Cub Tracks in the driver’s seat

#Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. Roki Sasaki is posting. That could help define the market, whatever that really means.

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.

Matt Shaw is going off. It’ll be hard to keep him out of Chicago. The guy is given every chance to succeed and so far has risen to every occasion.

In the meantime, we await developments. Turn up the radio.

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• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): More on Roki Sasaki posting process, Cubs hire Japanese firm to boost injury prevention efforts. “… there’s been a lot more talk lately about what his preferences may be.” Jordan Bastian has more. Cubbies Crib has some thoughts.
• Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Though Cubs won’t target top free agents, they’re well positioned to make trades. “The Cubs have eight of the sport’s top 100 prospects, according to MLB.com…”
• Randy Holt (North Side Baseball*): The Cubs should improve their offense by embracing Michael Busch’sdefensive versatility. “He can move around a little bit. But the expectation is he’s playing first.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Brandon Lowe probably isn’t the utility guy the Cubs would target, but he might be available. “… don’t rule anything out without some consideration, right?”
• Baseball America*: Chicago Cubs 2025 Top MLB Prospects. “… the 10 best prospects in the Cubs system entering 2025.”

Food for Thought:

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