Cub Tracks spaces out

Here’s Cub Tracks News and Notes, your every-other-day-except-on-weekends escape from the humdrum, with another edition of our patented flat-out wholesome content:

Things are pretty feelgood after the acquisition of Jake Arrieta, who slots into the rotation at No. 2, No.3, or No. 4, depending on who you ask and the time of day. Jake still has an arm and a mouth and an attitude and right now I’m in favor of all of that. Your mileage, as always, may vary. But we can expect him to be in the best shape of his life.

The team on-paper isn’t horrible. But it’s not earth-shattering. There’s no kaboom. Where’s the kaboom?

Perhaps someone can revert to being mean or somebody else can succeed where they have previously failed. We can hope. I will modulate my fear. With an Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator, if necessary, earth creature.

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“Our pitching, yes, I think that’s a concern. That’s something we have to continue to add. We’re going to need some really good performances out of people. But, yeah, I think we have a little bit less depth.

“If there’s an area that sort of keeps me up at night, an area that I wake up in the morning and think about how to deal with, I think it’s definitely the pitching.” — Jed Hoyer.

• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs will try to leverage several small advantages to remain competitive. “... there may be a method to Hoyer’s madness in a winter that hasn’t exactly been fulfilling for most Cubs fans.”
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Where does the Cubs roster stand after addition of Arrieta? “... the Cubs’ starting rotation adds some much needed experience.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): The return of Arrieta, Cubs legend, is a jolt before spring training. “The Cubs could use some of that swagger now...” Gordon Wittenmyer congrees.
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Arrieta’s Top 7 Moments with Cubs. “He had so many great moments in a Cubs uniform...”
• Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): New leagues, new divisions and new agreements for 3 of Iowa’s MiLB teams. “I’m excited about it,” said Iowa Cubs president/general manager Sam Bernabe.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Cubs Farm System Rankings: Somewhere in the 17 to 26 range … “... a trio of farm system rankings came out this week and they have the Cubs’ system in wildly different spots.”
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Central): What might a Cubs top prospect list look like in 2023? “... that’s some serious talent heading to Chicago and more developing in the top 10 prospects.”
• Michael Owens (WBMF News*): Myrtle Beach Pelicans remaining a Cubs affiliate, moving to Low-A East League. “Things will look a bit different for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans starting with the upcoming 2021 season.”

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading.