Cub Tracks thins out the crowd

#Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. Spare until after the World Series, but interesting nonetheless.

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.

Terry Francona, wow. That makes the Reds serious and credible, instantly. The former Cub and former Cleveland/Boston/Philadelphia manager brings his considerable skills and enviable track record to the NL Central, where he at least sits eye-to-eye with Craig Counsell in the managerial sweepstakes.

Jed Hoyer should feel that one in the seat of his pants.

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The Compound.

• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib*): Here are all of the Cubs players entering free agency after the 2024 season. “While other teams enjoy the highs and lows of postseason baseball, the offseason is underway at the corner of Clark and Addison.”
• Leo Morgenstern (MLB Trade Rumors*): Tomoyuki Sugano expected to sign with MLB team this offseason. “… according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Pete Crow-Armstrong is basically second coming of Barry Bonds… or Tracy Jones. “… aggressive and successful baserunning is a big part of why Crow-Armstrong remained in Chicago.”
• Mike McGraw (Daily Herald* {$}): Ready to fix Cubs? Start with this true-false quiz. “83 wins is not enough.”

Food for Thought:

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