Cub Tracks makes it blue

Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we have news for you.

The tidal wave, the final wave of the promised waves after waves when those waves failed to reach the promised land after the initial foray, has been in, and is now gone, bearing with it the remnants of hope for the immediate future. I will always remember those players, though they didn’t turn out to be who we’d hoped they’d become, and their supporting cast and direction were clearly not up to the task of making it all happen. Perhaps nobody was.

It is a watershed day for a franchise and a fandom, one that brings a faint aroma of promise but tastes of failure and broken trust and smells like something long-dead. The core imploded and was summarily dispersed to contendahs. The seconds remain, and though they know their lines, there is bound to be some dropoff. All the world might be a stage, but not everybody gets Oscars. Most don’t even get a hearty handshake and a laurel.

Intellectually, I understand. Business is the business of business. Sell the sizzle no matter what the Rock is cookin’.

Emotionally, I am tore up. I wonder how Willson Contreras feels. This is Willy’s team now. Everyone knew something like the Friday massacre would have to happen when the Cubs steadily refused to deal underperforming core vets but the actuality of it is astounding.

And now, the news, at ebb tide, as we drift away... like the beast from 20,000 fathoms.

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“It was the longest, most-drawn-out sudden departure in recorded history.” — Rick Morrissey.

“I want to personally thank Anthony Rizzo, Javy Báez and Kris Bryant,” Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. “Together they played critical roles for one of the most successful runs in Chicago Cubs history. They each secured a place in the hearts of Cubs fans everywhere. While their days taking the field together as Cubs have come to an end, they gave us memories we will hold forever.”

• Mike Axisa (CBS Sports*): MLB trade deadline winners and losers: Dodgers, Yankees stock up; Cubs sell off core during star-filled frenzy. “A record 10 All-Stars were moved at the deadline; but who were the big winners and losers?” All the deals.
• Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Shock, awe, pain and emptiness are all that’s left of the Cubs as we knew and loved them. “Extend? Spend? Contend? Nope — just the end. So long, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez and others. It was pretty damn special.”
• Phil Rogers (Forbes*): Tom Ricketts’ Chicago Cubs signal end of celebrated era by shedding almost $150 million in salaries. “The Chicago Cubs, not so long ago operating like one of baseball’s financial powerhouses, are stunningly headed back to a future they escaped after Tom Ricketts hired Theo Epstein.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Cubs Roster Moves: Rodriguez, Rucker, Fargas, Schwindel, Romine Called Up, Arrieta Activated Off IL. Brief player capsules.
• ESPN*: San Francisco Giants acquire Kris Bryant from Chicago Cubs for two prospects. “... outfielder Alexander Canario and right-hander Caleb Kilian.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): There’s no room for sentimentality in baseball, as Anthony Rizzo learned on his final day with Chicago Cubs. “The Cubs’ sell-off really is no different from the one in the early 1970s.”
• William Boor, Jim Callis (MLB.com*): Here’s a look at the prospects Rizzo netted: “... right-hander Alexander Vizcaino and outfielder Kevin Alcantara.” Keith Law gives it a thumbs-up {$}.
• NBC Sports Chicago*: Rizzo talks [VIDEO].
• Meghan Montemurro and Lamond Pope (Chicago Tribune*): Cubs trade closer Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox for Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer — the 2nd crosstown deal in as many days as the MLB trade deadline nears. “The Chicago Cubs and White Sox got together for a huge deal Friday in the final hours of the trade deadline.”
• Anthony DiComo (MLB.com*): Mets acquire Báez, Williams from Cubs. “Pete Crow-Armstrong was the Mets’ fifth-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.”
• Tim Dierkes (MLB Trade Rumors*): Padres acquire Jake Marisnick from Cubs. “Espinoza, 23, was considered one of the 20 best prospects in baseball prior to the 2016 and ’17 seasons...”
• Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): How Iowa Cubs pitcher Manual Rodriguez rose from Mexican League to MLB’s doorstep. “Iowa manager Marty Pevey said he thinks Rodriguez could become a closer.”

Not serving any food for thought today. Thanks for reading.