Predicting the Chicago Bears 2022 wide receiver depth chartRyan Heckmanon May 20, 2022 at 11:00 am
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Cubs’ Marcus Stroman makes smooth transition off IL in loss to Diamondbacks
Cubs managerDavid Rossbroke into a smile when he was asked about right-handerMarcus Stroman’sreturn Thursday.
”He was throwing well when he left,” Ross said. ”And, to be honest with you, the way his energy is around the clubhouse, he smiles, he’s got a good vibe about him and it just is nice to have him back walking around. And knowing he’s going to help us compete today is rewarding, for sure.”
In the Cubs’ 3-1 loss to the Diamondbacks, Stroman allowed three runs (two earned) and five hits in five innings in his first start in 2oe weeks. He was scheduled to pitch May 8, but the Cubs put him on the injured list with no designation, which generally means a COVID-related move.
Stroman played catch with relieverDavid Robertson, who was on the COVID-related IL at the same time, while they were building back for their returns.
”What I’ll look for is fatigue, just in the sharpness of the stuff, or we’ll look at the radar gun a little bit, velocity,” Ross said of monitoring Stroman’s first game back. ”And then I think it’d be natural to expect a little bit of rust, and usually that comes with command.”
For the amount of time he missed, however, Stroman didn’t look rusty.
To make room for him on the roster, the Cubs put relieverMichael Ruckeron the 15-day IL (retroactive to Tuesday) with turf toe on his left foot and transferred right-handerAlec Mills(back/quadriceps) from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL.
Heuer checks in
RelieverCodi Heuerexpects a 15- to 16-month recovery from Tommy John surgery, which would put his return around June or July 2023. He had a full reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm in March and had an internal brace put in.
Heuer has been rehabbing in Houston but joined the Cubs in Chicago this week to check in with the medical staff. He’s scheduled to start a throwing program in September.
”It’s been a great reset for me,” Heuer said of spending the week with his team. ”I didn’t get to show up to spring training with the guys, so this has been awesome. I get to see a lot of familiar faces, a lot of unfamiliar faces, a lot of new guys in here, a lot of new staff.”
Howard to have surgery
Shortstop prospectEd Howardis set to have surgery on a hip injury suffered while trying to avoid a tag on the bases, president of baseball operationsJed Hoyer said.
”The early prognosis is really good as far as a comeback,” Hoyer said, ”but that’s going to be a comeback after a lot of rehab and a lot of time.’
Cubs’ Marcus Stroman makes smooth transition off IL in loss to Diamondbacks Read More »
Who’s up next, as Cubs continue building back from trade deadline teardown?
For Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, major-league debuts are “the most enjoyable days at the ballpark.” And he witnessed two of the best he’s ever seen this week, as utility player Christopher Morel homered in his first MLB at-bat, and pitcher Brandon Hughes struck out five in 1 2/3 innings.
“It’s not even so much the debut,” Hoyer said, “but seeing them in the clubhouse before the game, they put on the uniform realizing that they get to do this, and you’re finding out their parents are flying in and all those different things. It’s really gratifying for us.”
At this point in the Cubs’ team-building cycle, Hoyer’s going to have plenty of opportunities to soak up that feeling.
The Cubs may not want to call this process a rebuild, but trading away most of the last championship core last summer while keeping “one eye on the present and one eye on the future,” is a retooling at best. Regardless of the label, the Cubs need the farm system to produce in order to pry open that next championship window.
“I’m really proud of the way the minor leagues are playing” Hoyer said of the Cubs farm system, which on Thursday included two first-place teams in their respective leagues. “You look at our record and our performance at every level, it’s been really strong. You can never have enough depth, and it never gets to a point of feeling like your system is good enough. But I feel like we’re on the right track.”
Trades in the past couple years have strengthened the lower levels especially, as the Cubs brought in young talent. But Hoyer acknowledged that those trades won’t be fully evaluated for another five or so years.
“I think that’s probably the way it should be,” he said. “I don’t think anyone should be looking at it as a passing grade at this point. They should be looking at, well, what does that net down the road?”
How did the players they acquired – whether they remained in the organization or were traded again down the line – fit into the Cubs’ larger plan? Were the Cubs able to achieve the sustained success the front office promised? And how long did it take to get there?
“I don’t wanna put exact years on it like you want me to,” Hoyer said. “I think it’s hard because we did trade for a lot of guys that were in the lower levels. … I don’t think you can tie a team’s competitiveness to a group of guys who are in the low minors. So, certainly I think a lot of those guys are going to play a big role here. But I don’t want to just think about their timeline as being our timeline.”
As Morel and Hughes’ debuts showed, the Cubs also have minor-leaguers waiting in the wings for their shot at the big-leagues.
Cubs No. 1 prospect Brennen Davis, in the minor-league IL with lower back discomfort, is rehabbing in Arizona and “will be working his way back over the next few weeks,” according to Cubs vice president of player development Jared Banner.
Davis raced up the ranks from South Bend, to Tennessee, to Triple-A Iowa last season. But he’s had a slow start to this year in Triple-A, batting .195.
“Certainly not what anyone expected, given the work in the winter and what he did in Iowa last year,” Hoyer said. “But that’s baseball. And I have no doubt that he’s going to come back stronger from this [injury].”
I-Cubs right-hander Caleb Kilian, who the Cubs acquired from the Giants in the Kris Bryant trade last summer, could be even closer to the majors.
“He’s been getting better and better with each start,” Hoyer said. “And we’re really excited about him. I can’t speak to timetables, but we’re well aware of the success he’s having.”
The Cubs will have to put Kilian on the 40-man roster by the end of the year to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. But could he be an option as soon as the end of this month, when the Cubs have two double headers in the span of a week?
“I wouldn’t speculate on that,” Hoyer said.
Next up on the Cubs’ team-building calendar is the trade deadline, in two and a half months. Hoyer said he’s always in communication with general managers around MLB, just to check in, or because they’re friends.
“People are getting a sense of what they might need or what they might do,” Hoyer said. “But as far as specific needs, no one’s doing that right now.”
Who’s up next, as Cubs continue building back from trade deadline teardown? Read More »
Jayson Tatum rocks star-studded fit with shiny chain ahead of Game 2on May 20, 2022 at 1:32 am
Pregame fashion has become woven into the fabric of the NBA, with some players building a reputation for their wardrobe selections.
1 Related
The postseason has provided entertaining hoops on the court and eye-catching fits from players off it. Stars have shown up in various attire like boxing robes, vibrant coats and sweaters. Suits, stuffed animal accessories and luxury fashion brands also have made appearances on the pregame runway during these playoffs.
Here’s a round-by-round look at some of the more stylish clothing worn by NBA players this postseason:
Conference Finals
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Game 2
Tatum’s look ahead of his matchup with the Miami Heat Thursday featured a star-patterned jacket/pants combination and neckwear with a shiny pendant.
Conference semifinals
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Game 6
Ahead of a potential series-clinching Game 6 against the Sixers, Butler rocked a tracksuit with the logo of his coffee brand, BigFace, pictured on the back. The bucket hat was a nice addition to the all-black fit.
Steven Adams and Tyus Jones, Memphis Grizzlies, Game 5
Before Game 5 against the Golden State Warriors, Adams and Jones went extremely casual with some old-school Grizzlies looks.
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns, Game 5
Ahead of Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks, Paul wore a shirt with Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February, pictured on it. The Suns also showed their support for Griner with decals on the court.
Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks, Game 3
Sometimes, basketball and football worlds overlap, and such was the case when Pinson showed love to his alma mater, arriving with a North Carolina Tar Heels letterman jacket and matching helmet.
@dallasmavs/twitter
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns, Game 3
The 17-season veteran decided to don an all-leather fit on his 37th birthday.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, Game 2
Black was the color of choice for the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader heading into Tuesday’s game, with his coat looking extra roomy.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Game 2
Tatum arrived at TD Garden on Tuesday sporting a jacket with numerous college logos. One of the featured decals is his alma mater, the Duke Blue Devils. Some other team emblems stitched on the piece include the Kentucky Wildcats, UConn Huskies, UCLA Bruins and Georgetown Hoyas.
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Round 1
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies, Game 6
Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. arrived before the series-clinching Game 6 against Minnesota wearing a multicolored Versace sweater and blue Air Jordan 1s.
After the game, Grizzlies teammate Dillon Brooks pitted his outfit against Jackson’s.
“First off, before you guys start, who has the better fit: me or Trip [Jackson]?” Brooks said.
Jackson’s fit didn’t win over Brooks, per the reporters. The 22-year-old didn’t seem bothered by the outcome.
“That’s because I’m experimental … I push boundaries,” Jackson said.
DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Game 5
Ahead of the Bulls’ win-or-go-home contest against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, DeRozan honored Illinois music artist Juice WRLD with his outfit. The Chicago guard wore a Juice WRLD Galaxy Hoodie made by fashion company Vlone. Juice WRLD, whose real name is Jarad Higgins, died of a drug overdose in December 2019.
Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets, Game 3
Simmons’ look Saturday courtside against the Boston Celtics contrasted the Nets’ black and white uniforms perfectly.
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns, Game 3
Ahead of Friday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, Paul put together an impressive suit combination. Quite the color choice.
Serge Ibaka, Milwaukee Bucks, Game 3
Ibaka has been an NBA fashion guru during his 14-year career, especially with his striking scarves during his days with the Toronto Raptors. His eccentric fashion made another appearance heading into Game 3 against the Chicago Bulls. The casual fit featured a brim hat, cardigan and a handbag.
Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics, Game 2
Smart won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, the first time a point guard has secured the honor since Gary Payton during the 1995-96 season. Given it is Smart’s first time winning DPOY, he donned a special robe that signified his accomplishment entering Game 2 against the Brooklyn Nets.
James Harden and Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers, Game 1
Harden is no stranger to luxury couture. Last year, he was seen at Paris Fashion Week and was named to the board of Saks Fifth Avenue.
Ahead of his playoff debut with the Sixers, he sported the Louis Vuitton Blue & White “Puppet” Varsity Jacket. The colorful crocheted stuffed figures pinned on the coat really make the jacket stand out.
Maxey wore No. 3 before being drafted by Philly, but since that number is retired in honor of Allen Iverson, he had a decision to make.
“All my life, I’ve worn 3. Couldn’t get that one here,” said the first-round pick.
He paid tribute to the Sixers legend by wearing an Iverson jersey that featured several photos of the Basketball Hall of Famer.
It ended up being a fitting outfit choice. Maxey’s 38 points in Game 1 were the most in a playoff opener by a 76ers player since A.I. in 2003.
Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz, Game 1
Some players have an adventurous take on fashion, while others opt for the classic suit and tie look. With a little personalization, these Jazz stars had no issues rocking the tried-and-true combination.
Clarkson donned a white Midnight Studios button-up shirt with a black tie and slacks, with the leather harness adding a modern spin on an old classic.
Bogdanovic chose a more traditional route with his all-black ensemble and a pocket square that provided a splash of color.
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors, Game 1
After missing a month with a foot injury, Curry returned to the Warriors’ lineup on April 16 against the Denver Nuggets. The coat he wore in his first game back took vibrancy to a new level.
Listen to The Ben Joravsky ShowBen Joravskyon May 19, 2022 at 11:03 pm
Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky or on the Reader’s YouTube channel—or wherever you podcast. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.
Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.
Ben Joravsky brings you hours of incisive political commentary each week. Support Ben’s tireless dedication to Chicago and become a Ben Head today.
By becoming a Ben Head you will receive a new weekly newsletter from Ben with exclusive behind-the-scenes revelations, a roadmap to all things Joravsky, and a dedicated link to the latest podcast episodes. Don’t miss this chance to dive deep into Chicago politics, sports and culture, with our Captain of Commentary, Ben Joravsky. And don’t worry, there will be Ben Head merchandise!
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Jayson Tatum rocks star-studded fit with shiny chain ahead of Game 2on May 20, 2022 at 1:32 am
Pregame fashion has become woven into the fabric of the NBA, with some players building a reputation for their wardrobe selections.
1 Related
The postseason has provided entertaining hoops on the court and eye-catching fits from players off it. Stars have shown up in various attire like boxing robes, vibrant coats and sweaters. Suits, stuffed animal accessories and luxury fashion brands also have made appearances on the pregame runway during these playoffs.
Here’s a round-by-round look at some of the more stylish clothing worn by NBA players this postseason:
Conference Finals
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Game 2
Tatum’s look ahead of his matchup with the Miami Heat Thursday featured a star-patterned jacket/pants combination and neckwear with a shiny pendant.
Conference semifinals
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Game 6
Ahead of a potential series-clinching Game 6 against the Sixers, Butler rocked a tracksuit with the logo of his coffee brand, BigFace, pictured on the back. The bucket hat was a nice addition to the all-black fit.
Steven Adams and Tyus Jones, Memphis Grizzlies, Game 5
Before Game 5 against the Golden State Warriors, Adams and Jones went extremely casual with some old-school Grizzlies looks.
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns, Game 5
Ahead of Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks, Paul wore a shirt with Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February, pictured on it. The Suns also showed their support for Griner with decals on the court.
Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks, Game 3
Sometimes, basketball and football worlds overlap, and such was the case when Pinson showed love to his alma mater, arriving with a North Carolina Tar Heels letterman jacket and matching helmet.
@dallasmavs/twitter
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns, Game 3
The 17-season veteran decided to don an all-leather fit on his 37th birthday.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, Game 2
Black was the color of choice for the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader heading into Tuesday’s game, with his coat looking extra roomy.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Game 2
Tatum arrived at TD Garden on Tuesday sporting a jacket with numerous college logos. One of the featured decals is his alma mater, the Duke Blue Devils. Some other team emblems stitched on the piece include the Kentucky Wildcats, UConn Huskies, UCLA Bruins and Georgetown Hoyas.
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Round 1
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies, Game 6
Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. arrived before the series-clinching Game 6 against Minnesota wearing a multicolored Versace sweater and blue Air Jordan 1s.
After the game, Grizzlies teammate Dillon Brooks pitted his outfit against Jackson’s.
“First off, before you guys start, who has the better fit: me or Trip [Jackson]?” Brooks said.
Jackson’s fit didn’t win over Brooks, per the reporters. The 22-year-old didn’t seem bothered by the outcome.
“That’s because I’m experimental … I push boundaries,” Jackson said.
DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Game 5
Ahead of the Bulls’ win-or-go-home contest against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, DeRozan honored Illinois music artist Juice WRLD with his outfit. The Chicago guard wore a Juice WRLD Galaxy Hoodie made by fashion company Vlone. Juice WRLD, whose real name is Jarad Higgins, died of a drug overdose in December 2019.
Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets, Game 3
Simmons’ look Saturday courtside against the Boston Celtics contrasted the Nets’ black and white uniforms perfectly.
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns, Game 3
Ahead of Friday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, Paul put together an impressive suit combination. Quite the color choice.
Serge Ibaka, Milwaukee Bucks, Game 3
Ibaka has been an NBA fashion guru during his 14-year career, especially with his striking scarves during his days with the Toronto Raptors. His eccentric fashion made another appearance heading into Game 3 against the Chicago Bulls. The casual fit featured a brim hat, cardigan and a handbag.
Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics, Game 2
Smart won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, the first time a point guard has secured the honor since Gary Payton during the 1995-96 season. Given it is Smart’s first time winning DPOY, he donned a special robe that signified his accomplishment entering Game 2 against the Brooklyn Nets.
James Harden and Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers, Game 1
Harden is no stranger to luxury couture. Last year, he was seen at Paris Fashion Week and was named to the board of Saks Fifth Avenue.
Ahead of his playoff debut with the Sixers, he sported the Louis Vuitton Blue & White “Puppet” Varsity Jacket. The colorful crocheted stuffed figures pinned on the coat really make the jacket stand out.
Maxey wore No. 3 before being drafted by Philly, but since that number is retired in honor of Allen Iverson, he had a decision to make.
“All my life, I’ve worn 3. Couldn’t get that one here,” said the first-round pick.
He paid tribute to the Sixers legend by wearing an Iverson jersey that featured several photos of the Basketball Hall of Famer.
It ended up being a fitting outfit choice. Maxey’s 38 points in Game 1 were the most in a playoff opener by a 76ers player since A.I. in 2003.
Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz, Game 1
Some players have an adventurous take on fashion, while others opt for the classic suit and tie look. With a little personalization, these Jazz stars had no issues rocking the tried-and-true combination.
Clarkson donned a white Midnight Studios button-up shirt with a black tie and slacks, with the leather harness adding a modern spin on an old classic.
Bogdanovic chose a more traditional route with his all-black ensemble and a pocket square that provided a splash of color.
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors, Game 1
After missing a month with a foot injury, Curry returned to the Warriors’ lineup on April 16 against the Denver Nuggets. The coat he wore in his first game back took vibrancy to a new level.
Listen to The Ben Joravsky Show
Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky or on the Reader’s YouTube channel—or wherever you podcast. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.
Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.
Ben Joravsky brings you hours of incisive political commentary each week. Support Ben’s tireless dedication to Chicago and become a Ben Head today.
By becoming a Ben Head you will receive a new weekly newsletter from Ben with exclusive behind-the-scenes revelations, a roadmap to all things Joravsky, and a dedicated link to the latest podcast episodes. Don’t miss this chance to dive deep into Chicago politics, sports and culture, with our Captain of Commentary, Ben Joravsky. And don’t worry, there will be Ben Head merchandise!
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Join now at the Alley level for just:
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Avenue Become a Ben Head at the Avenue level and you’ll be subscribed to the new newsletter and a get a $10 discount on
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Join now at the Avenue level for just:
or
Boulevard Become a Ben Head at the Boulevard level and you’ll be subscribed to the new newsletter and get a copy of Ben’s new book.
Join now at the Boulevard level for just:
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Report: Chicago Bulls Interested in Matisse Thybulle
Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Matisse Thybulle may be on the trading block this offseason after another below-average performance during Philadelphia’s recent playoff run. And the Chicago Bulls are already being linked to him.
Per Sean Deveney, Chicago is one of the teams which have an interest in the shooting guard. Thybulle averaged just 3.0 points, 0.4 assists, and 1.0 rebounds in the nine games he played during the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
Chicago’s interest in Thybulle should be appealing to fans of hard-nosed defense because that is what has made him shine prior to being drafted by Philadelphia. Thybulle’s defense is one to be reckoned with for any opposing player and he has developed a reputation as one of the top defensive guards in the league today.
The 25-year-old guard has a seven-foot wingspan and a 41-inch vertical which he uses each night to block shooters from behind. He has averaged 1.6 steals throughout his first three years in Philadelphia. Looking at the Bulls’ depth chart, Thybulle would fit nicely among Chicago’s ball-dominant superstars. On offense, he finds most of his points from spot-up corner three-pointers and cutting baseline for wide-open backdoor lay-ins.
Standing at 6-foot-5, Thybulle also has the size and speed to run the floor with the Bulls when they are playing small ball. In Philadelphia, he has been a fan favorite and his experience would be a positive addition to Chicago’s young locker room. Thybulle’s work ethic on defense would also be something that would resonate among his teammates to help Chicago become a better team at slowing down opposing superstars.
Make sure to check out our Bulls forum for the latest on the team.
Report: Chicago Bulls Interested in Matisse Thybulle Read More »
Babes with blades
Whether by design or happenstance, Writers Theatre has focused on the theme of women in competition and collaboration this season. In Eleanor Burgess’s Wife of a Salesman, two actors portraying Linda Loman and the “woman from Boston” in a contemporary riff on Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman wonder why their characters in the play-within-the-play have to fall into the tired tropes of women fighting over a (mediocre) man, while they share their own stories about maintaining relationships and careers simultaneously.
Athena
Through 7/10: Wed 3 and 7:30 PM, Thu-Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 3 and 7:30 PM, Sun 2 and 6 PM; Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe, 847-242-6000, writerstheatre.org, $35-$90.
Now in Gracie Gardner’s Athena, we meet two high school girls who are competitive fencers. Over the brisk 80-minute course of Jessica Fisch’s staging, Athena (Mary Tilden) and Mary Wallace (Aja Singletary) feint, parry, lunge, riposte, and peel back layers of themselves even while wearing the protective garb of their sport. (Mary Wallace chooses a flat chest protector, and tells Athena, who sports one with molded breasts, “The plastic boobs just slow you down. They just guide someone’s blade right to a hit.”)
For whatever reason, women talking honestly about their lives without reference to male definitions of conflict and resolution still feels like a radical proposition (even decades after the Bechdel Test came into being). Sure, the two-character setup of Gardner’s play does mean that there are some binary differences between the two girls. Athena lives with her single dad in New York City and slips (underage, of course) into nightclubs where her older sister DJs. By contrast, Mary Wallace is a more sheltered suburbanite with a bookworm bent. (Though it’s worth noting that Athena gave herself that mythological name as a nom de guerre.)
But what’s lovely about Gardner’s play is how skillfully it intertwines the anxieties and doubts common to all adolescents with the growing confidence of the two as friendly competitors. The precise fight choreography of David Blixt and Christian Kelly-Sordelet, which plays out on Arnel Sancianco’s cool minimalist runway set (it almost feels like a Holodeck from Star Trek, particularly in combination with Paul Toben’s stark white lighting), provides cunning physical metaphors for the ways they get close, pull back, and meet each other head-on. The piste is both a proving ground for their desire to qualify for nationals (and possibly the Olympics), and a place where they concentrate on themselves and each other. If the final bout seems to be moving into a slightly predictable dynamic, that’s merely a minor disappointment for a play that asks us to consider the possibility that teenage girls know how to land hits, but also how to have each other’s backs.
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Seeking Arrangement Review: Does It Work in 2022? Can You Find a Real Relationship? Here’s the Lowdown
Have you heard of Seeking Arrangement? They’ve rebranded as Seeking and are no longer a dating site for sugar daddies and babies. Nope, Seeking is now a mainstream dating site.
Seeking has been seriously blowing up of late. Just a few months ago, they had roughly 20 million members. Now? Try 40 million! When you add the fact that people in 130 countries are using Seeking, this is a dating app that may be rivaling Tinder before long.
While it’s true that Seeking Arrangement was focused on helping attractive and successful people meet up, Seeking now claims to be about “identifying what drives us and how we can live our best lives with someone by our side.”
In other words, Seeking is now for everyone, and this is a site that you may regret leaving out of your dating app repertoire.
So, read on to learn more about Seeking in 2022, including its pros and cons, how to sign up, how much it costs, how the platform works, handy tips, and more.
Pros
Super active communityIntuitive search and filtering functionsEnjoyable site design and interfaceThorough verification processGlobal availability (including languages)Certain discounts available
Cons
Somewhat controversialFake accounts and bots slip through the cracksInactive profiles still visibleCan get expensiveScammers
Registering on Seeking is relatively straightforward. You start by stating if you’re a man or woman and whether you prefer meeting men or women (or both). You’re then prompted to answer a few other questions, which helps the site calibrate its matching algorithms (ideally resulting in more successful matching). After a bit more personal information, that’s just about everything to get registered!
(Keep in mind that you may want to be careful about what email you use if you want to remain relatively anonymous.)
After completing the registration process, you’ll need to wait for Seeking to verify your account. This process generally takes 1-2 business days on average, but you may get a faster turnaround.
While it can be frustrating to wait, the account verification process is in the best interest of all the people trying to use the site legitimately. Unfortunately, some scammers and bots still manage their way through, so it doesn’t appear to be a perfect process.
Any Free Features?
If you’re worried about immediately shelling out a ton of money to use Seeking, luckily that’s not the case. Once you’ve registered and been verified, you’re free to start browsing around (see what we did there?).
This is nice because you’re able to get a feel for how Seeking works and what you can reasonably expect in terms of possible matches later on.
The downside is that you will be fairly limited with what you’re able to do. For example, you won’t be able to contact other members of Seeking for free.
Like many dating apps nowadays, Seeking wants to get you on their platform and get you thinking about all the beautiful and successful people you could potentially meet. This means that members will be more likely to open up their wallets in order to gain complete access to the site.
If you think that’s a frustrating business model, you’re definitely not alone. For better or worse, it’s becoming more and more normal in the dating site community. So, you may as well get used to it and at least enjoy the benefit of browsing for free. There are some sites where you can’t even do that without paying.
Seeking may also offer free memberships to certain clients that are particularly “desirable.” You can apply for the free membership once you’ve registered.
Setting Up Your Profile
After entering in your basic info as part of the registration process, you’ll be all set. And how Once you’ve registered and been verified, you can now set up your Seeking profile.
You’ll need to choose a username and upload a photo. We recommend going with something reasonably “adult” (as in not immature, like “sexgod69”). You’ll also want to choose a flattering photo. And please don’t be one of those people who uses a group photo on dating sites! Ultimately, your profile is a big part of your first impression, so take some time with it.
As part of your profile, you have the ability to list lots of information. You can add your height, education, relationship status, children, etc. There are a wide variety of relationship statuses you can pick, from “married but looking” and “separated” to “open relationship” and more.
You can also add your income and net worth, which may seem weird to you if you’re more used to traditional dating apps.
In order to try to make matching as seamless as possible, the profile set-up gets a bit complex. For example, you have to pick different “tags” that give more detail about what you’re looking for on the Seeking platform. Some of the tags include different character traits and preferences such as “flexibility,” “attentiveness,” “monogamous,” etc.
Lastly, you need to write up a little bio for the “About Me” section. It’s best to be honest but also modest, if that makes sense. You don’t want to sell yourself too short, but you also don’t want to be way over the top. So, keep that in mind as you try to craft a compelling little bio. Try to have it reflect who you really are. If you’re funny, be funny, for example.
How Much Does Seeking Cost?
As we said, Seeking can be joined for free. And, if you’re an attractive and/or quite successful individual, you may be able to get to use the site for free.
To actually become a verified member, however, you’ll have to shell out $50 for a background check. For this, you don’t have to verify income at least. Getting verified is a good way to make others feel like you can be trusted right off the bat, especially—let’s be honest—if you’re a man (and particularly an older man).
While Seeking memberships can end up costing a significant amount for men, many of these members come from wealthy backgrounds, meaning it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. If you’re looking to use Seeking as a mainstream dating site, however, be aware that it might end up costing you more than other dating sites out there.
Bottom Line Costs
Current premium membership packages certainly aren’t cheap for the average person, but this isn’t an average dating site:
1 month premium = $90/month3 months premium = $80/month6 months premium = $70/month
As you can see, you’ll get a better monthly rate if you pay for more months up front, which is standard with dating sites (and a lot of subscriptions in general).
Using Seeking To Find a Hookup
Okay, so we’ve covered getting registered, getting verified, getting your profile set up, and the cost of using Seeking.
But what about the thing you’re actually interested in Seeking for? Dating, that is.
The simple answer is that Seeking may very well be a good option for finding dates. With its large user base of over 40 million people all around the world, chances are good that you can find some compatible people in your area (or who are close enough).
So, in general, it’s not that hard to get dates on Seeking. That said, it can be highly competitive—especially if you’re a young woman, thanks to the high female-to-male ratio.
One thing that helps you get matched up on Seeking is the fact that it has a sleek, modern-feeling interface. While some dating sites have an outdated or downright spammy look to them, Seeking has clearly invested in creating a good user experience when it comes to the interface and user friendliness.
Since browsing around is intuitive and straightforward, it doesn’t take long to start finding people to message on Seeking. You can even join “VIP rooms” if you opt for the Diamond Membership, which clocks in at $250 each month—nope, not cheap! These rooms, however, will help you get around the BS of scammers and fake profiles, since every member there has to be verified with a full background check.
Even the basic search functions are really helpful as well. Right away you can sort users into useful categories like “most active” or “new members.”
Keep in mind, however, especially as Seeking transitions into a more mainstream dating app, that not everyone will be looking to get down and dirty right away. There will be many people who want to build a relationship rather than simply casually hooking up. A good mentality to have is to simply view the site as a way to meet people, and then take it from there.
Does Seeking Work? Or Is It a Scam?
Overall, you could say that Seeking is pretty much as advertised. As it’s transitioning to becoming a more mainstream dating site, it will be interesting to see if its user base becomes more diversified.
With more than 40 million users, there’s certainly some people out there who you are likely compatible with. How much time and effort you have/want to put in and how much money you have will be a factor in how successful your search for dates is.
While Seeking is a legitimate platform with a global presence and tons of users, it’s also true that there are many unhappy reviews online. People using sites such as TrustPilot and sitejabber have given an average rating of just 1.5 stars out of 5 for Seeking.
That said, it’s important to remember that people generally go on these sites either because they’re incredibly pleased or extremely dissatisfied. This naturally means that reviews tend to be skewed. Nonetheless, it’s not exactly encouraging to see so many unhappy customers.
So, if you want to sign up for Seeking you may want to do your own due diligence by exploring online reviews like those mentioned above.
Here are some other tips to help ensure that you have a positive experience.
Be Upfront About Expectations
You’re going to want to be transparent on Seeking, which is really the case for any dating site. If you’re looking for casual hookups, say so. If you’re looking to build something more meaningful, make that clear. Beating around the bush and/or being openly dishonest will not get you anywhere good.
Be Authentic
Yeah, yeah, this is as cliché as it gets. It’s true in this case, though. If you aren’t really a While this is a bit of a cliché, it’s true when it comes to dating sites and builds on the last tip. You won’t end up with matches that are a natural fit for you if you’re not yourself.
Spend Time on Your Profile
Again, this is true of all dating sites, not just Seeking. Think of your profile as a kind of billboard—you’re putting yourself out there for anyone who drives by to see. This is your virtual first impression, and it matters in terms of how much attention you draw. You want to find a careful balance between intriguing and mysterious and open and honest.
In essence, you want to do your best to stand out, but your profile also shouldn’t be weird or off-putting. If you’re unsure about your profile, see about getting a second opinion from someone you trust. Above all, don’t lie. Boosting yourself by one inch of height (or length…) is one thing, but two or three or more will definitely be obvious. You don’t want to set yourself up to fail by being disingenuous.
So, is Seeking Legit?
Yes, overall Seeking is a legitimate dating site. Like many dating sites out there, you will find scammers, bots, and inactive accounts. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about that. As long as you’re careful and use common sense, you should have no problems finding legit matches on Seeking.
A Few More Tips
Before wrapping up, here are some more hookup site tips, which should apply well beyond Seeking. That said, they’re particularly pertinent to Seeking, so you’ll want to keep them in mind!
Beware of Scammers and Catfishers
Scammers definitely make their way onto Seeking, even though the site does a pretty good job at maintaining a legit platform. Unfortunately, pretty much any dating site you go to will have bots and fake profiles trying to scam people. In essence, these exist just to try to get people to spend money even though they are not the person they are pretending to be. This is known colloquially as “catfishing” and here it’s used for purposes of extortion.
In short, beware of scammers. If things seem too easy and suspicious in any way, it’s probably someone just looking to get money out of you before disappearing.
Keep an Eye on Your Bill
Seeking is in the business of hooking people up, but they’re also in the business of making money. Just scroll up and take a look at those prices. $250 for one month of the “Diamond” membership? The pricing is smart because they know their audience—they’re truly catering to upper-class people who average 6- or 7-figure incomes.
So, just be aware that you may want to keep an eye on your bill to ensure that you’re not racking up more money than you’re trying to spend. You might want to take it slowly and go with a one- or three-month membership rather than a six-month one, for example. This way you can feel out the site. And hey, you might just meet someone who you want a more serious, long-term relationship with (though we must say that’s not the typical relationship sought after on Seeking).
Then again, you might not care how much the site costs you if you’re wealthy.
Matches Don’t Always Come Easily
While there are forty million+ people on Seeking, that doesn’t mean matches are guaranteed to come right away. There’s generally a lot of competition, especially for younger women, for example, and you may have to really work to stand out on such a large platform.
Ultimately, you’ll want to stay patient the best you can. Just because things don’t work out right away doesn’t mean that they won’t eventually. You may go on some awkward dates, but that’s often just a part of life. Sooner or later you’re likely to match with someone who you’re really compatible with. Just be sure to give yourself the time, which means don’t give up too soon and don’t force the issue.
Be Safe
It’s always advisable to meet someone in a public place for your first meet up. A coffee shop or restaurant is perfect, for example. This way you’re much less likely to face danger from people with bad intentions. This isn’t meant to scare anyone; it’s just meant to help keep people safe. In general, trust your instincts and you should be fine.
Final Verdict
So, is Seeking really worth it?
That comes down to you, ultimately. Your wants, your needs, your bank account, your age, etc. If you’re just an average Joe, you may want to stick to other dating sites.
All in all, Seeking has a massive customer base all around the world, an intuitive and user-friendly interface, and relatively reasonable pricing. It also has robust filtering and searching tools, VIP rooms, verified profiles, and other useful features. If you’re trying to find a date or maybe even true love, Seeking might end up being a good option for you.