrick K. Flowers
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Feb 07, 2025
What to know about Super Bowl LVII

Super Bowl LIX: Can the Eagles Derail the Chiefs Pursuit of NFL History?

The biggest storyline of this NFL season is the Kansas City Chiefs' pursuit of a historic third consecutive Super Bowl victory. Even if they fall short in Super Bowl LIX, they have already made history as the first team to win two straight Super Bowls and return to a third in a row. No team has ever won three straight Super Bowl titles, though the Green Bay Packers won three...

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Chicago Bears
Patrick K. Flowers
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Feb 07, 2025
fantasy football defense rankings

Chicago Bears 2024 Exit Interviews: Tremaine Edmunds

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 Tremaine Edmunds. Tremaine Edmunds' 2024 Snapshot There were many things to be frustrated with during the 2024 season, and Tremaine Edmunds was often on my list. Edmunds finished the...

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Chicago Bears
Patrick K. Flowers
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Feb 07, 2025
neutral site

Super Bowl LIX: Here’s How the Bleacher Nation Staff Sees Things Playing Out In New Orleans

With the Super Bowl just a couple of days away, I polled the writers at Bleacher Nation to see who they have winning Sunday's contest, and we're leaning Kansas City, but this will no doubt be the Chiefs' tallest task during their road to a potential three-peat. Here's how the Bleacher Nation staff sees Super Bowl LIX playing out on Sunday: Luis C. Medina Eagles 24, Chiefs 23 MVP: Saquon...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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Feb 07, 2025
NFL Logo on the field

More on Virginia McCaskey, Steelers Going to Dublin, Respect For Rivals, and Other Bears Bullets

Day 33 of the Chicago Bears offseason. We made it to the first Friday of February. Huzzah! I need to get my Super Bowl menu in order. And I'm sure you do, too. My friend Jim offered up the suggestion of these buffalo chicken wontons, which appear to be DELICIOUS. More condolences from around the league after Virginia McCaskey's passing: The Packers send their deepest condolences to the McCaskey and...

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Chicago Bears
Patrick K. Flowers
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Feb 07, 2025
jared allen in post bears

Around the NFL: Annual Awards, Hall of Fame Class of 2025, Remembering McCaskey, More

We're just over 48 hours from the Super Bowl on Sunday in New Orleans. Still, there's plenty to discuss around the league, including the NFL Honors results, the Pro Football Hall of Fame's newest class, the passing of Virginia McCaskey, and more in today's NFL Notes. The Football World Mourns the Passing of Virginia McCaskey Virginia Halas McCaskey, the majority owner and matriarch of the Chicago Bears, passed on Thursday...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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Feb 06, 2025

NFL World Reacts to News of Virginia McCaskey Passing Away

Today, we were saddened to learn of the passing of Bears owner and team matriarch Virginia McCaskey. For more details, please readย our initial report on the news. The death of Virginia Halas McCaskey means that the NFL has lost a legacy. Mrs. McCaskey had been the Chicago Bears' principal owner since 1983 when her father, George Halas, passed away. The Bears matriarch has seen the NFL evolve from an upstart...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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Feb 06, 2025
josh sweat eagles bears

Josh Sweat is a Player Bears Fans Should Watch Closely During Super Bowl LIX

Today, we were saddened to learn of the passing of Bears owner and team matriarch Virginia McCaskey. For more details, please readย our initial report on the news. The battle for Super Bowl supremacy will be won in the trenches โ€” and Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Josh Sweat figures to be in the middle of the action. Chicago Bears fans โ€” who are understandably obsessed with the idea of their favorite...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
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Feb 07, 2025

So the Bulls Are Rebuilding, Right? Here is Arturas Karnisovas’ Answer

Chicago Bulls fans didn't get many answers at this trade deadline, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. Confronted with a seemingly confused group of local reporters on Thursday afternoon, Arturas Karnisovas was pressed about the organization's philosophy. He fielded repeated questions about their failure to accumulate additional assets and the franchise's sense of urgency to improve their lottery odds ahead of a wildly praised 2025 NBA Draft. The...

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Chicago Bulls
Matt Rooney
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Feb 07, 2025
Jimmy Butler Intro Warriors

Of Course Jimmy Butler is Expected to Make His Warriors Debut in Chicago

In a twist of fate that will only further irk Bulls fans, Jimmy Butler is expected to make his Warriors debut on Saturday night at the United Center. Butler, of course, was traded by the Heat to the Warriors a night before the trade deadline. He also agreed to a two-year, $121 million contract extension with Golden State shortly after the deal was announced. https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/1887698672286376408 Jimmy Butler's Return A Stark...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
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Feb 07, 2025

AK Can’t Pick a Lane, So Many Guards, Torrey Craig Finds a New Team, and Other Bulls Bullets

The Chicago Bulls served as a generous portion of Nothing Pie during each of the last three NBA trade deadlines. This year, the slice at least had some whipped cream on top. I'm not going to go as far as saying that Arturas Karnisovas deserves credit for moving on from Zach LaVine, but it was a box that desperately needed to be checked. The problem is that making that move...

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Chicago Bulls
Matt Rooney
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Feb 07, 2025

Warriors Reportedly Tried to Strike Last Second Deal with Bulls for Nikola Vucevic … But Nothing

The trade deadline came and went yesterday without any additional moves by the Bulls. Obviously, they were able to deal Zach LaVine for a somewhat underwhelming return on Sunday. But hey, at least they were finally taking the leap and selling off pieces, right? Guess again! While moving on from Zach LaVine was an unfortunate but necessary decision, the handling of the rest of the roster felt like yet another...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
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It’s All Still A Big Hot Mess for the Chicago Bulls

I had a fresh bouquet ready to deliver to the Chicago Bulls' offices at the Advocate Center on Thursday afternoon. Instead, a singular tulip petal has been left at reception. Arturas Karnisovas roped everybody in when finally striking a deal for two-time All-Star Zach LaVine. Joining the De'Aaron Fox trade to San Antonio, the return left a little to be desired but still handed the Bulls some much-needed future flexibility....

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Chicago Bulls
Matt Rooney
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Feb 06, 2025

NBA Trade Deadline Recap: All the Deals From the Big Day

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone! After a chaotic last couple of days, things quieted down a bit on the actual deadline day. However, while we didn't get the most active last few hours, this ended up being one of the wildest trade deadline seasons in recent memory. It's hard to recall as many in-season trades involving players of the magnitude that we saw shipped elsewhere this season....

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
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Feb 06, 2025

TRADE: Cavaliers Add De’Andre Hunter in Deal with Hawks

Sitting 41-10 and at the top of the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers are going for it. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Cavaliers have acquired De'Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks. The deal will see Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks, and two swaps. Hunter is in the thick of a career year, averaging 19.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game off the bench. https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1887572277761343556 Cavaliers Land De'Andre...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
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Feb 06, 2025

The Bulls Have Talked to a “Group of Teams” About Coby White

Despite some indications that the trade waters have settled around the United Center, the Chicago Bulls continue to come up in rumors just hours before Thursday's 2:00 p.m. CT deadline. Nikola Vucevic remains the primary focus. While the big man told reports following Chicago's loss to Minnesota that he expects to wake up in Chicago on Friday morning, he found himself linked to the Golden State Warriors again hours later....

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
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Feb 06, 2025

Deadline Day(!), Please Keep Making Moves, Lonzo Ball Stays, Buzelis’ First Start, and Other Bulls Bullets

*walks into bunker, turns on megaphone, blares air horn* UP AND AT 'EM, CADETS! MAN YOUR STATIONS, CADETS! SOUND THE ALARM! TURN ON SHAMS CHARANIA'S NOTIFICATIONS! TRADE DEADLINE DAY IS HERE! While I've done no research to back this up, I still feel confident declaring this the craziest NBA trade deadline ever. We have had multiple All-Star players on the move, headlined by a Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis trade...

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Chicago Bulls
Matt Rooney
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Feb 06, 2025

Sounds Like Nikola Vucevic is An Option For the Warriors Even After Jimmy Butler Trade

Buckle up and hold onto your hats! It's deadline day, everybody! We have about five hours remaining until the NBA trade deadline at 2:00 PM central time. The biggest moves have likely come and gone with Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, De'Aaron Fox, Brandon Ingram, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Davis all having been dealt. However, the Chicago Bulls still have Nikola Vucevic and a few more pieces to potentially ship off,...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 07, 2025
Ethan Del Mastro Frank Nazar Alec Martinez Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks vs Predators โ€” Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

The Blackhawks have two games -- in two days -- left before the 4 Nations Face-Off break and things got a lot harder with the loss of Jason Dickinson on Wednesday night. Both games are against struggling division rivals, so we'll see if the Hawks can put together a full 60-minute game tonight and get a win against a Predators team that's massively underwhelming after a big summer. Broadcast Info...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
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Feb 07, 2025
Connor Bedard Nick Foligno

Life Without Dickinson, the Plan in Net, Wirtz on McCaskey, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The Blackhawks play their final home game before the two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tonight with the Nashville Predators in town. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks will have to face a team that, despite their awful record, is still offensively gifted with names like Stamkos and Forsberg out there. And the Blackhawks will have to do it without Jason Dickinson. We got some relatively encouraging news on Dickinson on Thursday,...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
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Feb 07, 2025
Connor Bedard Chicago Blackhawks

Let’s Talk About the Connor Bedard Criticism

So we'll just go ahead and get the Friday party started with the topic du jour in Chicago and beyond in the hockey world lately. Let's all criticize Connor Bedard! Over the weekend, Mark Messier hopped on ESPN and threw some shade at Bedard. He went as far as to say the Blackhawks should take ice time away from Bedard because of what Messier perceived as less-than-full effort defensively on...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
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Feb 06, 2025
Jason Dickinson Chicago Blackhawks

Good(?) News on Jason Dickinson

The Blackhawks practiced on Thursday afternoon after their tough overtime loss to Edmonton late on Wednesday night. Not on the ice: veteran center Jason Dickinson, who suffered what appeared to be a nasty injury during the second period. Dickinson was seen leaving the United Center in a walking boot. The hope was that the severity wasn't as bad as it certainly looked when he left the ice with assistance. After...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
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Feb 06, 2025
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NHL Insider Talks Blackhawks Trade Buzz, Rantanen Trade Fallout, Future Contract Strategy

On Thursday morning, Elliotte Friedman dropped a loaded written version of his "32 Thoughts" and there are some good Blackhawks-centric nuggets in there. Here's what got my attention: Blackhawks trade buzz I noted in my bullets this morning that there were 14 teams represented in the press box scouting the Blackhawks-Oilers game. Friedman notes a light schedule and the looming two-week break meant there was plenty of attention in Chicago...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
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Feb 06, 2025
Jason Dickinson Chicago Blackhawks

Dickinson Concern, More Bedard Criticism, Scouts Galore, 49 for Lardis, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The Blackhawks lost a hard fought game to the Oilers in overtime last night. They showed a lot of mettle, battling back from a two-goal deficit in the third period to tie the game late. But a bad penalty in overtime cost them the second point in the standings. The result of the game last night isn't much of a concern if we're honest. What is a major concern is...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
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Feb 06, 2025
Aidan Thompson DU University of Denver

Blackhawks College Prospects: Ranked Matchups, Beanpot Championship on Tap

We're now into February, and Blackhawks prospects continue to put up solid numbers across college hockey. There are some really good ranked matchups this weekend, with Denver and Providence both playing important conference matchups. And, Monday night, Boston University will face Boston College in a hyped Beanpot championship game. Here's this weekend's schedule for the Blackhawks' prospects in action. And, again, make sure you vote every day for one of...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Arvid Soderblom Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks 3, Oilers 4 (OT) โ€” Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The good news when a game starts at almost 9 PM local is the first period flew by and neither team scored. With a little under eight minutes left in the first period, this ridiculous sequence by Arvid Sรถderblom and Connor Murphy kept the game tied at zeroes. Oh my Arvid Soderblom, what a saveMurphy helps out too with a stop of his own pic.twitter.com/Wu11sUNd07— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) February 6, 2025...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Colton Dach Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Assign Levshunov AND Dach to Rockford, Activate Smith

Before Wednesday's game, the Blackhawks announced a few roster moves. The team formally activated veteran forward Craig Smith from IR. To make room on the roster, they needed to assign at least one player to Rockford. The Blackhawks sent both Artyom Levshunov and Colton Dach to the IceHogs. We knew Levshunov was headed back to Rockford without playing a game when he joined the Blackhawks earlier this week; the intent...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Jason Dickinson Chicago Blackhawks Connor McDavid

Blackhawks vs Oilers โ€” Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Yes, the Blackhawks are back on national television. And yes, it's against a really good team with legit championship aspirations. And yes, they're sitting a couple young guys in the press box again. But... this one's at home? And... yeah. That's all I've got. Get ready for a late night if you're attending because this is the second game of the night on TNT. Broadcast Info Puck Drop: 8:45ish PM CT...

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation. You can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation, on Bluesky at @Brett-Taylor, and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

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Chicago Cubs Announce Non-Roster Invites to 2025 Spring Training

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Shaw and 2B-3B, Ricketts on McCaskey, Early Start, Mizuhara, Padres, and Other Cubs Bullets

I feel like a genius and an idiot: for *YEARS* I have loved peanut butter sauce as an ice cream topping, but you can't get it everywhere, and there's basically no good take-home variety. So I get it when I...

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: How Many Suitors? How Many Years? Red Sox Back-Up Plan? More

A few Alex Bregman bits to chew on as you settle down for the night ... Jon Heyman tonight writes that although Bregman is receiving "creative short-term offers," he and Scott Boras are still looking for six+ years. That tracks...

Free Agent 3B Yoan Moncada Signs with the Angels

The Chicago Cubs, ostensibly still in the market for a free-agent third baseman, will watch one option fall off the board tonight. Former White Sox third baseman - and offseason Cubs target - Yoan Moncada is reportedly signing a modest...

Resetting the Chicago Cubs’ Excessively Crowded Bullpen Picture

Given the Ryan Brasier trade potentially capping off the Chicago Cubs' bullpen moves for the offseason, and given how much movement there has been in that group this offseason, I thought it worth a reset just to see where the...

Let’s Look at the Cubs Payroll and Roster Implications of Signing Alex Bregman

Based on some scattered quotes from ownership โ€” as well as where Jed Hoyer's front office wound up last season โ€” our initial expectation for the Cubs 2025 payroll was right around the first tier of the luxury tax threshold (up...

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: Still Holding Out for Maximum-Length Deal?

It has felt for a few days like maybe there was a thaw coming in the Alex Bregman/Scott Boras demands for a maximum-length deal in order to finally put pen to paper in free agency, but maybe that was just...

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Bencic vs. Krueger Prediction at the Abu Dhabi WTA Women’s Tennis Open – Saturday, February 8

On Saturday, Belinda Bencic (No. 157 in the world) faces Ashlyn Krueger (No. 51) in the final at the Abu Dhabi WTA Women's Tennis Open.Bencic is the favorite (-250) to win the tournament against Krueger (+200).Abu Dhabi WTA Women's Tennis...

ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament Schedule Saturday, February 8: Matchups & TV/Live Stream Info

The schedule at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament on February 8 includes two matches, among them Carlos Alcaraz (ranked No. 3) against Hubert Hurkacz (No. 21). For live coverage of matches, and highlights, tune into Center Court and Center...

Badosa vs. Siniakova Prediction at the WTA Doha, Qatar – Sunday, February 9

In the Round of 64 at the WTA Doha, Qatar on Sunday, Katerina Siniakova (ranked No. 54) meets Paula Badosa (No. 10).Compared to the underdog Siniakova (+280), Badosa is favored (-400) to advance.WTA Doha, Qatar InfoTournament: The WTA Doha, QatarRound:...

Chiefs vs. Eagles Super Bowl DFS: Player Tips and Picks

The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will meet in the Super Bowl, on Sunday, Feb. 9 at Caesars Superdome, and we offer DFS suggestions below.Chiefs vs. Eagles Game InfoGame Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025Time: 6:30 p.m. ETVenue: Caesars SuperdomeLocation:...

South Dakota State vs. Oral Roberts Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits (20-3) bring a 10-game win streak into a home matchup with the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (18-5), winners of six straight.In its most recent game, South Dakota State defeated North Dakota on Wednesday, 66-45. Brooklyn...

Cleveland State vs. Oakland Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies (8-14) will visit the Cleveland State Vikings (19-5) after losing three road games in a row.In its previous game, Cleveland State topped Detroit Mercy on Thursday, 72-55. Jordana Reisma scored a team-high 21 points (and added...

How to Watch Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Central Michigan Chippewas Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

The Marshall Thundering Herd (7-16) take on the Central Michigan Chippewas (9-13) on February 8, 2025.On Wednesday, in its last game, Marshall fell to Louisiana 92-88. With 27 points, CC Mays was its high scorer. Central Michigan won its previous...

Bucknell vs. Army Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Army Black Knights (16-4) will try to build on a three-game winning streak when they visit the Bucknell Bison (11-10) on February 8, 2025 at Sojka Pavilion.Bucknell lost its most recent game to Navy, 79-75, on Saturday. Isabella King...

How to Watch Le Moyne Dolphins vs. Mercyhurst Lakers Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

NEC play on Saturday will see the the Le Moyne Dolphins (3-18) host the Mercyhurst Lakers (8-13) at Ted Grant Court, tipping off at 12:00 PM ET.In its previous game, Le Moyne fell to Saint Francis (PA) on Thursday, 66-60....

How to Watch Canisius Golden Griffins vs. Merrimack Warriors Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

MAAC action features the Canisius Golden Griffins (5-16) at home against the Merrimack Warriors (9-12) on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET.On Thursday, in its most recent game, Canisius lost to Quinnipiac 56-41. With nine points, Jaela Johnson...

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