Cub Tracks keeps it light

Not much news, I’m afraid. The situation is so desperate that Ryan Tepera made SI. Sad times, slappers. Because of course the Cubs are gonna run it all back, except with less of the same players, since they’re going to trade everybody for Nolan Arenado, except to the Yankees. Or the Dodgers. And they don’t figure to be a force on the FA market.

The Cubs have the same set of needs and roadblocks they usually have. Contact man for leadoff. rotation fillers, a functioning bullpen, bats with hits in them, and somebody to sign the checks.

Winning has a cost. There are expectations. And the weight of those expectations have settled on Wrigley Field and the Cubs organization like clouds in the coffee.

Here at Cub Tracks News and Notes, we are closing in on our eighth anniversary. 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.)

• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): As Kim Ng breaks baseball’s glass ceiling and becomes the first female GM, she receives the undying support of her peers: ‘A great day for the game. A great day for society.’ “This challenge is one I don’t take lightly,” Ng said in a statement.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Yes, the Cubs project to be pretty competitive if they “Just run it back” this offseason. “The group under control through 2021 remains very talented...”
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Analyzing the Cubs’ rotation going into 2021. ‘With Yu Darvish and Kyle Hendricks leading the way, the Cubs’ rotation still has an opportunity to be one of the game’s best.’
• Off The Mound: Jim Thome reflects on ‘intense’ Cubs-White Sox rivalry. “... with Ryan Dempster.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Alec Mills has a custom no-hitter putter and it’s glorious. “... if style points count for anything, Mills is the clear-cut winner.”
• Bill Thompson (Beyond the Box Score*): Daniel Descalso and a franchise gone awry. “Descalso didn’t work out for the North Side of Chicago but it’s what he represents that should be more concerning to Cubs fans.”
• Thomas Carranante (Dodgers Way*): It’s time for the Dodgers to go for it all and trade for Kris Bryant. “Getting some value for Bryant heading into a year in which their championship aspirations feel minimized is probably the best move ...”
• Cubs birthdays: Pete Childs, Pat Ragan, Mickey Livingston.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.