Cub Tracks points to ominous places

Here in my man cave, it occurs to me that the Rickettses are essentially the Tribune, just concentrated. They spent the money for that one win, and are gonna ride that one forever. Any further winning will be accidental. At least the Braves made more than one Series. You can tell me I’m wrong, but you won’t convince me. Yeah, I know, the Trib never won. But they coulda been a contendah until they shipped Dallas Green out.

Continued on next rock.

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 on this page as sarcasm font. (In the comments section, use @ before and after your remarks @ to produce sarcasm font.)

• Marquee Sports Network*: Jed Hoyer speaks.
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Hoyer: MLB would ‘benefit’ from earlier hot stove season. “I think everyone would benefit if things happen earlier, happened closer to the start of the offseason,” he said.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): The Chicago Cubs — like a lot of major-league teams — were quiet during the winter meetings, but Jed Hoyer vows ‘there’s going to be more change’. “It’s been a very static roster, and there’s going to be more change ... going into next year than there had been the last four or five years,” Hoyer said Thursday. Patrick Mooney {$} has thoughts too.
• Thomas Harrigan (MLB.com*): Whoa! Cubs have a surprise trade chip. “... Darvish, though, could fetch the foundational pieces the Cubs desperately need...”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs not ready to close door on Jon Lester reunion, other rosterissues have top priority. “Jed Hoyer covered quite a bit over the course of his conference call...”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Notes: Staffing OF, rotation; Lester reunion? “... although Hoyer does feel Hoerner can help out in center, the Cubs are not looking to make him a part of the primary outfield alignment.”
• Marquee Sports Network*: Top Cubs offseason questions: Determining the future of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Báez. “It’s a very difficult process right now for the Cubs.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): A reminder that the Cubs, you know, might *not* trade Kris Bryant. “... you’d be left simply hoping a great player has a great season for your team.” Evan Altman also addresses this. Gordon Wittenmyer does, too.
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Ian Happ’s versatility affords Cubs more flexibility this offseason. “I think Ian’s bat plays all over the lineup,” said Hoyer.
• Bryan Smith (Bleacher Nation*): Scouting the Cubs Rule 5 Picks: Gray Fenter, Nicholas Padilla, and Samuel Reyes. “... the odds of any Cubs big league Rule 5 selection sticking long-term in the organization is very unlikely.” Jordan Bastian talks about Fenter. Todd Johnson reviews, too.

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading.