Cub Tracks takes shape

I’m in the best shape of my life — round. And I’ll be in preseason form shortly, as it’s exactly the same shape as postseason shape. I even have approximately the same dimensions. Length, breadth, width, depth, duration. Up, up, and away.

The article, well, life’s what you make it.

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.

• 670 The Score: Levine and Speigel [AUDIO]. Discussion topics include Andy Green.
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): David Ross’ 1st Cubs coaching staff is taking shape. Now Theo Epstein will start renovation work on the roster at the GM meetings. “It’s just the beginning of what figures to be a wild offseason filled with speculation...” Patrick Mooney {$} has words about this too.
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider*): Tyson Miller should be at top of list for 40-man spot. “Miller’s greatest strengths are that he has really good command of his pitches and he is still filling out as a baseball player.”
• Mike Axisa (CBS Sports*): Willson Contreras trade rumors: Rankings all 30 MLB teams as a possible landing spot for the Cubs’ catcher. “Few teams have a comparable (or better) catcher on their roster.” Brett Taylor weighs in. Scot Gregor* addresses this also.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Just in case you needed another data point on what a stud Javy Baez is. “... the reality is that he is one of the most valuable overall shortstops in the game.”
• Phil Rosenthal (Chicago Tribune* {$}): More Cubs-Marquee Sports Network questions answered — including the likelihood of Comcast holding out on a deal. “Look for more hires both behind-the-scenes and on-camera to follow.”
• Bryan Murphy (McCovey Chronicles): Five bad contract trade proposals to add prospects to the Giants’ system. “Mike Yastrzemski, Joe McCarthy, Trevor Gott for OF Jason Heyward, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Adbert Alzolay, and RHP Kohl Franklin.”
• Cubs birthdays: Fred Roat, Willie McGill, Jim Cook, Carmen Mauro, Chick King, Mike Vail, Micah Bowie.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.