Cub Tracks’ new sheriff in town

Welcome to today’s edition of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground from #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, steeped in writers’ tears, and then cold-brewed overnight for maximum flavor.

Carlos Correa wtf? Wow, is all I can say. Holy gamethreadword. The Giants have some ‘splainin’ to do. Thanks to Josh for the great writeup.

Dansby Swanson’s introductory press conference happened Wednesday (below and also Al’s recap here). So HE didn’t go to the Mets. The guy seems genuinely level-headed and happy to be in Chicago. I wanted Trea Turner or Swanson, so I’m pleased, and I’ll give Jed all the credit for getting it to happen.

Catching, first base, DH, another arm or two, still needs. But the MI and up the middle in general seem in good hands.

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• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): New Cubs ZiPS projections exactly match what we’ve been saying. “... they look like a .500 team that could make a little noise if everything breaks right...”
• Bernie Pleskoff (Forbes* {$}): Chicago Cubs spend money in hopes of returning to contention. “The Chicago Cubs have joined the Major League Baseball free agent spending spree.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): There are “rumblings” about the Cubs and free agent reliever Michael Fulmer. “I think maybe they add one more arm,” Morosi told MLB Network. “I’ve even heard some rumblings of Michael Fulmer, possibly.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Looks like Cubs may be close to Trey Mancini deal. “... Jon Heyman’s Tuesday morning tweet sure reads like the harbinger of a Cubs deal...” Jordan Campbell has thoughts.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Bellinger eyes rebound in ‘23: ‘It’s definitely a big year’. “I’m excited that I’m get to be able to do this at Wrigley Field in a Cubs jersey, and I understand how special it is to play for both organizations.” Patrick Mooney on Bellinger {$}. Meghan Montemurro has thoughts {$}. Andy Martinez piles on. Maddie Lee adds on. Gordon Wittenmyer is on it, too.
• Ivan the Great (Battery Power*): So long, Swanson: another departure, another clip show. “... this is as good of an opportunity as any to look back at Swanson’s career in clips.”

Food for Thought:

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