Cub Tracks fills in the blanks

Athletes-as-activists have a long and storied history. More and more are lending their voices to causes and so it’s not much of a surprise that major-league athletes are participating in the get-out-the-vote effort. Musicians and other entertainers have been doing it for years.

Without a vote, we are voiceless. I’ve made mine heard. That said, our brief here is Chicago Cubs, and Javier Baez had something to say.

Here at Cub Tracks News and Notes, we are winding up the fifth year of the reign under Duane (and closing in on the eighth anniversary overall) and also it’s almost my birthday. I’m not super-sentimental about such things but that’s an anniversary, too. 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 on this page as sarcasm font. (In the comments section, use @ before and after your remarks @ to produce sarcasm font.)

ARLINGTON - The Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics are leading the race for the services of Cuban prospect Luis Pino, a source told ESPN Digital on Monday.

The Boston Red Sox , San Diego Padres , Chicago White Sox , San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs are among the organizations that have evaluated the 16-year-old outfielder, who will be eligible to sign as an international free agent on January 15. — Enrique Rojas.

• Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): More change is coming for the Cubs. It’s a matter of how big, how soon. “The front office will likely stay as is until a new leadership structure is in place.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Theo Epstein reportedly “Still Said to Be Mulling” whether to step down from Cubs presidency. Refers to both the article above and the article below this. Taylor draws his own conclusions. Evan Altman also has thoughts about this.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ Will Venable in mix for Red Sox, Tigers manager jobs. “Venable, 37, interviewed for three manager jobs last season ...”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is not happy with being left off the list of Gold Glove finalists that includes the Chicago Cubs’ Willson Contreras: ‘I’m still the best’. “I respect all the finalists ...” Molina wrote in Spanish on his Instagram account.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Javy Báez, Tim Anderson appear in Nike ad calling on people to vote. “No one picks up a ball wanting to change the world. They want to escape it ...”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): State of the Cubs: Shortstop. “The future of the Cubs shortstop position lies entirely upon what happens with Báez.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Kyle Schwarber could be odd man out if Cubs look to get ‘more athletic’. “... the Cubs have to make a decision as to where and how he can provide them with the most value.” Andy Martinez reports on this.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs legend Andre Dawson receives first Curt Flood Award, honoring his contributions to player freedom in free agency. “... it’s an accolade that I put up there with anything that I’ve achieved in this game because of what it represents and the player it’s named after,” Dawson said. Andy Martinez also reports on this.
• Anthony Castrovince (MLB.com*): Wrigley ‘banned’ from WS? Almost happened. “As soon as Dallas got to town, he campaigned for lights,” says Ned Colletti.
• Cub birthdays: Eddie Stack, Jack Russell, Jim Brosnan, John Goetz, Rawly Eastwick, Bill Hayes.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.