Cub Tracks could withstand the climate……

          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.

Recently, Jed Hoyer has been really busy. With Hector Neris and possibly Carl Edwards Jr. (who I’ve long loved but is on a minor-league deal), the bullpen looks a lot better. To be eligible for Spring Training, he must earn a slot. Obviously, I would still prefer a terrific lefty like Cody Bellinger, but things are starting to look up.

Though it’s understandable that the minor league system is all the rage these days, none of those players have demonstrated their worth.

However, Ignatz, I won’t hit you with any brickbats today. Spring Training is almost here, it’s a sunny day in Arizona, and I’ll keep the salt for my fries. For the time being.

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A player with the kind of assurance that knows when a teammate is out of the game is someone like Hector Neris. And you know what, the Cubs, who I believe are in that category now that they’re making moves like this, we need to start referring to them as a real competitor for the Central. And winners execute these kinds of manoeuvres.