Cub Tracks makes your day

Kris Bryant is probably not going to be the everyday center-fielder, whether or not Nolan Arenado finds his way to Chicago’s north side for home games. I’m certainly not the first, nor the last, to say that, or even to write it, especially since Bruce Levine recanted his testimony. Which is too bad, because as usual we are starved for content, or at least good content. We don’t even have a catalog of Matt Spiegel’s misdeeds to fall back on.

It’s almost time for Svengoolie anyway, so Ima get the L out of here.

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.

Rosenthal article about same {$}.

• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Pitchers and Catchers report in exactly one month – can the Cubs still have a successful offseason? “... the clock is ticking, and there is only a month left ...”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Here’s what Javier Báez’ extension could look like, still good chance to ink one this spring. “... a seven-year, $140 million deal.”
• David Adler (MLB.com*): We did the math: Here’s MLB’s best defender. “Báez hasn’t yet won a Gold Glove. He probably should have.”
• NBC Sports Chicago: Kris Bryant’s deal is discussed (links to audio). Cody Bellinger broke his first-arb record, set January 12, 2018. Jared Wyllys thinks about Bryant, too.
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider*): Chicago Cubs Prospect Stock Watch: 9 less heralded players worth your time in 2020. “... it’s time to look at a few more names who may not be on your radar quite yet.”
• Allison Posey (WTXL): Bryan Henry, David Ross team up for 12th Annual Father-Son Baseball Camp. More on this.
• Cubs birthdays: George Browne, Roy Easterwood, George Kernek, Paul Reuschel, Bill Madlock.

Today in baseball history:

• 1921 - Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis takes over his new role as Commissioner of baseball. Landis, who is given wide-ranging powers, replaces the three-man National Commission that had been running the game for nearly two decades. (BBRef)
• 1961 - Charlie Grimm and Verlon Walker are named to the Chicago Cubs College of Coaches. Using this system, a different coach will manage the team each month during the season, and members of the group will move between the major league team and its minor league affiliates. (BBRef)

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.