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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.
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In a not-unexpected move, Shōta Imanaga will open the season for the Cubs. They’re going to be in Japan, after all. He’ll face the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Cubs have yet to name (as of Wednesday) the second-game starter, who will face Roki Sasaki.
Buster Olney drops a truthbomb. The narrative isn’t kind to the Cubs’ brass, who come off as tarnished.
Justin Turner is a Cub. May he play well enough to dispel misgivings.
Spring Training games start today. Reports say Michael Busch will be the only regular in the lineup. We await news of who goes to let Justin Turner onto the 40-man.
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- Nicole Gutierrez (ABC15*): Sloan Park debuts new food items for Cubs spring training games in Mesa. “New food items on the roster: Cubs Helmet Nachos, Southwest Helmet Nachos, Chicago Dog, Pork Wings and Waffle Fries, Patty Melt, Bratwurst, and the Chicago Wrap.”
- Buster Olney (ESPN*): MLB 2025: What missing out on Alex Bregman says about Cubs. “Despite the fact that the Cubs are playing in baseball’s land of opportunity, the incredibly weak NL Central, they’ve given no indication that winning is actually a priority. Making money seems to be the modus operandi.” Brett Taylor has more.
- Evan Drellich (The Athletic {$}): The robo ump could cause a unexpected casualty: the TV strike zone box. “The robo ump could kill K-Zone.”
- Tim Britton, Tyler Kepner and more (The Athletic {$}): In the best shape of our lives, ranking the best MLB spring training cliches. “What they say in Surprise seldom does.”
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs tab Shota Imanaga for Opening Day start in Tokyo Series against Dodgers. “It was kind of a no-brainer,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. Tony Andracki has more. Jordan Bastian does the honors.
“It’s a huge honor for starting pitchers,” said Cubs lefty Justin Steele, who was the team’s Opening Day starter last season. “With the season he had last year, he was definitely deserving of it. He came into this league right away and was dominating immediately.” — Bastian.
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Taillon looking to ‘punch back’ for Cubs in ‘25. “As you get older, I think it’s important to punch back a little bit,” Taillon said.
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): The Cubs will get a five-man taxi squad for Japan. “It’ll be interesting to see who gets selected for that group…”
- Matt Ostrowski (North Side Baseball*): Javier Assad and the mighty FIP beaters. “The Cubs’ run prevention has been strange and uneven over the last four years. But there might be signs of a corner being turned.”
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Craig Counsell on the added benefit of veteran relievers. “… having a robust group of veteran relievers could theoretically pay some extra dividends longer-term.”
- Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Where infielder Justin Turner fits on the Cubs roster. “If the Cubs are facing a tough left-handed pitcher or Michael Busch needs a day off, then Turner will play first.” Paul Sullivan has more Turner* {$}. Cubbies Crib adds on.
- Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Notes from Chicago Cubs camp: Nico Hoerner hopes to play in Japan, while Dansby Swanson wants to play every day. “I don’t want to miss anything,” Hoerner said.
- Matt Danielewicz (Marquee Sports Network*): Nico Hoerner in awe of some of his new Cubs teammates. “Kyle Tucker does what all of us are trying to do and that he does every part of the game well. He’s a five-tool player and a guy who impacts the game in every way,” Hoerner said.
- Matt Danielewicz (Marquee Sports Network*): Seiya Suzuki explains his motivation heading into Cubs 2025 season. “Simply put, win the World Series,” Suzuki said. “Just watching two Japanese players last year win it, I think it’s motivation for me and Shōta to do well with this team and hopefully we can get there.”
- Karli Bell (Marquee Sports Network*): Pete Crow-Armstrong sets his sights on lofty goals with Cubs in 2025. “If we’re talking important goals, I want to be a part of this team and play in October. We got every capability, every opportunity to do so.”
- Randy Holt (North Side Baseball*): The Cubs’ outfield defense might be their secret source of major improvement. “I thought the rationale Petriello gave was worth exploring…”
- Regina Waldroup (NBC5Chicago*): Are these your pics? Woman seeks family that lost camera 15 years ago at Cubs game. “It has been going on for 15 years, and I don’t know why it means so much to me. I have no idea where they are from. I’m just hoping someone sees this and recognizes them and they come forward.”
Food for Thought:
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