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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.

Cub Tracks. Where the great ones run away.

Jed Hoyer is putting his stamp on the offseason. We needn’t be concerned about Juan Soto or Corbin Burnes. Wouldn’t be prudent to spend that money. The patrons should possibly pursue intelligent spending time unless they want to watch a .500 team and pay the highest ticket prices in the sport to boot.

There’s no waiting list. Come on down.

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• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs’ offseason plans start to take shape. “It’s just a matter of gathering the information,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs could do 9-figure SP deal while remaining cautious with bullpen additions. “How do you allocate those dollars as safely as you can?” said Hoyer. The Athletic has some of this {$}.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs looking for ways to bolster rotation for ‘25. “Our starting pitching’s been good,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said.. “But, you can always add another guy.”
• Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): Offseason Handbook: So you want the Cubs to trade for a Mariners starting pitcher. “The Cubs want a frontline starting pitcher, and they don’t want to spend frontline starting pitcher money. The Seattle Mariners want a better offense, but they need to cut payroll.”
• Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times*): Could the Cubs shake up their offense with a trade? “The Cubs don’t have much roster flexibility with position players, but they’re still looking to improve.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs will look for a catcher to share starts with Miguel Amaya — and Michael Busch will remain at first base. “The key will be identifying and acquiring a catcher the Cubs believe can fit that 1A role rather than a true backup catcher who gets a rare start.” Cubbies Crib says names have emerged.
• Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times*): Injury rehab will shape Nico Hoerner’s winter, but he’ll return with clear Cubs goal: ‘You want to dominate’. “The GM meetings this week also provided injury updates for Cubs pitchers Ben Brown, Cade Horton and Jordan Wicks.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): After rough Chicago debut, Cubs expect Isaac Paredes to bounce back. “He has a really good track record.”
• Benjamin Hill (MLB.com*): This Minors park offers heavenly pretzels, Cubs prospects and very clever fans. “We want [fans] to have a nine-inning vacation. We want them to have a great time,” said Larry Flickinger, South Bend Cubs head usher.

Food for Thought:

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