1 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 1: Welcome into Northside Territory. Foul Territory Networks Cubs podcast. I'm 2 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:10,640 Speaker 1: Sahad a drama with my partner Patrick Mooney. We are 3 00:00:10,720 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: your Cubs beat writers over at the Athletic Patrick. We 4 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:19,960 Speaker 1: are out in Orlando for the winter meetings and there 5 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:23,720 Speaker 1: have been a few signings, obviously a couple you know, 6 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: massive deals, with the Ale Schwarber signing at his age, 7 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: his you know, lack of a position really, but he's 8 00:00:34,040 --> 00:00:36,560 Speaker 1: getting a massive one hundred and fifty million dollar deal. 9 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:39,360 Speaker 1: That's it's well earned and someone that you and I 10 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 1: both have a ton of respect for, a ton of love, 11 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 1: easy to easy guy to root for, and just you know, 12 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:49,000 Speaker 1: good for fans, good for media, good for teammates, like 13 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:50,360 Speaker 1: a great dude all around. 14 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 2: Definitely worth that deal. 15 00:00:53,479 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 1: And then the Edwin Diaz deal, that's the other monster, 16 00:00:57,040 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 1: biggest contract. 17 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 2: For a reliever a v wise. 18 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:04,400 Speaker 1: Uh, I guess it's not shocking to see that, but 19 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 1: the Dodgers just keep churning out these massive contracts, surely 20 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 1: to the frustration of many and non Dodger fans. But 21 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 1: that's that's kind of the reality of baseball right now. 22 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:19,480 Speaker 1: But other than that, the rest of the league doesn't 23 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:22,959 Speaker 1: seem that interested in in uh, you know, making a 24 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 1: ton of movement. Obviously the Blue Jays have been super active. Ah, 25 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:31,479 Speaker 1: there's just not not a lot of aggressive action. 26 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:33,040 Speaker 2: And and the Cubs are right there. 27 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:39,759 Speaker 1: Uh, they're they're they're clearly being talked about. They're clearly interested. 28 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 1: How interested it's hard to tell how how aggressive do 29 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 1: they want to be. That's that's kind of you know 30 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 1: what we're hearing. It's like, yeah, the Cubs are interested 31 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 1: in these guys. Yeah, the Cubs would like to make 32 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:54,080 Speaker 1: a move. The Cubs are talking trade, The Cubs are 33 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:57,919 Speaker 1: interested in free agents. Getting to that finish line seems 34 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:02,920 Speaker 1: to be a little harder than than fans would like. 35 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 1: I think, Yeah, I. 36 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 3: Don't know if it's aggressive or maybe a little passive aggressive. 37 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 4: It has been hard to track. 38 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:16,079 Speaker 3: There are some obvious needs on this team, and we've 39 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 3: outlined that before. 40 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:20,360 Speaker 4: But it you just be talking to people. 41 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 3: We've both heard this of, like, you know, they're on 42 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 3: free agents, the instant in trades, maybe another proven hitter, 43 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 3: an accomplished starting pitcher, you know, looking at a higher 44 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 3: range of bullpen guys. But to this point, and we're 45 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:42,360 Speaker 3: recording on Wednesday morning. Nothing's gotten to the finish line, 46 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 3: and I think most people except for us are planning 47 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 3: on flying home Wednesday afternoon. 48 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 4: Wednesday night after the Rule five draft. And so. 49 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:57,679 Speaker 3: We were kind of going into this taken by how 50 00:02:57,720 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 3: people were talking about the Cubs, how they were engaging 51 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 3: different parts. 52 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 4: Of the market. 53 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 3: They had a little bit of money to spend, maybe 54 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 3: not as much as everyone would like, but that you know, 55 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:10,920 Speaker 3: they could be players here, a team to watch. And 56 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 3: Jed Hoyer, when kind of, you know, presented with that idea, 57 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:20,360 Speaker 3: you know, kind of went back to we're not going 58 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 3: to force deals just to force deals. He did not 59 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:24,960 Speaker 3: say which inning of the off season this is, but 60 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:27,959 Speaker 3: he still was kind of referring to it in more 61 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:32,679 Speaker 3: of a kickoff stage than you know, any sort of urgency. 62 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 3: You know, we'll see if they do something before Cubs Convention, 63 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 3: I would imagine yes. But these winter meanings are also 64 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 3: different from when we first started covering it, Like they 65 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 3: cut a day off the schedule. And to your point, 66 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 3: it's not like everyone in base else in baseball is 67 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 3: going crazy and the Cubs are sitting on the sidelines. 68 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 3: Like there's been a lot of I guess patience and 69 00:03:57,240 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 3: fiscal restraints shown thus far across the league. 70 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, even previous big spenders. Look, the Dodgers are the Dodgers, 71 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 1: and I think they've kind of established themselves as in 72 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 1: this league, in a league of their own. They don't 73 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:13,480 Speaker 1: they don't follow the same rules, They don't live in 74 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:16,479 Speaker 1: the same reality as the rest of baseball, and I 75 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 1: think we just kind of have to put them in 76 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:23,440 Speaker 1: a separate category. The Mets aren't, you know, acting like 77 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 1: the Mets normally do. David Stearns is a very you 78 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 1: know when he was in Milwaukee, like he learned, you know, 79 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 1: different habits and he was really good at what he 80 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 1: did in Milwaukee. I don't think he wants to behave 81 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: completely like the Dodgers all the time. Obviously he has 82 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 1: a different set of rules that he can work with 83 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 1: in New York. But it seems like the Mets are 84 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:51,240 Speaker 1: even being a little bit more fiscally responsible than they 85 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:56,480 Speaker 1: had in previous offseasons. So, I mean, who are these 86 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 1: teams that are going to act while the Yankees can? 87 00:04:59,640 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 1: We hear hell Steinbrenner saying, like the Yankees aren't as 88 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:04,039 Speaker 1: profitable as you think. 89 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 2: Like everyone's talking about these things, okay, buddy, Yeah, yeah, right. 90 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 1: Uh So the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Cubs, these 91 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:16,839 Speaker 1: teams that you'd you'd like to see be incredibly aggressive 92 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:20,479 Speaker 1: with their spending just aren't. Whether that's uh, the way 93 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 1: front offices work right now, whether that's the you know 94 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:27,919 Speaker 1: reality of them all accepting that, accepting the reality of 95 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:32,599 Speaker 1: you know, a lockout happening a year from now, uh, 96 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 1: and and not not wanting to spend in a fashion 97 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:41,600 Speaker 1: that you know, may be outdated in a year. Right, 98 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:45,400 Speaker 1: it may not, it may not fit into whatever financial 99 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:47,719 Speaker 1: reality the league is in a year from now or 100 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:49,359 Speaker 1: a year and a half from now, whenever we have 101 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 1: a new CBA. So there are reasons for this. I 102 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:56,680 Speaker 1: think fans just to you know, want want action, They 103 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 1: want to see their team improve. 104 00:05:58,600 --> 00:05:58,720 Speaker 3: Uh. 105 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:02,159 Speaker 2: It's not as it's clearly not as simple as. 106 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 1: That one one funny did bit I heard, and the 107 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 1: person was being serious when I talked to him. 108 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 2: They're like, he's like. 109 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 1: I think a lot of teams just that they don't 110 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:17,279 Speaker 1: want to do the press conferences at the winter meetings 111 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:20,559 Speaker 1: and they'll just they'll they'll get to the finish line 112 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:24,839 Speaker 1: on Wednesday night, Thursday morning, Friday. So and I mean, 113 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 1: and you know, a lot of times we've seen that 114 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 1: the deals get done. I want to say the Dansby 115 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:34,119 Speaker 1: Swanson deal was done Saturday after the Winter meetings. Kyle 116 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:37,680 Speaker 1: Tucker did not. Jed Hoyer did stay an extra night 117 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:43,479 Speaker 1: last the last last year, last Winter meetings because he 118 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 1: didn't want to get the Tucker deal. 119 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 2: Done while in the air. 120 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:50,359 Speaker 1: And I don't remember the exact day, but it was 121 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:54,719 Speaker 1: after the Winter Meetings that it got done. So a 122 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:57,080 Speaker 1: lot of this you'd like to You'd like to think 123 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:01,240 Speaker 1: they get the groundwork done at like they said, like 124 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:05,120 Speaker 1: the discussions or get some ideas at the GM meetings, 125 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:08,040 Speaker 1: and then spend that month laying the groundwork for deals, 126 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 1: and then now is when they finalize the deals. I 127 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 1: think that's I mean, there have been Winter meetings past 128 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:17,600 Speaker 1: where that was what happened, right where we've had like 129 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: these flurry of moves. This has not been that type 130 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 1: of Winter meetings. There's been some moves, but just. 131 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 2: It's the deal. 132 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:28,280 Speaker 1: Like the deal everyone expected to get done at the 133 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 1: Winter meetings was Kyle Schwarber. That happened, and now we're 134 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 1: kind of just waiting and seeing what happens. I do 135 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 1: believe that the trade market is what people are waiting 136 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:42,280 Speaker 1: to move as well, and that takes that's just a 137 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 1: process that can take longer to get going, but I 138 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 1: do believe that's active behind the scenes. 139 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think that period just before the holidays as 140 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:58,760 Speaker 3: well of players wanting to know where they're going and 141 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:02,200 Speaker 3: having some of these matters settled, and what we're talking 142 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:07,120 Speaker 3: about could become outdated if something in the damn breaks 143 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 3: or whatever. I think as we've been walking the lobbies 144 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 3: here and checking in with colleagues and sources and the 145 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:20,160 Speaker 3: whole gamut of people who show about the winter meetings, 146 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 3: I think we've we've as just been kind of like 147 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:24,440 Speaker 3: our heads have been spinning a little bit of just 148 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:28,280 Speaker 3: like just how people describe the cubs of you know, 149 00:08:28,320 --> 00:08:32,319 Speaker 3: they're in kind of stealth mode. They're on a lot 150 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 3: of different players, exploring a lot of different ideas, you know, trademarket, 151 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 3: free agents. We'll get into some of the names like later, 152 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:46,679 Speaker 3: but they've been a little all over the place, and 153 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:48,840 Speaker 3: I don't I'm not saying that they're disorganized, but just 154 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 3: that like it's been kind of hard to harder than 155 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 3: normal to kind of keep track and get a sense of, 156 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 3: you know. 157 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:56,720 Speaker 4: What they really want to do. 158 00:08:56,800 --> 00:08:58,400 Speaker 3: It's like, yeah, we got interested in that guy, or 159 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 3: oh yeah we've talked to them, or yeah we're staying 160 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 3: in touch. It's just been a lot of that and 161 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 3: like to this point, it hasn't really emerged of what 162 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 3: they're like like true priority is. And that's just kind 163 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:13,080 Speaker 3: of how this front office has evolved. Right of it's 164 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 3: less like obsessed with like kind of one player or 165 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 3: you know, a singular talent that it's this whole like 166 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:21,840 Speaker 3: model driven. 167 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 4: We just want to do good deals. 168 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:27,960 Speaker 3: And like that's that's harder to kind of pin down 169 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 3: because they're always talking. They they're all of course they 170 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 3: have you know, preliminary interests or a degree of interest 171 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 3: or you know kind of a level of inquiry whatever 172 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 3: the phrasing is. But eventually they're gonna have to pin 173 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 3: some of these things down. 174 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:48,360 Speaker 1: And it's important to remember that the deals that get 175 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:52,600 Speaker 1: done first, especially before the winter meetings, are the ones 176 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 1: that you know, the players are like a player isn't 177 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 1: going to sign a deal unless they're really happy with 178 00:09:57,840 --> 00:10:01,680 Speaker 1: that offer above market. Yeah, yeah, So these are the 179 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:05,320 Speaker 1: you know, massive deals that get done early and then 180 00:10:05,920 --> 00:10:08,679 Speaker 1: for the most part the prices will start to go down, 181 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 1: and like you said, like they get to the holidays 182 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:13,800 Speaker 1: and some players just want to know where they're going 183 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 1: to be, and that's you may get a deal around there. 184 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:25,120 Speaker 1: It's looking like maybe not if it AAV Wise, Phil 185 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:29,559 Speaker 1: Mayton steel looks pretty good. I want to say Soroka 186 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:32,320 Speaker 1: has more per one if you're just looking at AAV 187 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:36,280 Speaker 1: it's seven point twenty five, correct, and that like Soroka 188 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:39,079 Speaker 1: made more for one year. And then there was there 189 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:42,599 Speaker 1: was another deal that was signed yesterday which would be Tuesday, 190 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:45,560 Speaker 1: that it was a one year deal, but still more 191 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 1: than what Mayton is making per year. They were hoping 192 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 1: that that would look like a deal as names went 193 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:55,719 Speaker 1: off the board, and it is looking like it at 194 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:57,240 Speaker 1: least with his track record. 195 00:10:57,880 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 2: Uh, that's that's a bit of a deal for them. 196 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 1: We've spent a lot of time thinking pitching, pitching, pitching, 197 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 1: and the Cubs are you. 198 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 2: Know the Cubs. 199 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:12,160 Speaker 1: It sounds like they're they're not just focused on pitching, 200 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 1: which makes sense. You lose Kyle Tucker, you have to 201 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 1: at least check in on bats. We talked about Alex Bregman, 202 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 1: I believe last podcast that's not off the table, and 203 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 1: I don't think people should just rule that out. 204 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:33,520 Speaker 2: But I think a big part of what we've. 205 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:38,680 Speaker 1: Come away from whether it's Craig Council, Carter Hawkins, Jed Hoyer, 206 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,360 Speaker 1: each one of them had nothing but praise for Matt Shaw. 207 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 1: And I think when you talk about model driven analysis, 208 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 1: it's going to be hard to not love the guy 209 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:54,600 Speaker 1: with five years of control that had a really good 210 00:11:54,640 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: second half, showed a really impressive glove at a at 211 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:05,439 Speaker 1: an impressive at a tough position in third base. Obviously 212 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:07,520 Speaker 1: they're they're going to be high on this guy in 213 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:08,000 Speaker 1: the future. 214 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:11,719 Speaker 2: This is a for an office that values youth. And 215 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 2: you saw what Pete. 216 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:16,960 Speaker 1: Armstrong's impact was, Michael Bush's impact, They're hoping for the 217 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:17,800 Speaker 1: same from Shaw. 218 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 4: Yeah, I thought it was. 219 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:26,439 Speaker 3: The Shaw became a storyline here because of the bregmant interests, 220 00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:30,320 Speaker 3: because of their interest. 221 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:31,640 Speaker 4: In the trade market. 222 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 3: And I don't think their votes of confidence in Shaw 223 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 3: prevents them from doing anything else, but it's just that 224 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:45,160 Speaker 3: they couldnt have been more clear in terms of we're 225 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:47,240 Speaker 3: planning to build around Matt Shaw. 226 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 4: And so I think regman Is. 227 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:58,320 Speaker 3: Was always I don't want to say a long shot, 228 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:01,120 Speaker 3: but just that like the Cubs would have to kind 229 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 3: of step outside their comfort zone to bring in Alex Bragman, 230 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:09,920 Speaker 3: and that maybe they do eventually, but bringing him in 231 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:13,320 Speaker 3: does not mean that they're trading Matt Shaw as like 232 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:18,760 Speaker 3: a sequence of next moves. And I mean Carter Hawkins 233 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:22,200 Speaker 3: could not have been more clear of saying no one's untouchable. 234 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 4: But when Matt Shaw has all of those attributes you 235 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:26,800 Speaker 4: just listed. 236 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:29,199 Speaker 3: To how to have a you know, gold of caliber 237 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:33,840 Speaker 3: defender at a position that's been hard to fill for 238 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:39,719 Speaker 3: the Cubs for a very long time. Good offensive trajectory 239 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 3: and profile, the cost control nature, the club control time 240 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:50,479 Speaker 3: horizon here, all of this in essence makes it extremely 241 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:52,679 Speaker 3: hard for the Cubs and vision trading him. I mean, 242 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 3: they didn't trade him when he was struggling last year 243 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,959 Speaker 3: and they had a first place team, and this is 244 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 3: a guy that other teams kept asking about apparently according 245 00:14:02,520 --> 00:14:04,920 Speaker 3: to the Cubs. So if they didn't do it, then 246 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 3: don't see them doing it now. You know, they don't 247 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:13,720 Speaker 3: have a ton of guys after twenty twenty six that 248 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:16,320 Speaker 3: they can count on. There's a few, and you know, 249 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 3: maybe they do some more moves here, But I would 250 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:23,480 Speaker 3: not read their vote of confidence in Matt Shaw is 251 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 3: saying we're out on Alex Bregman. It's just that they have, 252 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 3: you know, a lot of a lot of ideas up 253 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 3: in the air right now. But that Matt Shaw as 254 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:40,160 Speaker 3: an part of the opening day roster, if not lineup, 255 00:14:40,920 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 3: seems seems like almost a given at this point. 256 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 1: So it for players that had at least let's say, 257 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 1: forty games in the second half, it's ian happ in 258 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: the second half of the Cubs had a one thirty 259 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 1: nine way to runs great at plus. I bet, I 260 00:14:58,040 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 1: bet some fans are surprised. I'm surprise. 261 00:15:00,440 --> 00:15:00,680 Speaker 2: I don't. 262 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: I guess I don't remember the second half as well 263 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 1: as I thought I did. But second was Matt Shaw 264 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 1: one thirty way to runs great a plus in sixty 265 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 1: three games two hundred and five played appearances. And we 266 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 1: know he played really good defense. If you if you're 267 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 1: a fan and you were watching those games, you saw 268 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 1: how good he was defensively. He turned a corner in 269 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:23,400 Speaker 1: the second half. Look, this is how young players are. 270 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:27,960 Speaker 1: Young players are really inconsistent. They struggle early, especially in 271 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:31,760 Speaker 1: their careers. This is not it's much rarer. It feels 272 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:36,120 Speaker 1: like for the young player to come up, the rookie 273 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:37,800 Speaker 1: to come up and immediately hit. 274 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 2: The ground running. Pete Gararmstrong struggled. 275 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 1: You know, it's pretty much what we expect from a 276 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:48,360 Speaker 1: player to have these struggles and then you hope that 277 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:50,760 Speaker 1: they figure it out. It did seem like Matt Shaw 278 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 1: figured something out. 279 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 2: I don't think. I don't. 280 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: I think we can have two separate conversations about keeping 281 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 1: at Shaw and the potential of signing Alex Bregmant. I 282 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 1: know it seems complicated, and it is like the sequence 283 00:16:08,400 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 1: of events to make it all work would be interesting. 284 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 1: You know that that that's that's something that I think 285 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 1: would have to focus on more if it becomes closer 286 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:22,920 Speaker 1: to reality. But right now, you know, it's I think 287 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:26,400 Speaker 1: it's what front offices say a lot, like you just 288 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 1: can't rule out certain situations just because it seems like, well, 289 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 1: how does that work. It's like when when we have 290 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 1: these debates of like, well, where is that prospect going 291 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:37,040 Speaker 1: to play? Like they have too many shortstops. It's like 292 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:39,720 Speaker 1: these things have a way of working themselves out. If 293 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:42,160 Speaker 1: you have an opportunity to get a really impactful player 294 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:46,240 Speaker 1: and bring them into your onto your roster. And and 295 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 1: Alex Bregman's multi dimensional here. 296 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 2: Uh. 297 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: They they believe he's going to age well, they believe 298 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 1: he's a you know, he is a great defender, a 299 00:16:56,520 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 1: at a good position. Uh he he can it. And 300 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 1: then there's the intangible value that they they love, that 301 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:07,480 Speaker 1: they want that they have a strong clubhouse culture. They 302 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:12,360 Speaker 1: have someone that can you know, improve that dynamic that 303 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:15,920 Speaker 1: they already value. So you know, I think there's ways 304 00:17:16,280 --> 00:17:19,400 Speaker 1: for it to work. It is not I don't think 305 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:22,359 Speaker 1: we were suggesting that Matshaw has to be traded when 306 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:26,240 Speaker 1: when we pointed out the potential of Alex Bregman. But 307 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:29,359 Speaker 1: I understand where those leaps come from. But that's not 308 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 1: that that just isn't how this front office is working 309 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:37,359 Speaker 1: unless they're getting an under control player in return or 310 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 1: an impact player in return. 311 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 2: That like, it just doesn't seem to make sense to 312 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:43,480 Speaker 2: move him right now. 313 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:47,000 Speaker 1: And I think Carter said it best, like that's how 314 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:48,600 Speaker 1: that front office thinks. 315 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 2: H they're not going to give up. 316 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:55,159 Speaker 1: They did that deal last year, right, and they're not 317 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:57,120 Speaker 1: going to do it that that's not the way they 318 00:17:57,640 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 1: that that that's not a yearly occurrent. 319 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 2: It's just not going to be the way they do things. 320 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:04,080 Speaker 2: And I understand. 321 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:07,400 Speaker 1: I think I think Matt Shaw's really like he impressed 322 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 1: me with his defense, and he impressed me with his 323 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:14,040 Speaker 1: ability to handle some pretty low lows and go out 324 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:14,920 Speaker 1: there and make adjustments. 325 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:15,920 Speaker 2: He's he's a tinker. 326 00:18:16,040 --> 00:18:17,720 Speaker 1: It seems like he said, we're going to see a 327 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:22,200 Speaker 1: lot of different batting stances in mechanical adjustments from him. 328 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:24,160 Speaker 1: It's just kind of like there are players like that, 329 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:26,880 Speaker 1: and there are players like that who thrive because. 330 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:29,400 Speaker 2: You know, that's how that's how it works for them. 331 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:32,200 Speaker 1: But I you know, I don't think we're going to 332 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:35,760 Speaker 1: be seeing them giving away Matt Shaw anytime soon. 333 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:37,640 Speaker 4: No, I mean they've been. 334 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:43,040 Speaker 3: We spent understandably a lot of time on Bregman, but 335 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 3: pitching remains the focus. And acquiring that pitching, you know, 336 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 3: from our understanding, will not involve trading Shaw. So then 337 00:18:55,800 --> 00:19:00,199 Speaker 3: it becomes look Jeded said, he wants at least one 338 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 3: un sort of established starter to plug into the rotation. 339 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:09,679 Speaker 3: We've mentioned these free agents before, the King gallon Ami. 340 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 3: That seems to be what they're looking at. Maybe there's 341 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 3: another name we've missed, but that seems to be the focus. 342 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:24,359 Speaker 3: There is that trademarket that they've explored last summer and 343 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:30,919 Speaker 3: didn't come away with any real, real impactful pitching. And 344 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:32,879 Speaker 3: then the bullpen. I mean you wrote about this the 345 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:37,239 Speaker 3: other day of like a closer type and this has 346 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:39,120 Speaker 3: sort of summed up a lot of this offseason. They've 347 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:43,360 Speaker 3: been sort of circling a lot of these names, I'm 348 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:50,480 Speaker 3: assuming not Ds and the Dodgers, but whether there's begone, 349 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:55,400 Speaker 3: we went back the Reds, Fairbanks, they've sort of been 350 00:19:55,440 --> 00:20:01,640 Speaker 3: around Hellsley. They checked in. We didn't get in a 351 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:08,440 Speaker 3: great sense of Devin Williams, like maybe cursory and not seriously. 352 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 3: So there's still some names out there. And I Jed 353 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 3: certainly did not rule out the idea of adding sort 354 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 3: of a save getter to use a to borrow a 355 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:21,440 Speaker 3: Craig Council term. 356 00:20:22,119 --> 00:20:25,679 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I thought council, you know, council. 357 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:29,560 Speaker 1: When he brought up it was unprompted, if I'm remembering correctly, 358 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:32,159 Speaker 1: It just like, well, we have to add to the bullpen. 359 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:35,719 Speaker 1: He basically don't have a bull been like it's like 360 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:40,960 Speaker 1: there's two guys that that he could trust, really and frankly, 361 00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:43,320 Speaker 1: like if you saw if you watch Porter Hodge in 362 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four, you thought you could trust him in 363 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five, and that didn't happen. So all the 364 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:51,680 Speaker 1: respect for the work Daniel Palentci had put in and 365 00:20:51,840 --> 00:20:56,680 Speaker 1: the pitching performances he delivered this past season, I wouldn't 366 00:20:56,680 --> 00:21:00,639 Speaker 1: say he's a guarantee It. Council even said, like we 367 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:03,919 Speaker 1: you know, they were wrong going into the season about 368 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:05,600 Speaker 1: who was going to be the key who were going 369 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: to be the key contributors to the bullpen. It's really 370 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:12,040 Speaker 1: hard to to to get that right. So you take 371 00:21:12,119 --> 00:21:16,040 Speaker 1: a you'd like one more like a guy that you 372 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: feel brings some stability, and then it's going to be 373 00:21:18,880 --> 00:21:20,960 Speaker 1: a lot of bites at the apple, like they're they're 374 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:24,919 Speaker 1: going to spread this around it and it's going to 375 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:29,399 Speaker 1: be players. And I probably say this once every other episode, uh, 376 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:33,160 Speaker 1: and and bring it up a lot during the season. Uh, 377 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:34,920 Speaker 1: we just don't know what you're going to get from 378 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:35,440 Speaker 1: a bullpen. 379 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:36,120 Speaker 2: Uh. 380 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:38,840 Speaker 1: It's really hard to predict that these are the most 381 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:44,320 Speaker 1: volatile like players and maybe all of sports. Uh, it's 382 00:21:44,440 --> 00:21:47,720 Speaker 1: just they're going to have to figure it out and 383 00:21:47,720 --> 00:21:50,879 Speaker 1: and hope that they hit and and they they've been 384 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 1: pretty good in the past. Uh, it hasn't been perfect, 385 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 1: and there have been some seasons where it's stung them. 386 00:21:57,280 --> 00:21:59,919 Speaker 1: So I think that's why we're seeing is signing like Maydan, 387 00:22:00,320 --> 00:22:05,760 Speaker 1: and we'll probably see one more solid veteran added, but 388 00:22:06,040 --> 00:22:08,479 Speaker 1: the rest is going to be spread out and and 389 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:11,720 Speaker 1: you know that there's interest in bringing back some of 390 00:22:11,720 --> 00:22:14,159 Speaker 1: the guys that they had, but you know that's not 391 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:17,520 Speaker 1: even a guarantee as far as their performance next year. 392 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:19,480 Speaker 2: So well, we'll see how they handle that. 393 00:22:20,680 --> 00:22:24,040 Speaker 1: I do think it's a it's going an incredibly important 394 00:22:24,080 --> 00:22:27,080 Speaker 1: part of the of the team, but it's just it's 395 00:22:27,119 --> 00:22:30,440 Speaker 1: not going to be spending record amounts of money to 396 00:22:30,520 --> 00:22:33,080 Speaker 1: go gett An Edwin Diaz or or break the bank 397 00:22:33,160 --> 00:22:34,160 Speaker 1: to get Devin Williams. 398 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:36,480 Speaker 2: Right, they just weren't that. Those aren't the types. 399 00:22:36,280 --> 00:22:41,679 Speaker 1: Of moves they make there, even if they're spent treating 400 00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:43,560 Speaker 1: it a little differently than years past. 401 00:22:44,560 --> 00:22:46,320 Speaker 4: Yeah, we don't know exactly. 402 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:52,320 Speaker 3: What the budget is, but I'm curious to see how they 403 00:22:53,359 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 3: can you add under the current parameters, like an everyday 404 00:22:59,119 --> 00:23:04,639 Speaker 3: type play, proven hitter, a you know, number two or 405 00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:11,199 Speaker 3: number three type starter and like a lateening leverage reliever 406 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:14,520 Speaker 3: with with a track record like fitting all three of 407 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:20,600 Speaker 3: those things in. I don't know, we'll see they're like. 408 00:23:20,680 --> 00:23:23,640 Speaker 3: I guess kind of time will tell. I guess they don't. 409 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 3: It's not all money either. There are different ways via 410 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:32,439 Speaker 3: trade to maybe accomplish that. But I think that just 411 00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:35,960 Speaker 3: shows why we've been kind of you know, talking in 412 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:38,520 Speaker 3: circles a little bit after being in this like Winter 413 00:23:38,600 --> 00:23:43,520 Speaker 3: meetings bubble of you know, there's just a lot, a 414 00:23:43,560 --> 00:23:50,760 Speaker 3: lot of different ways this could go. And you it's 415 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:54,840 Speaker 3: also important to remember too of where they're coming from versus 416 00:23:54,920 --> 00:23:58,320 Speaker 3: these last couple of years of building or being stuck. 417 00:23:58,040 --> 00:24:01,280 Speaker 4: In that eighty three win territory. 418 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:04,439 Speaker 3: Uh that they they now have, they have a they 419 00:24:04,440 --> 00:24:06,760 Speaker 3: have a nice club, they have a pretty solid foundation, 420 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:11,359 Speaker 3: but you know, those are three pretty big items still 421 00:24:11,400 --> 00:24:16,280 Speaker 3: to go here. When you're talking about you know, maybe 422 00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:21,399 Speaker 3: Bregman or some hit or that's not quite thinking of yet. 423 00:24:22,359 --> 00:24:24,360 Speaker 4: Uh, you know one of those starters. 424 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:26,400 Speaker 3: Who could you know, really perform in a playoff game, 425 00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:28,200 Speaker 3: and a guy who could close out a playoff game 426 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:31,720 Speaker 3: like those are you know, not those players are you 427 00:24:31,760 --> 00:24:32,520 Speaker 3: know somewhat. 428 00:24:32,280 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 1: Rare exactly yeah, well, yeah, they don't come by cheap. 429 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:43,080 Speaker 1: We'll see if we get more clarity, uh one more, 430 00:24:43,119 --> 00:24:45,560 Speaker 1: I mean there's not people like you said, people are 431 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 1: starting to leave uh and and head out of Orlando here. 432 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:53,040 Speaker 1: But hopefully there's a little more clarity by the end 433 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:56,359 Speaker 1: of the week. Maybe there's a move or two. You know, 434 00:24:57,000 --> 00:24:59,200 Speaker 1: who knows if they get one done by the end 435 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:02,000 Speaker 1: of this week. But there should be some action before 436 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:05,399 Speaker 1: the holidays, you would hope. But it certainly has slowed 437 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:07,640 Speaker 1: down a little bit and we'll see what the rest 438 00:25:07,640 --> 00:25:10,640 Speaker 1: of the week holds holds for us. Thanks so much 439 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:12,680 Speaker 1: for listening everyone. This is north Side Territory. Make sure 440 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:15,960 Speaker 1: to rate, review, subscribe, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and 441 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:18,399 Speaker 1: subscribe to The Athletic where Patrick and Iron top of 442 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:21,040 Speaker 1: all things Cubs. We'll be back with another episode this 443 00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:23,000 Speaker 1: week and hopefully some action from the Cubs. 444 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:24,399 Speaker 2: Thanks everyone, Take care,