The Chicago Cubs should make a move for Francisco Lindor this offseason.
The Chicago Cubs should make a serious push to trade for Cleveland Indians superstar shortstop, Francisco Lindor. According to MLB Trade Rumors, if the Indians look to move Lindor, the Cubs could make sense as a potential destination.
After another disappointing season and an early exit from the playoffs, the Cubs are on the verge of watching their championship window slam shut.
However, a trade for Lindor could jumpstart that championship drive once again and give them the best chance to squeeze every last drop out of this team.
For the umpteenth consecutive year, the Cubs Achilles’ heel has been their offense. No matter what they seem to do, they can’t get their offense jumpstarted. New hitting coach — same results. New manager — same results.
For whatever reason, they have struggled mightily to score runs and it continues to cost them. This postseason they managed to score a whopping one run in two playoff games against the Miami Marlins.
At some point, you have to look at the personnel on the team and wonder if a shakeup is really what’s in order. Beyond that, it feels like when the Cubs offense was humming during their World Series run, it was, at least in part, because they had a true and capable leadoff hitter in Dexter Fowler. Since his departure, the team has struggled to consistently fill that void. Lindor would fill that role for years to come.
Lindor is already a superstar in Major League Baseball and at only 26-years-old, is in the prime of his career. Over his six seasons in the big leagues, an average season for Lindor has been a .285 BA, 29 HRs, 86 RBI, 21 SB, with a .346 OBP, .488 SLG, and an .833 OPS.
He has put up these numbers while playing a premium position — shortstop. While the Cubs currently have Javier Baez at the position, he does have some experience playing second base. If they’re not inclined to move Baez, then perhaps Lindor would be willing to make the switch.
Regardless, if a player of Lindor’s caliber is available, you accumulate the talent and find a way to make it work. He and Baez would form a formidable due up the middle, and he’d add a strong bat to an offense that can go impotent often.
Protesters march during a rally and protest against police brutality after Marcellis Stinnettte,19, was fatally shot by police in Waukegan, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Meanwhile, the FBI is assisting with the shooting investigation.
The Waukegan police officer involved in the fatal shooting of a teen has been fired “for multiple policy and procedure violations,” the city’s police chief announced Friday.
No other details were provided in Chief Wayne Walles’ brief announcement, which noted the Illinois State Police are continuing to conduct an independent investigation of the killing of 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, who was shot by the Waukegan officer in the northern suburb. The FBI is assisting the State Police in that effort.
In a statement, Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim said he contacted the U.S. Department of Justice Wednesday, and the department agreed to review the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“The FBI is aware of the death of Marcellis Stinnette and will review all available facts of the incident to determine if a federal response is warranted,” FBI Special Agent Siobhan Johnson said.
ProvidedMarcellis Stinnette
“I am confident in the work being done by the Illinois State Police and welcome the assistance of the FBI,” Nerheim said.
The incident began shortly before midnight Tuesday when an officer went to investigate a vehicle near Liberty and Oak streets, Waukegan police said in a statement. The car drove off from the officer but was found moments later by another officer. As that officer walked up to the car, the car reversed and the officer fired his pistol out of “fear for his safety,” police said.
Stinnette, a 19-year-old Black man, and his girlfriend Tafara Williams, who was driving the car, were both shot. Stinnette died from his gunshot wound at Vista Medical Center East, according to Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper. Williams survived and underwent surgery Thursday, according to her family.
The officer, who initially was placed on administrative leave, is Hispanic and has five years on the force, police said. Body camera and squad car footage of the incident is being reviewed by investigators.
“As I have said before, once the investigation is concluded, all the evidence will be reviewed and a final decision will be made with respect to any potential charges,” Nerheim said.
The shooting sparked outrage as it comes amid nationwide protests calling for an end to police brutality and racial justice.
On Thursday, protesters gathered outside a Waukegan police station, demanding justice for Stinnette and casting doubt on the Police Department’s version of what happened.
“I want justice for her,” Johnson said of her daughter. “I want the police to stop killing. You opened fire … for what? It’s not making sense to me. It’s not adding up,” said Williams’ mother Tina Johnson during the protest.
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Police say a girl was struck by stray gunfire Oct. 22, 2020, in 4500 block of Magoun Avenue in East Chicago, Indiana. | Google Maps
She was seated on her living room floor when someone fired 16 shots outside, police say.
An 8-year-old girl was in critical condition after being shot in the head by stray gunfire Thursday night while seated on a living room floor doing homework in East Chicago, Indiana.
Someone outside fired 16 shots from an automatic weapon about 10 p.m., sending one stray bullet through the siding of the home, East Chicago Deputy Chief Jose Rivera said in a statement.
Police responded to the shooting in the 4500 block of Magoun Avenue and found the child lying on the floor, bleeding from her head, Rivera said.
She was taken to St. Catherine’s Hospital in East Chicago, where her condition stabilized, before being flown to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
Police said they don’t believe she was the intended target.
“Any time a child is the victim of senseless gun violence it affects and saddens us all,” Rivera said. “Thoughts, prayers and caring emojis on social media will not bring the shooter to justice.
“We can’t allow these cowardly thugs to randomly open fire in our community with impunity,” he said. “Our department will use all the resources we have available to help us catch the shooter and any person involved in [the] shooting.”
Police asked anyone with information to call East Chicago police’s anonymous tip line at 219-391-8500.
Northwestern’s Tyler Haskin, left, celebrates his touchdown against Massachusetts with teammate Riley Lees. | AP Photos
Count on these locally grown names to rise to the occasion in a short season.
Are you ready for some Big Ten football?
You should be, given how long the wait has been for the league to get started in this pandemic-dominated year. While some Power Five teams are more than halfway through their season, the Big Ten finally kicks off tonight when Illinois travels to Wisconsin.
Here, in alphabetical order, are 10 people with Chicago area roots to watch during this abbreviated eight-game season (with a few bonus picks thrown in for good measure):
Matt Allen, Michigan State
This will be the end of the Allen era in East Lansing with Matt, a fifth-year senior, back to start at center. His older brothers and fellow Hinsdale Central grads Jack (2012-15) and Brian (2014-17) were both four-year starters for the Spartans. Also back on the Spartans’ offensive line after being sidelined by injury much of last season is redshirt junior guard/tackle Kevin Jarvis (Maine South).
Tuf Borland, Ohio State
They don’t come much more durable or dependable than the fifth-year senior linebacker from Bolingbrook. He has played all 42 of the Buckeyes’ games over the past three seasons, starting 34, while piling up 180 tackles. Trivia I: Jarred Tuf Borland is his full name. Trivia II: He graduated last December with a degree in human development and family science.
P.J. Fleck, Minnesota
Minneapolis is no longer a college football backwater, thanks to this energetic Kaneland grad. Fleck doesn’t turn 40 till next month but he’s already entering his eighth season as a FBS head coach. The Gophers, 11-2 last season, are a national brand, hosting ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday for the second time in 11 months when Michigan comes to town Saturday.
Riley Lees, Northwestern
The offensively challenged Wildcats had just 156 receptions last season, and the senior quarterback-turned-receiver from Libertyville had almost a third of them (51). Lees also was Northwestern’s top kickoff returner, averaging 22.0 yards per runback.
Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
All-American safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is gone, and his replacement could be this sophomore from St. Charles North. The Gophers’ defense also figures to start two more local products: grad transfer Micah Dew-Treadway (Bolingbrook) on the line and junior Mariano Sori-Marin (Providence) at linebacker.
Alex Palczewski, Illinois
The senior from Prospect has started 36 straight games on the Illini offensive line, the last 25 at right tackle. He made a couple preseason All-Big Ten teams and is on the Outland Trophy watch list. Another preseason All-Big Ten pick up front for the Illini is senior Doug Kramer from Hinsdale Central, who has 30 starts at center.
Jacub Panasiuk, Michigan State
A standout top pass rusher, the senior defensive end from Lake Park had 18 quarterback hits last season, tied for second in the nation. His brother Mike won four letters as a defensive tackle for the Spartans from 2016-19.
Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin
The junior linebacker from Lake Zurich is the only local player to make the Big Ten’s 10-member preseason honors list. He had a team-best 80 tackles and three interceptions last fall, and is considered one of the top NFL prospects in the Big Ten.
Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
True freshmen don’t often start in the Big Ten, but the left tackle from Maine South is listed as co-No. 1 on the Wildcats’ latest depth chart. He was a four-star prospect who ranked fourth nationally among centers in the class of 2020 and played on the Hawks’ 2016 state championship team as a freshman.
Anthony Williams Jr., Michigan State
The Bolingbrook grad had 288 all-purpose yards as a true freshman last season and figures to play a bigger role this fall. He could be taking handoffs from redshirt freshman quarterback Payton Thorne, a Naperville Central grad.
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