Cub Tracks on parade

Happy Thanksgiving from BCB.

Most of the stuff I’ve seen today is either regurgitated or indigestible in the first place. But there are tidbits falling off the table here and there, and I collected them. I know the ‘holiday’ has an unsavory provenance but I’m a big fan of tables groaning with food and I’ll gladly celebrate that anytime it’s available.

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.

• Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): The 2010s: The 2016 Cubs dominated baseball and the decade on the North Side. “Approaching its centennial, Wrigley Field needed a massive investment and a long-term plan for development.” Ten quotes that defined the decade.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Here are the Cubs’ top wins of 2019. “... there were moments, performances and games that shed some light on the course the North Siders are plotting for the coming months.”
• Lindsay Moran (Metsmerized online): The future of women in baseball is now. “Diversity has been a looming issue in the baseball world since its infancy.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Why new scouting VP Dan Kantrovitz joined a Cubs team in transition. “The Cubs still appear to have a bottom-tier farm system, limited flexibility within the budget for baseball operations this winter and real concerns about a talent drain after the 2021 season.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): As the Cubs enhance their player development program, Justin Stone is no longer the man behind the curtain. “... what’s happening with the Cubs is no small undertaking.”
• Jay Jaffe (ESPN+ {$}): What one move would turn near-miss MLB contenders into 2020 playoff teams? A trade involving the Diamondbacks’ LHP Robbie Ray and OF Steven Souza Jr. to the Cubs for LF Kyle Schwarber and RHP Tyler Chatwood is suggested.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs claim CD Pelham off waivers from Rangers. The left-handed complement to Jharel Cotton. It’s as easy as 1,2,3, Robert Shaw. “Both Cotton (one) and Pelham (two) have Minor League options.” Drew Pomeranz is out of the market.
• NBC Chicago: Former Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr. reportedly signs with Mariners. “... Edwards’ deal was first reported by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale and was later confirmed by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs Trade Rumors: Putting together palatable trade proposal for Whit Merrifield. “... you’re left with the distinct possibility that the Cubs would end up merely breaking even on a trade.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs free agent focus: Nicholas Castellanos. Anthony Rendon here.
• Cubs birthdays: Russ Meers, Carlos Villanueva, Danny Hultzen, Taylor Davis,

Cubs history today:

• 1927 - The Pittsburgh Pirates trade future Hall of Fame outfielder Kiki Cuyler to the Chicago Cubs for infielder Sparky Adams and outfielder Pete Scott. Cuyler, who had drawn the wrath of manager Donie Bush for his failure to slide in a game, will hit only .285 next season, well below his lifetime average of .321. He became expendable after rookie Lloyd Waner became a starter, but will be a great addition to the Cubs. Adams will have two seasons in Pittsburgh before going to the Cardinals. (BBRef)

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.