Cub Tracks still has options

Just a little movement today — out-of-minor league-options Tony Kemp for a minor league first baseman with Mark Grace comps. More speculation about the Kris Bryant center field experiment. Nico Hoerner stuff. Baseball content — catch it!

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.

• RJ Anderson (CBS Sports*): Why the Cubs would likely get a disappointing return if they trade one of their core pieces. “Their inactivity even makes sense in some cases.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): 12 changes the Cubs should make for the 2020 season. “... the Cubs have a lot of questions to answer at this weekend’s annual fan convention...”
• Bruce Levine (670 The Score*): Cubs counting on better form from Craig Kimbrel In 2020. “It was a unique circumstance,” pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs trade Kemp to Athletics to address crowded second-base competition. “... for minor-league infielder Alfonso Rivas...(who) was named to the midseason California League All-Star team with Stockton before he was promoted Aug. 26 to Las Vegas.” Athletics Nation likes the trade.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Hoerner thrilled in debut -- how can he improve? “... it was a tale of two 10-game samples for Hoerner.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Would Cubs seriously consider moving Bryant to center on everyday basis? “Or is this just a little smoke as they look to obscure their intentions and drive up Bryant’s perceived value?”
• Bill Thompson (Beyond the Box Score): MLB’s extended netting is far too little, far too late. “It should never have come to a two-year-old girl suffering permanent brain damage...”
• Cubs birthdays: Hank Gornicki.

Today in baseball history:

• 1896 - A Chicago jury acquits Colts outfielder Walt Wilmot of charges of violating the Sabbath law by playing Sunday baseball last year. Charges against other players are subsequently dropped, and the way is cleared for future Sunday ball in Chicago. (BBRef)
• 1954 - Former Yankees outfielder Joe DiMaggio marries actress Marilyn Monroe. (BBRef)
• 1987 - Catfish Hunter and Billy Williams are elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA. Hunter made his name as the ace of the Oakland Athletics pitching staff in their World Championship years in the mid-1970s and made his fortune as one of the first rated free agents. Williams set a National League record by playing in 1,117 consecutive games and accumulating 426 home runs and a batting title. (BBRef)

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.