Cub Tracks threads the needle

Jed Hoyer zoomed with the media Monday. It’s not yet clear who was zoomin’ who but he said a number of things that seem to bear repeating. At the very least, Hoyer said a number of things, and that’s news. We will have a selection of those things below.

Plus we have news of cougars finding their prey, an interview with Rachel Folden, and other such salacious content, here on the homestretch of the silly season. Spring Training looms. And sew it goes.

Also, RIP Pedro Gomez. I thought you gave good interview.

Here’s Cub Tracks News and Notes, your every-other-day-except-on-weekends escape from the humdrum. 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.)

• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): MLB is trying to de-juice the baseball again. “... MLB’s changes to the ball might not actually make a significant difference at all.”
• Jesse Rogers (ESPN*): Hoyer says Cubs will change hiring process amid internal Jared Porter investigation. “... maybe we don’t talk to enough people or a broad range of people.” AP had this also.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Hoyer says updated budget projection should allow for further additions, specifically starting pitcher. “There’s no necessity to cut,” Hoyer said. “By definition, we’re trying to add depth and pieces to help us win.” More in this vein from Altman.
• MLB.com*: Hoyer on Trevor Williams, Joc Pederson [VIDEO]. Pederson’s strengths [VIDEO].
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Cubs figure Spring Training will be a good time for extension talks. “... there are some really important impending free agents to keep an eye on...” Gordon Wittenmyer touches on this.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): 2021 Cubs lineup projection: Pederson not just another Kyle Schwarber. “With the switch-hitting Ian Happ penciled in to open the season at leadoff, Pederson is a good fit in the sixth spot. At least for now.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Kris Bryant is ‘in a really good place’ heading into Chicago Cubs spring training, Hoyer says. “I think sometimes with Kris, I think he was very honest. I don’t think he was saying he didn’t love baseball, you know? It was just sort of an honest comment.”
• MLB.com*: Rachel Folden joins Hot Stove [VIDEO].
• Shawn Childs (Sports Illustrated*): 2021 Fantasy Baseball: Chicago Cubs Team Outlook. “Pitching staff shortcomings hold back growth potential.”
• Paul Johnson (Aurora Beacon-News [via Tribune]*): No longer an affiliated team, Kane County Cougars find new home in American Association, an MLB Partner League. “The Cougars were approved by a unanimous vote of American Association owners.”
• Dan Martin (New York Post*): Cubs fan shares touching Pedro Gomez ‘corks’ story. “And yes I still have it!”

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.