White Sox Deal Quintana to Windy City Rival
The Chicago Cubs have had a disappointing first half of the season after their historic World Series win last October, as they entered the All-Star break two games under .500. They have been looking for help in their starting rotation heading into the trade deadline, and didn't have to look far for a deal they made on Thursday. The Cubs acquired starter Jose Quintana from the White Sox for four prospects. Among those players is top outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez, along with pitcher Dylan Cease, and infielders Matt Rose and Bryant Flete. This is the first trade between the Chicago teams since a 2006 deal that included Neal Cotts, David Aardsma, and Carlos Vasquez. The Cubs' current rotation has struggled, especially Jon Lester and John Lackey, as their starters rank 26th in WAR. This has led to them staying in second place in the N.L. Central, a season-high 5.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. The 28-year-old Quintana has averaged 204 innings from 2013 to 2016. posting a 3.35 ERA in that time span. This move means that Mike Montgomery will go back to being a stretch reliever/sixth starter for the World Series champs. Before this trade, they were reportedly looking for a deal with the Detroit Tigers for the likes of Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer, or Daniel Norris. Although, it was a different AL Central team to strike a deal, as the Cubs will have control of their newest acquisition's contract beyond this season, as he is set to make $6 million this year, $8.4 million in 2018, and $10.5 million in each of the final two years of his deal. After a tough 2-7 start to the season that saw him post a 5.70 ERA, Quintana has gone 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in his last seven starts. He looks to bring that revamped look to Wrigley Field, helping them return to the postseason to defend their title in October.
Knicks Agree to Make Scott Perry New GM
The New York Knicks found their new general manager on Thursday night, as they have agreed in principle with Sacramento Kings VP of Basketball Operations Scott Perry. The deal is pending on the two teams agreeing on terms for compensation, as the Kings have been working on a deal to allow Perry accept a promotion. The Kings granted him permission to meet with the Knicks, and once the agreement is official, he will running the day-to-day operations in New York. Perry was most recently the general manager of the Orlando Magic, but was let go from that position in April. He immediately became Vlade Divac's No. 2 in Sacramento, and played a role in them selecting De'Aaron Fox with the fifth overall pick in the draft. He also helped them in free agency to acquire veterans Zach Randolph, Vince Carter, and George Hill. He will now enter the Knicks organization, which has only added Tim Hardaway Jr. this off-season, while possibly losing both Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony. The Phil Jackson era still has its effects on Madison Square Garden, so it may take some time for Perry to adjust to the situation.
Carmelo Anthony Trade Talks Put on Hold
The Carmelo Anthony trade talks have gone silent, at least for now. The Knicks reportedly put those talks on hold on Thursday after being in discussion with the Rockets and Cavaliers over the past week. The Knicks' organization claimed that they are just stepping away from them for a short time, despite Anthony being willing to waive his no-trade clause for either team. Some may speculate that Phil Jackson's departure, and now Scott Perry's arrival as GM, may be the reasons these talks have stopped. The team may now try to convince Anthony to stick around to help New York compete in the lackluster Eastern Conference. Although, Anthony seems very intrigued to join either Chris Paul and James Harden in Houston to go against the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, or to join LeBron James to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to another NBA Finals. Despite that, the top basketball executive for the Knicks, Steve Mills, has admitted that the team is reconsidering dealing their top star.
The Chicago Cubs have had a disappointing first half of the season after their historic World Series win last October, as they entered the All-Star break two games under .500. They have been looking for help in their starting rotation heading into the trade deadline, and didn't have to look far for a deal they made on Thursday. The Cubs acquired starter Jose Quintana from the White Sox for four prospects. Among those players is top outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez, along with pitcher Dylan Cease, and infielders Matt Rose and Bryant Flete. This is the first trade between the Chicago teams since a 2006 deal that included Neal Cotts, David Aardsma, and Carlos Vasquez. The Cubs' current rotation has struggled, especially Jon Lester and John Lackey, as their starters rank 26th in WAR. This has led to them staying in second place in the N.L. Central, a season-high 5.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. The 28-year-old Quintana has averaged 204 innings from 2013 to 2016. posting a 3.35 ERA in that time span. This move means that Mike Montgomery will go back to being a stretch reliever/sixth starter for the World Series champs. Before this trade, they were reportedly looking for a deal with the Detroit Tigers for the likes of Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer, or Daniel Norris. Although, it was a different AL Central team to strike a deal, as the Cubs will have control of their newest acquisition's contract beyond this season, as he is set to make $6 million this year, $8.4 million in 2018, and $10.5 million in each of the final two years of his deal. After a tough 2-7 start to the season that saw him post a 5.70 ERA, Quintana has gone 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in his last seven starts. He looks to bring that revamped look to Wrigley Field, helping them return to the postseason to defend their title in October.
Knicks Agree to Make Scott Perry New GM
The New York Knicks found their new general manager on Thursday night, as they have agreed in principle with Sacramento Kings VP of Basketball Operations Scott Perry. The deal is pending on the two teams agreeing on terms for compensation, as the Kings have been working on a deal to allow Perry accept a promotion. The Kings granted him permission to meet with the Knicks, and once the agreement is official, he will running the day-to-day operations in New York. Perry was most recently the general manager of the Orlando Magic, but was let go from that position in April. He immediately became Vlade Divac's No. 2 in Sacramento, and played a role in them selecting De'Aaron Fox with the fifth overall pick in the draft. He also helped them in free agency to acquire veterans Zach Randolph, Vince Carter, and George Hill. He will now enter the Knicks organization, which has only added Tim Hardaway Jr. this off-season, while possibly losing both Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony. The Phil Jackson era still has its effects on Madison Square Garden, so it may take some time for Perry to adjust to the situation.
Carmelo Anthony Trade Talks Put on Hold
The Carmelo Anthony trade talks have gone silent, at least for now. The Knicks reportedly put those talks on hold on Thursday after being in discussion with the Rockets and Cavaliers over the past week. The Knicks' organization claimed that they are just stepping away from them for a short time, despite Anthony being willing to waive his no-trade clause for either team. Some may speculate that Phil Jackson's departure, and now Scott Perry's arrival as GM, may be the reasons these talks have stopped. The team may now try to convince Anthony to stick around to help New York compete in the lackluster Eastern Conference. Although, Anthony seems very intrigued to join either Chris Paul and James Harden in Houston to go against the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, or to join LeBron James to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to another NBA Finals. Despite that, the top basketball executive for the Knicks, Steve Mills, has admitted that the team is reconsidering dealing their top star.
