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.

Let’s talk about baseball. The Professor went home. Speculation is rife as the Cubs could move in so many directions. The minor-league free agents, the major-league free agents, the trade prospects, they’re all getting put on the table. Lots of cocktail chatter now — maybe action later.

*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.

/

• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Examining Craig Counsell’s impact on Cubs one year in. “The Cubs believe Counsell has had a major impact on the organization, helping to shape the roster and improve processes behind the scenes.”
• Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): What we’re hearing about the Cubs at GM meetings: Starting pitching, catching and more. “The Cubs have cycled back to that point where it’s time to make a major investment in their rotation.” Brett Taylor interprets*.
• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib*): Cubs predicted to land a trio of high-profile free agents this offseason. “MLB Trade Rumors’ annual top 50 free agent predictions piece has the Cubs using free agency to address some major areas of need.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Several MLBTR predictions have Cubs landing lefty Max Fried, plus more potential FA destinations. “The Cubs are looking to get creative and find value around the margins,”
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs feel optimistic despite uncertainty surrounding Ben Brown. “Mid-November, he’s gonna have another scan just to clear everything, to see where he is, but he’s progressing well,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said.
• Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): One early Hot Stove move might pave way for Cubs to land little-known big bat from Angels. “It might be time to pull the trigger on a deal for Taylor Ward.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Hoyer feeling out market with Bellinger back in fold. “Anytime a really good player decides to stay with you, that’s good news,” Hoyer said. Andy Martinez has more. Meghan Montemurro has some too* {$}.

Food for Thought:

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series. Thanks for reading!