These 3-1-1 Cubs really do look like an efficient outfit. I know it’s just spring training and we shouldn’t draw any conclusions just yet, but I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that they seem well-coached. Lots of good glove and players clearly into it. Tanned, rested, ready, in the best shape of their lives. Boog and JD sound good, too. They talk just enough for a reasonably pleasant fan experience and they talk about BASEBALL.
It’s going to be interesting to see who emerges at second base and on the bench. Nico looks GOOD and is going to be the guy if he keeps it up. Hermosillo is edging Maybin so far, but they could both make the club, or Marisnick and his hammy could get on the field at some point and make himself a case. Might depend on how many outfielders the Cubs take north, which might depend on how many extra arms they start with. The bullpen does me a concern.
Things look positive on the good ship Cubs, for now. Here’s Cub Tracks News and Notes, a spaced oddity currently on an even keel. 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.)
David Ross was very involved in giving feedback during and after Jake Arrieta's bullpen session today. Arrieta had a 1.43 ERA in 82 innings with Ross during their days as teammates.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 27, 2021
Ross: "I can pull from experiences. I think that's extremely valuable." pic.twitter.com/mhyM0VHCic
Seriously, Jon? Trying to make this happen by putting it in the air?
Anthony Rizzo and Carlos Correa are ideal free-agent targets for the #Marlins after this season, as @CaseyStern just mentioned on @MLBNetworkRadio. Miami's good, inexpensive rotation should allow them to spend on a position player. And Rizzo is from Broward County. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 5, 2021
Cubs manager David Ross plans on working Kris Bryant into the outfield mix when it makes sense.
“Yes, I do anticipate that,” Ross said on Thursday. — Jordan Bastian.
Play ball! pic.twitter.com/WpLiigqhiP
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 5, 2021
Javy Baez was pulled from the game due to extreme caution, per Cubs. Right forearm contusion. Ball got the meat. He’s fine.
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) March 5, 2021
- Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): After the highs and lows of success, staying hungry is the Cubs’ top priority. “I think we need to prove to ourselves that we can get where we want to be,” right fielder Jason Heyward said.
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Trying to thread the needle, Cubs are becoming Kyle Hendricks’ team in many ways. “Hendricks’ stone-faced demeanor might be the new avatar for the Cubs.”
- Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): How Cubs’ Trevor Williams hopes to make slider ‘weapon’ in 2021. “Williams and the Cubs are working on several different grips in the pitch lab with an eye on getting more horizontal movement on the pitch.” Andy Martinez has thoughts along these lines.
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Jake Arrieta eyes ST debut. Last Cubs start? ‘17 LCS. “I think he’s excited to get back on the bump and show what he can do,” Ross said on Friday.
- Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ Rowan Wick slowly getting back to baseball activities. “Wick, 28, has been out with an intercostal injury all spring, but played catch on Tuesday.”
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Top Cubs pitching prospect Brailyn Marquez was delayed at the start of Spring Training. “... due to the COVID-19 intake process.”
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): You wanted more contact? Well the Cubs are projected to see the biggest jump in baseball. “... not all changes come by way of transactions.”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Bryant still in OF mix, making slight tweak to swing. “Since Bryant hits lefties exceedingly well and has shown himself capable of handling the corner outfield spots, he is an easy option to fill in.”
- Randy Holt (Beyond the Box Score*): Navigating the Chicago Cubs’ murky extension waters. “... the team enters 2021 as a contender for a division title.”
Food for Thought:
Is this good or bad? https://t.co/LiTfRCtfg7
— Futurism (@futurism) March 5, 2021
We’re surprisingly bad at reading cats’ facial expressions https://t.co/kPejmptbKe pic.twitter.com/JvOFc9B9Q8
— Popular Science (@PopSci) March 5, 2021
And sometimes it blasts the Earth.https://t.co/SzI2vDenZl
— Futurism (@futurism) March 5, 2021
Thanks for reading!