Cub Tracks’ Bauer to the inevitable

Yu Darvish and David Ross are first in my book. A-Ram was a good batsman and worked hard on his D.

They’re in the news today.

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• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Darvish runner-up for NL Cy Young Award. “On this planet, I believe he’s the best pitcher,” Darvish said. Gordon Wittenmyer voted for Yu. Sahadev Sharma {$} quests for perfection.
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times*): Darvish’s top-2 NL Cy Young Award finish shows Cubs’ gamble paid off. “You can make the argument that even missing out on the NL Cy Young Award, Darvish was the league’s best pitcher.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): ‘Even-keeled’ Ross takes 3rd in NL MOY vote. He was great. He was great — really positive the whole season,” said Javier Báez. Rick Renteria shoulda won — he came in 3rd. Tony Andracki opines.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs SVP Jason McLeod among 5 finalists for Angels VP opening. According to Ken Rosenthal.
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation*): The Nolan Arenado trade rumors are back. “... the Colorado Rockies may have shifted their focus from one infielder to the other.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Aramis Ramirez elected to Dominican Sports Hall of Fame. “Ramirez was a formidable middle-of-the-order presence on the North Side from 2003-11 ...”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Will the Yankees try to make a play for Ian Happ? “If the Yankees took Craig Kimbrel’s $17 million, could they lower the return on Happ?”
• Rob Biertempfel (The Athletic {$}): New farm director John Baker sees shades of Cubs’ success in Pirates’ plan. “Absolutely, a lot of similarities,” Baker said.
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Justin Turner saga baffles me more now that I had COVID-19. “... Manfred essentially shrugged his shoulders at an obvious violation of policy.”
• Cubs birthdays: Harry DeMiller, Fred Raymer, Gene Lillard, Jody Davis, Jeff Reed, Dave Otto, Sammy Sosa, Aaron Heilman. Also notable: Moonlight Graham.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.