Cub Tracks damages the goods

... like Terry Forster used to damage the postgame spread. Waist management, man. I am in the best shape of my life — round.

The offseason signings so far:

• 10/11 — Cubs signed free agent OF Gabriel Disla to a minor league contract
• 10/11 — Cubs signed free agent RHP Edgar Mercedes to a minor league contract
• 11/23 — Athletics traded RHP Jharel Cotton to Chicago Cubs for cash
• 11/27 — Cubs claimed LHP CD Pelham off waivers from Texas Rangers
• 12/6 — Cubs signed free agent RHP Dan Winkler
• 12/12 — Cubs claimed RHP Trevor Megill off waivers from El Paso Chihuahuas
• 12/20 — Cubs signed free agent RHP Ryan Tepera
• 1/13 — Cubs traded UT Tony Kemp to Oakland Athletics for 1B Alfonso Rivas
• 1/17 — Dodgers traded RHP Casey Sadler to Cubs for 2B Clayton Daniel
• 1/21 — Red Sox traded RHP Travis Lakins to Cubs for future considerations
• 1/25 — Steven Souza Jr. signed to one-year contract

Unbelievable the free-agent activity level! It has literally reached a new level. Depending on a physical, of course. Doctor please, one more of these. Double your pleasure!

Here’s today’s episode of Cubs News and Notes, the only links column that really matters. 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.

• CBS News*: See how Cubs Fans laughed off a car crashing into front of their house. “Thankfully, nobody was hurt, except for the chain-link fence.”

• Brendan Gawlowski (Fangraphs*): Cubs actually make transaction, sign Souza. “... this is one of those deals where the financials are secondary...”
• Lucas Seehofer (Forbes*{$}): New Chicago Cubs outfielder Souza to return from major knee injury. “Souza’s career has largely been defined by injuries...”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): How Castellanos’ deal with Reds impacts Cubs. “... the Cubs’ defense has a chance to improve over the overall numbers from last season.”
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider*): Baseball Prospectus features 4 Cubs prospects on top 101 list. Nico Hoerner, Miguel Amaya, Brailyn Marquez, and Brennen Davis.
• Bruce Miles (The Athletic {$}): Why isn’t Sammy Sosa getting HOF support? It starts at home. “... there might be hope that he’ll be welcomed back in Chicago someday – if he figures how to work the local precincts.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): MLB reportedly plans to mic umpires for necessary explanations during games. “A long overdue addition to gameplay in the replay era...”

• Cubs birthdays: Bob Muncrief, Wesley Wright. Also notable: George Wright (HoF)

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.