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Colson Montgomery Offers Insights On MLB Network Segment

By
ChiSoxFanMike
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Mar 1, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery against the Cleveland Guardians during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Colson Montgomery has been an integral part of the White Sox future ever since the team drafted him 22nd overall in the 2021 draft. Now 22 years old and the #37 prospect in baseball per MLB.com’s list, Montgomery was on MLB Network’s Hot Stove with Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds earlier today. The White Sox top prospect provided some interesting insights as he prepares for the 2025 season. 

Montgomery’s Offseason Training Regimen

Montgomery talked about how he has been busy training with the Bledsoe Agency in Nashville this offseason alongside other current big leaguers. Jake Burger, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Brandon Lowe are just a few of the players Montgomery mentioned as peers who also train at the facility during the offseason. He went on to say that training with established MLB players has been beneficial for his development in terms of being able to pick their brains and ask questions. 

Adding Strength And Muscle

Montgomery also mentioned how adding strength and muscle has been his priority since getting drafted. Thanks to the White Sox strength coaches and the coaches as part of the Bledsoe agency, Montgomery has become bigger and stronger as he has matured physically. Getting as strong as possible is not his goal, however. Montgomery elaborated that he wants to continue building muscle but doesn’t want to get too big, as staying at shortstop long-term is his ultimate goal. He believes he has the athleticism to do so. 

Competing For Starting Shortstop Job

The White Sox will have many spots on the big league roster up for grabs this spring, with the starting shortstop job being one of them. Montgomery revealed that he is going into the spring with the expectation that he will compete for the starting shortstop role and is eager to take on the challenge. The team has several potential candidates who could fill the role, but Montgomery said he looks forward to the opportunity and competition with the other players on the roster.

Down 2024 Season

2024 was the worst season of Montgomery’s professional career to date. In 130 AAA games, he hit just .214 while striking out almost 29% of the time. That said, there were still some positives in his 2024 campaign. He hit 18 home runs, stole eight bases, and walked 12% of the time. It is also worth noting that Montgomery was over four years younger than the average player at the AAA level last season, so some growing pains were to be expected. Development isn’t always linear. Montgomery’s somewhat down 2024 season hasn’t changed his mindset or the expectations he has for himself as he looks forward to 2025.

Pivotal Year Ahead

Colson Montgomery is finally at the point where he is knocking at the door of the big leagues and ready to prove the potential he has always had. Even if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster initially, White Sox fans should expect him to make his MLB debut sometime this season. He will be an integral part of what the team hopes to achieve moving forward. 2025 will be a pivotal season for Montgomery as he looks to establish himself as a big leaguer.

Former White Sox Manager Jeff Torborg Remembered for Leadership and Legacy

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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2002, Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Florida Marlins manager Jeff Torborg at Dolphin Stadium during the 2002 season. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

The true measure of a great manager isn’t always reflected in his win-loss record but in the respect he commands from his players in the locker room. Jeff Torborg undoubtedly earned that respect during his three seasons with the White Sox. While his time on the South Side was brief, his impact on the team and its culture was undeniable.

Torborg died on Sunday at the age of 83 in his hometown of West Field, New Jersey. A cause of death was not given in a social media announcement from the White Sox.  

The New Jersey native spent his ten-year playing career on the West Coast, playing seven seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers before spending his final three seasons with the California Angles. During that time he won a World Series with the Dodgers in 1965 and caught Sandy Kofax’s perfect game against the Cubs that same season. Eight years later he was Nolan Ryan’s battery mate for what would be the first of Ryan’s seven career no-hitters. 

They say catcher’s make great managers and that was certainly the case for Torborg who was named Manager of the Year with the White Sox in 1990 and finished sixth in the voting the following year. 

He joined the White Sox after spending his three seasons as a manager of the Cleveland Indians. His first season in Chicago got off to a slow start. The White Sox went 69-92, winning two fewer games than they had the previous season. But things quickly turned around in 1990. 

Torborg helped guide a young, hungry White Sox lineup featuring Lance Johnson, Sammy Sosa, Robin Ventura, and Ozzie Guillen to 94 wins, a 25-game improvement that helped him earn Manager of the Year honors. 

Torborg quickly created a bond with his players, encouraging them to wear their emotions on their sleeves and express themselves on the field. However, he also expected his players to respect the game and compete hard. 

“You were my first big league manager and I enjoyed playing for you. You gave me a chance to shine right away and I’m thankful,” Hall of Fame slugger Frank Thomas posted on X. 

Guillen called Torborg a mentor, and one of the best managers he ever played for, citing the way he would later handle the clubhouse as a manager as something he learned from watching Torborg operate. 

During an interview for the Last Comiskey documentary White Sox pitcher Donn Pall said that Torborg allowed players who were married to let their wives on the team plane, something that was unique for the majority of MLB ballclubs. White Sox outfielder Lance Johnson said added that his teammates would not let him go out after games, due to the culture that Torborg created. 

Under Torborg, Johnson started 150-plus games in three consecutive seasons, after struggling to see consistent playing time under former manager Jim Fregosi. That confidence instilled in Johnson paid dividends as One Dog would lead the league in triples the next four seasons. 

In 1991 the White Sox won 87 games, bringing Torborg’s record to 250-235 before he was replaced by Gene LaMont. He managed the final game in Old Comiskey’s Park history, beating the Seattle Mariners 2-1. Torborg went on to manage the Mets, Expos, and Florida Marlins, however, the White Sox were the only club he finished with a winning record with. He later spent time as a broadcaster.

From catching no-hitters to influencing a blossoming young White Sox team, Jeff Torborg left his mark on the game of baseball.

Ben Johnson Already Has His First Assistant Lined Up And It’s A Doozy

By
Erik Lambert
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dennis allen
Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen reacts during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Ben Johnson is coming to Chicago. He becomes the 19th head coach in Bears history, fresh off a glittering run as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. It is remarkable how quickly things came together. Many felt he might take some time to evaluate his options after the crushing loss to Washington, but he didn’t need it. The Bears had intrigued him all the way back to 2023. Once it became clear they were interested, everything fell into place. Belief is Johnson wanted to move fast because he aimed to assemble the best possible coaching staff he could.

Well, he’s not wasting any time. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, he already has a defensive coordinator in mind. Former head coach Dennis Allen is the current favorite for the position. Since 2011, he has produced a top-10 defense five times across Denver, Oakland, and New Orleans. He’s known for being highly intelligent with a knack for frustrating quarterbacks. His head coaching experience means he will be able to run the defense without much input from Johnson.

A smart hire all around.

Ben Johnson has one key spot filled. One more remains.

Anybody who has followed the NFL long enough knows this. The two most important hires for an offensive-oriented head coach are the defensive coordinator and the offensive line coach. It is a safe bet Chris Morgan won’t remain in the latter spot with Ben Johnson taking over. The two have no history and Williams just got sacked 67 times last season. A change is needed. Some believe Johnson may try prying Hank Fraley away from Detroit with a promotion to offensive coordinator. He’s been one of the best line coaches in the league over the past couple of years. It would be a coup to get him. Regardless, the addition of Allen is a strong opening salvo from the Bears’ new head coach. Here’s hoping more are on the way.

REPORT: Chicago Bears Make It Happen, Hiring NFL’s Most Coveted Coach

By
Erik Lambert
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ben johnson
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson celebrates a play against Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

Things move fast in the NFL. Unfortunately, that is almost never the case for the Chicago Bears. They’ve often had a reputation for being glacial in their operations. That wasn’t going to happen this time. It became clear after the regular season ended that Ben Johnson was their preferred candidate for head coach. The problem is the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator was in high demand. Many wondered if the Las Vegas Raiders, led by new part-owner Tom Brady, might steal him away. In the end, GM Ryan Poles and team president Kevin Warren got it done. Johnson is set to become the Bears’ 19

This move feels like something that has never happened with the Bears before. It never felt like they landed the most coveted candidate during any previous coaching cycle going back decades. Johnson was a premium target last year before returning to Detroit. This year was no different. Many teams wanted him. In the end, the Bears had the right pitch and the right bait. Just 48 hours after the Lions’ season ended, the franchise has their new head coach.

The Chicago Bears’ mission was crystal clear.

It was doing everything in its power to maximize Williams. He has the capability to become a star. For that to happen, he needs the right coach to bring it out of him. Johnson was masterful for three years in Detroit, reviving Jared Goff’s career after many wrote him off as a lost cause in L.A. He’s also a big proponent of a strong ground attack, which fits Chicago perfectly. The path ahead is clear. Poles must utilize every resource available to overhaul the Bears’ struggling offensive line. If he can get that squared away, the offense on the horizon could be one the best this organization has seen in many years.

Ben Johnson To The Bears Just Got A Huge Jolt Of Momentum

By
Erik Lambert
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ben johnson
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson calls a play against Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

Ben Johnson has been a hot name since before the Chicago Bears head coaching carousel began. Rumors indicated he was interested in the job as far back as last January. Johnson knew the team held the #1 overall pick and would likely draft Caleb Williams. Johnson is a big fan of the former USC star. Unfortunately, Chicago opted to give head coach Matt Eberflus another year. As a result, Johnson opted to stay in Detroit. Now, Eberflus is gone, and the job is available. Could everything come together?

The past week has suggested it wouldn’t be the case. Many around the league felt the Las Vegas Raiders, led by part-owner Tom Brady, were making a strong push to lure Johnson. They’re even interviewing a GM candidate with direct ties to him. However, two prominent insiders have changed the outlook of this situation. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports started it by saying there is a “lot of talk” about Johnson and Chicago. Then Josina Anderson, who is notorious for not giving many details, dropped a bombshell stating Johnson is “deeply considering” the position.

Ben Johnson has likely known where he’s going for some time.

That doesn’t mean he was going to make a rash decision. He met with the three teams that interested him: Chicago, Las Vegas, and Jacksonville. The Jaguars likely fell out of the race early because of their refusal to fire embattled GM Trent Baalke. The Raiders have money, Brady, and a vacant GM spot. Unfortunately, they also have no quarterback and sit in arguably the league’s toughest division. Chicago has been plagued by dysfunction of their own, but they have Williams. He had a solid year despite atrocious issues around him. The team has talent at several spots. A good coach could make them a playoff contender almost immediately. If Ben Johnson takes the job, that will be why.

Cubs Moving on to Next Free Agent Closer

By
Aldo Soto
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Jun 3, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Carlos EstŽvez (53) celebrates after the game against the San Diego Padres at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After losing out on Tanner Scott to the Los Angeles Dodgers the Chicago Cubs are now moving their attention to free agent closer Carlos Estévez.

The Cubs reportedly did go out of their comfort zone when pursuing Scott, who ultimately signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Dodgers. The Cubs, who have not signed a free agent reliever to more than a three-year contract since Craig Kimbrel in 2019, are said to have offered Scott a $66 million deal over four years.

Now that Scott is off to LA, the Cubs are shifting their focus to Estévez, the 32-year-old righty who has 57 saves in the past two seasons. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, who was all over the recent interest by the Cubs in Tanner, reported on Sunday that Estévez is on the Cubs’ radar.

Estévez began his MLB career with the Colorado Rockies, pitching for the NL West club from 2016-22. The right-hander has found recent success, posting a 3.22 ERA from 2023-24.

In 2024, Estévez recorded a 2.45 ERA in 54 games between his time with the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies. He lowered his walk rate, which was at 11% in 2023 and sits at 9% during his career to 5.7%, which is good to see. However, the strikeout rate also decreased, as Estévez ended the season with a 23.6 K%.

There should be no issue fitting Estévez into the Cubs’ payroll in 2025. He was projected to sign a three-year, $27 million deal by MLBTR and Fangraphs also estimated a $9 million salary for Estévez at the start of free agency.

Besides Estévez, the Cubs have also had interest in veteran closers Kirby Yates and Kyle Finnegan this offseason.

Adam Schefter Reveals When Ben Johnson Hire Will Likely Happen

By
Erik Lambert
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caleb williams
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), left, talks to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson before a play against Chicago Bears during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024.

The Chicago Bears have stayed patient with their coaching hire up until now. It has been over two weeks since the regular season ended. In that time, the organization has met with 17 different candidates for the job, but none for the critical second time. That is expected to change this week, with several top options becoming available after their teams fell in the playoffs. None are bigger than Ben Johnson. The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator is widely considered the best option on the market and likely Chicago’s #1 choice.

Debates have raged among insiders about where he’ll end up. Some believe the Las Vegas Raiders have seized the inside track thanks to Tom Brady, their new part-owner. Others think the Bears have the strongest argument due to quarterback Caleb Williams and a roster that is close to competing. Nobody knows for sure. One thing is clear, though. Adam Schefter of ESPN believes a decision will arrive by the middle of the week at the latest. He confirmed as much on The Pat McAfee Show.

Ben Johnson has three options, but it seems like two are co-favorites.

Those are Las Vegas and Chicago. The appeal of each is largely straightforward. The Raiders appear willing to offer him a massive contract and align him with a new general manager they are in the process of hiring. Chicago provides a clear option at quarterback, a better roster, and a less complicated path to the Super Bowl in the NFC. It comes down to Johnson’s priorities. If he wants more direct personnel control and (maybe) money, Las Vegas is the choice. If he’d prefer not having to go hunting for a quarterback, which can be arduous for any head coach, then the Bears are the choice.

A resolution likely arrives within the next 72 hours. It will be interesting to see who Ben Johnson meets with first. It could dictate how the process goes. Whichever team gets him in their building will put on a full-court press to ensure he doesn’t leave. Chicago has a history of not paying coaches in the past. They won’t get away with that this time. If they want their guy, it will take serious money. By most accounts, Warren is assuring everybody that the Bears are willing to pay. Maybe that is what tips the scales.

Bears Head Coach Race Likely Between Two Big Names

By
Dave
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ben johnson
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson watches warm up before the Tennessee Titans game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.

The Bears are now officially in a position to hire Ben Johnson if they choose, and Johnson is reportedly interested in the job. As of January 20th, NFL teams can make coaching hires unless they’re still in the playoffs. The Bears are considered favorites to land either Ben Johnson or Mike McCarthy, with Brian Flores also mentioned but seemingly less likely. According to Dianna Russini, Johnson is expected to finalize his schedule for in-person meetings in the coming days, with strong interest from the Raiders, Bears, and Jaguars. However, he may not meet with all three as he evaluates his options.

To gauge fan opinion, I conducted a 24-hour poll with over 7,000 votes, asking Bears fans who they preferred as head coach: Ben Johnson, Mike McCarthy, or “Other” (allowing comments for alternative suggestions). The results were surprising.

Ben Johnson received over 85% of the votes, while Mike McCarthy got only about 10.5%. Given McCarthy’s impressive resume, I was surprised by how little interest Bears fans have in him as a candidate.

It’s clear that for many fans, it’s “Ben Johnson or bust” in Chicago. Other names mentioned included Todd Monken, Kliff Kingsbury, Brian Flores, and even Jon Gruden. Despite these suggestions, it seems this is a two-horse race, with Ben Johnson being the overwhelming favorite among Bears fans.

Four Coaches Expected To Get Second Interviews With Chicago Bears

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears

This feels like the week. Most of the top head coaching candidates are now available after their teams bowed out in the playoffs. The Chicago Bears have been busy in that time. GM Ryan Poles and team president Kevin Warren interviewed 17 people for the position, 14 being virtual and three in person. Their meeting with Eddie George on Sunday brought them into compliance with the Rooney Rule. That means they are free to hire whomever they wish. Expectations are it will happen by the latter half of this week.

The obvious question is who is the likeliest to get the job. Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron has it on good authority that there are four known front-runners. Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the most obvious. Chicago’s interest in him is well-documented. Former Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy is another. The two joining them are Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

Zimmerman believes Johnson is the #1 target but fears he is leaning towards Las Vegas. In such a scenario, McCarthy and Monken could be in a two-man race.

The Chicago Bears seem to have used their time wisely.

Most experts would agree that is a solid list of options, regardless of who they choose. Johnson has been one of the hottest young coordinators in the NFL for three years, helping the Lions ascend to the top of the NFC. Flores revitalized the Vikings’ defense and had some success as a head coach in Miami before too many bad relationships in the building saw him get fired. He was college teammates with Poles as well. McCarthy won a Super Bowl in Green Bay, led Dallas to three straight 12-5 seasons, and has a winning record in 12 of his 18 years as a head coach. Monken won two national titles with Georgia, came to Baltimore, and guided Lamar Jackson to the two best seasons of his stellar career.

Of course, there is no guarantee any of them would have success if they were to get the job. Still, for the first time in years, it looks as if every candidate with a legitimate shot is actually qualified. There is no Marc Trestman or Matt Eberflus here. The Chicago Bears have done their research well. Certain fans won’t be happy with certain candidates. It is impossible to please everybody. Even so, it appears the process has at least been logical for once.

Chris Getz Is Making One Thing Very Clear

By
Craig Rowland
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Sep 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox Vice President/General Manager Chris Getz, right, speaks with Detroit Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter before the team’s game at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The 2025 season will be significantly more interesting for the White Sox, as it is likely that many of the top prospects will get an opportunity to play everyday. However, with the moves that Chris Getz has made this offseason, he has made one thing abundantly clear.

By all accounts, Chris Getz wants his prospects to get significant playing time in Chicago this year. But, he has made it clear that the job will not be handed to them in Spring Training. Getz has made multiple major league and minor league signings that can take the place of any prospect if they don’t perform well in Spring Training.

At the outset of the offseason, there wasn’t clear competition for the prospects who were looking to get playing time at the starting infield spots. There were a few incumbents, but nobody who a top prospect like Colson Montgomery couldn’t reasonably beat out.

Now, a few months in, the infield looks completely different. Getz recently added Josh Rojas on a major league deal and Bobby Dalbec on a minor league deal. At the beginning of the offseason, Getz also added Nick Maton on a minor league deal, who is also expected to compete for a spot, as he has had some success in the major leagues.

The infield is not the only place that Getz has added plenty of competition, as it extends to the outfield, pitching rotation and bullpen, as well as catcher. With the added competition, there are tons of potential combinations for the opening day roster.

At catcher, the White Sox have incumbent Korey Lee, who showed signs of being a solid player, but had a tough second half. In the offseason, they added Matt Thais and Omar Narvaez, to go along with two of their top prospects, Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero. This will be an interesting competition to watch, as both of the prospects played very well in AAA and could easily be MLB ready.

In the outfield, the White Sox went into the offseason with Andrew Benintendi, Luis Robert Jr., Dominic Fletcher, Zach Deloach, and the ever forgotten Oscar Colas. Now, they have added both Austin Slater and Mike Tauchmann on MLB deals, making the outfield even more difficult for the younger guys to crack.

On the pitching side, the White Sox have added Martin Perez, Cam Booser, Bryse Wilson, Tyler Gilbert, Penn Murfee, and Shane Smith, with a few more relievers coming in on minor league deals. This adds a ton of completion to the bullpen and the starting rotation, as the White Sox have 8-9 young pitchers vying for playing time in Chicago, whether it is in the bullpen or in the rotation.

At first glance, it seems that the White Sox are allowing average players take playing time from some of their top prospects. But, this is the best thing the White Sox could do. In the last rebuild, there was too much reliance on the prospects to pan out, leaving them with few alternatives. Now, the prospects have to earn their playing time, which can hopefully translate to sustained success.

Now, there is a fine line to all of this. Once one of the prospects shows he belongs, you immediately start to play them everyday, as there is no sense in taking at-bats or innings away from them. But, until they prove they can beat some of these players out, make them compete.

At the end of the day, I am sure the plan is to let some of these veterans get playing time to be flipped at the deadline, but if any of the prospects are showing they can play right away, Getz should not hesitate to get them on the roster. If they handle this correctly, it will turn out to be a fantastic plan.

Regardless of how it turns out, Chris Getz is making it very clear through his roster moves that there will be competition for this roster, and nothing will be given to any player who hasn’t already earned it, and on this roster, there aren’t many.

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