Damn. Slim pickin’s out there tonight. People doggin’ out The Plan, random topical stuff — the news is so sparse that the headliners are all eating the same lunch. The beat writers are still mostly absent. Cub Tracks continues our search for useful content, or failing that, for amusement. But there aren’t even fake rumors right now. I suspect this’ll go on ‘til spring training. Fortunately that looms closer and closer. So, with reference to Al’s sig line, here’s an extra “M” song for you:
And here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes, such as it is, for ‘N’. As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).
The #Cubs were devastated after an early playoff exit in 2018. Lessons were learned and that bad taste has turned into motivation heading into spring training. pic.twitter.com/S4HKD2yG5U
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) January 26, 2019
Glass houses dept:
NBC Sports Chicago: SoxFest gets spicy, Delmonico takes shot at Cubs fans [VIDEO].
More great moments from the Cubs Convention last weekend with my fellow #Cubs @baseballhall Billy Williams, Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg and Lee Smith. Fun talking baseball with these guys. pic.twitter.com/dFpK73WdW2
— Fergie Jenkins (@31fergiejenkins) January 26, 2019
- Ryan Davis (Forbes* {$}): Theo Epstein is shopping in the bargain bin to fix the Cubs’ roster. “‘Minor upgrades’ is the right phrase to describe the Cubs’ offseason plan thus far.”
- Craig Edwards (Fangraphs): Cubs add reliever on the cheap. “Chicago’s bullpen could use some help, and if Brad Brach pitches anything like he has the past few seasons, the 33-year-old righty should provide it.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Reports: Cubs ink veteran arms George Kontos, Junichi Tazawa. “The Cubs continue to work on stockpiling experienced depth behind their big league pitching staff.”
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Hindsight is 20/20 when it comes to Cole Hamels’ $20 million option. “In essence, Hamels became the big free agent.”
- James Neveau (NBC Chicago*): Chicago Cubs land 2 Prospects on MLB’s Top 100. 94. Miguel Amaya, C, Cubs. 100. Nico Hoerner, SS, Cubs.
- Tanner Puckett (Viva El Birdos): The rekindled Cardinals-Cubs rivalry is good for baseball. “We’re in an era where both teams are trying to compete.”
1935, Navin Field (Tiger Stadium), #Cubs mascot vs. #Tigers mascot. You fill in the rest. pic.twitter.com/PuuH67Sim4
— Dugout Legends (@DugoutLegends) January 26, 2019
Food for thought:
This ancient stegosaurus-platypus mashup has everything https://t.co/V6ERrugOYZ pic.twitter.com/6z7PUojhNy
— Popular Science (@PopSci) January 26, 2019
Bones unearthed in Jordan hint the canines weren’t primarily used to target big game. https://t.co/J7u8UYO7f3
— Science News (@ScienceNews) January 27, 2019
You should start your spring cleaning now https://t.co/empnv7HZXj pic.twitter.com/et3LJTMg36
— Popular Science (@PopSci) January 26, 2019
Heh. Actually, I did. Thanks for reading. And here’s a bonus ‘O’ song: