Last time around, Cub Tracks awaited developments on the free agent/trade market. Unfortunately there seem to have been developments on the CBA front. That’s not good. This was supposed to be a smooth, professional negotiation. Instead, it smacks of Rotisserie League.
League officials should be grilled about it. If I were the players, I’d be steamed. Baseball absolutely does not need a work stoppage. I take the players’ side, as I don’t want an international draft or draft-pick compensation for free agents, but I don’t have much confidence in Tony Clark as a negotiator.
Let’s hope the people at the negotiating table don’t cook up that kind of impasse.
On the other hand, today is Turkey Day, Thanksgiving to some. No history lessons here, but I don’t think things went the way they’re taught in grade school. Good to get together for a feed with family and friends though. That’s worth celebrating in any case. And there’s baseball for you, if you live in the Chicago area and don’t want to deal with football or politics. Happy Thanksgiving!
So you have that going for you. I have to go out and turn the turkey over. Here are a few items of possible interest to hold you over until I can bring it to the table. As always * means autoplay on (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).
Enjoy your #Thanksgiving with a side of Chicago baseball classics TOMORROW. Feast on some of the best games played by both @Cubs & @WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/psscJt1kN8
— CSN Chicago (@CSNChicago) November 23, 2016
- Mike Petriello (MLB.com): Hot Stove blasphemy: Shop Schwarber! Speaking of Rotisserie League...”Swapping slugger could return elite long-term pitching.”
- Ryan Davis (Fanrag Sports): Trading Jorge Soler is best for Cubs and player alike. He’s not going to play much as things stand, especially if the Cubs add the LH center-fielder they’re rumored to be after.
- Jesse Rogers (ESPN*): The case for (and against) the Cubs bringing back Dexter Fowler. “Only the Chicago Cubs could potentially let a catalyst like center fielder Dexter Fowler leave via free agency and still be considered a favorite to repeat as world champions.”
- Nicholas D. Blazek (Cubbies Crib): Why Ian Happ shouldn’t be trade bait just yet. “Happ needs to remain a Cub–at least for now.”
- Bob Hille (The Sporting News): Even the Cardinals are cashing in on the Cubs' crown. One of their ticket packages: "Cubs, Cubs, and more Cubs … catch five great games with the reigning world champs."
- Chris Bahr (Fox Sports): How the Cardinals hope to take advantage of the Cubs' championship. More about the “Cubs Pack.” Let’s hope the Cubs beat the stuffing out of those birds again and again.
- Christiana Caruso (MLB Daily Dish): 10 MLB topics to talk about instead of politics this Thanksgiving. “Yes this election was pivotal, but THE CUBS WON A WORLD SERIES YOU GUYS.”
- Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider): Five unheralded Cubs pitching prospects to monitor in 2017. “...there are so many good, young arms in the system just waiting to develop.”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): How Gleyber Torres and big-ticket closers explain the Cubs’ desire to spend in building a winner. “Acquisition cost in baseball comes in two forms: prospects and money.”
- Patrick Mooney (CSN Chicago*): Cubs still shaping offseason plans as potential lockout looms. “I have no comment on that stuff,” said Tom Ricketts.
- Patrick Mooney (CSN Chicago*): Kris Bryant overwhelmed by the responses since Cubs won the World Series. “I feel like good guys finish first,” Bryant said.
- Carrie Muskat (MLB.com): Bone marrow donor Matt Szczur feels the gratitude. “Thanksgiving is a perfect time to give thanks to people like Szczur.”
- Tommy Meyers (Wrigleyville-Baseball Prospectus): Chris Coghlan: Potential offseason target. Unlikely for center field reasons.
- Isaac Bennett (Wrigleyville-Baseball Prospectus): Mark Melancon: Potential offseason target. Good reverse splits and less money spent.
- Tyler Fiedler (isportsweb): Chicago Cubs: free agent bullpen targets. And Hector Rondon.
- Leonor Vivanco (Chicago Tribune): Cubs to pay $388,000 for repairs to Grant Park after World Series victory rally. Not as much as Lollapalooza.
- Tim Huwe (The Zygote 50): The impending lockout. “...the unwillingness to lose an argument kicks in.” I can relate.
food for thought
- Sarah Kaplan (The Washington Post): This space engine breaks a law of physics. But a NASA test says it works anyway. “No propellant goes in, no exhaust comes out, and yet, somehow, the engine can make things move.”
- Virginia Morrell (Science): Your dog remembers more than you think. They have “episodic memory”.
- Skye Gould (Business Insider): Science says these 7 tactics will help you win any argument. I disagree. Your point?
I’m going to lock out my housepests. Happy Turkey Day. Thanks for reading — see you Sunday.