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Cub Tracks Gets Some Exercise

An experiment in error.

By Duane Pesice
I get a kick out of this.
I get a kick out of this.
Brian Kersey/Getty Images

I used to do the freestyle pub crawl. These days I perform eye rolls, eyebrow lifting, chin-wags, and occasionally I'll jump to conclusions.  The new normal, in my twilight years.

From Comcast Sportsnet Chicago:

From CBS Chicago:

  • Bruce Levine: Signing youngsters early to long-term deals on Cubs' mind. "A long-range plan to keep the players they have and stave off a $200-million payroll is on the Chicago Cubs’ mind already." A long-range plan to keep the players they have and stave off a $200-million payroll is on the Chicago Cubs’ mind already.
  • Dayn Perry: Look: The Cubs/Cardinals video wars have begun. Includes [VIDEO]. ...here's what Joe Abernathy, the team's vice president of stadium operations, said about the timing of this project ... 
    "But we did get upset actually when the Cubs had a better videoboard than  us. Especially with how it ended [in the National League Division  Series] and all they're doing now, we don't want to be sitting behind  the Cubs in anything."

From ESPN Chicago:

  • Buster Olney: Joe Maddon was up for ESPN Person of the Year. It's not enough to be the most interesting manager in baseball (tm).
  • Christina Kahrl: Jake Arrieta was up for ESPN Person of the Year. It's not enough to have a pitching line for the ages. Bryce Harper won.
  • Wait. Jason Heyward is the most interesting Person of the Year. Right? Zack Greinke? David Price? Barry Bonds? Lazarito? Wut?
  • Kahrl: Breakout hitters of 2016. Jorge Soler is No. 2. Randall Grichuk appears on the list later, to give the devil his due.
  • Kahrl: Breakout pitchers of 2016. Adam Warren is No. 10. Kahrl thinks Jeff Samardzija is the guy to watch.

From Cubs.com:

  • Michael Clair: The Hall of Fame case for Mark Grudzielanek. Grudz was a "contact machine" with the NL record for doubles in a single season. Not so far-fetched as you might think. If you look right. And squint in a certain fashion, under a full moon in January...
  • Carrie Muskat: Dexter Fowler is spending his offseason at the gym. "The free agent outfielder hasn't stopped prepping for the new year -- and making sure everyone know he's ready." I really like Dexter. Would that there could be a scenario where he returned.
  • Muskat: Jeimer Candelario soaks up wisdom on the way to the bigs. "Miguel Montero doesn't just help the Cubs pitchers. He deserves credit for inspiring Candelario, too."

From the Chicago Tribune:

  • Tim Bannon: Cards fire back in video war with Cubs. Isn't it awesome to have a real rivalry where you get to do more than call names? "The Cubs-Cardinals rivalry continues to intensify, and now it's expanding beyond the outfield walls."

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

  • Kyle Thele: The Cardinals were upset that the Cubs had a better video board. Hoo boy, another screen gem. "Sure, it’s a bit petty and unusual, especially considering the Cardinals history of on-field success compared to the Cubs. But, this is apparently how the Cardinals do their part in the rivalry." Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!
  • Rob Ogden: 24 GIFs for Kris Bryant's birthday. Better Kris than Edward Cullen. Ugh.

From Cubs Den:

  • John Arguello: When it comes to finding hitters, are Cubs working smarter? Arguello bases his extrapolation on a Boston Globe article. "...the Cubs certainly have a lot of confidence when selecting hitters, and confidence for this front office stems from having as much information as possible." Hmm. Neuroscouting...the sky above Wrigley Field was the color of television, tuned to WGN.
  • Jared Wyllys: Don't expect the letdown. "...the Cubs as an organization shifted in direction several years ago." We're not like the others.

From Bleacher Nation:

  • Michael Cerami: Cubs acquire righty Cole Brocker from independent Normal Cornbelters. "No matter how good the major league team is, how strong the depth, the minors, the projections, etc… the Cubs are always looking to add talent." Welcome to our crib.
  • Brett Taylor: Edwin Jackson close to deal with Marlins which could save the Cubs some cash. Good luck, Edwin. "...an extra $510,000 to baseball operations is an extra $510,000."

From Cubs Insider:

  • Evan Altman: The idiot's guide to Cubs' social media lexicon. Could be written in sarcasm font. Invokes #sarcasmfont by name. Jumanji or linguistic jenga? You make the call.
  • Altman: I took a peek at the Cubs' New Year's resolutions for 2016. "Some were really prescient and have already come to pass, but a great many will require a bit more time to see through."

Miscellaneous:

  • Sports Mockery: George Castle: Forgive and Forget: Do You Want Sammy Sosa in the Hall of Fame? Do you? "The disgraced Cubs slugger is once again up for election, but has gained little support so far."
  • Sports Mockery: Aldo Soto: Cubs showing interest in two intriguing Cuban players. By now you're familiar with this: the Cubs are showing interest in pitcher Yaisel Sierra and young outfielder Lazaro Armenteros. But there's additional information here, and a tweet from Rian Watt to bolster speculation.
  • Thomas Kohs: Why the Cubs traded Starlin Castro. "While the addition of Warren should be beneficial, the Cubs gained even more by subtracting Castro."
  • Cubbies Crib: David Miniel: Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant celebrates his 24th birthday. Anthony Rizzo tweets, the Sun-Times offers pictures.
  • Chicago Cubs Online: Cubs down on the farm report. Exploring the progress of Cubs and prospects in the Winter Leagues.
  • Chicago Cubs Online: Resetting the Cubs' offseason. The Cubs have a lot of work to do before pitchers officially start throwing to catchers in 46 days.

Food for thought:

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