Jed Hoyer held a press conference yesterday. I didn’t see all of it, as I don’t live in Chicagoland but those who do and did view it assured me that Jed didn’t say anything that amounted to anything.
Some of the players were out and about — I’ll include clips from that activity through the weekend
I bent and bruised my hamate bone the other day. It’s no bueno, I can tell you. So I sympathize with the players who have broken theirs recently. On the outside of the hand, that bone is liable to be whapped against household effects on the regular. I feel like I should sleep with a potholder on. One of my cats slept on my hand and I woke up wanting to cry.
I know, TMI.
Spring Training games are right around the corner. It’s in the upper 70s here, a hundred miles or so south. Everything seems possible.
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- Courtney Kueppers (WBEZ*): The Art Institute of Chicago just hung its first Norman Rockwell, and it depicts the Cubs. ’ “The Dugout,” a famed piece of American art, is a gift to the museum from the private collection of former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner. It will neighbor “American Gothic,” already a major attraction.’
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): PECOTA Says the Cubs will win the 2026 NL Central title—in a rout. “Baseball Prospectus rolled out its state-of-the-art projection system for 2026 Tuesday, and the Cubs are heavy favorites in their division.”
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): A trio of Cubs delayed by visa issues. “… Moisés Ballesteros, Javier Assad, and Christian Bethancourt are currently delayed by visa issues, per Meghan Montemurro.
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): For the second year in a row, Ben Brown might be the most interesting Cub in camp. “In a radio interview Saturday, Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said he still envisions Ben Brown as a starter, and hopes the slender righty can establish himself this season.”
- Jesse Rogers (ESPN): Daniel Palencia named closer. “I learned that it’s a tough situation,” Palencia said of pitching the ninth inning. “The game is on the line. Trying to be calm on the mound but being aggressive to the hitter.”
- Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation*): Craig Counsell names his 2026 Cubs Closer – How about the rest of the pen? “out-getters.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs’ top pitching prospect Wiggins highlights Spring Training NRIs. “The goal would be for Wiggins to force Chicago’s hand…“
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): After injury-shortened ’25 season, Amaya enters camp at ‘100 percent’ health. “The catcher is healthy and ready to hit reset for this important ‘26 tour with Chicago… ‘ More Amaya from Maddie Lee* {$}.
- Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Three burning Cubs questions as spring training opens. “… the Cubs believe, as do many observers, that they can truly compete for a World Series crown this year.“
Food For Thought:
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