Cub Tracks’ diminishing returns

Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we have news for you. These NooCubs are gonna lose a LOT of games. They’re playing hard, though, with 2022 roster spots available and kids pushing hard from the minor leagues. I want MiLB.tv on Roku.

I’ve gotten to where I can watch for development purposes, though my resentment at the fans being played hasn’t lessened. So I want to see all the kids. But pitching Jake is a good way to get a better draft pick. So it’s a good thing?

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“I want to be a part of this,” Jason Heyward said. “I want every bit of that. I’m chomping at the bit to be a part of this right now with this group of guys.”

• Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Billy Williams on the latest Cubs teardown — and on the one he experienced after 1969. “... the 83-year-old Hall of Famer and diehard fan is picking up the pieces.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Post-trade deadline, David Ross has implemented changes to the team’s game-day routine. Interpreting Patrick Mooney {$}.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Arrieta on why Cub reunion failed: ‘I got nothing for you’. “It’s about time for Arrieta to decide if there is a next time.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Justin Steele shows in his first major-league start why the Chicago Cubs left-hander’s future is bright. “He gets a two-month audition to show why the Cubs should count on him in the 2022 rotation.” Gordon Wittenmyer has similar thoughts. Sahadev Sharma agrees {$}.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Steele’s first MLB start a dream come true. “It’s something I’ve been dreaming of my whole entire life.”
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Rowan Wick happy to be back with Cubs after strange injury. “Wick pitched for the Cubs on Tuesday for the first time in almost a year, tossing a scoreless inning.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): As Willson Contreras takes over as the leader of the Cubs, catching prospect Miguel Amaya deals with a setback. “Amaya, a right-handed hitter and thrower, is still feeling discomfort in his forearm/elbow area and is unlikely to play again this season...”
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Outfielder Rafael Ortega becoming force for Cubs. ‘‘I’m grateful to the Chicago Cubs for giving me this opportunity to be here,’’ Ortega said.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Patrick Wisdom, Ortega showing their value to Cubs. “On the field, you’re looking for the best player,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “I don’t care how old he is.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Jason Heyward lends name to Baseball Academy in huge youth sports complex on Chicago’s West Side. “... focusing on his production is missing the point entirely.”
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times*): Outfielder Greg Deichmann tells story of night he was traded to Cubs. “... now that things have settled since the trade deadline, he is starting to catch his breath.”
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider*): Cubs Prospect Interview: Righty Dakota Chalmers on how he’s finding success in new organization. “Of the 16 runs Chalmers has allowed, 14 came in just two games.”
• Bryan Smith (Bleacher Nation*): Five Stars of the Cubs Farm, 8/10/21: Thompson, Sanders, Hermosillo, Brennen, Alcantara and that Canario fellow again. Nice.
• Matthew Bain and Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): Talks underway to bring Chicago Cubs to future ‘Field of Dreams’ game. “There have been no official announcements regarding the future of the ballpark...” Gordon Wittenmyer broke this one.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading!