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MLB Mock Draft 2012: Keith Law Projects White Sox To Select 3B Richie Shaffer

2012-05-16T19:17:04Z

ESPN's Keith Law projects the Chicago White Sox to select Clemson third baseman Richie Shaffer with the No. 13 overall pick in his first mock of the upcoming MLB Draft. Shaffer is a potential slugger that could move somewhat quickly through Chicago's farm system.

Here's what Law had to say about the White Sox and Shaffer:

Shaffer has the most raw power of any college hitter in this class and has a very good chance of being a solid big league regular, but probably not a star. It'll be interesting to see if ownership allows the scouting department to spend up to the new, higher slot numbers, since they almost never exceeded the old figures. I've also heard them tied to Ohio prep lefty Matt Smoral.

Considering how weak the White Sox's farm system is, you can't really sit down and say that there's any obvious need within the organization. They can use help pretty much everywhere, making the "take-the-best-player-available" mantra especially important for them this year.

White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has generally been the cheapest owner in all of baseball when it comes to the draft, and he was a major influence in getting the major draft spending restrictions written into the new CBA. It'll be interesting to see how Chicago approaches the draft now, but one thing that shouldn't be expected is big spending.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the White Sox, head over to South Side Sox. And to learn more about the latest MLB prospect news and ratings, drop by Minor League Ball with John Sickels.

MLB Mock Draft 2012: Keith Law Projects Cubs To Select OF Albert Almora Sixth Overall

2012-05-16T19:06:44Z

In his first mock of the upcoming MLB Draft, ESPN's Keith Law projects the Chicago Cubs to select high school outfielder Albert Almora with the sixth overall pick. Almorra has been rising up draft boards lately as one of the most explosive athletes in the entire draft.

The Cubs also have their eyes California prep lefty [Max] Fried and Puerto Rico's [Carlos] Correa. Almora, who has an advanced feel for hitting and good range in center, is the likely favorite here.

Almora currently plays center field for Mater Academy Charter in Hialeh Gardens, Fla. Coming in at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, scouts have been increasingly impressed by the prep outfielder's polish despite being so young. He's not exceptionally fast, but uses strong instincts to run quality routes in center field, yielding plus results.

For more on the Chicago Cubs, check out the Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. And to learn more about the latest MLB prospect news and ratings, drop by Minor League Ball with John Sickels.

Chicago Bulls' Gar Forman Finishes 4th In NBA Executive Of The Year Voting

2012-05-16T18:36:39Z

Chicago Bulls general manager Gar Forman finished fourth in the voting for 2012 NBA Executive of the Year, as the team announced on Wednesday. This year's winner is Indiana's Larry Bird, who helped to build the team that's currently giving the Miami Heat a run for their money in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

#Bulls GM Gar Forman finishes 4th in NBA Executive of the Year award voting. Pacers' Larry Bird this year's winner.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 16, 2012

Bird finished the voting with 88 points and 12 first-place votes. San Antonio's R.C. Buford was second with 56 points and eight first-place votes while the Los Angeles Clippers' Neil Olshey finished third with 55 points and six first-place votes.

Forman didn't make any major moves with the Bulls this season, mostly choosing to keep his veteran-laden team intact. The acquisition of shooting guard Richard Hamilton, plus the drafting of European prospect Nikola Mirotic last year, could be considered two of his substantial moves.

For more on the Bulls, stick with SB Nation Chicago and make time to read Blog a Bull. For more news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Pro Soccer Returning To Wrigley Field For First Time Since 1984

2012-05-16T17:38:49Z

For the first time in over 25 years, fans will be able to travel to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field to take in a professional soccer game. As Katie Fowler of CSN Chicago reports, a friendly match between Italy's AS Roma and Poland's Zaglebie Lubin has been scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on July 22 at the Cubs' home park.

The playing field at Wrigley will run from the third base dugout to right field, which is similar to the football field layout during the 2010 Allstate Wrigleyville Classic game between Northwestern and Illinois.

The match is part of an American tour being done by AS Roma that also includes trips to Boston and New York City. The last soccer match played at Wrigley Field was back in 1984 when the Chicago Sting of the now-defunct North American Soccer League defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Tickets for the event will go on sale on Thursday, May 24 at 10:00 a.m. through this website. Tickets reportedly will cost $25 to $110 before taxes.

For more on Cubs, check out the team blog Bleed Cubbie Blue . To keep tabs on AS Roma before their Wrigley visit, check out Chiesa Di Totti, SB Nation's AS Roma team blog.

Ex-White Sox Pitcher Kevin Hickey Passes Away At 56

2012-05-16T17:00:15Z

Chicago White Sox batting practice pitcher Kevin Hickey was found unresponsive in his hotel room on April 5 prior to the team's opening day game vs. the Texas Rangers, and today he passed away at the age of 56.

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our teammate and colleague Kevin Hickey.RIP Kevin
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 16, 2012

Hickey was a one-time softball and semi-pro baseball player in the 1970s in Chicago when he was offered a contract by the the White Sox after the team held an open tryout at Comiskey Park. He would go on to pitch three seasons for the Southsiders from 1981-1983 before returning to the majors with the Baltimore Orioles, where he would pitch for three more seasons from 1989-1991.

Hickey posted a career ERA of 3.91 in 232.2 innings pitched in his career, picking up nine wins and 17 saves.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the White Sox, head over to South Side Sox. For more news, notes and analysis from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

White Sox Vs. Angels Preview: Gavin Floyd To Face Slumping Halos

2012-05-16T16:42:48Z

The Chicago White Sox will travel to start a two-game series on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Chicago White Sox blew a 6-0 lead by allowing eight runs to the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning on Tuesday at U.S. Cellular Field. On Wednesday, the South Siders jet out to California for a two-game series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim before a weekend set against the Cubs at Wrigley.

Gavin Floyd takes the mound for Chicago on Wednesday. The 29-year old righty has been very good for Chicago this season. Floyd enters at 3-3 with a 2.53 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. He'll be opposed by the Angels' Jerome Williams. Williams, a 30-year old righty, comes into the game at 3-1 with a 4.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.

Game Date & Time: Wednesday, May 16, 2012; 9:05 p.m.

Location: Angel Stadium of Anaheim; Anaheim, CA

TV: CSN+

Bears Roster 2012: Chris Williams Officially Moving To Tackle, According To Source

2012-05-16T16:29:43Z

What was once rumor is now fact, according to ESPN Chicago's Michael C. Wright. The Chicago Bears are officially moving ex-first round pick Chris Williams back to tackle after starting him at left guard for each of the past two seasons.

Williams is expected to compete for the team's starting left tackle spot along with incumbent starter J'Marcus Webb and possibly right tackle Gabe Carimi. Chicago's offensive line has been a sore spot for years running, but the new Bears brain trust, led by first year general Phil Emery, did not decide to address the team's pass protection in this year's draft.

Per Wright, Williams hasn't started a game at tackle since Week 2 of the 2010 season against the Dallas Cowboys, a game in which Williams injured his hamstring on the opening drive. His final start prior to that was in the opener against the Detroit Lions, in which the Bears infamously gave up four sacks.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears, be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. And drop by SB Nation NFL news hub for more updates and commentary from around the league.

Dale Sveum and Bob Brenly Have Some (Crackpot) Theories on How to Fix the Cubs

2012-05-16T16:20:45Z

Dale Sveum sits in his office seething. 7-6 loss to the division-leading Cardinals and he replays the missed opportunities in his mind. The room smells of cigarette smoke and microwaved taquitos - the typical smell of a man coming to grips with big-league mortality. Something is off. Sveum dons his favorite (and supposedly lucky, or so he thought) red hunting cap. He keeps the bottle of Wild Turkey within arms reach. He grabs the bottle and takes a long pull. Managing a last place ballclub is not for the faint of heart, especially if your decisions are contributing to the losses. The losses are piling up. His eating habits are shit, and to make matters worse, he missed his scheduled doctor's appointment for the second straight time.

Something is off and Dale Sveum aims to fix it. In what will surely qualify as one of his smarter decisions this year, Sveum summons the reporters to his office. The reporters file in, microphones in hand. Sveum clears his throat, takes another pull from the bottle and begins his declaration.

SVEUM: Ladies and gentlemen, I've called you here today...

REPORTER 1: Why did you pitch to Molina?

REPORTER 2: Has the clubhouse turned on Kerry Wood?

REPORTER 3: Can Anthony Rizzo play 3^rd base and can Brett Jackson catch? My readers would like to know.

SVEUM: Enough! You will write my story. I will NOT write yours.

The room turns quiet after witnessing Sveum accidentally knock over the bottle of Wild Turkey. They know he's liable to snap even more violently at the slightest disturbance.

SVEUM: Like I was saying...I've called you here today to deliver a message of CHANGE. The...

REPORTER 1: Are you stepping down as Cubs manager?

REPORTER 2: Has Kerry Wood been released?

REPORTER 3: Do you consider bunting every at-bat a viable offensive strategy?

Sveum finishes off the bottle and breaks it across the table. He tightly grips the piece in his hand and jabs it towards the reporters.

SVEUM: The next person to interrupt me will be blogging from a hospital bed!

SVEUM: OK, now that we're on the same page, I can deliver my message of CHANGE. As an organization, from top to bottom, we need to take a different approach towards evaluating our team. We cannot continue to rely on outdated teaching methods and misleading statistics. We need to be on the cutting edge. We need to start imagining new ways to define success in this league. I believe, with the help of my red hunting cap, Wild Turkey, and a couple games of 3-card Solitaire, I have found the solution. I'm not reinventing the wheel or anything, but prepare to be amazed.

Sveum pauses for effect

SVEUM: Series-splits. You hate 'em. I hate 'em. So we're just going to do away with them. In this game we need results - a clear winner and loser. Series' need to be won, not split. So starting today, the Chicago Cubs, as an organization, are going to refer to series splits as series victories. Think of it as rounding up. By my count, we've won five of eleven series' this year. That's not perfect, but we're on the right track. We're trying to win more than we lose, and redefining words to suit our purposes is just the way to do that. I'll take questions now.

REPORTER 1: I can get a column out of that!

REPORTER 2: Is it safe to say that approximately two unnamed players are furious with the declaration you delivered five seconds ago?

REPORTER 3: How does any of this pertain to Junior Lake?

Meanwhile, Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly gets to work on the tape. He has committed roughly 1.4 million dollars towards converting his home into the world's largest Instant Replay center, catering to all of the major American sports. Brenly just wants the possibility of human error removed from the game. He would prefer machines to do the job of humans, provided they can do a better job. And they can. Just ask him. When he is not announcing Cubs games, Brenly is fine-tuning the Instant Replay technology he will present to MLB this offseason. We asked him about Sveum's comments.

BRENLY: Interesting. Very interesting. I would have loved to "round up," so to speak. Anything to trick the guys into thinking we were doing good. But we're getting away from the real issue here. Umpires are ruining the game of baseball. Do you know what percentage of calls they get right? It's not 100, I can tell you that much. WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY. It won't slow the game down any more than a manager coming out to argue a call. We have a guy up in the booth who can quickly review every call and then buzz the crew chief down on the field when a call needs to be overturned. Or better yet, we can replace the human umpires with robot umpires and assure all of the calls will be right in the first place. China, I believe, has already implemented this strategy with great success.

Point is, with the correct calls, Dale Sveum might win more games. He also might lose more games. Doesn't matter to me. It's not even June yet and I feel like we're in the dog days . Christ, pass the Wild Turkey. You drank it all? Damn you.