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.

Stuff is happening. Kyle Hendricks is a free agent. So is Jorge López. More will follow shortly. Alex Kiriloff retired. Jorge Soler is an Angel.

Anything is possible. Pass the popcorn.

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• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Top 10 Cubs building blocks: No. 10 Cade >:’Horton. “… this is a bit of a curveball (pun intended) to finish off this list.” #9 — Ben Brown.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Cubs Roster Move: Knight outrighted ahead of flurry of forthcoming 40-man moves. “A small procedural move for the Chicago Cubs, with many more on the way.” More from Evan Altman.
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): The latest on Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner. “I think projecting that far out is a bit challenging.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): ‘I’ve learned I can do it’: Pete Crow-Armstrong showed progress as a rookie — and could be a key to Chicago Cubs’ 2025 success. “It’s hard no matter what, even when it starts getting a little bit easier,” Crow-Armstrong told the Tribune.
• Benjamin Hill (MLB.com*): This Midwestern city’s Minor League park set the standard. “:Some fans still call it “The Cove.” You can call it that too, if you want.”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Top 10 comebacks in Cubs franchise history. “Over 149 seasons of baseball throughout Cubs franchise history, there are bound to be some truly epic games.”

Food for Thought:

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