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.

Former Blue Jays catcher Reese McGuire has joined the Cubs’ squad. Ryan Pressley is supposed to be strongly looking at waiving his no-trade clause. Nate Pearson is supposed by some to be stretching out.

I don’t know about you, but I would rather keep Nico Hoerner than trade for Alex Bregman and move Hoerner and put Matt Shaw at second.

David Robertson?! Max Scherzer?! They’re reportedly drawing Cubs interest.

Developments. You know what to do.

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• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): How the Cubs will be affected by automatic ball-strike system this spring. “The ABS system has been used in Triple-A and a research of fans showed that, on average, there were four challenges or fewer per game.”
• Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): Matthew Boyd and the killer 2-1 changeup: How to keep tweaking and improving as a career gets old. “Step 1: Develop your underused third or fourth pitch. Step 2: Be brave. Throw it when no one’s expecting it.”
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation*): BREAKING: Cubs, Astros have a deal for Closer Ryan Pressly, but will he waive the no-trade? UPDATE: Tigers, too! “Per Jon Heyman, the deal is reportedly agreed to by both the Cubs and Astros…” The Athletic has more and Bregman to boot {$}. MLB.com has more, too. MLB Trade Rumors centers the discussion.
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Longtime Cubs pitcher Adbert Alzolay leaves organization, signs with Mets on 2-year deal. “Alzolay was a success story for the Cubs pitching infrastructure at a time when it was questioned.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs boast NL-best 7 prospects on new Top 100 list. “There is a balancing act playing out with the Cubs right now.” Ben Weinrib has more.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Dansby Swanson feeling good to go after fall surgery. “I’ve been dealing with this for a pretty long time,” Swanson told The Athletic.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Will Shaw’s leg kick pass big league test? “So, the leg kick actually gives you a little bit easier timing to adjust from pitch to pitch.”
• Andy Koval (WGN9*): Cubs legend Anthony Rizzo, wife expecting first child. “Rizzo is currently a free agent after spending the last three and a half seasons with the Yankees.”
• Matt Danielewicz (Marquee Sports Network*): Ryne Sandberg explains how Cubs’ 2016 World Series title changed him. And now I said, ‘You know what? I can walk around a little bit differently being a Cub because the Cubs can win a World Series,’” Sandberg said.

Food for Thought:

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