Cub Tracks Should Apparently Dance Less

You don't want to see me boogie. I can guarantee that. It's not a pretty sight whatsoever.

From Comcast SportsNet Chicago:

• Patrick Mooney writes that however fans may feel about Starlin Castro, they have to admit that he has plenty of confidence and faces the music for his play.
• From the book of Maddon on Castro: "I just think he's over-boogying a little bit." I love Maddonisms.
• This just in: The Cubs look like buyers at this year's trading deadline.
• Mooney also looks at the wide-ranging effects that could come from shifting Kris Bryant off of third base.
• Kyle Schwarber was not only the BCB Minor League Player of the Month, but also the Cubs' minor league player of the month. So what does he still need for the trifecta?
• Could Schwarber possibly be the designated hitter when the Cubs start their road interleague games? Or will it be Javier Baez? Or someone completely different?

From Cubs.com:

• The Cubs are still doing well in All-Star ballot voting, with Kris Bryant placing the highest at his position in second place behind Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals.
• Despite the overzealous baserunning on Tuesday night by Addison Russell, Joe Maddon loved the fight and the energy at the end of the game.
• Maddon also likes a change in Jason Hammel's demeanor from years past, primarily the ability to make adjustments after a couple of bad pitches.
• Steve Wilaj writes that it's hard to not be impressed by what Jason Hammel has done this season and how he's done it.

From ESPN Chicago:

• Answering questions in this week's Twitter mailbag: Addison Russell.
• What would Kris Bryant think of being asked to participate in the Home Run Derby? "That would be pretty cool."
• Matt Marrone looks back at some of his favorite debut performances by Major League players. The list may or may not include a certain Cubs shortstop.
• Speaking of a certain Cubs shortstop, Starlin Castro is looking to rebound from a tough month of May.

From CBS Chicago:

• Mark Grote lists his five recent observations about the Cubs.
• Kris Bryant was named the National League Rookie of the Month for May. He had seven homers and 22 runs batted in during the month.
• Reports from Iowa say that Javier Baez will start seeing some time at third base.

From the Chicago Tribune:

• Following up on the Javier Baez to third base news, Joe Maddon said that the move is primarily to have the option available in the future and isn't a lock-in to anything.
• Once again there was consensus between BCB and the Cubs, as South Bend starter Ryan Williams was named the Cubs minor league pitcher of the month.
• This day (well, yesterday) in baseball: It was 12 years ago on June 3, 2003 that Sammy Sosa was caught with a corked bat.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

• Another fun fact about Kris Bryant: His 22 RBI in May is the highest number for a Cub rookie for the month in 60 years.
• Meanwhile, Addison Russell is still happy to be the guy who's not in the limelight.
• Pedro Strop and Junior take took advantage of an opportunity during some downtime on Wednesday to take a ride on Starlin Castro's boat in Miami.

From the Daily Herald:

• Did you know that Starlin Castro is a polarizing figure among Cubs fans? And local writers?

From Cubs Den:

• John Arguello looks at players in the Cubs' minor league system that could make an impact with the big club this season.

From Bleacher Nation:

• Well, Welington Castillo didn't stay with the Mariners long... he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a six-player deal.
• Apparently Travis Wood has a heater, as he was throwing fastballs on Monday night at an average speed of almost 94 miles per hour and maxing out just short of 96.
• And Jacob Turner is pitching again; he made a start in extended spring training in Arizona on Saturday, May 30.

Miscellaneous:

• Marshall Dury decided that it was time Jason Hammel was given some love.
• Remember the College of Coaches from the early '60s? Here's a more in-depth look at P.K. Wrigley's wacky experiment from Scott Ferkovich at The Hardball Times.
• [VIDEO] What would "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea sound like if it were written as a Cubs parody? A little something like this.

Today's food for thought:

• (In a Grumpy Old Man Voice) Kids nowadays with their fire-starters for their fireplaces... in my day, we used to dip our matches in jars of sulfuric acid to start a fire! And we liked it!
• Monster-lovers, rejoice: Godzilla has officially been recognized as a citizen of Japan.