Cub Tracks stands pat

Some minor gifts under our collective tree but no big-box items. Still, there’s a week until Christmas ...

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.

Boston will pay a Red Sox record $13.4 million luxury tax after failing to make the playoffs and the New York Yankees finished with a $6.7 million bill, likely a fraction of what they will pay next year.

Three teams owe tax, according to end of year figures sent to clubs Wednesday and obtained by the Associated Press. The Chicago Cubs must pay $7.6 million following a season that ended with September fade and no postseason berth. — AP.

• Mark Sheldon (MLB.com*): Next moves for NL Central teams are ... “Cubs: A blockbuster trade ...”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): As the cost of pitching skyrockets, a look at where the Cubs and Jon Lester stand. “Lester is still probably the Cubs’ best bet to make 30 starts in 2020, because he’s already done that 12 seasons in a row.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): The Cubs should go outside the box for the bullpen and target Danny Salazar. “... been wondering if there are some opportunities with bigger names in free agency ...”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Adbert Alzolay ‘Gonna have an impact’ in 2020, bullpen role seems most likely. “2020 is Alzolay’s last option year.” Bryan Smith has more Alzolay.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs will offer pitcher Danny Hultzen, who had an 8-year journey to reach the big leagues, a minor-league deal. Danny Hultzen is a familiar face.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs add intriguing depth by signing a familiar face. “... the Cubs reached an agreement with free agent Hernan Perez on a minor-league deal and the 28-year-old will have a chance to make the big-league roster out of spring training.” Gordon Wittenmyer also has words of wisdom.
• Dan Santaromita (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs need to find the money, but there’s reportedly mutual interest in a Nicholas Castellanos return. “Man, I love everything about Nick Castellanos,” Theo Epstein said after the season. Sahadev Sharma started it {$}. Evan Altman says they can’t even sign Eric Sogard. Brett Taylor adds thoughts.
• Cubs birthdays: Tony Taylor, Rob Gardner, Geoff Zahn, Rafael Soriano, Also notable: Al Kaline (HoF).

Today in baseball history:

• 1991 - The Orioles sign former 1984 Cy Young Award winner Rick Sutcliffe (6-5, 4.10) as a free agent after the Cubs decline to offer him a contract due to recurring arm problems. During his two seasons with the Birds, the right-hander will compile a 26-25 record for the club, and will be Baltimore’s starter in the team’s first game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
• 2001 - Free agent Moises Alou (.331, 27, 108) signs a $27 million, three-year deal with the Cubs. The former Astro All-Star’s presence in the Chicago lineup, along with Fred McGriff and Sammy Sosa, will give the team a fearsome 3-4-5 threesome. The Cubs also trade OF Michael Tucker to the Royals in exchange for a player to be named.
• 2003 - Grant DePorter, the managing partner of the late broadcaster Harry Caray’s area restaurants, submits the winning bid of $106,600 to obtain the foul ball that Steve Bartman deflected, costing the Cubs a costly out during Game 6 of the NLCS. The plan is to have the ball destroyed as an act of exorcism during a worldwide toast to Harry on his birthday, February 26th.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.