Cub Tracks’ no fun club

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 manuscript (apparently I might be training some though). Cub Tracks eagerly awaits the advent of robotic umpires and have 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.

That kind of attitude just sticks in my Gulliver, droogies. Even if it’s true. I don’t necessarily look for a silver lining, but perhaps a gray one, something neither black nor white. Hard to find sometimes, and fleeting. Like clockwork, the curtain falls.

Man. Brennen Davis. I sure feel for that guy. What a shame. Such promise. I don’t know where he goes from here. So go the days of our lives. On the other hand, it looks like Matt Shaw has been promoted to Triple-A (H/T to Cubbies Crib).

Shota Imanaga started, and he did okay. He did give up a two-run jack to Trea Turner, who has been hot lately, but he allowed three earned runs with his offerings. He left with the game tied. Tyson Miller didn’t hold up his end, this time, and two runs scored on his watch. That was pretty much all she wrote as the offense went back to sleep.

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• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): As Chicago Cubs lose another series opener, this time to MLB-best Philadelphia Phillies, the outlook remains bleak. “Two days into July, with their season slipping away, the Chicago Cubs again searched for positives.”
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation*): Running down the roster one-by-one in search of Tradeable Cubs Players. The Cubs simply have no choice but to start planning to sell at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline. Ryan O’Rourke is in a trading mood, too. Mike McGraw* {$} says it’s a tough sell.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs backed further into corner by Phillies team offering alternate view of Roster Construction. “... let’s take a look at the idea of value when it comes to the massive contracts Jed Hoyer likes to avoid.
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs could get a boost from impending return of multiple pitchers. “It’s a meaningful group that we were counting on for major innings,” manager Craig Counsell said.
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs receive bad news on reliever Yency Almonte. “So, he’s right now just thinking about what to do here,” Counsell said. “It’s strengthen or consider surgical option.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): After a slow start, Chicago Cubs have become one of MLB’s most efficient base-stealing teams. “We don’t have a ton of guys who are crazy fast, but we also don’t have many guys who will limit us on the bases,” Nico Hoerner told the Tribune.
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Three Cubs prospects selected to participate in All-Star festivities. “Outfielder Owen Caissie (Triple-A Iowa) and Matt Shaw (Double-A Tennessee) will participate in this year’s Futures Game during All-Star Week festivities in Texas later this month. Additionally, Moisés Ballesteros (Triple-A Iowa) will participate in the inaugural Futures Skills Showcase.” More from Jake Misener.
• Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): Chicago Cubs’ former top prospect Brennen Davis suffers back fracture. “... Davis’ rise to the big leagues has been stopped by an injury … again.”

Food for Thought:

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