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.

In today’s news, the Cubs have undertaken the unprecedented step of continuing to be the same Cubs, and the haystacks are under assault. Jed Hoyer, you know, and company, do not use their noodles so much as try to pass them through the eye of a storm. Some of this stuff may have been seen otherwhere, but we try to be as complete as possible.

Dylan Cease is an even more unlikely target, as reports say that the Padres want Matt Shaw+. Not for one year, I say. There are even more extreme packages out there. Make it stop. Pivot to Michael King?

Ian Happ is getting some love from the MLB Network. #top10rightnow.

Brandon Hughes is back {$}. AJ Puckett is another new Tyler Zombro production. Brad Keller joins the crew.

Luis Vázquez has flown the coop and his heart now beats in Baltimore, who DFA’d Emmanuel Rivera. Nick Madrigal is reportedly a Met. Will Sammon has more {$}.

May there be calmer waters ahead.

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• Jordan Shusterman (Yahoo Sports*): Grading the NL Central’s offseason: How have the Cubs, Cardinals, Reds responded to a disappointing 2024? “… the quintet of National League clubs in the heartland had a far less encouraging season.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): “Opportunistic” Cubs still hanging around in a handful of pursuits, Including Alex Bregman. “A bit to share this evening from the rumor mill…” Bruce Levine has words on this.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs’ Ryan Pressly details waiving no-trade clause: ‘It’s hard to leave your home’. “It was tough to make this decision, probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made,” Pressly said Wednesday. Meghan Montemurro also reports {$}. Jordan Bastian adds on.
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): How new Cubs reliever Ryan Pressly hopes to form ‘dynamic duo’ with Porter Hodge. “He looks at him as a teammate and what they can achieve together, regardless of roles.”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs add to pitching depth with a trio of veterans, including a familiar face. “The Cubs continue to add pitching depth to their roster,”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Jon Berti ready for anything in Cubs bench role. “Wherever I fit in, I’ll fit in. That’s never been an issue for me.”

Food for Thought:

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