Cub Tracks spaces out

Hey, GM Meetings time. Intrigue abounds! There is skullduggery in every room, and general managers, team staffers, and player agents skulk in the hallways, ever-watchful for the sign of an impending deal, in between sessions at the spa and the bar.

There are cameras, microphones, and note-pads everywhere.

This is the time when, according to several of our testimonials, the groundwork is done for the real action at the Winter Meetings.

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

Cubs News and Notes:

• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): From free agents to draft picks, this is how the Cubs became a recruiting machine. “...a franchise has to maintain relationships and sell more than just years and dollars.”
• Luis Torres (Beyond the Box Score): The Cubs will bounce back. “It was undoubtedly a disappointing end to the season, but the Cubs’ window is still wide open.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Will the Cubs risk closing their window by keeping the status quo this offseason? “...it appears as though adding one of the two prime free agents from this class appears to be a long shot.”
• Bruce Miles (Daily Herald {$}): Epstein, Hoyer could be laying groundwork for later Chicago Cubs moves. “The Cubs have inventory to deal.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): 5 teams to watch at the GM meetings — including the Cubs. “...big deals or signings usually don’t take place during these preliminary meetings...”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs in free agency: Time to address free-agent relief and infield considerations. “Strengthen a strength? Or brace for a weakness?”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Even with financial limits, Cubs could still target ‘Big-Ticket Hitter’. “...there could still be ways for them to take on at least one major contractual obligation.”
• Dan Santaromita (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs fans were decidedly not happy about Javier Baez not winning a Gold Glove. “...give him 3 gold gloves cause he’s the best everywhere next...”
• Carrie Muskat (MLB.com*): Javy Baez named finalist for NL MVP Award. “Baez is one of three finalists for the 2018 Baseball Writers’ Association of America NL MVP Award, joining the Brewers’ Christian Yelich and the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): How the Cubs are assessing the messy Addison Russell situation. “His future with the team is still up in the air...”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Another one of those Cubs-might-trade-Kyle-Schwarber things is floating around. Joel Sherman this time.
• Chris Kamka (NBC Sports Chicago*): Revisiting the prospects: 20 years ago. ‘...a look back at the Baseball America Top 100 Prospect list from 1999.”
• Madeleine Kenney (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs, White Sox well-represented on new ballot for Hall-of-Fame consideration. “Harold Baines, Lou Piniella, Albert Belle, Lee Smith and Joe Carter are among the 10 candidates who will be considered.”

Current 40-man roster, updated daily. Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are conspicuously absent.

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading.