#Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. The Cubs will be heading to Japan for some strangeness with the Dodgers. The guys in the picture are on the trip roster.
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.
C’mon. You knew it was coming from the title.
Travis Jankowski moved to the other side of town. He can probably play some there. Would you pay $350 million for Kyle Tucker? That’s the number being floated around.
I wonder where Keegan Thompson will wind up? I suspect he’ll be claimed.
Who’s going to get up at wtf am to watch the games? They’re on at 3 ayem here. I might. More likely that I dvr them but weird hours are not out of the ordinary here.
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- Alex Sherman (CNBC*): CNBC Sport: Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts on MLB’s challenges and private equity in baseball [VIDEO].
- Kin Leung (North Side Baseball*): A Cubs fan’s guide to feasting around the Tokyo Dome. “It would be a shame to not partake in the native fare while visiting Tokyo, particularly if you’re one of the lucky American Cubs fans who got to go check out a unique series.”
- Tim Dierkes (MLB Trade Rumors* {$}): Offseason In Review: Chicago Cubs. “… this Cubs offseason kicked off with a pivotal player option decision that would affect their financial flexibility. “
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Who made the Chicago Cubs roster for their upcoming series in Tokyo — and who is staying back. “… outfielder Kevin Alcántara and right-hander Keegan Thompson are staying back in Arizona. Thompson is out of minor-league options.” Andy Martinez has more.
- Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): How might Cubs rotation look after returning from Tokyo Series? “So, when they play the Diamondbacks, do they go with Taillon or Boyd for the domestic opener and keep the rotation order going? Or do they reset it and have Imanaga start?”
- Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs director of pitching Ryan Otero shaping infrastructure at critical time. “Otero took over the department after Craig Breslow left for Boston.”
- Jonathan Mayo (MLB.com*): Good problem to have: Cubs have MLB stars AND loaded farm system. “I think it’s generally a good thing and I think it speaks to the strength of our Major League team that we have, essentially, some blockades,” said Cubs farm director Jason Kanzler.
- Jordan Shusterman (Yahoo Sports*): NL Central season preview: Will the Cubs break through? How good are the Reds and Pirates? And what are the Cardinals doing? “Projected record: 84-78, 53.4% odds to make the playoffs, 40.7% odds to win the division…”
- Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Winning a job in spring training is a crapshoot. Just ask Matt Shaw and Colson Montgomery. “Both prospects are former first-round draft picks who should have bright futures. But winning a job in spring training is always a crapshoot, no matter your resume.”
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Who is Gage Workman? Introducing Cubs’ Rule 5 pick earning his way onto Opening Day roster. “Gage has had a tremendous camp,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. More from Marquee Sports Network*.
- Jordan Shusterman (Yahoo Sports*): Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is ready to unlock a new level in his second season in MLB. “My place here is a little more meaningful,” the 22-year-old said this spring. “And I’m so glad to be out of the prospect status.”
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): The Newest Statcast Leaderboard should boost your confidence in Kyle Tucker’s fit with Cubs. “… that flat, shallow wall in left-center at Wrigley Field is going to be very, very friendly to him in 2025.”
Food for thought:
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