Cubs Send Bryant to Minors; Bulls’ Rose Practices

March 31, 2015 @ admin → No Comments

Random thoughts (well, as close as we generally come to such things around here) while wondering how many of the Chicago Cubs’ April home games will be postponed by weather and/or construction concerns:

Congratulations to 2015 Playboy Cybergirl pf the Year Khloe Terae.

* Speaking of the Cubs, highly touted power prospect Kris Bryant (9 home runs, 15 runs batted in, .425 Cactus League batting average in 40 at-bats) was sent down Monday to the minor leagues, thereby pretty much fulfilling the Cubs’ grand plan of having him for an additional season rather than have him for the start of the 2015 season. And for every fan who thinks the Cubs should have him on the big-league roster to start the season because, you know, if the Cubs fall short of the playoffs by a few games, blah, blah, blah, etc … OK, so Bryant misses a few games with the Cubs. If you’re a die-hard Cubs fan, the team is going to win the National League Central outright, right? Hey, if you’re going to be delusional, let’s do it all the way. Uh, no way.

* Speaking of the Cubs, they also sent down shortstop-of-the-future Addison Russell, who hit .324 in spring training. It likely will take an injury to Starlin Castro to have Russell playing for the Cubs any time soon. Also going to the minors: second baseman Javier Baez, who was spoken of highly by Cubs folks this spring — in batting .173 with 20 strikeouts in 52 at-bats. Maybe he can increase his trade value in the minors.

* White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, who had a planned day off Sunday, took a personal day of Monday (a 4-1 Sox loss to Cleveland). I don’t know about you, but one of these days I’d personally like to see a player take an impersonal day off.

* Speaking of players who should be in starting lineups, Bulls guard Derrick Rose participated in practice that included contract Monday. Meaning bouncing off other players’ budies, Not necessarily meaning making contact with reality. Rose reportedly was winded by the practice. Meaning he’s not quite ready to breathe title homes into the team.

* Speaking of the Bulls, they are 45-29. Pretty sure that means they have eight regular-season game remaining. Meaning there aren’t a lot of games for Rose to play in before the playoffs start — even if he’s back for the Bulls’ next game (Wednesday at Milwaukee). Something says the Bulls would be better for the rest of this season/postseason with Rose coming off the bench. Something also says that’s not going to happen.

***

Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com):