Cub Tracks remains to be seen

David Ross? Joe Espada? Which one of these? That’s the burning question of the day. In other news, the silly season has begun early, as you’ll see from some of the articles.

Bye-bye Cardinals. You were awful, and it was great to see. Looking forward to your new identity.

Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used here as sarcasm font.

• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): After Angels waste no time hiring Joe Maddon, will Cubs be next to fill manager opening? “... insiders suggest it’s a two-man race for the Cubs job, with in-house candidate Ross holding the edge. Al will have more on this coming up at 9 a.m. CT.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Bold predictions for the Cubs’ 2019-20 offseason. Culled from Cubs Talk, which is appended.
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider*): Cubs could add three catchers to 40-man roster next month. “... it might be in the Cubs’ best interest to add all three of these catchers rather than risk losing them.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): What is Cubs’ plan for leadoff spot? “I’m not sure that the Cubs’ main leadoff man in 2020 is currently on the team’s roster.”
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): On and off the field, Nico Hoerner proved he should be a big part of 2020 Cubs. “Hoerner is just a good *baseball* player and profiles as the type of guy that can help any winning team in some capacity.”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Can the Cubs re-sign Nicholas Castellanos? What happens with Jason Heyward? 4 questions about Cubs right fielders heading into 2020. “If Castellanos signs elsewhere, Heyward likely would return to right with Ian Happ and Albert Almora Jr. in center unless either or both are traded.”
• WGN: Cubs president Theo Epstein’s dog soiled floors of Arizona rental home, lawsuit says. “Epstein reportedly moved out of the house because of a scorpion infestation...” More on this from Kelly Twardziak. “When asked about the lawsuit, Epstein replied, “As I said, we have no untouchables. Winston is definitely available in the right trade.” Patrick Mooney {$} caps it off.
• Jim O’Donnell (Daily Herald* {$}): Bob Costas not interested in Marquee of Cubs new TV network. The Cubs have not indicated interest in Costas.
• Cubs birthdays: George Nicol, Paul Derringer, Johnny Ostrowski, Johnny Klippstein, John Mabry, Carlos Gonzalez. Also notable: Buck Ewing (HoF).

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.