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Cub Tracks Evens It Up

As opposed to "getting even". Just another Saturday afternoon in Atlanta, and other stories.

By Duane Pesice
Jake at Turner
Jake at Turner
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Let's start a new streak, get some southern-style meatloaf today and get outta town.

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There's a draft in here

  • Keith Shirts (Vanquish The Foe): 2016 MLB draft: BYU pitcher Michael Rucker drafted by Chicago Cubs in the 11th round. "Fans, his teammates, and the Cubs organization will now wait and see if Rucker agrees to his professional contract and forgo his senior season in Provo." His coach thinks he will.
  • Buster Olney (ESPN*): Jed Hoyer: Giving up a lot of high picks isn't something to do often. [AUDIO]
  • Cash Kruth (MLB.com): Cubs draft Harmon Killebrew's grandson in the 6th round. RHP Chad Hockin has closer-type stuff with a fastball that can run up to 97 mph and a slider that sits in the upper 80s.
  • Cash Kruth (MLB.com): Cubs jump into draft, load up on college arms. The Cubs used seven of their eight selections on day two of the MLB draft on right-handed college pitchers, selecting a catcher with the other pick.

Everything is Jake

  • Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times): No-hitters? Streaks? Jake Arrieta just wants to hear the music again. By now we know he did, but..."Not hearing the music in the clubhouse after the game is probably the thing that resonates the most. Not wanting to hear silence," he said. "That’s why you don’t want to lose. Because I hate that silence."
  • Cat Garcia (Wrigleyville-Baseball Prospectus): It's almost mid-June, and Jason Heyward's struggles are still not concerning. :"...he’s made up for his lack of flare at the plate so far tenfold with the defense he’s brought to the outfield and the on base presence which is not in short supply."
  • Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Cubs sign reliever Joel Peralta, plus flurry of other Triple-A pitching moves. Jean Machi and Brandon Gomes no longer labor in the Cubs minor leagues. Pierce Johnson coming back.
  • Jesse Rogers (ESPN): Chris Coghlan excited to be back with the 'best team in baseball'. "The best thing about the whole thing is I get to come back here. It’s the best team in baseball," he said.
  • Jesse Rogers (ESPN): Are the Cubs' flaws hiding behind the team's great record? Concerns about Jason Heyward, Justin Grimm, Clayton Richard.

Loosely speaking

  • Jerry Crasnick (ESPN): Joe Maddon and the Cubs stay loose while living up to the hype. " It's about everybody being ready and doing the best they can," said David Ross, in part.
  • Tony Andracki (CSN Chicago*): Joe Maddon sees new leaders emerging for Cubs after David Ross. "It's an organic situation," Maddon said. "Leadership is taken. You can't give leadership. (That’s) just the way it happens. You just can't anoint a leader."
  • Carrie Muskat (MLB.com): Albert Almora, Jr., showcasing glove with help from friends. Friends like Dexter Fowler and Brandon Hyde, who help position the rookie.
  • Sharon (World Series Dreaming): South Bend Cubs: A conversation with an SB Cub's mom. Something a little different. Good stuff about Daniel Spignola.

Piled higher and deeper.

  • David Krell (The Sports Post): 1986, Hollywood, and the Chicago Cubs. Several movies that year featured the Cubs.
  • Larry Scott (Cubs Insider): If forced to choose between Javier Baez and Addison Russell, who would you take? I'd have to go with Russell but that's a tough one.
  • Fran Spielman (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs reject Rahm Emanuel's Wrigley plaza deal, 'negotiations are over'. "We are miles from a deal that includes these terms," Cubs spokesman Julian Green said.
  • Sean Holland (Cubs Insider): Addison Russell's struggles actually make him more like Barry Larkin. Larkin had some hitting issues in 1987, his first full season.
  • Adam Nissen (Sports Mockery): David Ross may still retire, but admits his future is in baseball. "I definitely feel like I’ve learned so much in this game it would be hard not to pass it on," Ross said. "I have a love for the game and the guys–I love being around the guys—and I definitely think some form of something in baseball is in my future."
  • Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune): The weight: Joe Maddon, Dusty Baker, and the pressure. "...what happened to Dusty stays with Dusty."
  • Robert Villareal (Baseball Essential): Hey Cubs and Yankees, Andrew Miller is worth it. "There are a lot of options for a team looking to make a move with the Cubs."

Food for thought:

Smell you later. Thanks for reading.

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