Cub Tracks Goes Back To School

Here's the latest from around the web.

From Comcast SportsNet Chicago:

• Although he's not due to become a free agent until after the 2017 season, stories are beginning to pop up about a contract extension for Jake Arrieta. To this point, Scott Boras hasn't talked with the Cubs about an extension.
• Joe Maddon's reaction to the Cubs' losses against Madison Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw: "I absolutely love the fact that we went to school over the last two days."
• Dan Haren on his tenure so far with the Cubs: "I really haven't held up my end of the bargain. I feel worse about it than anybody."
• The Cubs are hoping that Fernando Rodney will be able to find the magic that he had last season as a dominant reliever for the Mariners.
• Another key for the Cubs' bullpen, according to Maddon, is to have a group of egoless relievers.
• What happens when you go to Los Angeles? Jamie Foxx gets in on batting practice.

From Cubs.com:

• From the "cool moments" department: Vin Scully asked if Joe Maddon would meet with him before Friday's game to go over some broadcast notes and to say hello to Maddon's mom.
• Fernando Rodney, on playing for Maddon again: "Me and Joe, we have good communication."

From ESPN Chicago:

• Jason Hammel may have been on the losing end of Friday's game, but his stuff was very good with Miguel Montero saying that it was "the best I've seen him in at least a month."
• Will Fernando Rodney work out better than Rafael Soriano did? If nothing else, Joe Maddon hopes that Rodney will be able to lessen the abuse on the other relievers, specifically Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon according to Jesse Rogers.

From CBS Chicago:

• With Jack Zduriencik fired from his job as the General Manager of the Mariners, Bruce Levine writes that Jason McLeod and Jim Hendry could be on the list of candidates to replace him.
• From the "not really news" department: With the way Dan Haren has been pitching, he'd be unlikely to be named to the Cubs' postseason roster, should the Cubs make it there.

From the Chicago Tribune:

• The Cubs lead the majors in strikeouts again this season, and the lead has increased on the current West Coast swing.
• Paul Sullivan writes about the impact that Manny Ramirez is having with the Cubs as their hitting consultant.
• It's not just the Cubs that aren't fretting over losses to the league's elite pitchers; the fans don't seem to be worried about it either.
• The good news continues to roll in regarding the surging television and radio ratings.
• More news from the Ernie Banks estate front, as a long-time friend of Banks is looking for the estate to repay an $80,000 debt that reportedly covered personal expenses.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

• For those of you waiting for the return of Javier Baez to the big club, it's looking like this Tuesday is your day.
• Dan McGrath would like to tell all of the people who still believe in curses one thing: It's all nonsense.
• Enrique Hernandez of the Dodgers went to Twitter last Thursday to wish everyone a Happy Banana Lovers Day. (It actually was Banana Lovers Day on Thursday. I had to look it up.) Cubs Twitter decided to play along after Hernandez swung and fell in the batters' box that night.
• John Baker is looking for a job.

From the Daily Herald:

• Bruce Miles takes a look ahead at some of the enticing potential playoff matchups that could occur for the Cubs.
• Miles also writes that Starlin Castro is back in more regular action -- and that he was never lost.
• Connor McKnight writes that the Cubs will not have an easy of a task this time around in trying to replace Jorge Soler.

From Bleacher Nation:

• Reports have it that the Cubs have acquired pro scouting director Jared Porter from the Red Sox.
• And for those who have been wondering, Starlin Castro has reportedly cleared waivers.
• Michael Cerami looks at some of the highlights from Jed Hoyer's interview earlier this week on the Kap & Haugh show.

From Cubs Insider:

• Todd Johnson looks at some of the other potential call-ups when the rosters expand this Tuesday.
• Johnson also expects major changes at Triple-A Iowa next season.

Today's food for thought:

• Have you ever wanted to drive around in a vehicle inspired by the Mad Max franchise? They'll be available for a while through Uber in Seattle.
• Six people have begun a year-long experiment in a 36-foot by 20-foot dome to simulate life on Mars.
• [VIDEO] And, finally... What did one raccoon say to the other raccoon?  "Hey, get out of the swimming pool."