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.

Not long ago, I advanced the opinion that the Cubs are playing for 2027, after the CBA is renegotiated. Actually I said 2028 because I expect no baseball or a truncated season then… in any case Jesse Rogers in an interview made that point also, explaining why the Cubs aren’t playing in ‘the deep end of the FA pool.’

Josh Rojas is on the radar, according to Mark Feinsand. Cole Roederer has moved on to San Diego. He became eminently expendable after a subpar 2024 in Knoxville and Des Moines.

There’s NHL Hockey at Wrigley today. Hockey was my first sport. I’ll be there with bells on. “Puck drop is at 4 p.m. CT.”

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Link for Apple news users here.

• NBC Sports Chicago*: Sammy Sosa to attend Cubs Convention after reconciliation with team. Sosa will be one of the biggest stars at the annual event, set to take place Jan. 17-19. Marquee Sports Network has more.
• Dan Rosen (NHL.com*): Blues coaches Montgomery, Julien thrilled to be at Wrigley Field for Winter Classic. “With experience at Fenway, ready to take on Blackhawks in iconic home of Cubs.”
• Jared Wyllys (Forbes* {$}): Can the Chicago Cubs win the NL Central in 2025? “There is some cause for optimism …”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki may visit teams — including the Chicago Cubs — as he narrows down signing choices. “He is definitely driving the ship and calling the shots,” Joel Wolfe said
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Chicago Cubs sign righty reliever Ben Heller. “… he’s been a big-time stuff darling for years…” North Side Baseball has more.
• Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): Why Tanner Scott might be the eException to Jed Hoyer’s rule about long-term, big-money reliever deals. “He’d cost something like $15 million per year on a three- or four-year deal, which is a hefty commitment.”
• Lamond Pope (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Catcher Matt Thaiss ready to settle in with Chicago White Sox after a pair of trades in a ‘crazy’ month. “Thaiss has had a unique offseason.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Chicago Cubs roster analysis: Outfield depth shines, but more moves may be needed. “More will be needed if Chicago plans on really competing for not only a playoff spot but a World Series.”

Food for Thought:

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