Cub Tracks Is Ready For Anything

Here's the latest from around the web:

From Comcast SportsNet Chicago:

• Welington Castillo knows that he could be traded at any time. In the meantime, he's still maintaining his same positive, upbeat attitude.
• Meanwhile, Edwin Jackson is just trying to stay ready for whatever situation arises.
• What will the Cubs do will all of their shortstops? Theo Epstein's answer: They can all play together.

From Cubs.com:

• The Cubs and Rockies both batted their pitcher eighth in Friday's game, which was the first time that it had been done in almost seven years.
• In case you didn't know, the Cubs were 2-for-25 this season with runners in scoring position going into Saturday's game. Anthony Rizzo says that it's not deja vu all over again.
• It was an emotional return to Colorado for Dexter Fowler on Friday, who got a warm reception in his return to Coors Field.
• When it comes to hitting adjustments during games, Joe Maddon prefers to have players make the adjustments on their own.
• Jim Callis ranked the Triple-A Iowa Cubs third in his list of most talented minor-league teams behind only the Twins' Double-A Chattanooga team and the Red Sox' Triple-A Pawtucket squad.
• Callis also has a list of where the Cubs' Top 30 prospects are starting the 2015 season.
• Who was the MVP out of Spring Training for the Cubs? If you ask pitching coach Chris Bosio, it was Cael Brockmeyer.
• We've said it before, and we'll say it again. You shouldn't try to run on Jorge Soler.
• Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies joked about a beard epidemic that is working its way through Major League Baseball. The best part about this article: You can actually see what Brian Schlitter looks like without the beard.

From ESPN Chicago:

• Joe Maddon understands the "awkwardly great" situation of having three catchers and believes that it will work itself out as the season gets its rhythm.
• The Cubs are not the only team putting a focus on players' mental health this season.

From the Chicago Tribune:

• The forearm injury that put Justin Grimm on the 15-day disabled list isn't believed to be too serious, with Joe Maddon describing the ailment as "a nagging thing."

From the Daily Herald:

• When it comes to press conferences, Joe Maddon avoids cliches like the plague.

From Cubs Den:

• John Arguello is enjoying the scenery this season knowing that there will be some difficult decisions ahead, perhaps as soon as this year's trading deadline.
• Arguello also talks about Miguel Montero and his feel for the game.

From Bleacher Nation:

• There has been a lot of discussion about Joe Maddon's use of the pitcher in the eighth slot in the batting order to start the season. Luis Medina looks at the possible value in this maneuver.
• [VIDEO] You may have missed this bit of humor from Theo Epstein throwing out the first pitch in South Bend's home opener and giving Clark the Cub the brushback in the process.

From Cubs Insider:

• Can the Cubs make enough contact to make a run at the playoffs? Evan Altman reviews the contact rates from the past few years to see just how far they need to go.

Miscellaneous:

• Just how big of a factor is (or isn't) Jon Lester's lack of a pickoff throw? Ben Lindbergh from Grantland looks at some results from respected baseball simulations to see the calculate the worst-case cost.

Today's food for thought: