Ian Happ wins a Gold Glove and waits for next steps in contract talks with the Cubs: “Maybe there will be something down the road. But it’s their job to look at all possible outcomes.”

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If Aaron Judge leaves the Yankees, what are his options?

We looked at a few realistic options with the help of our The Athletic MLB staff. One threat looms large while the others feel like longer odds.

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The Phillies signed Kyle Schwarber to do two things: Do damage and lead their clubhouse. He’s done both. theathletic.com/3745203/2022/1…

Some setbacks for Cubs top outfield prospects Alexander Canario and Brennen Davis. Updates on their injuries and implications. theathletic.com/3740759/2022/1…

It’s that time of year again. News story with Sahadev Sharma on the Cubs forcing out Greg Brown, promoting Dustin Kelly and continuing their tradition of changing hitting coaches at Wrigley Field.
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Sources: The new Cubs hitting coach will be Dustin Kelly, who had worked as the organization's minor-league hitting coordinator for the past two seasons. Kelly previously served as a hitting instructor in the Dodgers’ farm system after playing in the minors at Red Sox affiliates.

NEWS w/Sahadev Sharma: Greg Brown is out as Cubs hitting coach, continuing a revolving door at that position. Between the 2012 and 2022 seasons, the Cubs employed 14 hitting coaches. Brown was a successful college coach and area scout who signed J.D. Martinez and Kiké Hernandez.

Greg Brown will not return as Cubs hitting coach next year, sources tell Patrick Mooney and me. Brown, who previously worked as a minor-league hitting coordinator for the Rays, has been offered another role in the organization but should have options around the league.

Kyle Schwarber was unemployed during MLB’s lockout and awaiting the birth of his first child when he invited a top prospect (from the organization that dumped him during a pandemic) to train with him in Ohio. What James Triantos learned from a Cubs legend: theathletic.com/3734295/2022/1…

While watching the playoffs unfold, I had some Cubs-related thoughts on the Astros, Phillies, Kyle Schwarber and more theathletic.com/3726347/2022/1…

Cubs fans cringe when they hear “intelligent spending.” What does that even mean? Marcus Stroman and Seiya Suzuki are good examples of the offseason plan, layering in more big deals to build off an improved farm system and a solid second-half finish.
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The Cubs are lowering (full-season) ticket prices by 5.1 percent, which I believe is a modern record. My 'Dollars and sense' column with context and numbers for you: theathletic.com/3708013/2022/1…

A look at how Ian Happ found consistency and put together a breakout 2022 season
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Today marks 5 years since the Cubs’ last playoff win. Cubs fans can watch Yu Darvish vs. Kyle Schwarber in Game 1, and Manny Machado vs. Bryce Harper throughout the NLCS. If the Cubs don’t make the playoffs next year, it will be an organizational failure. theathletic.com/3703158/2022/1…

“Am I doing a good job or not?” David Ross on resetting the expectations at Wrigley Field, and how the Cubs manager will be evaluated in the next phase of the rebuild. “Winning championships is the goal.” Story with Sahadev Sharma: theathletic.com/3696499/2022/1…

“The prospects are nice. But they’re also prospects, right?” At the start of a pivotal offseason, the Cubs have a farm system viewed with both optimism and healthy skepticism. Story with Sahadev Sharma on Brennen Davis, Matt Mervis, Luis Devers and more. theathletic.com/3685797/2022/1…

The Cubs named Matt Mervis and Luis Devers their minor league player and pitcher of the year. Mervis hit .309 with 36 homers and 119 RBIs at three affiliates, finishing the season at Triple-A Iowa. Devers went 13-3 with a 1.91 ERA in 26 games (22 starts) for two A-ball clubs.

Your move, Jed. With another group of star shortstops about to hit free agency, Cubs president Hoyer has begun laying the groundwork with ownership for a massive offseason.
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Jed Hoyer no longer wants to watch the playoffs from his couch. He wants it for the fans and he needs to carry the 'momentum' of a strong 2nd half into the winter. Is it finally time for the Cubs to get back to spending big in free agency? theathletic.com/3678019/2022/1…