Cub Tracks’ short suite

While we’re waiting for the Cubs to pick up Anthony Rizzo’s $16.5 million option, there is still unfinished business. It won’t be finished today — the pilot lights are just being lit. The Cubs will need to fill the holes. We await word of how, as there’s really not much happening above the surface right now.

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.

2014 — The Cubs introduce new manager Joe Maddon at a press conference. The former Rays skipper is in an optimistic mood, saying he thinks the last-place club is capable of making a playoff run next season.

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Offseason checklist: Cubs’ needs and moves. “With a new manager installed in David Ross, Chicago has an important offseason at hand.”
• Cliff Corcoran (The Athletic {$}): The biggest needs for every team in the National League. “One-hundred and thirty-one players became free agents on Thursday, not counting those whose options were declined.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs and White Sox have options if they choose to spend in free agency. Here’s a look at the best available players.
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Let’s build a low-risk, short-term, high-upside, free-agent bridge to Nico Hoerner at second base. “... a big, long-term free agent investment at the position probably doesn’t make that much sense.”
• Ryan Thomure (Cubs Insider*): Maybe Nicholas Castellanos isn’t great long-term fit for Cubs. “... the case for retaining Castellanos is a complicated one.”
• Cubs Birthdays: Jim McCormick, Ed Lennox, Bob Fisher, Fred Richards, Ken Holtzman, Danny Young, Jonathan Herrera. Also notable: Bob Feller (HoF).

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.