Cub Tracks marks smooth transition

Had this been yesterday, this would have been all-Theo, all the time. But that was so 24 hours ago, and while we have no newer news, we still don’t plan to live in the past, Ian Anderson. Maybe we’ll just stop in for the occasional vintage season, Jed Hoyer.

I know this may be true, but if the Cubs make even a single move that prioritizes money over the return, I’m going to riot. If you have to shake things up or trade someone to reduce salary, fine, do it. But you better not be SEEKING monetary relief as the primary return. That’s bad business that will lead to bad baseball that will lead to more bad business. — Brett Taylor.

Newsflash: Speedy outfielder Ian Miller will be back on a minor-league deal. Also signed were outfielder Rafael Ortega, catcher Taylor Gushue, righty Jake Jewell, and lefty Jerry Vasto.

Oh, who am I kidding? I’m all over it. Like there’s a choice. But Theo is stepping down on Cub Tracks’ eighth anniversary, so we feel like we’re a part of it.

Here at Cub Tracks News and Notes, we are sticking with that story for now. 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.)

• Mark Feinsand (MLB.com*): Up next for Theo? ‘I need a new challenge’. “One potential career path that Epstein will definitely not be pursuing? Running for public office.”
• MLB Tonight: Theo Epstein resigns as president [VIDEO].
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Why Theo Epstein and the Cubs felt now was the right time for transition. “... it became really clear that we’d be facing some significant long-term decisions this winter — decisions with long-term impacts. And those types of decisions are really best made by somebody who’s going to be here for a long time ...”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): With Theo Epstein leaving the Cubs, Jed Hoyer has his work cut out for him. “Jed is someone who is extremely progressive, forward-thinking, and honest with himself about the organization,” Epstein said. Patrick Mooney, Jon Greenberg, and Joe Posnanski also opine.
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): What Epstein expects of Hoyer as next Cubs president. “Epstein has seen Hoyer at work, both standing beside him and sitting opposite him at the negotiating table ...”
• ESPN+ {$}: What’s next for Cubs and Theo after Epstein steps down in Chicago. “What will the future bring for the ballclub?”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Diamondbacks AGM Jared Porter leads list of potential Cubs GM candidates. “... a fresh perspective would help them move in a new direction.” Brett Taylor weighs in.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): 3 a.m. again: Why Tommy La Stella makes sense for 2021 Cubs. “One thing the Cubs offense needs more of is contact ...”
• Chris Cwik (Yahoo Sports*): A Cubs fan in need of a kidney found help from an unlikely source ... a White Sox fan. “Good Morning America has the rest of the story if you feel like crying.”

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading. The ‘birthdays’ feature of Cub Tracks has been retired.