Cub Tracks tries a little non-tenderness

We bid adieu to Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora, Jr. Jose Martinez is also free to go, as is Ryan Tepera. Are we having fun yet? I’m already weary of this same old shabby dress.

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.)

“It was a hard conversation,” Cubs President Jed Hoyer said of his chat with Schwarber. “I expressed we’d definitely keep the door open. We have and will talk to (agent) Casey Close about ways to bring him back.

“I’ve also expressed if that doesn’t work out, (we appreciate) the affection and attitude for all he’s done. He’s always going to be a Cubs legend, no question about that, as he should be.”

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs non-tender Schwarber, three others. “Beyond Schwarber and Almora, Chicago also non-tendered utility man Martínez, as well as righty Tepera.” Jesse Rogers checks in. Mark Gonzales keeps the door open.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Chicago Cubs tender contracts to Kris Bryant, Javier Báez, Ian Happ, Willson Contreras,Victor Caratini, agree to deals with Colin Rea, Dan Winkler, Kyle Ryan. “Nothing tonight was shocking ...”
• MLB.com *: Welcome these players to the free-agent mix. “Here is a look at the players who have been non-tendered ahead of Wednesday’s deadline.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): MLB Free Agent Focus: Corey Kluber could be Cubs’ high-reward addition. “... they’ll be in the market for free agents on reasonable deals.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Jared Porter is “The Heavy Favorite” to be the Chicago Cubs next General Manager. Evan Altman is also going to Jared. Sahadev Sharma said so {$}.
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): 9 things we know to be true about sports in 2020, including the Sportsperson of the Year and women breaking barriers everywhere. “Unless Boras decides to Zoom with the media, this may be the blandest offseason in decades.”

Food for Thought:

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