Cub Tracks adds character

CHICAGO CUBS NEWS

Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we have #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB news for you, optimized for SEO and ready to go. The Cubs have added GM Carter Hawkins, a development specialist, to the mix. It’s a good hire, most likely. Still would have preferred Carlos Rodriguez but I reckon they have their reasons.

So, a plot twist in the prevailing narrative, and we have yet to see what subplots that will spin. December looms, and then things promise to get interesting. Tom Ricketts said some things, too, and the panel will unwrap that a little. Plus more, below.

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In a letter Friday, Ricketts assures Cubs fans that “we have the resources necessary to compete in 2022 and beyond, and we will use them.”

“We will be active in free agency and continue to make thoughtful decisions to bolster our team this offseason,” Ricketts continued. — Meghan Montemurro.

• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Ricketts says the Cubs “Have the Resources” to compete in 2022, and “We Will Use Them”. “...we will be active in free agency, but we will spend intelligently.”
• Aryanna Prasad (Fansided*): Why fans shouldn’t believe Ricketts’ latest fluff piece. “When a season goes up in flames, it’s on the management to rally up the fanbase for next year.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Rob Manfred trashes Sinclair’s plans for RSN Streaming Service. “... for MLB and other leagues to do a streaming deal with Sinclair or another partner, they’d have to be making more new money than they’d lose from their existing broadcast partners.”
• Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): How Carter Hawkins could help the Cubs and Jed Hoyer in new GM role. “While Cleveland hasn’t won the World Series since 1948, its executive tree continues to branch out across the game.”

• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Hawkins is the new Chicago Cubs GM, tasked with helping Jed Hoyer reconstruct the team as it heads into a busy offseason. “I am thrilled to bring Carter into our organization,” Jed Hoyer said in a statement.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): MLB Playoffs: Ex-Cubs Making Impactful Mark in October. You can say that again.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): With so many ex-Cubs scattered throughout the playoffs, Jed Hoyer has to completely reimagine a lineup for October. “All the home runs hit by ex-Cubs in these playoffs speak louder than the club officials claiming this won’t be another long rebuild at Wrigley Field.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): 4 things on Cubs’ to-do-list as new GM joins front office. “I am thrilled to bring Carter into our organization,” Hoyer said in a statement. “... I look forward to partnering with him to build the next great Cubs team.”
• Thomas Erbe (Cubbies Crib*): Chicago Cubs spurn Sammy Sosa as Giants embrace Barry Bonds. “... the Giants are clearly committed to stand with the man who put fans in the seats...”

Food for Thought:

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