Cub Tracks plays it off

Slow day news-wise on the Cubs front. If you’re operating on the premise that no news is good news, it’s a good thing. But it’s really not. Because other teams not-Cub are still playing.

I have little to add. The beats seem to have this week off. The Cubs aren’t playing, so no attention is paid. Massaging the deadline doesn’t make stories appear. Go simCubs.

Here’s Cub Tracks 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.

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): What to know: Cubs 2020 offseason FAQ. “There were individual success stories along the way, but the relative status quo at the MLB level did not result in October success.”
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider*): 40-Man Roster decisions could offer clues to Cubs’ other moves this winter. ”The Cubs front office has its hands full this offseason ...”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): All-Star Gazing: 5 Cubs worthy of Midsummer Classic that wasn’t played. Pitching-heavy, as it should be.
• Ryan Thomure (Cubs Insider*): Which version of Javier Báez should we expect following disastrous 2020? “... we haven’t seen the absolute best version of him for some time now.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Great news for international Cubs prospects: Dominican Instructional League is a go. “That’s huge for an organization like the Cubs ...”
• Cubs birthdays: Bob Chipman, Rick James (!), Jesus Sanchez.

SimNews:

The simCubs fell to the Dodgers with Mookie Betts providing the decisive blow with an eighth-inning two-run home run off of Brandon Morrow as the series moves to L.A., tied 1-1.

Kyle Hendricks and Julio Urias face each other at 11 a.m. CT Monday. Sunday will be a ‘travel day’ as the teams ready for battle in Chavez Ravine. All game video and related material is available commercial-free, 24/7, at the BCB Media Center.

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading.