Cub Tracks brings home the meatloaf

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

This is going to be a really strange offseason. I’m gathering by the decision to run the Cubs Convention next year that the brain-trust is serious as a thrak attack about spending the Ricketts’ hardly-earned dollars on an improved squad, likely minus one Willson Contreras.

They’re not into accountability but they love to bring the trumpets. The minors are full brass band these days, and perhaps it’s contagious. Perhaps.

Heralded new acquisition Hayden Wesneski drew the start against Phillie ace Aaron Nola. Wesneski looks like the real deal. He’s going to have some bad days, but he definitely has the brass.

Kyle Schwarber ran the Phillies into their first run. So there’s work to be done in the situational awareness department. But that and a little better command would allow Wesneski to dominate.

That said, he did okay, I guess. Christopher Morel seems to have made an adjustment. The Cubs just need to decide on his spot so he can get the defensive reps to excel. The kid’s got a future.

The bullpen held on for the W. Go Cubs Go.

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• Matt Snyder (CBS Sports*): How the Cubs could return to contention in 2023 after promising signs in 2022. “The Cubs have been a non-contender for a while, but there are reasons for optimism moving forward.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs Convention returns in January. “... something tells me the choice to bring CubsCon back will coincide with bigger spending.” The word from MLB.com.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Stroman would ‘love’ to help Cubs recruit free agents. “I’ll reach out and recruit,” he said. “I’ll do as much as I can.
• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib*): With a number of young arms in play, flexibility is key. “... Chicago is poised to carry a decent amount of talent forward heading into 2023.” Benjamin Hudy thinks so as well.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Contreras ‘living the present’ while Cubs future stays cloudy. “I’m just going to go out there and have fun,” Contreras said. Brett Taylor has some words about this. Evan Altman likewise. Tony Andracki also. Sahadev Sharma closes {$}. Tim Stebbins qualifies.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Christopher Morel has one of the strongest arms in baseball (and more Cubs throwing data)! “At 96.5 mph, Christopher Morel has the fourth highest average velocity for his on-field throws.”
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation*): Alexander Canario and Jared Young both homered in the 9th to walk the I-Cubs off in their season finale! “Canario’s strong finish to the season has him set up for a big role on the Chicago Cubs as soon as 2023.”
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Get to know Juan ‘Pipi’ Cabreja, the unsung hero on the Cubs coaching staff.
• Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs minor-league managers, coaches weigh in on pitch clock and how to make it better. “MLB has tweaked aspects of the rule.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs 3B coach Willie Harris ‘ready’ to manage White Sox. “Hopefully, my name’s in their thoughts,” the Cubs’ third base coach said. “And we’ll see what happens from there.”

Food for Thought:

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