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It looks like the team got pretty much everything it wanted out of the draft. Now get to work, youngsters.
From Comcast SportsNet
- The Cubs think Scott Baker can be a factor this year and maybe beyond.
- Jed Hoyer is bracing for another sell-off.
- Signing top draft pick Kris Bryant helps build out the Cubs' core.
- Bryant is just brimming with confidence.
- And just like Angels' phenom Mike Trout, Bryant leans on family.
- Theo Epstein is happy with the growth of the farm system.
- The next episode of The Foundation takes a glimpse into the future while enjoying a unique experience in Geneva.
- Starlin Castro is adapting as the Cubs wait on the next wave of prospects.
- While the Cubs ponder more deadline deals, the rival St. Louis Cardinals aren't built to be sellers.
- Are Alfonso Soriano's numbers Hall of Fame worthy?
From Cubs Den
- You can start to see the light: the worst is over for the Cubs.
- An old photo shows the Ricketts name' has been around Wrigley Field for a while. (NOTE FROM AL: I wrote about this two weeks after the Ricketts bought the team, November 15, 2009.)
From Cubs.com
- As the trade deadline nears, the Cubs are in a better position.
- The team's Tribute for Heroes winner has been announced.
- Not a link since I'm not a Twitterer, but mlb.com's Jesse Sanchez said he's impressed by Cubs' prospect Arismendy Alcantara. Apparently the youngster asked for an English only interview because he needs the practice.
- (Video) Kris Bryant joined Len and JD in the booth. This clip includes an interview and a little bit of BP video.
- The team also signed a couple more draft picks in the last hours, which led Theo Epstein to talk about how they are adding impact potential to the farm system.
- (Video) The Cubs' spring training field is getting a make-over.
- Alfonso Soriano isn't worried about his Hall of Fame candidacy.
From ESPNChicago.com
- The Cubs are in a position to deal and compete. Dual tracks, if you would.
- Edwin Jackson is starting to prove he belongs.
- Starlin Castro is back in the swing of things.
- There will be no short-cuts. The front office is planning to stay true to their vision.
- Jon Greenberg argues a Jumbotron won't change Wrigley.
- The Cub Way is to emulate the Cardinals' Way.
- New additions and harder throwers have the bullpen getting better quickly.
From the Chicago Tribune (register to see almost anything but videos)
- (Video) Dale Sveum talks about whether his club can get back in the wild card race.
- Phil Rogers speculates the Cubs will compete with the Dodgers to try and sign soon-to-be cleared Cuban pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez to a 4 or 5 year contract worth $10M+ annually. Sounds interesting, of course, then Uncle Phil speculates that signing Gonzalez might prompt the team to trade Jeff Samardzija.
- Many fans want to see the team's future hurried to the big leagues. (Video) Theo Epstein cautions why that's a bad idea.
- (Video) Kris Bryant takes his batting practice hacks at Wrigley.
- Hall of Famer Billy Williams is fine with adding a video board to Wrigley.
From the Chicago Sun-Times
- Injury concerns won't affect how the team uses its trade chips.
- Even if Matt Garza is traded, the team's deeper starting rotation should hold up.
- Theo Epstein isn't going to the All-Star Game in New York. He'll be monitoring the phones.
- Kris Bryant got a great education in hitting.
- This will surely shock you. Agent Scott Boras says the Cubs need to supplement their youth movement with veteran free agents. Facepalm. Pardon the shouting, but THEY'RE DOING THAT.
From the Daily Herald
- The team doesn't expect a repeat of the pitching debacle they suffered down the stretch last year.
- Carlos Villanueva says he has his starter's groove back.
- The Cubs' farm system seems ready to produce.
- And the farm's newest addition says he'll do whatever his coaches ask.
Today's food for thought
- A scooter dog went after a world record.