Cub Tracks’ fly-by

#Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine.The season is over, the coaching carousel has begun to spin, and Cody Bellinger’s possible opt-out hangs over everything.

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.

Well, there will be changes afoot, underfoot, The coaching staff has already seen some shakeup… predictably, as Craig Counsell is going to want his own people. A former Cub had some words about that — see below.

Also imminent is the Cody Bellinger decision, which will have great effect on the team’s future. There’s rather extensive reporting on that, but no actual conclusion yet. Even so, there’s going to be big-time player turnover. And there should be.

The beats and bloggers increasingly cover the same subjects the same way, so I usually group them together. Eventually we hope to see some variety, and it would be nice if that included competent writing/reporting, which isn’t always the case with off-brands, and we definitely won’t be adding any AI content.-

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• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): 4 highlights from Jed Hoyer’s season-ending Chicago Cubs remarks, including coaching staff changes and Cody Bellinger’s looming decision. “When I think about our season and where we are I’m disappointed but optimistic,” Hoyer said Tuesday. Maddie Lee reports*.Brett Taylor has more*. Jordan Bastian opines*. Sahadev Sharma caps it {$}.
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Hoyer is under pressure as he heads into his 5th Chicago Cubs season without a playoff appearance. “We’re not playing today, we’re having a press conference today,” Hoyer said. “From Tom on down, I think there is a level of disappointment in that.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Time for Cubs to take more risks and leave comfort zone? Not so fast says Jed Hoyer. “In general, the goal is to build something that’s sustainable,” Hoyer said.
• Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times*): Cubs’ Jed Hoyer has to go if 2025 season is yet another dud. “… Hoyer will have only one year left on his contract to deliver on his “next great Cubs team” promises.”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib*): Former Cubs’ free agent dud takes direct shot at Jed Hoyer’s front office. “Among those surprised by the news was former Cubs’ free agent bust, Eric Hosmer.”
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): The genius of Shota Imanaga. “That’s the greatness of Shota is that it’s not different,” manager Craig Counsell said.
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs announce coaching changes, including parting ways with first base coach. “Counsell’s coaching staff will have a fresh look.”

Food for Thought:

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