Cub Tracks makes with the side-eye

Kris Bryant is gonna lead off. Could work. I’ve heard worse proposals for the man at the top of the order. Evan Altman described him as “extremely gruntled”. So gruntled that he parked in Tom Ricketts’ spot. This pleases me.

Ok, that’s the news. Let’s move on ... you may have heard about the gangster of love and the space cowboy, but I’m gonna whip a cat on you right now who’s had more trouble, trials and tribulations...

Apropos of nothing. I just like that song, and this one:

Fly like an eagle, Kris.

Here’s today’s episode of Cub Tracks News and Notes, the only links column that really matters. 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 here as sarcasm font.

• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): ‘I know we can get more out of our talent’: Jed Hoyer says the Cubs have the players to return to title contention. “This team is more talented than an 84-win team.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): David Ross approaching new role as ‘same dude’ with different priorities. Well, that’s, like, your opinion, man.
• Bruce Levine (670 The Score*): Joe Maddon: Pregame routine not why Cubs struggled. “They did do their work,” Maddon says. “I just liked them being fresh.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Why Maddon and the Cubs’ front office had their philosophical differences. “This is what happens when the team with the highest payroll in the National League misses the playoffs.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): The Cubs’ second base job is “Up For Grabs” – and that’s not just coachspeak. “The Cubs have a whopping ten guys in big league camp right now who could theoretically play second base ...” Jared Wyllys offers wisdom.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): After meeting with Theo Epstein, Bryant expects to remain a Cub all season. “I’m ready to play ball and win a ton of games. I really am.”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs must consider how to build their roster to cover when Bryant plays the outfield: 3 takeaways from spring training. “The Cubs also need a dependable backup to shortstop Javier Baez.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Bryant becomes Cubs’ newest leadoff hitter. “Kris Bryant is a really good at-bat, gets on base,” Ross said. “His baseball IQ is extremely high. So, when you talk about putting the best players in baseball at the top of the order, I think that’s our best player and I want to put him at the top.” Jesse Rogers adds a few words.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}: Cubs are increasing the minimum salaries of their minor-leaguers by at least 50% this year. “Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts took the initiative to authorize the salary increases, the source said.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Lou Piniella ready to embark on second chapter with Cubs as broadcaster for new network. “... he said he looks forward to the 15 to 18 games he’ll do for Marquee this season ...”
• Phil Rosenthal (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Bruce Levine will add Marquee Sports Network role to his duties. “Levine is expected to contribute features for Marquee’s website, be involved with a roundtable program with other reporters and fill other roles.”
• Eno Sarris (The Athletic {$}): A beer nerd’s guide to baseball: Ranking every stadium by craft beer offerings. “23. Wrigley Field, Chicago. Just get an Old Style, really.”
• Dan Santaromita (NBC Sports Chicago*): Mark Cuban is glad he couldn’t buy an MLB team, says ‘baseball is a mess’. “Cuban tried multiple times to buy an MLB team.”
• Cubs birthdays: Frankie Gustine, Jesus Figueroa, Ryan Sweeney, Julio Borbon, Spencer Patton. Also notable: Sam Rice (HoF)

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading. Local crank now on medium twice weekly.