Cub Tracks looks at the big board

What a day. What a week. All the deals and then some, right? I can’t keep up with all of the new faces. Plus the Onion was almost funny. Next, McSweeney’s will draw a dry chuckle. Cripes. Doug Kinney would be ashamed of me. Mort Drucker wouldn’t get the picture either.

Mort Drucker for MAD.

Yeahhh. We have kind of a followup to the front page’s events and the early flowering of a couple of trade rumors. Bob Rosenberg is out, for nebulous reasons.

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.

A day after MLB announced safety netting extensions will have been installed at all 30 ballparks for 2020, the Cubs say the specifics for Wrigley Field aren’t set yet. A team spokesman gave a statement to ESPN’s Outside the Lines: “Given the unique design of the walls along the playing field surface which are landmarked, we are still reviewing options that provide the safest and enjoyable environment for fans.” — William Weinbaum, ESPN.

• The Onion: Cubs Sign Sammy Sosa to $300 million deal just to give casual fans point of reference. “We’re excited to give casual fans a recognizable name that they can cling to,” said general manager Jed Hoyer.
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): From Billy Williams to Sammy Sosa, history tells us no Cubs star is so big he can’t be replaced. ““These people don’t know what the hell they’re doing. They’re getting rid of their future and screwing up the present,” said Rafael Palmeiro, about Jim Frey and Don Zimmer... about which he was largely correct, but that’s besides the point. Or is it?
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): With Winter Meetings over, Cubs gearing up for ‘trading season’. If the primary free agents are off the market, that definitely clarifies the dynamic for different teams,” said Hoyer. Jordan Bastian has more in a WM wrap-up. Ken Rosenthal and Jayson Stark {$} examine this at length.
• Joel Sherman (New York Post*): Cubs set up to be darlings of January after Winter Meetings. “... a hunger to make a seismic shift to a roster gone tepid and a farm system gone fallow.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs aren’t trading Yu Darvish this winter, despite reported inquiries. “... Darvish has elevated himself to the No. 1 pitcher in the Cubs rotation.” Brett Taylor has some of this.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): What could the Chicago Cubs get for Kris Bryant? “Here’s a look at who might be interested in Bryant — and what they have to offer...” He continues with five takeaways from the winter meetings.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Once Josh Donaldson chooses where to sign, the Cubs will be right back in the middle of the action again. “... what the Cubs are attempting to do — remaining competitive in 2020 while still building for the future — is incredibly difficult.” Mooney also holds forth on Bryzzo.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): If Rangers sign Nicholas Castellanos, it could lead them to Bryant deal. “... Jon Daniels said at the Winter Meetings they’ll address third base this offseason.” Taylor has some of this, too.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs hope to draft smarter with new scouting director Dan Kantrovitz blending data analysis with traditional opinions. “Kantrovitz, 40, has used statistical analysis methods for evaluating players on all levels during 16 seasons with the Cardinals and Athletics.”
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider*): Cubs organizational breakdown, Pt. 3: Cubs have plenty at 2B beyond Nico Hoerner. 6-deep.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Theo Epstein sees Albert Almora Jr. as ‘a real bounce-back candidate’ for the Cubs. Party like it’s 2019. Some of us thought that last year.
• Cubs birthdays: Lefty Tyler, Harry Wilke, Les Bell, Paul Erickson, Bobby Adams, Sam Jones, Pete Whisenant, Bill Buckner, Rodrigo Lopez, Angel Guzman, Donn Roach. Also notable: Craig Biggio (HoF).

Today in baseball history (courtesy of BBRef):

• 1916 - The Chicago Cubs swap OF Joe Kelly to the Boston Braves for coach Fred Mitchell, who will become Chicago’s new manager.
• 1985 - Former major league star Roger Maris dies from cancer at the age of 51.
• 1998 - OF Brant Brown, whose error on September 24th almost cost the Cubs a playoff spot, is sent to the Pirates in exchange for P Jon Lieber.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.