Cub Tracks lets it slide

Here’s Cub Tracks News and Notes, your every-other-day-except-on-weekends escape from the humdrum, in the best shape of our lives (round is a shape, too), tanned, rested, ready.

The Cubs didn’t tab Sara Sanchez to be their new announcer, and she’s not on the sub list, either. We’re going to have to mount a write-in campaign, clearly.

Seriously, congratulations to Beth Mowins and her dulcet tones. It’s a step in the right direction, says this writer. Also, Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop are back. How long they stay is up to their right arms but it sure is feelgood, and a testament to the Cubs’ ability to conduct the news cycle like a bullet train.

Pretty soon, there’ll be games NOT played on paper, and it won’t be too long until the games count.

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. In the text body. It doesn’t work in the headlines.)

“I think we’re all happy to be back here playing baseball, and excited to get things started.” — David Ross.

• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why Ross says Cubs fans should believe in ‘monsters’. “... real motivations that come from being in a walk year.”
• Marquee Sports Network*: Exclusive Interview David Ross [VIDEO]. Tommy Hottovy [VIDEO].
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): How much did Tom Ricketts increase Cubs’ baseball budget for ’21? “... we know for certain that the Cubs have a massive amount of room for next year if they choose to use it.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Is this the last hurrah for the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship core? ‘That’s just the reality,’ says Jed Hoyer. “... it’s unrealistic to keep all of the players that were a significant part of 2016.” Russell Dorsey has words.
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Ross says he was ‘a little too patient’ in his 1st year as Chicago Cubs manager. He vows to be himself more in 2021. “Last year was such a sprint,” Ross said.
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Why the Cubs are confident in their pitching staff despite Yu Darvish’s exit. “All of them throw multiple off-speed pitches for strikes,” Hoyer said. Steve Greenberg offers counsel. Tony Andracki considers this.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Bookmakers hate Kyle Hendricks even more than projection systems do. “... if you’re really looking for some serious disrespect, check out the early odds on the NL Cy Young race.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Hendricks’ aim? ‘Consistent force’ for Cubs. “I think I’m ready to take on a full load again,” Hendricks said via Zoom on Wednesday. Russell Dorsey adds his thoughts.
• Bryan Smith (Bleacher Nation*): Brennen Davis left me fascinated by Jason Adam’s probably-awesome changeup. “it almost looks like a two-seamer.”
• Larry Hawley (WGN-9*): Cubs trust in their core players to get their offense going in 2021. “When you look at the names in the lineup, it’s a really good lineup. I think have to do a better job as a collective of putting that together and scoring runs,” said Hoyer.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Lots to watch in NL Central’s middle infields. “... there are a few spots that will have competitions in the days and weeks leading up to Opening Day.”
• Eric Longenhagen (Fangraphs*): 2021 Top 100 Prospects. 41, 113, 133. “...there are more than 100 prospects...” Brett Taylor interprets.
• The Athletic {$}: Keith Law’s 2021 Cubs Top 20 prospect rankings.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.