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I'm awfully surprised to see so many draft articles popping up, particularly at this time of year.
From Comcast SportsNet
- One of the keys to the Cubs' 2014 season is the answer to this question: Can Rick Renteria get through to Starlin Castro?
- As the Cubs shape the roster, Jeff Samardzija remains the biggest question mark.
- Perhaps new first base coach Eric Hinske will also serve as the team's director of ink.
From Cubs Den
- The Winter Meetings Thread looks at the posting system for Japanese players, the Cub system, success in Daytona, Shark (again), Quade!!!!, and some other tidbits.
- The decision on whether to trade Jeff Samardzija is dependent on your expectations. Well, not necessarily "yours", per say.
- Here's a preview of the Cubs' rotation, though resolution on the "Shark issue" certainly has an impact.
From Cubs.com
- The front office will look to fill roster gaps at the Winter Meetings.
- For those into the amateur draft, MLB.com's experts have an early breakdown of the top 50 prospects.
- And good news for the Cubs: the upcoming draft is packed with pitching.
From ESPNChicago.com
- Jesse Rogers thinks tendering a contract to Darwin Barney was the right move. I agree.
- Will the Cubs be part of the sweepstakes for Masahiro Tanaka? (Insider only)
From the Chicago Tribune
- Some of you will roll your eyes at this, but the Trib wanted you to know that former Cub Ryan Dempster has been working out in the fog here in Chicago.
From the Chicago Sun-Times
- Someone shook Gordo awake long enough to write about how much the Cubs want Masahiro Tanaka.
Today's food for thought
- Taking you back to space today. Here's a map of all inhabitable planets within 60 light years of Earth.
- And there's news that astronomers have found a planetary system very much like our own.