Let’s segue right into today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).
Baseball is right around the corner! pic.twitter.com/52xmhtfYgo
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 4, 2019
ICYMI - Cubs Relievers Had Most One-Batter Outings in NL Last Season https://t.co/B21Eq0XyJ3 #Cubs Insider
— Cubs Insider (@realcubsinsider) February 4, 2019
#Cubs LHP Brailyn Marquez has a fastball that can touch the upper 90s and a plus curveball with power, as well as the ability to consistently throw strikes. That's why he's the Cubs' best non-Top 100 prospect: https://t.co/bO400BXIGr pic.twitter.com/XlujK8Uryv
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) February 3, 2019
Can confirm talks have resumed between the #Cubs and #Giants involving Jason Heyward. No word on the depth of the talks, just that both teams have re-engaged their dialogue. #HotStove
— Charles the Cat™ (@CharlsMeow) February 4, 2019
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cole Hamels preparing to take on leadership role. “...the pitcher felt his time in Chicago last season, combined with the knowledge that he would still be suiting up for the club in 2019, would allow him to more confidently step forward as a clubhouse leader this year.”
- Jeff Burdick (Cubs Insider): Kyle Hendricks offers surprising model for Nico Hoerner’s development path. “One positive is the Cubs traditionally do not force changes on prospects immediately after drafting them.”
- MLB.com*: Anthony Rizzo ranked No. 5 first baseman by MLB Network. Max Muncy? Seriously?
- Cam Ellis (NBC Sports Chicago*): A decade into his career, nothing’s surprising Jason Heyward anymore. “Swirling trade rumors may linger in the minds of younger players, but with a decade of baseball to his name, Heyward’s not phased.”
- Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs Q&A: Roster spots, Tyler Chatwood’s role, left-handed bullpen help and leadoff duties. “Depth is going to play a bigger factor this season.”
- Keith Law (ESPN+ {$}): Keith Law’s 2019 ranking of all 30 MLB farm systems. Well, the Cubs are ahead of Baltimore...
- Luis Torres (Beyond the Box Score): Trade Retrospective: Orioles trade Jake Arrieta to the Cubs for Scott Feldman. “...trades will be evaluated based on what was known at the time.”
Food for thought:
MU69 has a few small craters visible along the boundary between day and night, and probably one larger crater in the middle of the smaller lobe. That’s a surprisingly low total. https://t.co/srKnnAhMuu
— Science News (@ScienceNews) February 5, 2019
Pangea broke apart as fast as fingernails grow https://t.co/3JjANKxgfu pic.twitter.com/FqJXq5uLYw
— Popular Science (@PopSci) February 5, 2019
Saturn’s moon Titan might get some of its hazy atmosphere by baking organic molecules in a warm core. https://t.co/uSZvF3S09J
— Science News (@ScienceNews) February 4, 2019