Cub Tracks’ conventional wisdom

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.

The rumor mill has people wondering about how nice Matt Chapman would look in a Cubs’ uniform. And of course he would, but I don’t see a matchup. Maybe you do. It isn’t like Toronto is just going to give him away — that only happens to the Cardinals. He’s probably about to sign a long-term extension.

There’s not much of substance about. It’s that time of year. Perhaps we’ll get another splash before the Cubs Convention starts. Perhaps not.

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• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): The Cubs’ path to success in 2023 is clear. “Pitching and defense.”
• Matthew Willis (The Cold Wire*): Was letting Wade Miley go the best choice for the Cubs? “... shoulder and oblique issues kept him off the field for a good chunk of 2022.”
• Alexander Patt (Cubbies Crib*): Mark Leiter Jr. had sneaky solid value in 2022. “... Leiter Jr. found a groove as an effective reliever who could go multiple innings.”
• Michael Brakebill (Cubbies Crib*): Miami Marlins starting pitchers made available. Bob Nightengale says so. (SI has more of this.) It started at the Miami Herald, ‘tis said.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Matt Mervis for 2023 National League Rookie of the Year. “... service time is going to be a factor in all this.”
• Chris Clegg (Pitcher List*): Matt Mervis fantasy baseball breakdown. “... Mervis continued to get better at every level.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Ed Howard, Brennen Davis expected to be full-go for spring training. Jared Banner joined Inside the Clubhouse and this article refers to that 670 the Score broadcast. “As for Canario, well, he’s still going to be out for a while and Banner could offer nothing concrete as far as a timeline.” Todd Johnson has more from the broadcast.

Food for Thought:

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