Cub Tracks’ side eye

Welcome to your Saturday. There’s an understandable lull in Cubs articles right about now — they’re not in the playoffs and not much can happen player-wise until after the World Series. Free agency looms, the general managers’ and winter meetings are still on the drawing board, and idle speculation is the order of the day.

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1. With reference to ongoing commentary: Cub Tracks’ full 40-man as of 10/13.

Cubs News and Notes:

Nipped from Cubs Insider:

Let’s start it off with a piping inferno of a hot take: Viva El Birdos suggests the Cardinals offer the Cubs a package of 2-3 top prospects and perhaps a current roster player or two (Paul DeJong, Jedd Gyorko, or Kolten Wong??) in exchange for Kris Bryant. This would effectively allow the Cubs to sign Bryce Harper, who probably would lose any interest in playing for a team that just traded his BEST FRIEND. My five-year old niece, who is partial to calling me “Doodie-Head” for no reason whatsoever on a regular basis, would probably (and properly) award that nickname to that writer. — Michael Canter.

• Rick Porter (The Hollywood Reporter*): Baseball playoff ratings are down: Blame the Yankees and Cubs. “Fox Sports’ coverage of the National League playoffs in particular has suffered from featuring smaller-market clubs.”
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): There’s more change coming for the Cubs this offseason, but in what form? “I think it’s gonna be the most impactful offseason since Theo and Jed have been here,” said David Kaplan.
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): If the Cubs had to have an early postseason exit, this was probably the year to do it. “Maybe the Cubs needed this extra rest more than most.”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs’ prescription for a better offense: Improved health and focus. “The Cubs took the first step toward addressing their flaws when they dropped hitting coach Chili Davis for Anthony Iapoce.”
• Chris Kamka (NBC Sports Chicago*): 2019 encore for Jesse Chavez? “There’s definitely room in Maddon’s bullpen for a pitcher like Chavez.”
• Steve Rosenbloom (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Theo Epstein’s demand for urgency seems to point to the Cubs trading Kyle Schwarber. “Produce, or you might be next, fella.”
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider): 6 not-so-obvious pitchers in Cubs system to watch next year. “...sometimes it’s more fun to look at some guys who are flying just below the radar.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Cubs reportedly re-sign former top pitching prospect Danny Hultzen. “Hultzen’s return to pitching professionally at all would be an impressive story...”
• Jim Callis (MLB.com*): Healthy Hoerner highlights Cubs’ AFL contingent. “Nico Hoerner’s first foray into pro ball hasn’t gone exactly as planned.”
• James Neveau (NBC Sports*): Dallas Keuchel’s ‘We’re not the Cubs’ comments come back to haunt him. How do you like your crow cooked?

Food for Thought: