Cub Tracks: Sveum Gets Shot, Then Shoots The Breeze

MLBTradeRumors reports... that Cub Tracks is back!

No rumors here, just fully hyperlinks. And lots more Jim Deshaies!

From Comcast SportsNet

• The Cubs are counting on a strong return by Matt Garza.
• The Shane Victorino contract may have thrown a bit of a wrench in the Cubs' plans. They're still looking for the bridge to Brett Jackson. (Maybe it's the just-signed Nate Schierholtz?)
  
• Dale Sveum says Carlos Marmol and Kyuji Fujikawa can co-exist. C'mon... what else would you expect him to say?
• Speaking of our gunshot victim, Patrick Mooney goes 1-on-1 with the Cub skipper.
• Theo Epstein says... free agents are still telling him the north side is a desirable destination.
• Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins has some thoughts on the Hall and PEDs.
• The Cubs welcomed their new broadcaster. Video included.

From the Chicago Tribune

• Apparently, the Trib crew woke up in time to go to Nashville.
• Sveum says getting shot is no big deal. 'Tis just a flesh wound.
• Getting shot is no big deal... and youth won't be an excuse next year. Someone consolidate that and put it on a t-shirt.
• Marmol is still the closer, at least for now. Again, what else do you expect them to say? And Japanese execs say Fujikawa can close in the majors.
  
• Breaking news from Phil Rogers! The Cubs' plan? Long-term.
• I'm no Dusty Baker fan, but this is a nice story. Baker credits a Cubs doctor with saving his life.

From the Chicago Sun-Times

• Cubs prospect Albert Almora is in great shape, thanks to his backyard.
• Jim Deshaies won't be pronouncing names backwards.

From Cubs.com

• Sveum, Sveum, and more Sveum... he's....
  
• Quotable on a number of topics.
• Has high hopes for Brett Jackson.
• Is not worried about being shot. He says Yount got the bird... I assume that was two-fold.
• While we worry about who might play 3B most of the time, the back-up at the hot corner might already play on the Cub infield: Starlin Castro.
• Carrie Muskat discusses MLB franchise money matters.

From ESPNChicago.com

• Jesse Rogers (the new primary blogger for this site) also found the Cub manager to be quotable.
• Attention all acolytes! Our hero has fallen - at the hands of Alfonso Soriano. That's right, the Fonz proved Theo wrong. Thus falls the cloak of the deity.
• Much like peace, Cub fans should give Jim Deshaies a chance. I like the hiring, but is there really a choice in giving him a chance?
• Starlin Castro's agent says contract pressure impacted his client last season... but no more.
• Jed Hoyer talks winter meetings.
• If you want to open an old wound... the Bartman game still weighs on former Cub Alex Gonzalez.

From Cubs Den

• They've just been keeping up with rumors during the meetings. I expect articles to return for next week's Cub Tracks installment.

From the Daily Herald

• Signing bullpen help gives the team options.
• Cub fans should like what Deshaies will bring to the broadcast.
• Vicki Santo is trying to extend the legacy of her late husband Ron. Santo will have a non-profit that will help make diabetes alert dogs more widely available. The second anniversary of Ron Santo's death was Monday.
• Expect wit and wisdom from the new Cub broadcaster.

Today's food for thought

• Out of ideas on how to entertain a baby? Have you tried ripping paper?