Denver ships cry baby Cutler to Bears

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Good for the Denver Broncos.

The organization which appeared weak by letting the circus show continue with QB Jay Cutler, didn't wait long to trade away their franchise quarterback, who wanted out and then said he didn't expect the Broncos to trade him.

The trade breaks down like this: The Bears gets Cutler and Denver's 5th round pick this year (140th overall), and Denver receives  two 1st-rounders -- the No. 18 overall in this year's draft and the Bears' 2010 1st-rounder -- a 2009 3rd-rounder and Chicago's starting QB Kyle Orton (2,812 yards passing, 18 TDs, 12 INTs).

What a deal for the Broncos since they now have 2 1st-rounders in this year's draft (No. 12 and No. 18) and a 3rd-rounder. It's only a great deal if they hit it big time with those picks, however. 

Do they need a QB? Possibly, but Orton isn't a complete chump. He's 26 years old and in his 5th year out of Purdue. Basically, he's not a legit starter, but he's serviceable enough to take the reigns this year in Denver, while they can draft and groom their QB of the future.

At No. 12, Denver has a shot at QB Mark Sanchez, but I think it would feel more comfortable it could get the USC QB at around No. 8. But if the Broncos can't trade up and he's still there at No. 12, they'd be stupid not to pick him. He can learn the system this year and take over the following year. 

Or Denver just decides to address a swiss cheese-like defense. They need help everywhere. Two 1st-round defensive players would be a big help, too. 

Denver's got options, but they better get it right.

For Chicago, it seems like a lot to get the 25-year-old Cutler, but it obviously feels like Cutler can get them to the playoffs. Well, the Bears haven't been there in 2 years and just maybe coach Lovie Smith can salvage his job if Cutler can leads Chicago into the playoffs. But don't the Bears need some receivers to really compete? See, Cutler had Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal to throw to in Denver, now he has wide receivers Devin Hester (52 receptions, 665 yards, 3 TDs), Rashied Davis (35-445-2) and tight ends Greg Olsen (54-574-5) and Desmond Clark (41-367-1). Not really a feared pass-catching bunch, huh? Hester is really a No. 3 slot guy, but Olsen is a tight end on the rise. 

Earth to Bears GM Jerry Angelo, you need some talented WRs ... or Cutler is going to fail or cry. But they do have a dangerous ground game with Matt Forte, who rushed for 1,231 yards and 8 TDs as a rookie, while catching 64 passes for 484 yards and 4 TDs. 

The Bears do have weapons, but not enough to really be considered a contender. Cutler will help last year's 26th ranked offense, but he's no savior. Nice signing with offensive tackle Orlando Pace, too. The Bears are moving in the right direction, so I'll wait and see what they do with their limited amount of picks and free agency. They better land at least 2 wideouts, though. What about Torry Holt?

Yes, it's a win-win for both teams but I give a big edge to the Broncos ... at least until after the draft. 

Good work Denver getting rid of a complete jerk and cry baby. And Chicago, get the Pampers ready. When things aren't going well, watch Cutler roll up into the fetal position and start sucking his thumb. 

He's your problem now.

AL Central Preview: Twins solid all the way around

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The Minnesota Twins were a play-in game win away from going to the playoffs, but unfortunately lost to the Chicago White Sox. While the White Sox made wholesale changes (Orlando Cabrera, Nick Swisher, etc. are gone), the Twins have virtually the same team, with the addition of third baseman Joe Crede (when was the last time Minnesota had a good third baseman?). 

What's not to like about the Twins? For a small-market team, they just get it done. 

No doubt they are the team to beat.

They've got team speed (Denard Span, Carlos Gomez), power (first baseman Justin Morneau can flat-out mash), one of the best catchers in the game in Joe Mauer (he better get healthy, however) and great defense with Crede and an outfield that can track down fly balls (Delmon Young, Gomez and Span). 

Pitching, I love it. While the Twins aren't a strikeout bunch -- ace lefty Francisco Liriano can mow down hitters at a consistent clip. Remember when everyone was putting Liriano in the Hall of Fame after a breakout rookie season? Then he gets reconstructive surgery and is still working his way back into dominant form. Add Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Glen Perkins in the rotation, and good luck winning many series against these guys.

Closer Joe Nathan is lights-out. Get him a lead in the ninth and it's O-V-E-R. Give credit to manager Ron Gardenhire -- he always has his team ready to play.

I'm still trying to figure out how the Chicago White Sox are suppose to contend? Skinny-dude Alexei Ramirez was huge as a rookie (.290 BA, 21 HRs, 77 RBIs, 13 SBs) and Jermaine Dye is still consistent and Carlos Quentin hits likes he's got a cork in his bat, but who else is legit? Jim Thome and Paul Konerko are aging and declining fast and youngsters Jerry Owens, Josh Fields and Co. have a lot to prove on the MLB level.

Pitching will keep them alive for a while with Mark Buehrle, John Danks and Gavin Floyd, plus the pen is solid with closer Bobby Jenks and setup men Octavio Dotel and power lefty Matt Thornton. 

Other so-called "experts" are putting the White Sox on a pedestal, but not me. I'm not taking the bait.

Same can be said for the Detroit Tigers. This is a team that makes you scratch your head. They have plus-talent with Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez, Curtis Granderson and Carlos Guillen. Plus they were smart enough to get rid of poor attitude and team cancer Gary Sheffield.

Is there a Dontrelle Willis sighting? Remember when everyone was riding on the back of the D-Train? Yes, that sounds gross and his delivery and performance are equally putrid. Where is No. 1 prospect Rick Porcello?

How many cartons of cigarettes can manager Jim Leyland smoke in the dugout during the year? Only time will tell.

The Cleveland Indians, after Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona (he's got questions surrounding him, too), are a bunch of Triple-A pitchers. Remember when they had CC Sabathia? The Indians add Kerry Wood to close games, but he's going to be pitching in a bunch of non-save situations. Kudos for landing Mr. Utility Mark DeRosa, I love his versatility. He can play 1B, 2B, 3B, SS and OF, plus he's an every day starter with some pop. He's my type of player, lot of grit and passion to play. The Indians need Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez to bounce back from injury-plagued 2008 seasons. Center fielder Grady Sizemore is a stud, and SS Jhonny Peralta is consistently solid. But without pitching, the Indians don't have a shot.

At least they're in a better position than the Kansas City Royals. Who's the best on this team? Coco Crisp could make a case for that label. Shortstop Mike Aviles is tops as far as the infield ... so maybe Crisp is the best positional player? If so, yikes. There's no pressure in KC, so Crisp should be fine. How many years did he have a load in his pants in Boston? Starter Zack Greinke should get even better, and closer Joakim Soria is equipped with a flame-thrower. 

So who's the best Royal? It's debatable.

PREDICTION

1. Twins

2. White Sox

3. Tigers

4. Indians

5. Royals

(Coming tomorrow: AL West preview by Jim Ingram)