1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, he may not be a superstar now, but if 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:05,920 Speaker 1: he hits like forty bombs at Wrigley Field next year, 3 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:10,720 Speaker 1: like better believe he would be one. 4 00:00:13,880 --> 00:00:17,640 Speaker 2: Welcome into North Side Territory. Foul Territory Networks Cubs podcast. 5 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 2: I'm Sahadev Sharma with my partner Patrick Mooney, where your 6 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:25,600 Speaker 2: Cubs beat writers over at the Athletic Patrick. The winter 7 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:28,880 Speaker 2: meetings are in full swing. This is actually a little 8 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:31,320 Speaker 2: behind the scenes for everyone. This is our second recording 9 00:00:31,360 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 2: of a podcast that one got eaten up by the 10 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 2: Internet monsters and that has lost forever. 11 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:40,480 Speaker 3: But there a lot has happen. 12 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 4: We've got better stuff now. 13 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:45,879 Speaker 2: Yeah, a lot of it is. It's been very busy 14 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 2: the past twenty four hours and the big the big 15 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 2: news involving the. 16 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 3: Cubs roof five draft pick gauge. No, I'm kidding. 17 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:00,320 Speaker 2: It accurs that there are legs to the Kyle Hucker 18 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 2: trade rumors the Cubs. Cubs fans have been begging for 19 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 2: an impact and Pat. 20 00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:09,560 Speaker 3: They're obviously not. 21 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 2: Acquiring that player by a trade, but I mean by 22 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 2: the free agency. But it seems like it's a real 23 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 2: possibility that they can find that guy by a trade 24 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:24,040 Speaker 2: and Kyle Tucker's name has now you know, we've we've 25 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:27,120 Speaker 2: heard it enough that this is very real, a very 26 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 2: possible move for the Cubs to make. 27 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:30,320 Speaker 3: It's pretty fascinating. 28 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 2: It's a It's one of those opportunities that you have 29 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: to pounce on, and it seems like the Cubs are 30 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 2: doing exactly that. 31 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, our colleagues at the athletic Ken Rosenthal and Chandler 32 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 1: Rome have also been all over this. And this is 33 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 1: not a like tweet where it's like, you know, tm 34 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:50,559 Speaker 1: X interested in player? 35 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 4: Why you know? Question mark Like. 36 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 1: This is an ongoing dialogue between the Cubs and Astros. 37 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 4: Doesn't mean it's going to happen. 38 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 1: Doesn't mean the Cubs are the only team that could 39 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:08,320 Speaker 1: use just an awesome hitter who has a gold glove 40 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 1: and the speed to steal thirty bases a year. 41 00:02:12,919 --> 00:02:18,480 Speaker 4: But the Cubs are sort of desperate. I thought it 42 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:19,119 Speaker 4: was interesting. 43 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 1: Side of U asked GM Carter Hawkins last night about 44 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 1: the possibility of acquiring a rental. 45 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:28,080 Speaker 4: Player, and he was pretty direct. 46 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 1: I mean, he said absolutely that the calculus has changed 47 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:35,160 Speaker 1: a bit for them here, and I think the Astros 48 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:40,359 Speaker 1: and Cubs are kind of at different stages different points 49 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 1: in the cycle to where this could line up and 50 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 1: that it could be a fascinating trade built more around 51 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 1: major league talent, right. 52 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:55,360 Speaker 3: Right, I mean I find that aspect fascinating. Right. The name, 53 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 3: the main name we're hearing right is esak Paritis. A 54 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 3: deal built around him, my opinion, makes a lot of sense. 55 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 2: And I think you could you could question, well, why 56 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:10,520 Speaker 2: would you move someone that you just acquired a potentially 57 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 2: impactful bat on his own right, and he's available for 58 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:20,079 Speaker 2: I mean, he's under contract for three more seasons. That 59 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:23,119 Speaker 2: that's a lot of value. He's twenty five, twenty six 60 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 2: years old, plays third base, like it makes it Someone 61 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 2: could suggest it creates another hole in my opinion, when 62 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:33,519 Speaker 2: you look at the difference between these two players, it's 63 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:37,120 Speaker 2: a pretty big gulf. Like we're talking about Kyle Tucker, 64 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 2: who it was funny to listen to Jed kind of 65 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 2: equivocate about what a superstar is, right, just he was 66 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 2: more interested in just getting finding impact is what his 67 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 2: point was. Superstar And I think you could kind of 68 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 2: break that those semantics down to maybe Kyle Tucker isn't 69 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 2: a superstar in the traditional sense of that word, right, 70 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 2: Like he's not like he's not on the cover of 71 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 2: video games. 72 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 3: He's not. 73 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 2: You know, he doesn't get garner a lot of headlines. 74 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 2: Go look at the numbers. The guy is a superstar. 75 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 2: He's a superstar offensive player. There are three players that 76 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:14,360 Speaker 2: I put at the upper tier when it comes to offense, 77 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:17,600 Speaker 2: and it's Juan Soto, Shoheyo Tani and Aaron Judge. Right 78 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 2: there in that next tier is Kyle Tucker with with 79 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:24,160 Speaker 2: names like Mookie Betts and jr. Don Alvarez and Jose Ramirez. 80 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 3: That's the type of player. He is insanely impactful. 81 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:32,760 Speaker 2: Like we talk about offensive production, Kyle Tucker is you 82 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 2: know like it. I like to lookod Way to runs great, 83 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 2: a plus and he's going to give you a one 84 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:40,360 Speaker 2: forty if not above that. And that is a very 85 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:44,360 Speaker 2: impactful player. And he plays goal glove defense. Like you 86 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 2: said this, this is the type of move if they 87 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:49,800 Speaker 2: can pull it off, that change the dynamic of the lineup. 88 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 3: Now, yes, you have to give up quality. 89 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:57,160 Speaker 2: This is not going to be an easy trade. If 90 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 2: if parade is if you can build a trade around Parade, 91 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 2: I think that makes a lot of sense of why 92 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:04,680 Speaker 2: why would you give up years of control? It's what 93 00:05:04,760 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 2: you mentioned before, what I asked Carter. They're in win 94 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 2: now phase. They'll give up future wins for current wins. 95 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:14,239 Speaker 2: Kyle Tucker moves the needle, changes the lineup. Kyle Tucker 96 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:17,719 Speaker 2: is only under control for one year. But he is 97 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 2: the type of guy that you'd extend if you could. 98 00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:23,279 Speaker 2: But when I say extend, I'm not sure if if 99 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 2: they could get an actual. 100 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:27,480 Speaker 3: Extension done, probably not, I doubt it. 101 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:30,799 Speaker 2: But signing him, giving him the money, if he can 102 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 2: enjoys his time in Chicago really field most players do. 103 00:05:36,440 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 2: That's the type of guy you pay, Right, it's not 104 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 2: going to cost fifteen years, seven hundred and sixty five 105 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:47,720 Speaker 2: million dollars, but it's going to cost a lot of money. 106 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 4: Like twelve and four hundred. 107 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 1: I don't know. 108 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:51,839 Speaker 4: Yeah, at the way the rate this has been accelerating. 109 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:54,240 Speaker 2: Yes, And I think you just have to be willing 110 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:57,440 Speaker 2: to do that, willing to take this risk. 111 00:05:58,040 --> 00:05:58,720 Speaker 3: It is a risk. 112 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:02,279 Speaker 2: It's a risk that he does Juan Soto did with 113 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 2: the what happened to the Yankees, spends a year there, 114 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,239 Speaker 2: loves his time there, but that gets paid more money elsewhere. 115 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 4: But they went to the World Series. 116 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 2: Right, right, they went to the series, and this is 117 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:16,920 Speaker 2: where Jed Hoyer, Carterhowkins in the front office is head 118 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:19,479 Speaker 2: They're at the point where it's time to take some risks, 119 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:24,159 Speaker 2: like you just sit on your hands and then lose 120 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 2: and get fired, Like that's it. 121 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 3: That's why you have to be a little aggressive. You 122 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:29,120 Speaker 3: have to be a little bold. 123 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:34,039 Speaker 2: And I think you know, es opparatus plus prospects makes 124 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:35,599 Speaker 2: just a huge amount of sense. 125 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, he may not be a superstar now, but if 126 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 1: he hits like forty bombs at Wrigley Field next year, 127 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:49,799 Speaker 1: like better believe he would be one and viewed as such, 128 00:06:51,760 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 1: I think you'd worry about the extension stuff later and 129 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,599 Speaker 1: that would almost certainly be more of a conversation after 130 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:04,320 Speaker 1: the season. We're getting a little ahead of ourselves. But 131 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 1: I really liked, Yeah, I liked you know, as we 132 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 1: were collaborating on the story last night of you know, 133 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 1: these trades for sort of the one year star hitter rentals. 134 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 1: You know, the Cardinals didn't really regret what they gave 135 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: up for gold Schmidt. The Red Sox have certainly not 136 00:07:27,640 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 1: recovered from uh dealing Mookie bets. The Sodo one was 137 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 1: an outlier, and. 138 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 3: Then there was one other one, Lindor Lin Door. 139 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 1: I mean, you know, nothing outrageous, didn't burn any of 140 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: those teams. And then I thought the analysis you ran 141 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: in terms of just the numbers of how impactful this 142 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 1: guy is, it really opened my eyes in terms of 143 00:07:57,920 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 1: just the like, wow, he hits in like half a 144 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 1: season with the Cubs home run leader would produce, or 145 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 1: like he got to what like four point two war 146 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:13,040 Speaker 1: and half a season and danzbelad the Cubs with like 147 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:14,960 Speaker 1: four point three war and like one hundred and forty 148 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 1: something games, And this is what fans have been waiting for, 149 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:24,440 Speaker 1: like the splash to kind of move some pieces, to 150 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 1: move this thing forward. And honestly, it was kind of 151 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 1: refreshing to write about something different other than they're not 152 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: in on Soto and Burns, or they're looking to trade 153 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:38,439 Speaker 1: this guy and that guy, like you know, maybe want 154 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:42,959 Speaker 1: being a big teaser disappointment, but it certainly has livened 155 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:43,880 Speaker 1: up these winter. 156 00:08:43,720 --> 00:08:47,440 Speaker 2: Meetings, right, And when you bring up all those names, 157 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 2: there were always excuses made of why the Cups couldn't 158 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 2: do those types of deals, and sometimes valid excuses, right, 159 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 2: Like Paul Goldschmidt was available when Anthony Rizzo was manning 160 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:58,000 Speaker 2: for a space and the Cubs just didn't have the 161 00:08:58,040 --> 00:09:01,720 Speaker 2: prospect depth. That's that's the other benefit, like we talked about, 162 00:09:01,760 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 2: like they use their prospect to get Paradis. Now now 163 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 2: use paradis again to get to take another step up. 164 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:12,079 Speaker 2: Like Jed's hammering this idea of like consolidation of war, 165 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 2: like a one one player that that has you know, 166 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:18,880 Speaker 2: five six, seven war seasons. They yes, do they have 167 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 2: guys that have that potential on the roster, absolutely, but 168 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 2: this is a guy that has done it like can 169 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:28,520 Speaker 2: can do it, like stay healthy and win a Gold 170 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 2: Love and impact the offense at a level that this 171 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 2: team hasn't seen since its heyday, you know, which is 172 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 2: approaching a decade ago, which is kind of crazy to think. 173 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:41,760 Speaker 3: So, you know, just to. 174 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 2: Completely alters the complexion of the roster in the lineup 175 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 2: and something that that you know, should excite a fan 176 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 2: base that is searching for reasons to be excited. The 177 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:59,560 Speaker 2: timing's right, which maybe it wasn't with Mookie Betts, the 178 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 2: position and fit, all these different things they're they're looking 179 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 2: for that and and now now they they seem to 180 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 2: have zeroed it on their target. 181 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:10,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, and it'd be really interested to see, like what 182 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 1: these other moves are, right, and they've got a couple 183 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 1: a couple of outfielders who have been very prominently mentioned 184 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,200 Speaker 1: in trade rumors. 185 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:23,840 Speaker 4: I thought it was fascinating, uh to see. 186 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 1: Joel Wolfe says Suzuki's agent do kind of multiple rounds 187 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:34,520 Speaker 1: of media sessions, uh, starting with Roki Sazaki, and then 188 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 1: it kind of became offshoots of other different clients hees 189 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:42,440 Speaker 1: had and uh Saya is among those decorated players. And 190 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 1: for Joel to come out and say, yeah, you know, 191 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:50,560 Speaker 1: Jed's you know, talk to us about uh maybe trade 192 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:55,959 Speaker 1: possibilities and uh certain ideas on there and uh the 193 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 1: fact that Saya coming out. 194 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:58,320 Speaker 4: From Japan. 195 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 1: And he was posted probably wouldn't have signed with the 196 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:05,319 Speaker 1: team that was going to use him as a DH. 197 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:07,199 Speaker 1: But also at the same time saying it's a very 198 00:11:07,240 --> 00:11:10,880 Speaker 1: small universe of teams that say, I would even consider 199 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:13,000 Speaker 1: what do you got on Saya? 200 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:16,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, I'm not surprised that teams are interested 201 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:19,080 Speaker 2: in sayah, right, like that, that makes a lot of sense. 202 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:21,880 Speaker 2: Teams should be asking about Saya and if the Cubs 203 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 2: are trying to kind of reshape this lineup, I understand 204 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 2: why they like even consider it, and maybe someone bowls 205 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:32,440 Speaker 2: them over. But I think I think Jed said it 206 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:35,320 Speaker 2: today he expects, say Suzuki to be a Chicago Cup 207 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:39,080 Speaker 2: next year. That there was some I thought, you know, 208 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:43,800 Speaker 2: I thought that fans and others kind of may have 209 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:47,839 Speaker 2: taken the DH talk a little too far as well, 210 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 2: like he was really upset and like this was some 211 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 2: point of contention and like say it wanted out. 212 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:56,840 Speaker 3: That is not how I interpreted what Joel was saying. 213 00:11:57,280 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 2: Just that, just that the idea that this is something 214 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:02,720 Speaker 2: one that came here who wanted to be a right fielder, 215 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 2: believes he's a right fielder and doesn't doesn't expect to 216 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:06,320 Speaker 2: be there full time. 217 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 3: I don't like. 218 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 2: And then talking to Carter and Jed the past two days, 219 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:14,520 Speaker 2: they made it pretty clear there's no there's no anger here, 220 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 2: there's no animosity between the two sides. 221 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:20,280 Speaker 3: They have a good relationship. This was a decision that that. 222 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:24,840 Speaker 2: Craig Council made because he had better right fielders to 223 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:29,000 Speaker 2: put out there. And frankly, Suzuki hit. It's not like 224 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:31,480 Speaker 2: it got in his head and he couldn't hit. Suddenly 225 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:32,360 Speaker 2: he was awesome. 226 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:34,720 Speaker 3: Really well, yeah, right, right. 227 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:36,959 Speaker 2: So I thought that was a little like I think 228 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 2: some of it was taken too far by some uh 229 00:12:40,080 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 2: some on the internet and thought like it meant more 230 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 2: than it did. Like say, a, Suzuki's not demanding a 231 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 2: trade now that there's nothing like that. It's not like 232 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:49,360 Speaker 2: he's a claiming in right field or trade. Me. 233 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:52,400 Speaker 3: Uh, this seems all very like they're they're all good. 234 00:12:52,559 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 2: Joel Wolfe has other clients with the Cubs that they 235 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:59,560 Speaker 2: have a great working relationship. I wouldn't I wouldn't overthink 236 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:03,319 Speaker 2: that such suation and I would like everything that we're 237 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:07,040 Speaker 2: hearing makes it seem like it would be pretty big 238 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:10,280 Speaker 2: surprise if say, Suzuki is not with the Cubs next year. 239 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:17,080 Speaker 1: But yeah, if if it came to that, I think 240 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 1: something it means something has gone wrong this offseason, at 241 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 1: least in terms of. 242 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 4: The Cubs, sort of like plan A right, And I 243 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:26,640 Speaker 4: think you. 244 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:32,079 Speaker 1: Know with sayah, it's hard to watch all those fly 245 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:35,440 Speaker 1: balls he flat out just missed in right field and 246 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:39,280 Speaker 1: be like kind of take some of it seriously, but 247 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 1: you're right, Like Joel and Jed very long standing relationship, 248 00:13:44,559 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 1: and I thought Jed made a good point on Wednesday 249 00:13:49,160 --> 00:13:51,880 Speaker 1: before these meetings wrapped up. Of like, you know, we 250 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 1: always see kind of the negotiation side, or that's kind 251 00:13:54,480 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 1: of usually how it's viewed. There's a ton of conversations 252 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 1: that have to happen throughout the year with all players 253 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 1: in each front office, but particularly you know, a Japanese 254 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 1: player coming over and the Cubs wanting to put him 255 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 1: in a position to succeed. We know that both sides 256 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 1: have spent a lot of energy and effort on nutrition 257 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:28,000 Speaker 1: and interpreters and kind of you know, hitting messaging like 258 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:31,440 Speaker 1: all of that stuff, and I do think it'll be hard. 259 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:36,560 Speaker 4: For say, to start over. I do think he's pretty 260 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:39,960 Speaker 4: comfortable there. I think, you know, the Cubs. 261 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 1: Executed it's been a pretty good deal, you know, if 262 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 1: you have him for two more years, and just obviously 263 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 1: you know, Cody Bellinger does not have no trade clause. 264 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: He's the one that'll be easier to move. And you know, 265 00:14:57,080 --> 00:14:59,000 Speaker 1: I do ultimately think that's the. 266 00:14:58,960 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 3: Guy who's gon to get moved. 267 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:03,240 Speaker 4: I think he thinks he's gonna get moved. 268 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 3: Right right, Yeah. I mean, like I don't know how 269 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:07,800 Speaker 3: long we've been hearing about this. 270 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 2: Now it feels like a while, and every day that 271 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:13,640 Speaker 2: goes by, it's not like, you. 272 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 3: Know what, maybe we jumped the gun talking about that. 273 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:22,040 Speaker 2: If anything, it feels like with every moment that passes, yeah, yeah, 274 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:25,680 Speaker 2: more and more likely that Cody Bellinger will be in 275 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:32,760 Speaker 2: another uniform next season. I think, like where what type 276 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 2: of return of the Cubs getting? Like what type of 277 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:39,400 Speaker 2: deal is this? Those are the questions I'm most interested 278 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:40,800 Speaker 2: in figuring out. 279 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 3: But could it be quick? Could it? 280 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:46,480 Speaker 2: Could it happened this week? I wouldn't be shocked by that. 281 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 2: I thought it was I did think it was interesting 282 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 2: that Jed. I mean, I think we knew this. He's 283 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:55,360 Speaker 2: kind of hinted at it, but he's straight upset, like 284 00:15:55,840 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 2: we're we're very active in trade talks, less so free agency. 285 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 2: That's you know, we've known that. But to hear him 286 00:16:05,640 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 2: say that and just flat out admit it, like this 287 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:11,320 Speaker 2: is this is throughout they're taking and they're not there. 288 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:14,240 Speaker 2: I think there's a lot of different things going on, 289 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:17,720 Speaker 2: and the two that we're talking about primarily right now 290 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:21,040 Speaker 2: are trying to bring in Tucker and trying to move Bellinger. 291 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:25,600 Speaker 3: H I think what would be fascinating is all the other. 292 00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 2: Moves that that that they'd be making or considering how 293 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:30,480 Speaker 2: else they're they would do that. If they can pull 294 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:36,000 Speaker 2: those off, though, you know, completely changes the tenor of 295 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 2: the off season, how we look at this team, how 296 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:42,720 Speaker 2: they fill holes, and and really what they do going forward. 297 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:45,840 Speaker 2: I think it'll be very interesting to see and frankly 298 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:48,920 Speaker 2: if they pull off a Kyle Tucker trade of just 299 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 2: fascinating to see who's involved. 300 00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:55,520 Speaker 1: Well, to be clear, we both heard the Astros are 301 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: not at all on Bellinger. That is not a part 302 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:04,880 Speaker 1: of this, But yeah, it becomes like, what how much 303 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:09,160 Speaker 1: money comes back to them, how do they utilize it? 304 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 1: What opportunities does this open for certain younger players? Is 305 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:23,879 Speaker 1: there now a whole at third base? I'd imagine they'd 306 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 1: go in stronger on pitching. We still think they're going 307 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:32,800 Speaker 1: to add another starter in some form or a kind 308 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:37,880 Speaker 1: of a picture they could use creatively. The bullpen needs 309 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:44,720 Speaker 1: obviously more options. So it does feel like we talked 310 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:48,680 Speaker 1: about it with Jed again, like this is not last 311 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 1: offseason when their first move was like whatever January eleventh, twelfth, 312 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 1: somewhere in that range leading into Cups convention, Like they've 313 00:17:56,920 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 1: they've made some moves here. I mean, they've got the 314 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:06,159 Speaker 1: tugger trade, you know, in in the talk stage. 315 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:07,280 Speaker 4: I don't know the deal zone. 316 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:09,159 Speaker 1: I don't know. I don't know what the exact phrase 317 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:15,399 Speaker 1: would be, but they've submitted the introductory materials to Suzaki's camp. 318 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 1: Matthew Boyd deal, you know, looks more and more reasonable 319 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,119 Speaker 1: as the rest of the pitching market accelerates. 320 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:24,440 Speaker 4: It made him move for the bullpen. 321 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:28,720 Speaker 1: Carson Kelly is a catcher that's sort of on deck, 322 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:32,399 Speaker 1: is our understanding, and you know we haven't left the 323 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:33,920 Speaker 1: winter meetings yet. 324 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:35,160 Speaker 3: Right, Yeah. 325 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:38,440 Speaker 2: I do think that they'll continue to be active, They'll 326 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:43,119 Speaker 2: continue to be busy. There was a big trade moments 327 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:45,440 Speaker 2: ago with the Garrett Crochet going to Boston. 328 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 3: Obviously the Cubs had some interest there. 329 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:50,760 Speaker 2: I don't know if anything that doesn't seem like anything 330 00:18:50,800 --> 00:18:57,680 Speaker 2: was particularly close, but that's that's certainly. I think it's 331 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:00,399 Speaker 2: Domino's fall, Like more and more things happen, right like 332 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 2: this is like it first one was Juan Soto, and 333 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,399 Speaker 2: while it wasn't an avalanche of moves on Monday, it 334 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 2: certainly became clear that. 335 00:19:09,040 --> 00:19:10,240 Speaker 3: That things were moving quicker. 336 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:15,000 Speaker 2: I think our colleague Ken Rosenthal has has said that 337 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:18,639 Speaker 2: Corbyn Burns isn't too far away from signing like this is. 338 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:21,600 Speaker 2: Max Free just signed with the Yankees. Like a lot 339 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:26,480 Speaker 2: has happened. We've gone from very dead winter meetings. I 340 00:19:26,520 --> 00:19:30,520 Speaker 2: believe it was you that brought up to Jed. They 341 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:32,600 Speaker 2: didn't make their first move till like the middle of 342 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 2: January last year. And now they're not only have they 343 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:41,000 Speaker 2: made a few solid moves that they're very active in talks. 344 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:43,320 Speaker 2: It's just we weren't hearing this type of buzz a 345 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:46,040 Speaker 2: year ago. We weren't hearing this type of top frankly, 346 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:49,320 Speaker 2: I guess like mostly around the league too, but especially 347 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:51,320 Speaker 2: around the cups it was non existent. 348 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:54,440 Speaker 3: And and uh, this is just a. 349 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:58,320 Speaker 2: Very different feel and vibe and and like it like 350 00:19:58,359 --> 00:20:01,440 Speaker 2: we like I keep saying, if they can pull off 351 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 2: this trade, it completely changes the way you. 352 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:06,119 Speaker 3: Ever like I think it should change the way Cubs 353 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:07,280 Speaker 3: fans feel about everything. 354 00:20:07,320 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 2: It's this is it's a type of like aggressive like 355 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:14,119 Speaker 2: we're we're not playing around, We're not thinking about twenty 356 00:20:14,119 --> 00:20:16,720 Speaker 2: twenty eight. We're not you know, we are trying to 357 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:20,720 Speaker 2: win in twenty twenty five. That's that's what these types 358 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:24,880 Speaker 2: of moves suggest. And it it feels like an exhale 359 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:29,000 Speaker 2: of like finally they come on. Let's see them act 360 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 2: in a manner that we should expect from a team 361 00:20:31,920 --> 00:20:32,119 Speaker 2: like this. 362 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:36,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, our buddy Jesse Rodgers of ESPN asked, Jed, you 363 00:20:36,320 --> 00:20:40,520 Speaker 1: know what ending of the offseason is this, and I 364 00:20:40,560 --> 00:20:42,400 Speaker 1: don't know if he said fourth or fifth something like that. 365 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:44,920 Speaker 4: It's it's certainly deeper into. 366 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:47,480 Speaker 1: The ballgame than it was at some of these prior 367 00:20:47,520 --> 00:20:52,920 Speaker 1: winter meetings that have been frankly kind of boring. And 368 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:56,240 Speaker 1: I mean, if they pull off a deal for Kyle Tucker, 369 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:58,920 Speaker 1: like just play go, Cubs Go, because I feel like 370 00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:02,600 Speaker 1: that would be a signal, sure kind of all in 371 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:04,640 Speaker 1: move that would. 372 00:21:05,920 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 4: Energize the team, give the fan base. 373 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:16,600 Speaker 1: More justifiable a sense of optimism, and just you just 374 00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:19,160 Speaker 1: can't run it back. I mean, James and Tyne said 375 00:21:19,160 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 1: it on our show last week of when you fall 376 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 1: short like this, you kind of do it to yourself. 377 00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:33,800 Speaker 4: And Tucker would be that, you know, like, oh wow, 378 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:35,920 Speaker 4: like the Cubs are, you know. 379 00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:40,800 Speaker 1: Seriously trying to win this division and would have a 380 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:43,920 Speaker 1: lot of time still to do some of those other 381 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:46,280 Speaker 1: stuff that they're good at of like you know, doing 382 00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:51,520 Speaker 1: stuff on the margins, you know, finding those bilo relievers, 383 00:21:51,640 --> 00:21:54,320 Speaker 1: identifying you know, the right pictures to kind of strengthen 384 00:21:55,240 --> 00:21:59,879 Speaker 1: the rotation, and then you know you have Craig Council, 385 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:03,160 Speaker 1: a very good manager, pushing those buttons. 386 00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:06,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, and a couple of things. 387 00:22:06,359 --> 00:22:10,679 Speaker 2: If you if you don't think Kyle Tucker is worth it, 388 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:14,160 Speaker 2: I would recommend just double checking his stats and going 389 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:17,480 Speaker 2: to look at what he's done over there, basically since 390 00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:22,400 Speaker 2: like twenty one. If if you're worried about always only 391 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:26,920 Speaker 2: on one year, don't create good prospects for a rental, 392 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:29,280 Speaker 2: I get the sentiment, but you have to take these 393 00:22:29,320 --> 00:22:31,880 Speaker 2: types of risks. At some point, you can't just keep 394 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:35,640 Speaker 2: sitting on prospects. You have to be aggressive. These opportunities 395 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:39,439 Speaker 2: come up every so often, but not every year, not 396 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:42,840 Speaker 2: all the time, and when they come, when they're finally here, 397 00:22:43,040 --> 00:22:45,320 Speaker 2: like you have to take advantage of it. It's time 398 00:22:45,359 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 2: to win, It's time to be aggressive. And to finally 399 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:52,199 Speaker 2: see the Cubs acting in that manner is matters. It's 400 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:55,200 Speaker 2: a big it's a big deal and to see them 401 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:57,520 Speaker 2: do this, I think it is if they can pull 402 00:22:57,560 --> 00:23:01,480 Speaker 2: this off, is it is a turning point. Feel like 403 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:05,520 Speaker 2: finally this is behaving like the team that they should be. 404 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:09,320 Speaker 2: So yeah, I think it's as simple as that. I 405 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:13,119 Speaker 2: understand some some consternation or worry about it. 406 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:15,160 Speaker 3: What if he leaves after a year? 407 00:23:15,280 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 2: Okay, yeah, time to take some yeah yeah, time to 408 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:23,080 Speaker 2: make time to make some moves and be a real 409 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 2: big market org that that isn't afraid, that isn't just 410 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:31,720 Speaker 2: prospect hoarding. Yeah, all right, Patrick, you know what, we'll 411 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 2: be back with more from the winter meetings, I believe. Well, 412 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:38,200 Speaker 2: we'll see how quickly these things can move if there's 413 00:23:38,280 --> 00:23:42,040 Speaker 2: actual movement in the next day or two. But it 414 00:23:42,119 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 2: sounds like Jed Hoyer may or may not leave Dallas tonight. 415 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:51,119 Speaker 2: So if if that's any indication of what's happening, that 416 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:52,480 Speaker 2: that'd be fascinating as well. 417 00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:55,480 Speaker 3: We'll see what what more happens. 418 00:23:56,000 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 2: Uh. This is North Side Territory on Foul Territory. Thanks 419 00:24:00,560 --> 00:24:03,240 Speaker 2: so much for listening. Make sure to rate, review, subscribe, 420 00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 2: Please subscribe to the YouTube channel. You guys have really 421 00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:09,720 Speaker 2: ramped up the views on there and reappreciate it. Subscribe 422 00:24:09,720 --> 00:24:12,119 Speaker 2: to The Athletic Patrick and I will continue to be 423 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:15,080 Speaker 2: on top of this offseason. It's been pretty hectic, and 424 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:18,800 Speaker 2: we'll continue to give you everything we can that we're hearing. 425 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:25,639 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening. Everyone,