Cub Tracks addresses the ball

Happy New Year, BCB. Last time out, Cub Tracks counted down the minutes to the end of the year. Now we’re free to turn over a new leaf, especially if one is in California. Ba dum tss!

Enough of that. Let’s get back to baseball.

It’s a bracing 50° F in southern Arizona this morning. I imagine you can feel my pain. Let’s get right out on the links — as always * means autoplay on™ (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

Today in baseball history:

• 1977 - Ted Turner is suspended for one year by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, due to tampering charges in the free-agency signing of Gary Matthews.
• 1986 - Bill Veeck, Sr. dies of cardiac arrest in Chicago.
• Happy birthday — Bill Madlock, Jim Essian

Cubs news and notes:

First baseman Ji-Man Choi’s agency in Korea recently spoke to the media about their client’s current foray into free agency and revealed that he’s received offers (presumably of the minor league variety) from the Yankees, Angels, Rays, A’s, Brewers, Marlins, Cubs, Reds, Orioles, Twins, Braves, Blue Jays and White Sox (English link via Jee-ho Yoo of South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency). The 26-year-old Choi slugged a pair of homers in 18 plate appearances with the Yankees last year and posted a strong year with their Triple-A affiliate, slashing .288/.373/.538 in 87 games. In parts of five Triple-A campaigns, Choi has posted a robust .298/.390/.479 batting line. — Steve Adams, MLB Trade Rumors.

• Carrie Muskat (MLB.com*): Five questions facing Cubs heading into 2018. Fifth starter, closer, leadoff, Jason Heyward, Kyle Schwarber.
• Alec Brzezinski (The Sporting News): MLB trade rumors: Brewers, Cubs battling for Alex Cobb. Jon Morosi says so:

Well, that and maybe Matt Arnold.

• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider): Offseason prospect profile: Is 2018 do-or-die for Eddy Martinez? “Martinez started to break out a little in 2017, though, and he’s trending up headed into the coming season.”
• Steve Schmadeke (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs fan who uses wheelchair sues, says Wrigley Field violates disabilities act. David F. Cerda says that “renovations have eliminated or excluded some handicapped-accessible seating at the stadium in violation of federal law.”

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading. Smell you Thursday.