Cub Tracks sheds some light

The beats go on. Everybody is seemingly back to work so we have articles to read and thoughts to consider. Some of them are even worthwhile. I’ll get out of the way.

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.

The Cubs would make sense if they move Kris Bryant. They are not primed for some sort of a rebuild as much as a refresh or reboot -- an always-difficult needle to thread, particularly if they hope to dip under the luxury-tax threshold. One source characterized the Cubs as doing due diligence, as they’ve done throughout the winter with myriad trade conversations, but the notion of trading catcher Willson Contreras and a higher-priced, underperforming player in an Arenado deal, then flipping Bryant to revitalize a mediocre farm system, squares in the short and long term. The Nationals’ best trade piece, middle infielder Carter Kieboom, would be a perfect anchor for a Bryant deal if the Cubs didn’t already have Javier Baez at shortstop and rookie Nico Hoerner at second base. — Jeff Passan.

• Fran Spielman (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Wrigley Plaza rules relaxed, but not quite enough to satisfy the Cubs. “We don’t want it all. We just want a level playing field,” said Julian Green.
• Craig Edwards (Fangraphs*): Cubs, Sinclair, Marquee, and Comcast combine forces for a potential blackout for Cubs’ fans. “Two massive media companies are currently playing a game of chicken and Cubs fans are currently sitting in the backseat with no control over the drivers.”
• David Haugh (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs fans need to be patient. Once the Kris Bryant grievance is finally resolved, the team will make its moves. “... the team could win by losing the grievance.” Brett Taylor talks about it. Evan Altman considers it. Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma {$} want to know if this is it.
• Rick Morrissey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): For the Cubs, bricks and mortar come before pitchers and catchers. “There’s something out of whack, something disproportionate in the way the franchise approaches the whole of its operation.”
• (NBC Sports Chicago*): Tommy Hottovy on Cubs Talk.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Who might make the Cubs’ Opening Day roster? I thought Anthony Rizzo had first base covered.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): How Cubs are approaching the new 26-man roster rule. “... the Cubs have often been forced to roll with a three-man bench (plus the backup catcher).”
• Adam McCalvy (MLB.com*): Backstop bevy: NL Central loaded behind dish. “The National League Central is platoon central at the catcher position.”
• (NBC Sports Chicago*): Javier Baez is the top infielder in the game. “... this is just a fancy number to confirm what Cubs fans saw with their eyes all 2019.” Evan Altman confirms this.
• (Bleacher Nation): Cubs outfield prospect Cole Roederer’s offensive projection is a moving target. “... for a prospect that had built up high expectations, .224/.319/.365 can’t help but feel like a disappointment.”
• CBS News*: Girl struck by foul ball at Astros-Cubs game has permanent brain injury, lawyer says. “He also said the child has had frequent headaches, periods of unresponsiveness, and night terrors.” Tim Stebbins adds details.
• Cubs birthdays: Joe Wallis, Ivan de Jesus.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.