Cub Tracks’ island of misfits

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.

Bauers to the inevitable

Point:

You’re a fine one, Mr. Bauer

You have a naughty side

Your texts are full of garbage

And your eyes are full of lies...

Mr. Bauer

I wouldn’t touch you with a sixty-foot, six-inch pole....

Counter-Point:

I’m a big fan, Mr. Bauer

You’ve missed a couple games

Please hurry to your new address

And I will do the same...

Mr. Bauer

I love you like I love some chicken sushi...

Thanks for coming. The maitre d’hotel will be pleased to redistribute your coats. Please leave them at the door. We already have your car keys. Happy holidays. If you want to see me cover the theme from The Grinch, here it is, on Farcebook. I do a version very year.

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• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib*): Cubs insist there’s no bad blood between Jed Hoyer, Crane Kenney. “When things are going well, everyone tends to view these power dynamics through rose-colored glasses.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): 3 questions for the Cubs entering 2023. “This is a team that will have a lot of work left to do...”
• Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times*): ‘Not a finished product’: Measuring the Cubs’ improvement so far this offseason. “... exactly how much have those signings changed the Cubs’ 2023 outlook?”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Smyly return, Taillon addition boost Cubs’ pitching depth. “... all that’s left is figuring out how to score about 50 or 60 more runs than last year.”
• Jack Vita (Fan Nation*): Could Chicago White Sox bring back Nick Madrigal in trade with Cubs? “... the White Sox are in need of a second baseman.”
• Aldo Soto (Sports Mockery*): Other options for Cubs after Conforto signs with Giants. “... the most obvious pivot for the Cubs to add a solid hitter is Trey Mancini.”
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs keep offseason additions coming with 4 minor league signings. “A busy offseason for the Cubs continued with some smaller, under-the-radar moves.”
• Todd Johnson (North Side Bound*): Do the Cubs have many off-limits prospects when trade season begins? “... there are only a few free agent moves left for the Cubs to make.”

Food for Thought:

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the opinions of writers whose work is linked to in this series of articles. Thanks for reading, and Happy Holidays!