Cub Tracks trades numbers

Now that PS5 is nearly a reality, I was finally able to acquire a PS4 for Xmas. I only have two games, but I only play three, so that’s okay. The game with Javier Báez on the cover will be arriving in March. I’ve already paid for it. From the sound of things, it should probably have his son also.

At least then I’ll agree with ownership.

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.

• Bruce Miles (The Athletic {$}): The Ricketts family needs to face their fans (and their critics) at the Cubs Convention. “Two disappointing seasons in a row have made the fan base restless...”
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): What are the Cubs expecting from Jon Lester in 2020? “We’re not in the least bit writing him off,” Theo Epstein said last month.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Summing up Cubs arbitration deals and what it means for the budget. “... overall, it hardly makes a dent in freeing up resources to add to the big-league team.”
• Laura Messer (Cubs Insider*): José Quintana trade may be Cubs’ most realistic option this winter. “... the Cubs have a few internal options to replace Quintana.”
• Eric Chesterton (MLB.com*): Watch Javy and son’s adorable cage play. “The only thing better than watching Javy play ball, is watching Javy play ball with his son.” Tony Andracki loves his bat flip.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Kris Bryant, Cubs make a deal … and now comes the hard part. “With or without Bryant, it’s going to be an awkward Cubs Convention.” Matt Snyder has thoughts about this. Paul Sullivan is above it all. Jordan Bastian avoids arbitration.
• Jayson Stark (The Athletic {$}): Realignment, robots and the universal DH — how baseball will change during this decade. But wait, there’s more! It’s as if Stark had been reading the front pages of baseball blogs.
• Cub birthdays: Paddy Driscoll, Roy Hughes, Jack Curtis, Lloyd McClendon, Donn Pall, Rey Ordonez. Also notable: Elmer Flick (HoF), Max Carey (HoF).

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.