The Cubs could be looking across town for a lineup boost, as Bruce Levine of 670 The Score (Twitter link) reports that longtime White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu may be a free agent target for the Wrigleyville club. 2022 was the last season of Abreu’s three-year, $50MM contract with the Sox.
Since free agency doesn’t officially open until five days after the World Series, the White Sox are the only team who can negotiate with the first baseman for the time being, and a new deal can’t be ruled out. Abreu has often spoken of his desire to remain with the Sox for his entire career, and the front office has likewise regularly praised Abreu’s contributions on and off the field. Abreu’s last trip to the open market ended up not being very open, as his representatives didn’t even talk to other teams before Abreu accepted Chicago’s qualifying offer prior to signing his three-year pact.
This time around, however, there is a little more doubt that Abreu will remain on the south side of Chicago. Abreu recently said that there hadn’t been any extension talks with the White Sox front office, and with Abreu turning 36 years old in January, the Sox might prefer to move onto younger options at first base. Shifting Andrew Vaughn or Gavin Sheets to first base would help the White Sox defensively, and moving on from Abreu’s contract would also free up some payroll space for a team that already has quite a bit of money committed to the 2023 team.
However, since the team’s 2022 payroll already set a new franchise record by topping the $193MM mark, owner Jerry Reinsdorf may have no problem with continued spending to keep Abreu in the fold. It’s not like Abreu is slowing down much in his mid-30’s — he hit .304/.378/.446 with 15 homers over 679 plate appearances in 2022, with strong hard-contact, strikeout, and walk rates. Abreu’s power numbers took a drop, yet thanks to improvements in his batting average and on-base percentage, Abreu’s wRC+ was better in 2022 (137) than in 2021 (125).
Any number of teams will have interest in Abreu if he is indeed open to leaving the White Sox, and some of those suitors might be more clear-cut contenders than a Cubs team who went 74-88 in 2022. Joining the Cubs would allow Abreu to keep his family in Chicago, of course, though it wouldn’t necessarily present a quicker path to winning baseball.
That said, there is enough flux in the NL Central that the Cubs could get back into the hunt with a big offseason, and has been some indication from both ownership and from the front office that the Cubs are turn back towards competing after two years of rebuilding. Even last winter, the signings of Marcus Stroman and Seiya Suzuki to multi-year contracts were indicative that the Cubs didn’t plan on staying in rebuild mode for too long, even if Stroman’s deal does contain an opt-out after the 2023 campaign.
An Abreu signing might fit into this shorter-term model, as a three-year deal might be the most Abreu could hope to achieve as he heads into his age-36 season. His continued production should still merit a comfortable average annual value on that next contract, yet teams will naturally be wary about committing too many years to a player of Abreu’s age.
Signing Abreu would add some veteran stability to the lineup, and immediately address a hole at first base. Prospect Matt Mervis posted huge numbers at the Double-A and Triple-A levels in 2022 and seems ready for a shot at the big leagues, though entrusting Mervis with an everyday job right off the bat could be a risky move. If both Abreu and Mervis were in the fold, the Cubs could toggle the two between first base and DH, allowing for both some rest days for Abreu and time for Mervis to show that he can do against MLB pitching.
random af
Agreed
We love you Jose! Good luck and godspeed.
Report: cubs don’t know what they’re doing if this is true
Of course a bunch of cubs fans who don’t understand how they won in 2016 will think it’s a great idea
Well speaking of that, does Jason Heyward have anything left in the tank
I don’t care about his offense, it is what it is, but can he still play defense
No
Not even for defense
They’ve already said they’re going to release Heyward this off-season.
I know that, I was interested in the Orioles signing him
Stay away, defense has declined. He’s only good for a minor league deal.
I didn’t know he was hurt most of the season until I googled him today earlier
However, I still would consider him for a minor league deal
Stop pining for the Orioles to sign washed up players. They have outfield prospects far better than Heyward. Plus, their current outfield defense is fine. If anything, they need to add a bat, which Heyward clearly doesn’t possess.
Who is this
He be talking crazy talk.
I’m just saying.
The Juice
I’m an Orioles fan and I know they don’t need to waste time with mediocre, at best, players. They need players to help get them to the next level. The days of “fillers” like Heyward, Odor, Galvis, etc. are over. Set your sights higher than the burning dumpster.
He wasn’t necessarily hurt. The team wanted to do him the favor of waiting until the off season to release him so they stashed him on the IL. I’m honestly surprised he doesn’t just retire. He can’t hit or play good defense anymore. I assume he’ll try to get a minor league deal with his hometown Braves and see if he can make the team out of spring training. If not, then he’ll retire most likely.
Jason Hayward, like Lorenzo Cain, is not MLB caliber anymore and would be taking opportunities from younger players in MiLB. He can try the IL.
Yes, just defense.
Jason could be a good minor league coach or an ambassador for the game. He had a really good run on the field and played a key role in the championship, but it ended a couple years back. Unlike say David Price who could be a decent middle reliever worth say 2-3 million for one season (Price will retire before doing that), Hayward would offer the Cubs, Orioles and the 28 other teams nothing at this juncture in his career even if he could play for free and just take up a roster spot.
Haha! As if you do?
The same White Sox fans who if the Sox re-signed Abreu would be excited. But, if the Cubs sign Abreu it’s a mistake?
Trade for Acuna.
Then the Braves should trade for MadBum right?
Sure. He will be better than Odorizzi at least.
Actually he would not be according to Fangraphs. Odorizzi was worth 1.3 WAR while Bumgarner was worth .5 WAR. But sure you know better than fangraphs.
It just goes to show you how useless these analytics are when they place a positive value for Odorizzi. Regardless, both guys are terrible.
Only took you 4 years to admit Bumgarner was bad. Also, these analytics are used by all of baseball sooooo…… Not to mention if they are both terrible then Odorizzi is the better choice since he is so much cheaper. Thank you for proving my point. Take some laps champ
Lol. They most assuredly do not use fangraphs or baseball reference. Those are entertainment sites for fans. Why would each team spend millions a year and employ dozens of analysts if they could just log onto fangraphs? Hilarious.
I’ve already stated signing Bumgarner would have been a bad signing long term, but might have worked out for ’21. Regardless, I just play along since people are so obsessed with that take like you just proved.
I wouldn’t want Odorizzi on this team for even a penny.
Didn’t the mlb literally propose determining player salaries off fangraphs this off-season?
Yes. They did. More to the point I was talking about analytics as a whole and specifically those two sites. But since revolver brings it up, multiple people from Fangraphs have been hired to do the same analysis they did the site for individual teams. So yes, teams are looking at those sites……
Actually someone with a Trump photo and trade Acuna moniker is a guy I wouldn’t want as a fan of my team. That is one confused dude who’s priorities are questionable at best.
Umm, analytics like war are completely unbiased, unlike you. Therefore, they are much more useful than your opinion.
Ummm, War like inciting a riot against your own government useful you mean? Like that? Analytics like anything else are a tool, Only as good as the person who is interpeting them. Or is WAR the baseball stat WAR? Your post is as confusing as you apparently are. But keep trying, I applaud the effort.
I hope not. He stood there not back up his CF mate and allowed an inside the park HR. A waste of money.
It’s good that articles about the Red Sox, White Sox and Cubs were published in succession.
Now fans from all 3 teams can get indignant and make similar irate complaints in their posts.
What is the point of this post?
Don’t bother with Samuel. He old and cranky. Or at least cranky.
What is the point on your head?
Another troll Muted.
Makes post complaining about how other fans just complain.
Calls someone a troll after clearly trolling.
What a life to live.
No thank you and if Hoyer does make this signing then he is dumber than Epstein.
He’s a former AL MVP and clubhouse leader. The Cubs can do a lot worse than Jose at 1B on a one or optional two year contract.
No they couldn’t seeing he is old and the Cubs should pass on him!
No way he takes a one or two year contract. Someone will offer at least 3, maybe 4. He can still hit like crazy and easily DH until 40.
“Dumber than Epstein”
These new gen cub fans are priceless.
Yeah, been watching the Cubs since Lenny Randle played for the Cubs, so shove your New Generation Cubs Fans up your know what!
Who cares if he was a MVP in the past because his age tell me to pass on him.
Only a South Side Bum fan would wish the Cubs to sign this guy!
Dang
Apparently you didn’t even bother reading the article. “Abreu’s wRC+ was better in 2022 (137) than in 2021 (125)”
Most teams would be happy to have Abreu at 1st/DH and that includes the Cubs
Indeed. Dumber than Epstein, rated the best GM in Red Sox history by MLB beat writers:
mlb.com/news/best-all-time-general-managers-for-ev…
The dummy ended the two longest championship droughts in baseball.
Just because someone is old doesn’t mean they know baseball… you should just pass on conversing with Jake.
I really don’t see how any Cub fan can call Epstein clueless with any sincerity… When Theo took the reigns the Cubs were a disaster… a void of talent in the farm (aside from Baez) a roster of over paid, under performing veterans that he managed to flip into a World Series winning roster.
Jake, if they sign him to keep Mervis down I agree with you. If they sign him to be the DH and part time 1B with Mervis he’d be better than Contreras and Reyes were this year. I’ve heard way worse ideas. Abreu has always been a solid RBI guy. Be a nice platoon.
I have no idea why my computer is spazzing out these replies.
Oh they’re gone now. Huh. My bad
Claiming a right handed hitter would be a nice “platoon” after posting an ops of over .800 against same hand pitching totally ruins your credibility as a poster.
And your continuous love of Ian Happ and Nick Madrigal who have had no good years for Madrigal and 1 good year for Happ completely ruins yours. Drascoo36-Agent to the starts.
If a .271 average and 72 RBI’s is your definition of an All Star LF then I feel sorry for you. Plus your continuous claims that he can play all 3 OF positions and 2B are complete falsehoods. That train has left the station and in fact his defense in LF was less than stellar.
There is so much wrong with what you said it’s not even worth replying to.
?
Like him more in an everyday DH role for all 162 games on the Cubs.
Jose Abreu’s defense at 1B has improved with age, to the point where he is no longer a liability on the field. He preference has always been to man 1B rather than assuming a full-time DH role. His work ethic helped make this possible.
Last I checked the Cubs don’t have a GG first baseman waiting in the wings. Abreu would be just fine at 1B with a few well-timed DH appearances mixed in. If 1B heir apparent Matt Mervis shows he can handle MLB pitching this spring, he can assume the bulk of DH’ing in 2023 as Abreu’s apprentice and learn from the master.
I guess it all depends on what the Cubs are looking for, If they really want to be competitive this season, Im not sure Abreu is the best fit (most times older players do not get better with their performance with the glove or bat, especially Abreu who missed a LOT of fastballs down the middle last season). If they are just still ‘building’ then sure he is a place holder.
This was random.
I don’t know if this article actually has real truth to it but this is definitely not the direction the Cubs need to go. That’s not a knock on abreu either. He’s a short term solution at this point in his career better suited for someplace else.
It’s quoting Bruce Levine. That alone puts up a red flag of concern. Bruce just loves to draw attention, and give himself some relevance.
@ retired
This is exactly the direction the Cubs need to go, a perfect fit. The Cubs had a lot of hitting problems this year but probably the biggest was lack of RBI production in the middle of the lineup. Abreu is older but takes great care of himself and there is no reason to think he wouldn’t be at least an above average DH until he’s 40 or more. Nelson Cruz, Edgar Martinez, well it’s certainly worth a shot. When your RBI leader is Ian Happ, you certainly need help. And with 70 that’s really pathetic. Oops, I’m going to get another snide post from Drascoo for trashing his newly minted All Star.
I definitely agree they could use a couple rbi bats I’d like to see them sign a long-term solution. Abreu is still plenty productive just the age isn’t something the Cubs need to deal with right now.
That it had truth to it disappeared the moment it suggested Reinsdorf may have no trouble spending beyond last years record payroll to keep him. Reinsdorf has problems spending ANY AMOUNT!
This Cub and White Sox fan isn’t necessarily buying a Jose Abreu flip. He’s more likely to leave Chicago than sign on the northside. Pito will get paid, most likely by a more legit 2023 World Series contender than the Cubs.
That said, I could envision the Cubs contending in the NL Central if Tom Ricketts makes good on his spending promise. The Cardinals are meh while the Brewers are dismantling. I also have more faith in Jed Hoyer than Rick Hahn since the latter’s firing of manager Rick Renteria, followed by a slew of other bad moves.
I’d also imagine there might be more than a few Sox fans pissed to see the Cubs with Abreu and Nick Madrigal manning the right side of their infield on opening day, especially if the Sox roll out some combination of Romy Gonzalez, Josh Harrison and Leury Garcia at 2B again.
Ah no. Once again you speak delusion. Noone misses slappy Madrigal and his toothless production.
@ Dumpster
Drascoo thinks Madrigal has elite defense skills and superior bat skills. How he does that from the hospital I don’t get personally.
Unclear who’s in the hospital. Drasco or Madrigal?
Mental or physical hospital?
Only reason I’d be upset about Madrigal at 2B for the Cubs, is because he has never shown anything to deserve to be a starting 2B. He needs to go to Iowa and prove his worth!
Nick Madrigal’s biggest concern since arriving in the big leagues has been his ability to stay on the field. Unlike most other White Sox top prospects, he didn’t have that issue rising through their farm system. When healthy, Madrigal should provide solid defense with elite batting skills, the latter being a trait that was once common in MLB but has seemingly disappeared in today’s analytic driven game.
Good luck convincing this 67-year old die-hard baseball fan that today’s game is an improved product since the advent of advanced analytics. It’s boring and then tries to fix itself with one gimmick after the next, something that will continue next season with shift bans and bigger bases. lol
I agree 100%. I am quite likely done with MLB. I’ve been a season ticket holder since 2005. The suits have bent over backward to try and ruin the game.
I wouldn’t go saying the suits ruined the game
Baseball is my #1 sport, but even I can say how boring it is at times. Changes are inevitable
Bigger bases? Doesn’t change anything. The 90 feet is still 90 feet. They didn’t increase the bases and put the overage in the baseline. Research people
No shifting? Good. I’d prefer seeing a guy like Gallo get a hit between 2nd and first than the 2b (or short RF in this case) make a play 20 feet into the grass and throw him out.
Football had rules for formations. Its not like they are re inventing the wheel
Now, if it got changed to 5 balls to walk or 1 swinging strike is a K. I can then get on board with you
But these changes don’t affect the skill level of the players, these changes aren’t going to cause the KC royals to exploit something and win back to back WS.
Enjoy the game and the players, that’s why we’re fans right
@AaronS. If you really think Madrigal has ‘elite batting skills’, you need to get a new grip on baseball. Not only is he barely adequate defensively, his OPS is absolutely horrible in context to the what helps actually WIN games. He is a player who needs to get sent to Iowa in AAA, and prove he is better than that!
AaronSapoznik;
Agreed.
I watch a lot because I toggle between at least 2 games on MLB.TV.
Think I’ve been to 5 MLB baseball games the past 30 years. Was bored silly at each one of them (as were all the people I was with).
I’ve enjoyed some minor league games, college games, and even high school games. All of them move quickly, and batters actually try to put the ball in play. The best sport in the world.
His spending promise depends on his father’s budget. Could be 90mil could be 65mil. Well find out in 2 weeks.
You should correct that to say ‘Pito will get overpaid’. The ‘meh’ Cardinals finished in 1st in the Central well (mostly because they have a better org than most of the teams in the league). One thing the Cubs will not do is ‘Over pay’ not since they have their title in the last decade, they will live on that for as long as they can. Ricketts is more concerned with making a ‘Cubs Experience’ for the tourists and ‘beer garden aficionados’ than putting another contending team on the field. As for Madrigal.. heh… I’m not missing him. Just because the Sox have a worse 2nd on their club does not make Madrigal a world beater. He really looks like a run of the mill 2nd baseman, and that may be his plateau..
Slappy has elite skills in one area- bat to ball contact. Sadly it’s weak contact as measured by advanced analytics such as barrel rate and exit velo. Consequently, teams have been able to adjust to him pretty easily. Remains to be seen if he’ll benefit from the limitations on the shift going forward. But he continues to profile as a high floor, low ceiling guy with decent defensive metrics but questionable baseball acumen as evidenced by his continued tendency for baserunning gaffes. The Cubs are much better off with Nico if they pony up for one of the free agent ss. And the Sox are better off with a Romy Gonzalez or even Josh Harrison.
Madrigal will be in the minors!
To see Abreu in a Cubs uniform would be the ultimate screw up of Rick Hahn’s tenure as GM, which I believe still has potential to turn out positively. But you let Abreu walk and it’s all over for the White Sox, everything that they have built will come crashing down.
Sox fans won’t show up to the park, and the entire team will be a complete and total disaster.
Depth at the position is a non factor. The team won’t be right without Abreu, he should retire in a White Sox uniform.
Meh. Can’t base decisions on where players might end up. If the Sox improve by moving on from Jose and allocating those resources elsewhere, who cares where he ends up. Unless he ends up with the Twinkies or Guards and is directly involved in Sox losses. Enough with the Cub obsession. It’s creepy.
Hahaha. Pot meet kettle.
Ok
Mets can sign him to DH
Was just going to post the same. He’d be a nice fit in that lineup.
Metropolitans would be lucky to get him.
This is an outrageous rumor conjured from a child’s mind. The Cubs are rebuilding and you don’t rebuild with old veterans like Jose Abreu 2023.
The Cubs are no longer in the “rebuilding” phase. Now they are turning the page. Signing Abreu would be similar to them trading for Fowler and Montero in 2015.
Interest in Abreu makes sense because the Cubs have an open DH and first base slot. Assuming, the Cubs are looking for an insurance policy in the event Mervis takes a step back in his development. Abreu at most would be looking at three year deal, the Cubs probably have interest in him over two years.
The people who do not think Abreu makes sense do not realize how much pitching the Cubs have right. Adding Abreu on a short term contract and they still are rumored to want to spend big on one of the short stops… they also should be pretty active in the trade market, attempting to move some guys who need to be added to the 40 man that they cannot protect.
Hard Pass. Matt Mervis is on the rise. Can’t see Abreu leaving the other Chicago baseball team
If real it makes no sense. Call up Mervis.
Why not take a look at Mervis production before this season. A man that trounced inferior pitching in AA. He will not be the same player vs MLB pitching.
Of course, AA is different than MLB. Mervis’s 2021 season means little other than he developed immensely during 2022. It would be an upset if he isn’t called up next year. A tandem with Abreu at 1B/DH would be an improvement.
Several mistakes in this article. one suggestion I have is to name whoever is your best writer – Steve or Anthony – as Editor. You pay them a little more to also preview the content on the site.
The fact that what is apparently Cubs fans can’t see the value in signing a veteran to DH and mentoring Mervis is beyond me. That is actually pretty ideal. They need a DH and veteran leadership, Abreu has both qualities.
Pass!
Abreu is an elite player and a hell of a value compared to 184m man Kris Bryant. The man has done nothing but stay on the field and produce. All the BS about him being old is said by people that have not watched him play. Few have put up the numbers he has during the last 9-10 years while playing the game the right way. A man that has put himself in the best shape to play every day. With the universal DH being an option he improves any team that signs him. I compare him to Jose Ramirez as a player that cares about values. Abreu will earn his money for the season in the first two months. A player that has more than out played his earnings. Rare in todays game.
I agree. If the Cubs can get him on a one year deal, maybe two, I’m all in. Play first and dh.
He’s a lifetime .292 hitter. Those guys don’t come along all that often. And while the Cubs are at it, extend Contreras and quit playing games.
Was,… Abreu WAS an elite player.. If you watched Abreu last season you would know this. The guy cannot hit fastballs down the middle this past season and homers and RBIs were down when they needed him to be a homer and RBI guy Got on base a lot, but when you cannot run then all you do is clog up the base paths.. hardly elite now. As for values.. Well I say a team with a lot of under performers with Abreu as their ‘leader in the clubhouse’ so with that I’m not impressed either. Abreu is a good guy, but in baseball you need guys that can produce and Abreu may be able to do this still but clearly not at the level as in the past, and Im not sure any of his intangibles make up for that now.
Jose likely to play 1B for the Astros next year!
Daaaaaang
Rehire Rick Renteria. Every time he gets hired the the team improved, then fires him and hires someone else to take them to the playoffs.. might improve the rebuilding efforts.
Along with Doug Collins. Would make a great buddy cop sitcom.
Mervis getting the Hoskins treatment I see
First as a person that was born and raised In the city of Chicago. You must first understand the reporter that wrote this story Is a paid Chicago Cub mouthpiece of club.
Bruce Levine works both for flagship radio station for club but also the Cubs failed tv network.
I would not be surprised that Jed Hoyer was sitting on Bruce lap feeding him story.
Pitching and timely hitting is what is winning in this year’s playoffs. The money Abreu would want to be just a DH make him a no go. The Cubs are going young. Abreu can help some AL team.
I haven’t seen or heard any Chicago sports writer make any sense so far watching the Marquee sports network.
This makes good sense for the Cubs actually. For less than the cost of retaining Contreras you get a comparable bat that provides insurance and probably mentorship for Matt Mervis. Also doesn’t come with the QO penalty. People scratching their heads here probably don’t realize the Cubs were 8 games over .500 in the 2nd half and planning to be a solid wildcard if not division contender in 2023.
The Brewers are expected to trade on of their top arms and nose dived with the trade of hader this year. If the cardinals lose Arenado and their pitching takes a step back with Molina retiring, the NL Central could be up for grabs.
No one saw the cubs coming in 2015 unless you paid attention in 2014… this team has the same feel with the pitching they have, just need the bats
The Cardinals don’t even need to lose Arenado. I would bet that Nolan and Goldy will both have their WARs cut in half next year. That’s eight wins right there that they would have to make up.
I disagree that this feels like 2014. The Cubs don’t have the MLB ready pipeline like they did then. And pitching is more unreliable from year to year than hitting. But things do look promising and with some new acquisitions and a lot of good luck, I can hope for the Cubs to flip their record to 88-74 and get into the postseason.
Tell that to the Indians and rays who keep churning out quality pitching.
And we don’t need a “pipeline” of ml ready players, we have complementary players in place, Suzuki, Happ, Hoerner, Gomes.. we need to improve production out of the middle of the line up and let Suzuki and Happ fall where their bats should naturally lay (2nd and 5th in the order)
While I love Abreu, the Sox have a log jam at first and Abreu is clearly not the player he was. I get someone will throw this or that stat out there, but I have eyes and watched him swing and miss at many average (or below) fastballs right down the middle (no movement, just almost a BP pitch for a MLB player), He always looks like he is hurt (while admirable for him to be out there all the time, he is not helping the team if he cannot swing right or run), his power numbers dipped precipitously as well. Sure he hit .300, but is this the guy you want clogging up base paths? As for his leadership, I question that when there were players in that locker room obviously dogging it all season, and kept doing so under his watch. I get he is not a GM, but when Cueto has to basically challenge the team he practically just joined it does not look good for the ‘leader’ in the locker room who has been there through the rebuild.
I agree that Abreu isn’t the bat he was. But, he’d still be way better than what the Cubs were tossing out there this year. I think he could be a good DH if he can adapt to the role, Some guys can’t. The Cubs power would be markedly improved with him in there. Plus he wouldn’t cost anything but money which the Cubs have in abundance, Plus he’d be good team leader like he’s been with the Sox. The Sox have 2 good young 1B who need to play so I see the reasoning for letting him walk. If the Cubs can go out and sign a better player I’m all for it. But he could at least mentor Mervis and some of the Cubs young Latin players plus spell him against some tough LH P’s. Like I said, I’ve heard worse ideas, So until I hear a better one I’m on board.
As much as I love Jose, the Cubs should not sign him – for what? He will be very expensive and he needs to win a ring. On the other hand, he loves Chicago and may not want to move. Maybe he will settle with seeing the Cubs to another Divisional Title, and then retire. That would cement him here in Chicago. Either way, I am still hoping for little Nicky to avoid the IL in 2023 and show Cubs fans’ and the world who he is. Good luck to the Cubs in 2003, but regarding Jose and 1st base, Vaughn and Sheets need to get out of the outfield and put back at their signed positions – 1st base. That said, Jose will be missed, big time!
Could see a scenario where the Sox let Jose go, while they straighten out the logjam at 1b, giving Gavin and Vaughn reps, and then bringing Jose back for a final tour in say 3 seasons to serve as a mentor before he retires to a lifetime position with the club. Timing just not right to bring him back given the roster construction. Sense Jose will continue to rake for another 3-4 yrs a la Nelson Cruz, but his type of production is easy to replace and the net value of slotting Gavin and Vaughn at their natural positions with the + value of an actual RF is too good to pass up, whether it be Colas, a free agent acquisition, or some combo of Payton, Rutherford or Cespedes.
If the CUBs were serious contenders, it would make sense. They are a long way from contending to overpay for a 36-year-old player. Sadly, as great as he is, he is still old. He needs to either be on a contender or remain with the guys in Black!
But why tho?