#Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. The Cubs took their second in a row from the mighty Dodgers and sit atop the anthill.
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.
I’m in the best shape of my life — round. Tanned, rested, and ready. Like a smoked turkey on the grill. The Cubs are 2-0 so far. Lucky… but good, too.
“Good news is rare these days, and every glittering ounce of it should be cherished and hoarded and worshipped and fondled like a priceless diamond.” — Hunter S. Thompson
Truthfully, I’m not all broken up about Alexander Canario, It’s been rather obvious that he was only around because he didn’t have options, and that he wasn’t going to play. Nelson Velázquez, or, further back, Carlos Lezcano, that’s his level within the organization… a right-handed version of Matt Mervis, in terms of perception.
I don’t honestly know why this was so, but it was pretty hard to ignore. In the meantime, he got MLB meal money and compensation, which isn’t chopped liver. But I’m sure he would have liked to take the field periodically, and should have been allowed to do so.
That said, I didn’t want Justin Turner, but of course will root hard for him since he’s now in the right shade of blue. 33-year-old Travis Jankowski has reportedly been added to the Iowa outfield mix, joining recently-signed Greg Allen, who was notably a simCub, wasn’t the answer then and isn’t, now. But OF depth is a good thing, in Des Moines, and Allen can pick ‘em in the grass, run a little bit, and try to maneuver around the holes in his bat, which have contributed to his travels, as has his distinct lack of home run power. Brandon Palmer and David Ross say hey, from their island in the Caribbean, where they drink Belgian ale with straws and don’t worry so much about wasting roster spots.
Ah, such foolishness. People expect better. We are, after all, professionals. White Sox today. Justin Steele will start.
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“I think it’s like healthy to have a sense of urgency. I think that’s, you know, the right way to show up in camp. I think it’s OK to like voice expectations,” Taillon said. “I think we have a really good group of guys, and I think it’s time for us to like put that on the field and make a run in the playoffs.” — Jameson Taillon.
“The place is rocking and rolling when the Cubs are good, and we intend on being good this year.” — Justin Turner.
- Valentina Martinez (Dodgers Nation*): Dodgers’ Dave Roberts provides major update on Bobby Miller after scary injury. “Miller is currently in concussion protocol; however, the 25-year-old is in good spirits as he joked with Roberts that he’s “got a hard head.””
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs move forward with major goals, backed by players who’ve won it all. “Winning cures everything,” Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson said.
- Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation*): My excuses begin: The Cubs have a BRUTAL Start to their schedule. “… the best news is that the Cubs’ difficult start is balanced by a pretty easy finish.”
- Jacob Zanolla (Cubs Insider*): Cubs must answer these 3 questions during Spring Training. “With expectations for the Cubs higher than they’ve been for several years, there will be a lot to follow over the next few weeks.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Imanaga tunes up for Tokyo with sim game. “Imanage faced an assortment of hitters from big league camp…”
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): ‘I have something to prove’: Chicago Cubs lefty Jordan Wicks ready to make an impact after an underwhelming 2024. “For me, it’s crucial to get back to who I am this year.” Jordan Bastian has more.
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): Nico Hoerner’s last stand. “The 2025 season will be the second baseman’s last chance to prove he can be consistent and healthy enough to factor into the long-term plans for the Cubs. Is he up to it?”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Turner joins Cubs, jokes about 2017 NLCS: ‘I’m not apologizing’. “My answer to that is I’ve made a lot of outs against the Cubs, too,” Turner joked on Thursday. Paul Sullivan has some Turner* {$}.
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Gage Workman cranks the Cubs’ first home run of the spring. “Workman is a superlative infield glove man, and has tremendous power.”
- Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): How one basketball shot resulted in a new jersey number for Cubs speedster Pete Crow-Armstrong. “I wasn’t gonna say no to the boss, so I went with it and he sunk it,” Crow-Armstrong said.
Food for Thought:
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It was 20 years ago yesterday. Be seeing you, Doc. We miss you.