#Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. Trade rumor news, player analysis, roster speculation, and even some facts. We have it all in this edition.
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 a. dvent 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 don’t know about you, but I don’t see Alex Bregman as an option. The compensation alone would be daunting, and I really can’t see him dangling for long enough to make him this offseason’s Bellinger. I’m not alone.
Other rumors are floating about, but they’re seldom advanced by anyone with any credibility, and only then will we report on them.
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- Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Meet Tyler Zombro, the latest young executive the Cubs have added to their front office. “… Zombro spoke to The Athletic and explained his background and philosophies.” Evan Altman has some words about Zombro.
- Sam Dykstra (MLB.com*): 10 prospects impacted by trades — even though they weren’t in them. “There’s always a Minor League angle.”
- Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation*): Are the Cubs one of the worst organizations at identifying talent? One group of scouts says yes. “… the results of those polls do not paint a flattering picture of the Cubs…”
- Andrew Wright (North Side Baseball*): Chicago Cubs 2025 Opening Day Roster Projection: Version 1.0. “We’re going to try our best to predict the Chicago Cubs’ 26-man Opening Day roster…”
- Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib*): Cubs Rumors: Chicago listed as a landing spot for free agent All-Star closer. “In the latest free agent roundup from The Athletic {$}, the Cubs are projected to shore up the bullpen.” Bleacher Nation reports.
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Could Alex Bregman be this offseason’s Cody Bellinger signing for the Cubs? (Apologies, but I don’t see it). “… the Qualifying Offer Bregman rejected makes this a near non-starter for the Cubs.” Here’s a vote for Ha-Seong Kim, from North Side Baseball.
- Marquee Sports Network*: Could Cubs prospect Matt Shaw be 2025 NL Rookie of the Year front-runner? “… he clearly has a pathway to playing time — and could put himself in line for some hardware in the process.”
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): How Ian Happ can help us all understand bat-tracking data better. “Bat speed has been understood as the key to power hitting almost since the dawn of the game.”
Food for Thought:
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RIP Brian Matusz.