Cub Tracks’ the dreaded vote of confidence?

Welcome to today’s episode 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.

Well, hmm, I don’t know. It’s a fool’s errand to try to read into other people’s words deeply enough to divine intent... but there are enough examples in pro baseball (and indeed a myriad of other disciplines) of managers getting the thumbs-up from the President/GM, only to feel the axe that Tom Ricketts’ words to JD and Boog Sunday didn’t carry as much weight for me as perhaps they could have.

Viz Cody Bellinger’s words just postgame. Both leave some room for interpretation. You may have your own spin. Some of the writers smiled and dialed below.

I do believe that David Ross will stay on. But I have to hedge that bet, or at least get some shrubbery.

Sadly, I believe that Cody Bellinger will be sporting a different color of fabric next year.

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• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs back Ross, stay positive as ‘23 season comes to close. “After the loss, Ross was asked about the vote of confidence from Ricketts.” James Neveau reports.
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Tom Ricketts explains Cubs’ payroll plans, believes David Ross ‘had a great season’. “I don’t think that we want to start calling seasons we don’t make the playoffs good seasons,” Ricketts said. “That’s a consolation prize, and we don’t play for consolation prizes.” Meghan Montemurro has thoughts. Paul Sullivan is waiting til next year.

“I think we all understand just how important he was to our success this year,” Swanson said. “You just hope and wish that it works out this offseason for him to come back, because he’s obviously a huge part of who we are. We all want him back.”

Second baseman Nico Hoerner called Bellinger “everything you could ask for from the best hitter on our team.”

“I’d love to have Belly on our team for a long time,” Hoerner said.— Steve Greenberg.

• Rebecca Johnson (Chicago Tribune*): Chicago Cubs fans mourn the end of the season as club comes up just short of making the playoffs. “I was hoping we could go to a game. If there would have been a game we would have gone,” Trevor Eden said.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Cubs offer thoughts on elimination. “... some of the quotes about the Cubs being eliminated from postseason contention.”
• Brad Wakai (Fan Nation*): Cubs target areas For 2024 roster upgrades.
• Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times*): Cubs expected to bring back Kyle Hendricks in 2024. “Hendricks has a team option for next year.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs’ offseason revolves around Cody Bellinger’s future: ‘We’d love to have him back’. “I get it,” Ricketts said. “We’d love to have him back. That’s something that will be up to the baseball guys and the free-agent market.” Steve Greenberg has wacky thoughts. Evan Altman has hints. Jack Vita Kaps it off.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Turns out Alexander Canario won’t be playing in the Arizona Fall League after all. “If anyone in the entire Cubs organization needs reps right now, it’s arguably Canario.”

Food for Thought:

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