Cub Tracks prefers the duck

Happy Turkey Day! Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. On the sparse side, but there are only so many active topics.

As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): What Jim Hickey’s exit means for Joe Maddon and an unpredictable lame-duck season. “...the third pitching coach in three years will be yet another variable for a team that needs a fast start to silence any speculation about the manager’s job security.”
• Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times): Former Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey leaves Cubs for ‘personal reasons’.
• Mark Gonzales: (Chicago Tribune* {$}): 5 candidates to replace Cubs pitching coach Jim Hickey. “...there are still several qualified candidates available...”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Cubs run prevention coordinator Tommy Hottovy another name to watch for pitching coach. “...he might be ready for a promotion.”
• Mark Gonzales: (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs minor-league coach Jacob Cruz leaves to join Pirates. “...the Pirates revamped their hitting department after the 2018 season...”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs add 3 pitchers ahead of roster deadline. Justin Steele, Rowan Wick, and Ian Clarkin were added.
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Getting to know new Cubs reliever Wick. “...he could be a good up-and-down reliever for the Cubs next season...”
• Randy Holt (Wrigleyville-Baseball Prospectus): Player Profile 2019: Jesse Chavez. “For a bullpen that featured elements that seemed to walk the ballpark each time out, Chavez represented a breath of fresh air.”
• Ken Schultz (Wrigleyville-Baseball Prospectus): Player Profile 2019: Steve Cishek. “Joe Maddon’s security blanket.”
• Richard Justice (MLB.com*): Anthony Rizzo is the player the Cubs are thankful for. “Every fan has plenty to be thankful for...”
• Mike Rosenbaum (MLB.com*): Trent Giambrone among AFL’s top Statcast performers. “Analytical information isn’t always easy to come by in the Arizona Fall League.”

Food for thought: