Enjoy the best hits of Chicago-style beat reporters and bloggers brought to you by the #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, soaked in writers’ tears, and then cold-brewed overnight for optimal flavour. This is the latest edition of Cub Tracks news and notesTM. Most likely, Dave is present. I appreciate you being here.
Kerry Wood’s Winnetka house is up for sale. Cody Bellinger was the convention talk of the town. Seven of the top 100 prospects are with the Cubs. Christopher Morel encountered issues with his visa.
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Jordan Bastian (MLB. com*): Zobrist’s number choice is honoured by Shōta Imanaga. Imanaga remarked, “Ben Zobrist was an excellent player.” He took on numerous roles. He went above and above to ensure the team’s victory.
Ryan Taylor (NBC Sports Chicago*): Imanaga wants to give the Cubs’ starting lineup a more unique, analytical approach. Through Shingo Murata, Imanaga stated, “I want to keep an open mind and seek advice from a lot of people.”
Chicago Tribune*’s Meghan Montemurro: How Michael Busch, the new lefty slugger, fits the offensive demands of the Chicago Cubs: “He will have an opportunity.” “A friendly face for Busch is represented by hitting coach Dustin Kelly.”
The Athletic Sahadev Sharma {$}): Bellinger Cody? Matt Chapman? Which of Scott Boras’s clients fit the Cubs? A look. “It’s possible that Boras’s advantage over Hoyer has diminished.”
* Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune) explains why the Cubs should keep rotating Christopher Morel rather than having him play a single position. “…the Cubs are looking for ways to keep their electric bat in the lineup, and they are unsure about where Morel will fit in defensively.” {$} is what Patrick Mooney is thinking.
Three Cubs pitching prospects to be aware of who aren’t called Cade Horton or Ben Brown are Michael Brakebill (Cubbies Crib*). “There are still a number of Cubs pitching prospects who will succeed this season, but losing Jackson Ferris hurts.”
Matt Shaw, the No. 7 prospect, hopes to use his versatility to get to the big leagues, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com*. “It’s all about being versatile — just being able to play any position,” Shaw stated this past weekend at Cubs Convention.
Chicago Cubs Top 50 Prospects (2024): Prospects 1500*. “By the draft, the Cubs have gradually expanded their system.”
Cubs Insider* Evan Altman: Cubs sign SS The #4 international prospect on MLB Pipeline is Fernando Cruz. “And include five more IFAs.” More at MLB.com. Brett Taylor is thinking too. North Side Bound uses language.
Maybe they’ve found their next first baseman for the Chicago Cubs.
particularly in the event that Cody Bellinger lands a free-agent deal with a different team.
Prospect pitcher Jackson Ferris and prospect outfielder Zyhir Hope were traded by the Cubs to the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 11, 2024 in exchange for prospective corner infielder/designated hitter Michael Busch and prospect pitcher Yency Almonte.
Michael Busch, who was viewed as a good batter in the 2019 Major League Draft, unexpectedly fell to the No. 31 pick in the opening round.
Selectee from the University of North Carolina, Busch’s ideal defensive position caused confusion among scouts. His stock dropped a little in the draft as a result.
At North Carolina, Busch played left field as well as first base.
