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.

Well, the hockey game was a good idea. The Blackhawks’ newest rebuild is clearly in the early stages, though, and the Blues were victorious.

Happy New Year, Cub Tracks readers. The Cubs picked up Kyle Tucker and are now assembling bullpen ingredients, prior to the annual spaghetti-pitch. We faithful anticipate another bold move but recent experience tempers such enthusiasm.

Spring Training games start next month. We’ll start examining the 40-man roster in our own unique fashion is short order. Until then, you know, developments…

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• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs on short list as Roki Sasaki returns to Japan following round of in-person meetings. “… Sasaki appears to be very conscious of the fact that he’s far from a fully formed superstar.” Andy Martinez has more Sasaki. Michael Cerami likewise.
• Robert Longhini (Cubbies Crib*): One minor Jameson Taillon adjustment led to major 2024 success with the Cubs. “The right-handed stalwart attacked hitters with more cutters, fitting in with the Cubs’ model of inducing contact and utilizing a Gold Glove defense.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Is a Nate Pearson conversion the Cubs’ backup plan for a starting pitching addition? “… I wouldn’t rule it out thanks to Pearson’s previously-expressed interest in trying to start again…”
• Dan O’Leary (NHL.com*): Bedard’s Winter Classic stick is the most Chicago thing ever. “The Chicago Blackhawks forward had some sick details on his lumber for the outdoor game…”
• AP*: Lenny Randle, ‘The Most Interesting Man in Baseball’ who spent a season with the Chicago Cubs, dies at 75. “I yelled at the ball foul. I didn’t blow it,” Randle told the MLB Network in January 2024, saying he kept repeating: “Go foul.”

Food for Thought:

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