Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. Cubs continue to beef up with mystery meat; Tucker and the Cubs exchange numbers and it’s a mismatch, and other stories.

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. No artificial intelligences were deployed, employed, entranced, or embalmed in the commission of this missive (apparently I might be training some though). Cub Tracks eagerly awaits the advent of robotic umpires and has already amended the three laws. The going is weird. Cub Tracks turned pro a long time ago.

Cub Tracks. Where the great ones run away.

The Cubs continue to assemble this year’s squad, which bears a lot of structural similarities to last year’s group, and that to the previous year. Jed Hoyer clearly has a vision. Just as clearly, a lot of fans and not a few professional prognosticators disagree with this assessment.

Others lay the buck at the feet of owner Tom Ricketts, who is said to have a tight grip on the purse strings, or on the Crane Kenney side of the team’s management.

I’m inclined to the view that it is all of them. Making a professional baseball team into a perennial winner is a tough job. I couldn’t do it. Neither could you. Those who can are are rare chimerae indeed. Nothing is certain except that nothing is certain, and the world of professional baseball is no different from other worlds on that front.

Situational-type relievers continue to show up. Perhaps some may be useful parts. Others will be spare parts. Rumors abound regarding more substantial contributors, but so far, none of those branches have borne fruit.

Spring training approaches rapidly. Developments take time. But hey, at least Miles went before I slept.

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• Marquee Sports Network*: Cubs Weekly Podcast. Michael Barrett.
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*: Cubs add to roster depth with two veterans on minor-league contracts. “... right-handed pitcher Ben Heller and catcher Carlos Pérez. Both deals include an invitation to major-league camp.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Let’s find some repertoire unlocks for Cubs starters. “While “development” is typically used in conjunction with prospects, I think it’s important to acknowledge the reality that big leaguers still need to hone their games as well.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): How is the Cubs’ bullpen shaping up? “... there may be work left to do.”
• Nick Deeds (MLB trade Rumors*): Cubs granted fourth option year on Caleb Kilian. “The news affords the Cubs additional flexibility as they sort through their many bullpen options for the 2025 season.”
• Drew Koch (Blog Red Machine*): Reds fans ridiculing Cubs-Kyle Tucker arbitration snafu have forgotten recent history. “This has happened before.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Lots of Minor League players and Big Leaguers in Mesa at the Cubs’ facilities this week. Lots of pics from Rich Biesterfield.
• MLB Top Prospects: Matt Shaw [VIDEO]. Moises Ballesteros [VIDEO]. James Triantos {VIDEO].
• Mariana Wharrey (Law.com*): Chicago Cubs’ IP claim to continue against Wrigley View rooftop, judge rules. “... the defendants, Aidan Dunican and his business Wrigley View Rooftop, cannot rely on an expired settlement agreement between the business and the baseball team to compel arbitration.”

Food for Thought:

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