WELCOME to today’s episode of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground from #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, steeped in writers’ tears, and then cold-brewed overnight for maximum flavor. No artificial intelligences were deployed, employed, entranced, or embalmed in the commission of this missive (apparently I might be training some though). Cub Tracks eagerly awaits the advent of robotic umpires and has already amended the three laws. The going is weird. Cub Tracks turned pro a long time ago.

Cub Tracks. Where the great ones run away.

Okay, I admit it, I held back on you.

On purpose. There was already a ton of good stuff™ in yesterday’s edition, so I capped that early and slated some of the good stuff™ for today. Check out the Justin Steele interview. You do know that Steele has his own podcast already, yes? We’ve had an episode or two linked to here.

If the Cubs have success, Steele will be in the middle of it. He has the demeanor and the desire to be the horse, and seems like he’d like to fill No. 34’s shoes. The team will have to help — Lester’s rep was made in the postseason. But I’d give him a shot at it.

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• Karli Bell (Marquee Sports Network*): ‘Sammy played hard’: Former Cubs manager Jim Riggleman reflects on Sosa’s impact in Chicago. “It’s nothing but positive. I know it’s going to be very exciting for Sammy, and I know most fans are going to be very welcoming to it.”
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs Mailbag: On Kyle Tucker’s future, pitching plans and the hot corner. “… some of your questions regarding the team.” Cubs Weekly Podcast.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): The Cubs should call the Twins about Pablo Lopez. “How much would you give up to get Lopez on a three-year, $65.25 million deal?”
• Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): Should Cubs engage Rays on Shane McClanahan, or Shane Baz? I bet Alan Ladd would want both. “In the Cubs’ relentless search for a rotation upgrade, the final frontier might be Tampa Bay.”
• Chuck Murr (Forbes* {$}): Chicago Cubs believe rookie Matt Shaw is ready For third base. “… he has to earn that job. I’m not going to gift him that job on a conference call in the middle of December. But, certainly, with what he’s done in the minor leagues since we’ve had him, he’s played really well.”
• Larry Lambert (Cubbies Crib*): This Cubs Hall of Famer was – and is – vastly underrated for what he did on the field. “Ron Santo was the best third baseman in MLB during the 1960s – and deserves some appreciation.”
• David Adler (MLB.com*): Measuring PCA’s excellence on bases, in field. “… PCA was the most valuable speed-and-defense player in the Major Leagues in 2024.”
• EKU Baseball*: Former Colonel All-American joins Chicago Cubs Major League staff. “… A.J. Lewis has joined the Chicago Cubs major league staff as a staff assistant for the 2025 season.”

Food for Thought:

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series. We are 100% in favor of human sportswriting and will not wittingly publish A. I. driven articles or content. Thanks for reading!

RIP, Rickey.