Cub Tracks’ Yu can’t be serious!

Good morning! Welcome to Wassamatta Yu! Maybe Yu will sign with the Twins and go live in Potawotamie Falls. Maybe not. Last episode, we determined that Yu knows who’s on first: YU! Sooo....can the Cubs just sign this guy, or not, and let’s get it over with. I’d like to find another expired equine to thrash, thank Yu very much. Is there a kernel of truth in the Alex Cobb sweepstakes? Is Jake Arrieta really a dark horse?

Patrick Mooney wrote {$} that there’s a case of unrequited love between Yu and the Rangers. That makes me Hmm. But then Cub Tracks is on record as preferring to re-up Arrieta (who Mooney also wrote about {$})on some sort of creatively-financed venture (5/150 is what I said originally, and brokered merchandising deals [including a pony]). Bruce Levine bucks the trend and goes for Cobb (below).

If the Cubs don’t sign one of those three, then whither Trevor Cahill? Put Mike Montgomery in the starting five, put Cahill in his spot? I could live with that. It wouldn’t be optimum but it wouldn’t be disastrous (I don’t think).

But then, given my track record of being absolutely wrong, maybe I shouldn’t even go there. Hey, I’m trying!

Readers: “You’re very trying.”

Ba dum tsss!

(crickets)

Let’s see if Yu and I can’t rake up some muck. As always * means autoplay on™ (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

Today in baseball history:

• 1934 - Giants’ manager Bill Terry wakes a sleeping giant when he jests, “Is Brooklyn still in the league?” during an interview with the New York press. The Dodgers will knock his team out of the pennant race in with key victories in late September, allowing the Cardinals to capture the National League title.
• 1949 - Lou Boudreau signs a two-year contract worth $65,000 with the World Champion Indians to remain the team’s player-manager. The future Hall-of-Famer will pilot the Tribe for nine years, six as a player, and will compile a 728-649 (.529) record with the club.
• 1974 - Ray Kroc, fast-food entrepreneur (McDonald’s), buys the San Diego Padres for $12 million.
• 1983 - The White Sox trade pitchers Warren Brusstar and Steve Trout to the Cubs for Dick Tidrow and Randy Martz, shortstop Scott Fletcher, and first baseman Pat Tabler.
• Happy birthday: Fred Glade, Jimmy Adair, Mel Roach, Dan Serafini, Jose Macias.
• Notable: January 24 (Jack Brickhouse and Jose Quintana’s birthday); January 26 (William Wrigley passes away).

Cubs news and notes:

The addition of Darvish would be a big boost for Chicago, which has made it to the NLCS in each of the past three years, winning the World Series in 2016. The Cubs also have looked at bringing back pitcher Jake Arrieta, who’s a free agent after a successful run in the Windy City, but Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana are back from last year’s club and Tyler Chatwood joined the rotation in December with a $38 million, three-year contract. — Associated Press

Gotcha.

• Vinnie Duber (NBC Sports Chicago*): Winter heat in I-94 rivalry: Cubs reportedly in ‘active talks’ with Darvish after report of Brewers’ offer. But...”While fans and observers both have been waiting for the team to land one of the high-profile free agents...Epstein cautioned that a move could be made to simply add depth...”
• Tim Baffoe (CBS Sports Chicago*): The Cubs & the conspiracy of a backup catcher. “So now Darvish has to sign with the Cubs or Chris Gimenez will spend 2018 being known as the backup or Triple-A catcher who didn’t bring a star pitcher with him.” Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times*) has similar thoughts, and also notes that “Gimenez caught Alex Cobb for three starts (1.89 ERA).”
• Bruce Levine (CBS Sports Chicago*): As Cubs seek free-agent pitcher, Alex Cobb seems like best bet. This came out after I put the last installment to bed, but it’s cranky and won’t go to sleep.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Whether Cubs are targeting Cobb or Darvish, Arrieta’s the consensus long shot. “...you might want to keep an eye on the message boards.” Also: The 150 million-dollar ceiling. Chris Colabello? Really?
• Craig Edwards (Fangraphs): The Cubs still need Darvish. “As presently constructed, Chicago remains both excellent and flawed.”
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): How Cubs plan to fix ‘diseased’ bullpen in 2018. “The money is shifting to the bullpen and teams are building super-bullpens,” Theo Epstein said.
• Randy Holt (Wrigleyville-Baseball Prospectus): Are the Cubs ready to go with Victor Caratini as their No. 2 catcher? “...that could change depending on the performance of Chris Gimenez...”
• Dan Cahill (Chicago Sun-Times*): Cubs’ Javier Baez makes baby announcement. “Cubs infielder Javy Baez along with girlfriend Irmarie Marquez announced on social media they are expecting a baby.” Carrie Muskat (MLB.com) weighs in.
• Vinnie Duber (NBC Sports Chicago*): Looking to take next step, Ian Happ hoping for more of what fueled his Cubs breakout. “Definitely a different offseason for me, just going through the process, getting ready to go to spring training, getting ready for the season instead of getting ready to compete and try to prove that I can be on the team,” he said.
• Ryan Davis (FanRag Sports): Jason Heyward the 2018 Cubs MVP? Why not? “It’s not as far-fetched as it might seem.”

Food for thought:

Thanks for playing along reading.