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Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we have news for you. The rumor mill is reporting that the Cubs plan to ‘spend money’ in free agency. Jed Hoyer says so. That not-quite-plot twist informs the narrative going forward, whether you believe the organization will spend the money intelligently or not.

They’ve ‘spent money’ before. The results are what they are. Is this season over yet? I want to see Zach Davies in the rear-view mirror.

The less said about that double-header, the better. It’s all yours, Al.

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• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Jed Hoyer: Cubs to be ‘more active’ in free agency this winter. “We plan to be really active in free agency,” Hoyer said. “We plan to spend money intelligently.” Tony Andracki elaborates.
• Brian Sandalow (Chicago Sun-Times*): With faith in David Ross, Cubs plan to go shopping this winter. “I love working with him,” Hoyer said. “He is already an excellent manager and he has a chance to be really special in this job.” Sahadev Sharma adds on {$}.
• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib*): Chicago Cubs Rumors: David Ross to get an extension following the season. According to Bruce Levine.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why Cubs’ next-gen rotation will look like nothing before it. “... the Cubs have plenty of money to go get their Jon Lester, like they did after the 2014 season. But there are no Jon Lesters.”
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ offseason focus lies in the rotation. The Cubs need to make a significant improvement to their starting pitching in 2022. Sahadev Sharma agrees {$}.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Justin Steele gains valuable experience in loss. “... the first four innings I thought were pretty darned good,” said Ross.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Adam shines in incredible return from gruesome injury. “It was an easy callup,” Ross said. “It’s a great story. I’m happy for him, happy he’s back. He’s worked his butt off to get to this spot.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): This post is about how the Cubs should trade for Tyler Glasnow. “... it’s going to cost a decent prospect or two, I suspect, to pull this off.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Patrick Wisdom’s goal: Same boom with less bust. “You’re like, ‘Well, they still believe in me,’” Wisdom said, “‘I’ve got to believe in myself.’ It’s kind of like a gut check.”
• John Silver (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): An updated ranking of the worst 7th-inning stretch singers in Wrigley Field history. “There have been many cringeworthy versions of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at Wrigley Field, but these are the baddest of the bad.”

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading.