Cub Tracks’ filling in

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.

The Cubs won’t be getting Aaron Nola. That much is clear. I dunno if they were in on Lance Lynn. Probably not. Likewise Reynaldo Lopez.

I’ll say nothing more about pitch clocks or Rob Manfred or questionable anatomical feats here. I am also now and always have been in favor of situational lefties and the one-batter rule.

So that’s the news! Good morning!

Oh wait.

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• Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been posted.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs can be in play for anything this offseason thanks to growth of farm system. “Like Joe Maddon after the 2014 season, new manager Craig Counsell will be taking over a gold mine of prospects.”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Counsell’s view on ‘winning’ and how to achieve playoff success. “There’s a selflessness to winning.”
• Jen McCaffrey (The Athletic {$}): What Craig Breslow’s pursuit of Jameson Taillon for Cubs tells us about his approach. “... his work over three seasons as an assistant general manager has been a bit overshadowed.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Rumors make the sports world go round. Just ask Shohei Ohtani, Zach LaVine and Jason Benetti, among others. “The past couple of weeks alone have given us enough juicy rumors to chew on for months.”
• Phil Rogers (Forbes*): Bellinger, Stroman open door for Cubs to chase Ohtani, Yamamoto. “... because both those players walked away, this will be a very intriguing off-season for Jed Hoyer, the president of baseball operations, and owner Tom Ricketts.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Yonathan Perlaza is headed to Korea. “... he’s actually going to make MORE money than if he’d just gotten an MLB 40-man roster spot.”
• Brock Beauchamp (North Side Bound*): Chicago Cubs 2024 Offseason Guide: Important dates, schedule, & details. “This guide is a comprehensive look at the Chicago Cubs 2023-2024 offseason schedule...”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs get charitable helping hands from MLB mascots. We’ve been hosting this event for many years, but that really elevated it this year,” said Jennifer Dedes-Nowak, assistant director of Cubs Charities.

Food for Thought:

• Dozens of statues were buried in a mud bath For 2,300 years, preserving them perfectly.
• Why do dogs chase their tails?
• Man sends his DNA to moon in hope aliens will create an army of his clones.

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the contents of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series. Thanks for reading.