Cub Tracks rolls on

Well, we have content, and it will seemingly keep on coming. That’s definitely a plus. The lead articles aren’t very positive but things get sunnier from there. Feedback from the convention and player news and a little bit of analysis for your Tuesday. Happy belated birthday to Len Kasper.

Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes, such as they are. As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

• Juan Perez, Jr (Chicago Tribune* {$}): At Tribune forum, Ald. Tom Tunney defends clash with Cubs as team leaders give money to one of his challengers. “Nobody tells them what to do with their private property,” Tunney said of the Ricketts family. “There, I think the role of government (is) negotiating with the residents, with the other small businesses, to make it more integrated and less Disneyland.
• Phil Rosenthal (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Column: Crane Kenney’s advice to ‘follow the breadcrumbs’ on Cubs TV network is easier said than digested. “Kenney would say only that details will be known “in probably the next 30 days.””
• Cam Ellis (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cole Hamels is healthy and ready to be the ace of the 2019 Cubs. “I think we all know how to get ready for a game and what’s expected out of us,” Hamels said.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Full speed ahead for Cubs catcher Willson Contreras: ‘I always try too hard. That’s who I am.’ “Every player should learn from frustration and bad things,” Contreras said. “That’s what makes you a better player...”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Ben Zobrist, Cubs teammates put trust in front office. “...the team plans on harnessing a heightened sense of urgency from the first pitch of the season on. And it will be incumbent on the players already in the fold to right the wrongs of last fall’s collapse.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Zobrist understands the nature of the business, but would the Cubs actually trade him? “...the Cubs do theoretically have the positional pieces on the roster to cover the innings and positions that Zobrist would otherwise provide.” More.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Mark Loretta eager to learn from Maddon as coach. “My goal is to kind of be the conduit between Joe, between the front office and the players,” Loretta said.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Why the Cubs might finally, maybe see a breakthrough with their homegrown pitchers. “(The) 2016 draft marked a turning point for how the Cubs evaluate amateur pitchers.” Gordon Wittenmyer chimes in. Evan Altman adds on.
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs move instructs to January as they continue to refine their player-development process. “...in today’s progressive world of baseball, “how it’s always been done” no longer flies as a valid reason.”
• Rob Huff (MLB Trade Rumors): Projecting payrolls: Chicago Cubs. $210 million.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Overheard at Cubs Convention: A collection of the funniest and weirdest moments from the 2019 fan fest. “The sad thing is it’s going to be snowing this much in April too,” one fan quipped.

Food for thought: