Cub Tracks Recaps The Trade Deadline

So how many other people here spent all day Friday watching Twitter on their monitor? I can't have been the only one. C'mon, raise your hands... it's okay to admit it.

From Comcast SportsNet Chicago:

• Theo Epstein talked about the moves that the Cubs made before the trading deadline, saying that they "explored everything very thoroughly, very aggressively, came close."
• Epstein on Dan Haren: "He's just a master at knowing how to pitch."
• Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop were able to give an advanced scouting report on Tommy Hunter, with Arrieta complimenting Hunter for being "very attentive of the finer details."
• One person who's more than happy to see the deadline in the rear-view mirror is Starlin Castro.
• He didn't end up in a deal with the Padres or anyone else, but Javier Baez still remains a wild card in the Cubs' plans.

From Cubs.com:

• Jason Hammel definitely has the Brewers' number, posting a career 7-0 record and 2.18 ERA against them. Even more interesting is that he is 5-0 with a 1.60 ERA at Miller Park.
• More post-deadline words from Theo Epstein, who said that the two main players that the Cubs were focusing on "ended up not getting moved."
• Jake Arrieta was happy to be wearing his short pants for the first time when he made his start last Thursday. The socks, on the other hand, were a different story.

From ESPN Chicago:

• There are still players that will likely be moved in the month of August. One of those is Chase Utley, who Jerry Crasnick says could find a home with the Cubs for the end of the season.
• Jon Greenberg looks at the deals made by the Cubs at the deadline and says that for the 2015 season, there is value in just being good.
• Jesse Rogers writes that while the additions of Dan Haren and Tommy Hunter may not excite the masses, the moves filled the two needs that the team needed most.

From CBS Chicago:

• Bruce Levine writes that the Cubs' deadline moves make them a deeper and more professional-looking team as they pursue a wild card spot.

From the Chicago Tribune:

• Paul Sullivan looks at the deadline from both sides of town and says that while it may be the best move for the long run, right now it just feels "meh." At least there was a mention of "the long run."
• David Haugh writes that the front office can justify making a ripple as opposed to a big splash.
• One of the reasons that Theo Epstein didn't pursue offense before the deadline was a willingness to give the young players on the team a chance to play and work through their struggles.
• The Cubs know that right now they need to take care of their own business and win games before they get too wrapped up in watching the scoreboard.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

• Gordon Wittenmyer writes that it's the wild card or bust for the Cubs now that the trading deadline has passed. Perhaps he forgot the part where the Cardinals were currently running away with the division.
• As for Rick Morrissey... well, you probably already know how he feels.
• Not only does the acquisition of Tommy Hunter bring former teammates back together, it turns out that it also brings former "Veep" castmates back together.

From the Daily Herald:

• Barry Rozner looks at the Cubs' moves and writes that the Cubs did exactly what the front office said it would do: not give up the future for a shot at a one-game playoff.

From Cubs Den:

• John Arguello writes that while it wasn't a sexy deadline, he's okay with the way that it played out and is looking forward to a fun stretch run.

From Bleacher Nation:

• The 2015 Bleacher Nation Blog-a-thon is over; Brett Taylor recaps the 38-hour experience and offers a sincere thanks to everyone who helped out.
• "The funk" certainly didn't last long; submariner Ben Rowen was designated for assignment.

From Cubs Insider:

• Evan Altman takes a deeper look at the numbers (and charts and graphs) behind the success of Justin Grimm this season.
• Altman also sums up the general consensus (well, except for Morrissey) on the Cubs' deadline results, saying that it was a good day for the Cubs.

Today's food for thought:

• [VIDEO] From the "Happy Accidents" files: An exploding metorite was caught on film in Santa Cruz, California during a time-lapse filming of the night sky.
• Why is your dog always so happy to see you when you get home?
• And, finally... you probably know about the different names of clouds. Here's some information about the man who gave them their names.