1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,520 Speaker 1: If I'm in the trying to Blue Jays front office, 2 00:00:02,520 --> 00:00:04,200 Speaker 1: I'm like, who are the Cubs? What do they think 3 00:00:04,280 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: that they're like better than you know? To you? 4 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:18,440 Speaker 2: Welcome into North Side Territory Foul Territory Network's Cubs podcast. 5 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:21,920 Speaker 2: I'm Sahadev Sharma with my co host Patrick Mooney. We're 6 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 2: both beat writers for the Cubs at the Athletic. Thanks 7 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:29,800 Speaker 2: for listening. Make sure to rate reviews, subscribe all that 8 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 2: stuff that you do with podcasts. Read our work over 9 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:35,520 Speaker 2: at the Athletic because you're gonna want to complain about 10 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:39,239 Speaker 2: the Cubs, because that's that is the thing to do 11 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:44,840 Speaker 2: right now. And who can blame you? This team lost 12 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 2: in heartbreaking fashion yet again, can't drive runners in, can't 13 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 2: come up with big outs from the bullpen. I think yesterday, 14 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:58,240 Speaker 2: you know Tuesday's loss. People want to the people that 15 00:00:58,280 --> 00:01:01,120 Speaker 2: are focusing on the bullpen or missing the bigger picture here. 16 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 2: This this team is in a rut when it comes 17 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 2: to runners in scoring position. They got ten hits and 18 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:10,600 Speaker 2: scored two runs. They need to they need to do 19 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 2: more with those those hits. They need to the you know, 20 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 2: a council said it, Uh, what do you say? I 21 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:19,920 Speaker 2: think he said two runs ain't gonna cut it. That's 22 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:22,759 Speaker 2: kind of how he how he wrapped up his his 23 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 2: summation of the offense. They're they're not hitting with runners 24 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:29,399 Speaker 2: in scoring position. Look, look, this this team is probably 25 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:34,119 Speaker 2: you know, better than their record states or should be 26 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 2: better than their record states. They're not better than their 27 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 2: record states that they are what they are. And I 28 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 2: don't think they're playing better than their record states. They 29 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:46,399 Speaker 2: should be better. They expectations were higher, uh and and 30 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:49,559 Speaker 2: they're not good enough right now. So I think it's 31 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 2: natural for us to get to a point like how 32 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 2: do they improve and not just for the beyond in 33 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 2: the future and avoid situation like this where we're talking 34 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 2: about bad starts and everything. I'm talking about as soon 35 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 2: as possible, right And that was kind of my question 36 00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 2: to Craig Council in pregame yesterday, Patrick was how how 37 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:19,360 Speaker 2: much are you guys talking about improving this team externally 38 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 2: and in council? You know, you know how he is, 39 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 2: He's not He's he's very down to earth with how 40 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 2: he looks at things. He doesn't take like these insane 41 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:38,080 Speaker 2: like he's not reactionary. Yeah, yeah, he just so so 42 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 2: he he was like, look it, that's their job to 43 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:48,239 Speaker 2: constantly look at look for ways to improve the team. Essentially, 44 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:51,680 Speaker 2: he you know, he's like, we're having those conversations constantly. 45 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 2: But he also pointed out he's like the trade deadline. 46 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 2: He's like, you guys are always ready to start the 47 00:02:57,240 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 2: trade deadline way too early, Like it's just not how 48 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 2: it works. And he's listen, when I ask those questions, 49 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:06,080 Speaker 2: I'm asking them because I'm curious what their point of 50 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 2: view is and how he looks at it. Right, I 51 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:14,519 Speaker 2: don't expect them to make a trade today. The Dodgers 52 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:18,080 Speaker 2: just traded for Kevin Bigio. That guy was dfaid. The 53 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 2: Cubs have traded for Tyson Miller. That guy was dfaid. 54 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:25,519 Speaker 2: There's been one big trade by the lone gunslinger left 55 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:28,120 Speaker 2: in baseball outside of Dave Debraski right, A. J. Preller 56 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:30,240 Speaker 2: and Dave Dobraski. A the guys that you look at 57 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:34,000 Speaker 2: and say, Okay, they don't care about I shouldn't say 58 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 2: they don't care about They're not as attached to this 59 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:42,119 Speaker 2: value that everyone in front offices are obsessed with. Right, 60 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:46,119 Speaker 2: you know what I mean? Like Cleveland, Tampa, Bay, Milwaukee, 61 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 2: Who's you know, not really running away with the division, 62 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 2: but leading the division and continues to impress despite losing 63 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 2: their manager, trading Corbyn Burns, losing their closer whoever else 64 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 2: they lost, Brandon would Ruff is hurt. So you know, 65 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 2: there are very few teams left that act in the 66 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:10,680 Speaker 2: way that the Padres did to make those moves. But 67 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 2: I think it's hard to not start thinking about those 68 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:19,040 Speaker 2: things and figuring out how does this team get better 69 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:23,159 Speaker 2: because this is quickly on. This season is quickly unraveling 70 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 2: and turning into one of those irrelevant ears. Yeah. 71 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:31,719 Speaker 1: I read the quote that you put in our story 72 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:35,280 Speaker 1: on the athletic of from Council. I like to think 73 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:38,600 Speaker 1: you guys jumped to trade deadline stuff by about five weeks, 74 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:41,599 Speaker 1: so it's about right. And so I read that with 75 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:46,039 Speaker 1: I can totally picture him delivering that line. I think 76 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 1: in print it probably looks more standoffish than it actually 77 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:53,960 Speaker 1: feels when you're conversing with him. Just to clear that up, 78 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 1: But you make a good point about the rest of 79 00:04:57,240 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 1: the industry. I just think the frustration amongst CUPS fans 80 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:09,479 Speaker 1: is kind of like, well, why is this so paint 81 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 1: by numbers or cookie cutter? Because that's kind of how 82 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:14,480 Speaker 1: it feels at time, and I think we are approaching 83 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 1: that moment where Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins are going 84 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: to have to get out of their comfort zone and 85 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 1: that could mean making a deal that doesn't totally line 86 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:29,600 Speaker 1: up on the value side, but the moment kind of 87 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,279 Speaker 1: demands it. And that's what we got into today on 88 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: the Athletic our kind of trade deadline primer of just 89 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 1: three early storylines that we have on our radar. We 90 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 1: can go in any order you want here, But since 91 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 1: we're talking about Jed and Carter, I think it's kind 92 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: of on them to deliver. And Jed Hoyer was on 93 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:57,839 Speaker 1: six seventy, the team's flagship this week, talking about efficiency 94 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:02,720 Speaker 1: and how everything can't be done externally. But I think 95 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:04,880 Speaker 1: what jumped out at both of us is we're looking 96 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:08,400 Speaker 1: for upgrades externally and that is it period. Of course, 97 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 1: there's other stuff executives say about you know it all, 98 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 1: you know it all can be done from the outside. 99 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:18,320 Speaker 1: Of course, you can't, you know, swap out twenty six 100 00:06:18,440 --> 00:06:22,040 Speaker 1: for twenty six. But there are like areas of this 101 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 1: roster that are just screaming for upgrades, and like catchers 102 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:30,680 Speaker 1: are kind of like offensive linemen, right, Like, you just 103 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:32,720 Speaker 1: don't really want to notice them, you know. It's like 104 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:34,680 Speaker 1: the offensive lineman they give up a huge sack or 105 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:42,039 Speaker 1: penalty and everyone's circling them on the telestrader. These catching errors, miscues, 106 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:48,400 Speaker 1: lapses are coming up an awful lot in low scoring, 107 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:51,920 Speaker 1: close games, to the point where this is kind of untenable. 108 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 3: FT is headed to the MLB All Star Game this year, 109 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 3: and there's only one way you should be finding tickets 110 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:57,920 Speaker 3: for any ball game. 111 00:06:58,279 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 2: Seat geek is the. 112 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:02,159 Speaker 3: Official ticket marketplace of Major League Baseball, so they have 113 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:04,559 Speaker 3: you covered for all of your baseball ticket needs. 114 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:06,920 Speaker 4: I'm super pumped to hit the Futures Game this year. 115 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 4: That new skills competition looks electric. 116 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 3: I agree, Kratz, It's like the Olympics for baseball. Cannot 117 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 3: wait to see that. 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That's twenty bucks off your first purchase with 128 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:45,360 Speaker 3: promo code fo ul. Make sure you click the link 129 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 3: in the description to download the app. Please. 130 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it happened again yesterday. There was there 131 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 2: was runners on second and third. I think Lighter was 132 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 2: in or was it Wisnasky. I can't keep track of 133 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 2: who was in, but uh, it was a pitch in 134 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 2: the dirt. Amaya kind of blocks it, but it gets 135 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 2: kind of a little bit behind him, right, but not 136 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 2: that far away. The runners aren't moving and Amaya can't 137 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 2: find it, and he kicks the ball and I know 138 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 2: that's probably not you know, like an egregious catcher mistake, 139 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 2: right that that's kind of bad luck. But when you 140 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 2: add everything up, it just like feels like, man, they're 141 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 2: just not doing anything right. Like here's here's another nitpicky 142 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:33,960 Speaker 2: thing where I wouldn't I wouldn't even bring this up 143 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:38,520 Speaker 2: if it weren't for seemingly every single game, something's going 144 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:42,760 Speaker 2: on with the catchers. Yesterday, two outs, Cody Bellinger hit 145 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:46,480 Speaker 2: ripped a double into the corner with Amaya on first 146 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 2: two outs, run around first double into the corner. You'd 147 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:54,439 Speaker 2: hope a run scores there. It's I get it, it's 148 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 2: the catcher. I don't want it to seem like I'm 149 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 2: picking on a Maaya. He's not. He's what Him and 150 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,680 Speaker 2: Gomes are probably the slowest guys on the team. But 151 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:05,440 Speaker 2: it's just like this. It's like always you look up 152 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:08,640 Speaker 2: and it's like, oh, the catcher is costing them a run, 153 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 2: either allowing a run to score, or unable to score 154 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:13,600 Speaker 2: a run or unable to come up with a big hit. 155 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:19,199 Speaker 2: It feels like when when that happens, where every other 156 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:22,240 Speaker 2: game you're looking up and you're seeing something like that happen. 157 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:26,400 Speaker 2: It's happening too many times, and it's happening like a 158 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:30,080 Speaker 2: couple of times. You can excuse it, especially if they're 159 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 2: producing in other ways. But right now, the catchers just 160 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 2: aren't doing enough. I don't I think like a minor 161 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:41,199 Speaker 2: upgrade there, or like an upgrade in a very specific way, 162 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 2: whether it be just like certain aspects of defense just 163 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 2: slightly below league average offense, stuff like that. Something that 164 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:55,800 Speaker 2: most teams would look at it and it's like, I 165 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:58,720 Speaker 2: don't see how that's an upgrade. But when you're when 166 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 2: you have a catching dual like this that's struggling so mightily, 167 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 2: you have to look at how do you how do 168 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:05,360 Speaker 2: you take care of this? 169 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 1: I mean, this to me is a matter of when 170 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 1: it happens, not if it happens. I think you know 171 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 1: you run the numbers and offensively defensively, they're in that 172 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 1: twenty eighth to thirtieth range in baseball on both sides 173 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 1: of the ball. Just that can't happen, particularly on a 174 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 1: team like this that doesn't have the greatest margin for error. 175 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 1: And so like, what if one of these guys gets 176 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:36,320 Speaker 1: hit with a foul tip or like gets hit by 177 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:39,880 Speaker 1: a pitch, like there's not a lot at Iowa either, 178 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:42,400 Speaker 1: that's going to make you feel great. And to put 179 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: either one of these catchers in a position where they 180 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:49,719 Speaker 1: have to carry it even heavier workload just isn't realistic. 181 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 1: So that that to me, I mean, even the best 182 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 1: of times, the Covenant are usually looking for a third 183 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 1: catcher at the trade deadline, right whether it's was it 184 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:02,840 Speaker 1: Maldonado or a rivera whoever. It was like, you want 185 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:04,920 Speaker 1: those last two months of the season to have some 186 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 1: sort of solid backstop there, Alex Sabila, I guess that 187 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:13,000 Speaker 1: was after getting rid of Montero. I'm rambling about random 188 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 1: kind of extra cups catchers, but clearly it's front of mind. 189 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 1: I think we need to get to the question of 190 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 1: where is the star? Where is the guy who anchors 191 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:29,200 Speaker 1: all of this? We are going to be hearing a 192 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:36,480 Speaker 1: lot about Pete Alonzo Vlad Guerrero Junior. And to me, 193 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: this is one that I think could ultimately define this 194 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:46,520 Speaker 1: front office. And you know, do they kind of jump 195 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:50,320 Speaker 1: out and get a guy who can also help you 196 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:53,719 Speaker 1: next year? Does that make it more? You know, can 197 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 1: you stomach you know, giving up more of your precious 198 00:11:56,600 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 1: prospects if you have another year? And to me, like, 199 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 1: if I'm in the Toronto Blue Jays front office, I'm like, 200 00:12:04,080 --> 00:12:05,760 Speaker 1: who are the cubs? What do they think that they're 201 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 1: like better than us? You know, like what would be 202 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:12,400 Speaker 1: selling to you? However, if it does come to that, 203 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:17,200 Speaker 1: like to melag lad's a guy you gotta jump on, 204 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:19,719 Speaker 1: Like I don't care if Owen Casey hits forty home 205 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 1: runs six years from now in one season, Like unless 206 00:12:23,520 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 1: there's something in your due diligence about that you think 207 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:31,720 Speaker 1: Flad's a bad fit or that some there's some sort 208 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:35,160 Speaker 1: of cliff that you can see already. But otherwise, if 209 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 1: a guy is basically Christopher Morrell's age and could benefit 210 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:43,000 Speaker 1: from a change of scenery and has Hall of Fame 211 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: bloodlines and like MVP caliber seasons on his resume, like 212 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:51,200 Speaker 1: that is kind of a no brainer. There are not 213 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:54,960 Speaker 1: many prospects in this farm system that I'm you know, 214 00:12:55,400 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 1: clutching to forever. Like I think this is a moment 215 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:03,679 Speaker 1: where you can get that star because if you don't 216 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:05,880 Speaker 1: do it on the trade market, like those free agents 217 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 1: don't always come around. I mean you you were on 218 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:10,840 Speaker 1: Raphael Devers a while ago, Like as soon as that happened, 219 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:12,960 Speaker 1: like Cups, who'd be like, oh man, that guy would 220 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:15,840 Speaker 1: have been a great fit. It's like, well, it didn't 221 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: come close to your zip code, right, So, like this 222 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 1: is an opportunity. There are not many times on the calendar. 223 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:27,320 Speaker 1: Jed Hoyras said this himself of when you can be transactional, 224 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 1: and this to me could be a defining window for 225 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:31,040 Speaker 1: this administration. 226 00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean and Patrick you're talking about like a 227 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:38,719 Speaker 2: high cost, right. I was thinking about it, like, if 228 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 2: you're getting a rental, that's not going to cost as 229 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,840 Speaker 2: much as people want to think. Like, think about all 230 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:47,560 Speaker 2: the rentals that the Cubs have traded. They didn't get 231 00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 2: any players that were ranked in the top one hundred 232 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:55,200 Speaker 2: at the time, right, they got they got guys that, hey, 233 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:57,640 Speaker 2: they did a great job. They got like Peter Armstrong 234 00:13:57,800 --> 00:14:01,360 Speaker 2: was hurt at the time, right, Nick Madrigal was hurt 235 00:14:01,640 --> 00:14:05,960 Speaker 2: at the time. They got a reliever along with Nick Madrigal. 236 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:11,320 Speaker 2: Uh Al contra uhhh uh Owen Casey was the was 237 00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 2: the winter before and that was for two years of darbish, right, 238 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 2: wasn't it three? Yeah? So I mean they didn't extend it. Yeah, 239 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:24,600 Speaker 2: but that was a weird time. That was a weird 240 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 2: time in the country right in general, just with COVID 241 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:31,920 Speaker 2: and everything and money being an issue for for the 242 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:35,160 Speaker 2: Cubs being I'm using air quotes being an issue. Uh, 243 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 2: but like these the cost to get these guys that 244 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 2: are rentals is just not as high as as uh 245 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:48,120 Speaker 2: we sometimes assume. Here's something that I found interesting. I 246 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 2: looked up what it what it was to get Trey 247 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 2: Turner and Max Scherzer. So a couple months of Max 248 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:55,640 Speaker 2: Sureser and a year and a half of Trey Turner. 249 00:14:55,680 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 2: So that's a guy, a stud pitcher and stud shortstop. Yeah, right, 250 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:06,200 Speaker 2: two studs. It was to top one hundred prospects in 251 00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:09,360 Speaker 2: the back half, not like top ten prospects, not even 252 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 2: top twenty five prospects. Kaber Ruiz and Josiah Gray, and 253 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 2: I'm pretty sure Gray's like stock was going down by 254 00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 2: middle of the season, but preseason they were both like 255 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:22,560 Speaker 2: in the fifties in most publications, right, and those are. 256 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 1: Two players who might be like two of the ten 257 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 1: best in baseball at. 258 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 2: That moment, right, yeah, oh yeah, those yeah. 259 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:32,480 Speaker 1: Those the best players in the world at that moment, right, 260 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:34,239 Speaker 1: to top one hundred prospects. 261 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, two top one hundred prospects and two squires, two 262 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 2: minor leaguers that I had, like I looked up. Maybe 263 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 2: they're better now. I haven't looked that much detailed, but 264 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 2: I haven't heard of them. They're not like these elite 265 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 2: prospects even now years later. So it just it's the 266 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 2: type of move right now where the system is at. 267 00:15:57,360 --> 00:16:00,000 Speaker 2: I felt it in the off season. I don't really 268 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 2: know if there was that move that they felt they 269 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:06,720 Speaker 2: should make, Soto was probably that move right, but they 270 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 2: just didn't. They weren't ready to go there. I don't 271 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:12,080 Speaker 2: know when when it is when, when's the right time 272 00:16:12,200 --> 00:16:15,560 Speaker 2: if it's not like if the player is available, if 273 00:16:15,560 --> 00:16:19,160 Speaker 2: that player that's available beyond this season, that's under contract 274 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 2: beyond the season, is available at the deadline, they have 275 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 2: the depth, they have the talent. You need to be 276 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 2: aggressive at a certain point. These players just aren't going 277 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:33,040 Speaker 2: to be as valuable to you. Yes, you don't have 278 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 2: enough playing time, you don't have the spots on the roster. 279 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:41,360 Speaker 2: You have veterans under contract that you need to play 280 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 2: and that need to produce. That's kind of what Jed 281 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 2: Hoyer is also saying when he says internal improvements, He's 282 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 2: absolutely right they need to be better, Like these players 283 00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 2: need to be better that they have on their roster, 284 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 2: but they also need to go find ways to solidify 285 00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 2: this roster. I just don't I just don't think being 286 00:17:01,960 --> 00:17:05,720 Speaker 2: patient and wading out with the prospects makes much sense 287 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:11,399 Speaker 2: for much longer you have about this deadline and next offseason, 288 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:14,879 Speaker 2: and if you have not used that system beyond just 289 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:18,639 Speaker 2: to produce talent for your own organization, like just you know, 290 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:21,320 Speaker 2: to have them play in the big leagues. I think 291 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:24,119 Speaker 2: you've made a misstep. There's no way all these guys, 292 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 2: where's Owen Casey, Kevin o'contra, Pete Crow Armstrong, Jefferson Rohause, 293 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:32,920 Speaker 2: Moises Bellia Steros. Where are they all playing? Like when 294 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:36,480 Speaker 2: you have Michael Bush and Nico Horner and Dansby Swanson 295 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 2: and Christopher Morrell and Ian Hap and Cody Bellinger and 296 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:43,119 Speaker 2: Saye Suzuki, Like, at a certain point you have to wonder, like, 297 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 2: what's going on? I probably missed a couple prospects in 298 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:49,440 Speaker 2: that discussion. You have secondary pieces that are on fire 299 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:53,120 Speaker 2: right now, like Alexander Canario and Brennan Davis. Like those 300 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 2: are pieces. They're not superstars anymore, right. You don't look 301 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,760 Speaker 2: at them as as like the pure Bill Bilding blocks 302 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:02,680 Speaker 2: at the heart of an order. But they are also 303 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:06,640 Speaker 2: valuable in a sense that at a certain point you've 304 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 2: got to start moving these guys. You've got to start 305 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:11,639 Speaker 2: being aggressive at the deadline. They kind of were last year, 306 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:14,919 Speaker 2: right in a sense that they were buzz has. 307 00:18:14,840 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 1: Kind of faded. The guys you just mentioned there. 308 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:20,199 Speaker 2: Right, Right, those guys aren't superstar prospects, but it's just 309 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 2: like they're the type of guy that you move like that. 310 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 2: They've become the types of guys that are the second 311 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:28,720 Speaker 2: or three piece in a deal. Right, So it's just 312 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:32,680 Speaker 2: like you got to start start looking to find ways 313 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:36,439 Speaker 2: you're not giving these prospects away. I'm not saying they're valueless. 314 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,439 Speaker 2: I'm saying you need to be aggressive and smart and 315 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:43,679 Speaker 2: find opportunities to improve this club now and hopefully for 316 00:18:43,760 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 2: the future. 317 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:49,280 Speaker 1: And even those guys you're talking about, like what is 318 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:51,680 Speaker 1: their peak years are going to be like twenty twenty eight, 319 00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:54,879 Speaker 1: twenty twenty nine, right, I mean, like what sort of 320 00:18:55,359 --> 00:19:01,760 Speaker 1: like at that point, you know, twelve thirteen years after 321 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:05,160 Speaker 1: your last World Series title, And you know, I get 322 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 1: what Jed's saying, like, certainly there's a cost to all 323 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 1: of the short term deals that they did after the 324 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:17,520 Speaker 1: World Series, but to me, that was an issue of 325 00:19:17,640 --> 00:19:23,080 Speaker 1: not being ready to backfill that. You know. Part of 326 00:19:23,119 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: that was the beginning of Theo's time here was how 327 00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:33,119 Speaker 1: conservative they're kind of pitching procurement philosophy was it was 328 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:35,000 Speaker 1: the chicken or the chicken or the egg thing of 329 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:37,800 Speaker 1: like they drafting the wrong players, were they not coaching 330 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:39,720 Speaker 1: him up the right way? That there was clearly kind 331 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:44,359 Speaker 1: of a disconnect that Tommy hot Tovey ultimately helped a bridge, 332 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:47,520 Speaker 1: and you know, later on Craig Breslo kind of ramping 333 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 1: up the stuff and then some of their other programs. 334 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:54,160 Speaker 1: But like when you look at who they gave up, 335 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 1: I mean, Eloy Jimenez was who they thought he was, 336 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 1: you know, basic the designated hitter who has trouble staying healthy. Obviously, 337 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:10,200 Speaker 1: Dylan Cees has had some awesome moments and outperformed their 338 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 1: thoughts of he's probably a lading reliever, like, of course, 339 00:20:13,560 --> 00:20:15,399 Speaker 1: but he wasn't going to help you when you were 340 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 1: making the NLCS, Like it took him a while to 341 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:22,520 Speaker 1: get up and running and wasn't lights out every single 342 00:20:22,600 --> 00:20:24,920 Speaker 1: year from the White Sox. And then after that, it's 343 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:27,600 Speaker 1: like Isaac Parades is a really nice player who'd be 344 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:29,159 Speaker 1: great right now. And that was a guy when they 345 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:32,960 Speaker 1: gave up in the I believe Justin Wilson Alexabila deal 346 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:36,000 Speaker 1: like that was a good scouting move by the Tigers, 347 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:39,199 Speaker 1: but he ultimately blossomed with the Rays, not the Tigers, 348 00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:42,680 Speaker 1: and then you know, Alex Lang has had some moments 349 00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:46,720 Speaker 1: with the Tigers, but Nick Cassianos was awesome. Like, I 350 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:52,240 Speaker 1: just don't see the like, oh my god, they traded 351 00:20:52,240 --> 00:20:55,400 Speaker 1: some future Hall of Famer for nothing, Like, No, they 352 00:20:55,440 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 1: made a lot of really good deals. And that's why 353 00:20:59,240 --> 00:21:02,639 Speaker 1: I think some of it is just stuff Jed says 354 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:05,160 Speaker 1: on the radio of like, you know, these are kind 355 00:21:05,160 --> 00:21:08,520 Speaker 1: of things thoughts in their mind. I ultimately don't think 356 00:21:08,560 --> 00:21:13,240 Speaker 1: that will prevent them because they have been pretty good 357 00:21:13,359 --> 00:21:16,639 Speaker 1: at making those moves to upgrade the team mid season, 358 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 1: and this is a roster that's kind of streaming out 359 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:24,000 Speaker 1: for it, and ultimately, these are the guys that they've picked. 360 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:28,280 Speaker 1: This is a handpicked roster and that like if you 361 00:21:28,320 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 1: don't believe in them, then why should anyone else? 362 00:21:31,800 --> 00:21:35,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, ultimately, I think when when we talk 363 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:38,919 Speaker 2: about this and we listen to what Jed's saying, I 364 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:43,640 Speaker 2: think he wants to be careful to not trade the 365 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:47,360 Speaker 2: wrong He wants to trade the right guys, right, Yeah. Yeah, 366 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:50,199 Speaker 2: But it like at the time, like say we go 367 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:53,200 Speaker 2: back to the Kintana trade, they all knew they had 368 00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:56,480 Speaker 2: no one else in the system. Those two guys. It 369 00:21:56,560 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 2: was Eloy and see after that, it was nothing else 370 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:02,600 Speaker 2: they had to and they were in desperation mode. I mean, 371 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:05,959 Speaker 2: how long had THEO in the background talk to us 372 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:09,359 Speaker 2: about how we have to find a cost control starter 373 00:22:09,560 --> 00:22:12,000 Speaker 2: somehow we either have to develop this guy or we 374 00:22:12,040 --> 00:22:17,639 Speaker 2: need to trade for it. Yeah, yeah, right, Katana's contract 375 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 2: allowed them to sign Darbish. It had been just like 376 00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 2: I've been talking, I've been talking about the middle of 377 00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:27,080 Speaker 2: the order BAT for year, for years. Now, that's what 378 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:29,919 Speaker 2: that was. This is the next thing, right that it 379 00:22:30,040 --> 00:22:32,920 Speaker 2: was back then. Back then it was finding that cost 380 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:36,440 Speaker 2: control starter. Now it's finding that middle of the order BAT. 381 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:40,440 Speaker 2: I like, I don't think I think this is a 382 00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:46,040 Speaker 2: very different situation though, because like I said, they had 383 00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:49,040 Speaker 2: those two guys at the time and then a huge 384 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:52,720 Speaker 2: drop off. They were not producing any even like middle 385 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:57,760 Speaker 2: tier talent. It was like David Body and nothing else. Yeah, 386 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:01,320 Speaker 2: and now you can go through the system and say, like, huh, 387 00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:06,000 Speaker 2: bj Murray's interesting. You know, uh, here's here are like 388 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:10,200 Speaker 2: a list of pictures that are really talented. James Treanto's 389 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:13,720 Speaker 2: isn't like this impact bat, but he's a really talented, 390 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:19,520 Speaker 2: uh you know, really good prospect. They have guys like that, 391 00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:21,200 Speaker 2: and then I mean you can go up and down 392 00:23:21,240 --> 00:23:25,080 Speaker 2: the system and say, like, huh, that guy's interesting. They've 393 00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:27,480 Speaker 2: got a steal in the fifteenth round for a guy 394 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:30,320 Speaker 2: that looks like he's on a trajectory to make a 395 00:23:30,359 --> 00:23:33,560 Speaker 2: major league roster. Sometimes that those things just were not 396 00:23:33,760 --> 00:23:38,119 Speaker 2: happening before. So in a sense like Jed's accomplished something 397 00:23:38,600 --> 00:23:42,439 Speaker 2: that that he's wanted to write like that, they were 398 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:47,000 Speaker 2: unable to under in the THEO years to really create 399 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:49,880 Speaker 2: this system that it's not like, it's not just trades, 400 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:53,320 Speaker 2: it's not just drafting in the top ten. They're they're 401 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:58,560 Speaker 2: able to ab been able to create, uh, get some talent, 402 00:23:58,720 --> 00:24:02,040 Speaker 2: whether it's improvement in player development or amateur scouting or 403 00:24:02,119 --> 00:24:05,439 Speaker 2: a combination of the two. It's a better that's better. 404 00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:08,719 Speaker 2: It's not fixed, it's not perfect. Yeah, they need to 405 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:11,800 Speaker 2: they need to Like this is ultimately it gets back 406 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 2: to what I'm saying, now you need to do now, 407 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:16,679 Speaker 2: you need to do something with it. It can't just 408 00:24:16,760 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 2: be like call up oh in casey and you have 409 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:21,200 Speaker 2: a superstar pat in the middle of the lineup or 410 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 2: something like that. Has to be more right, it has 411 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 2: to be start using these guys to to acquire talent. 412 00:24:28,600 --> 00:24:30,680 Speaker 2: It's not you know, not every team does that. I 413 00:24:30,920 --> 00:24:34,000 Speaker 2: can't think of like it has Baltimore made a blockbuster 414 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:36,560 Speaker 2: I guess they did. They traded for Corbyn Burns. So 415 00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 2: even Baltimore is doing it a very very conservative organization 416 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:43,800 Speaker 2: in the sense that they they love their prospects, that 417 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:47,040 Speaker 2: built through prospects, that built through the draft, and and 418 00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:51,439 Speaker 2: shrewd cell trades primarily to the draft. Through the draft, 419 00:24:51,480 --> 00:24:55,800 Speaker 2: I believe they've done a remarkable job with it. But 420 00:24:56,440 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 2: you have to also use that to your advantage. And 421 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:01,119 Speaker 2: it's not like they gave up nothing for Corbyn Barns. 422 00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:04,119 Speaker 2: Joey Ortiz has been a stud for the Brewers. So 423 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:07,880 Speaker 2: you have to give up talent to get talent. It should. 424 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:10,480 Speaker 2: You have to hope that it pays off. You have 425 00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:14,560 Speaker 2: to you have to be convicted, right, Like maybe Kintana 426 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:18,040 Speaker 2: wasn't the right pitcher to do that for maybe. I mean, 427 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:20,479 Speaker 2: I guess in hindsight we can say, yeah, it probably 428 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:24,360 Speaker 2: wasn't the right guy. That wasn't the right guy, right, 429 00:25:24,760 --> 00:25:27,800 Speaker 2: But you know that they have to like you can't 430 00:25:27,800 --> 00:25:31,320 Speaker 2: be scarred by those moves. You just have to learn 431 00:25:31,359 --> 00:25:34,600 Speaker 2: from them. That doesn't mean you can't make them anymore. 432 00:25:36,040 --> 00:25:37,879 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think it circle back to a good point 433 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:42,359 Speaker 1: you made that to acquire a Pete Alonso, the price 434 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:47,760 Speaker 1: should not be that prohibitive, particularly closer towards the trade deadline, 435 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 1: and that one of the hardest things to find in 436 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:54,600 Speaker 1: the middle of the season is what the Cubs have, 437 00:25:54,760 --> 00:26:01,320 Speaker 1: and that's quality major league pitching. Death that could and 438 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:05,880 Speaker 1: the time this episode publishes, obviously Ben Brown just went 439 00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:10,800 Speaker 1: on the injured list, But broadly speaking, I don't think 440 00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:12,600 Speaker 1: either one of us can remember a time when the 441 00:26:12,640 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 1: Cups said this much like interesting young pitching, not like 442 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:20,120 Speaker 1: knocking on the door, but like you know, walking into 443 00:26:20,119 --> 00:26:25,160 Speaker 1: the clubhouse every day and contributing at the major league level, 444 00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:28,439 Speaker 1: and so that I think gives them a baseline to 445 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:34,760 Speaker 1: be competitive almost every game, means that you probably don't 446 00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:38,280 Speaker 1: have to be as desperate at the trade deadline. But like, 447 00:26:38,480 --> 00:26:42,720 Speaker 1: this is a moment to me that you circle of 448 00:26:42,800 --> 00:26:49,960 Speaker 1: like will the front office deliver, Like can they bring impact, 449 00:26:50,840 --> 00:26:54,600 Speaker 1: make an impact on this roster? And they have the 450 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:59,080 Speaker 1: trade chips to do it, they seemingly have the motivation. 451 00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:04,199 Speaker 1: I think we both have been a little taken Aback 452 00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:11,920 Speaker 1: by how quickly this has turned and how just how 453 00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:15,119 Speaker 1: focused people are right now in the front office. I 454 00:27:15,119 --> 00:27:18,520 Speaker 1: think that's what happens when you change managers. That's what 455 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:21,840 Speaker 1: happens when you get another year into this. And I 456 00:27:21,880 --> 00:27:25,280 Speaker 1: think that has been the balance that Jen Carterff always 457 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:31,359 Speaker 1: understood of like what is like the absolute best version 458 00:27:31,680 --> 00:27:35,920 Speaker 1: of the Cubs? Is that being competitive for X number 459 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:37,880 Speaker 1: of years? Is it kind of going all in for 460 00:27:38,359 --> 00:27:40,360 Speaker 1: a certain year? And how do you find that balance 461 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:44,480 Speaker 1: of like even if you love prospects X, Y, and Z, 462 00:27:44,640 --> 00:27:47,320 Speaker 1: like when are they going to be like ready? Because 463 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 1: they have this major league core that's competent and competitive 464 00:27:51,320 --> 00:27:55,359 Speaker 1: and I think we both would say are pretty professional 465 00:27:55,359 --> 00:27:57,720 Speaker 1: in their outlooks, like in terms of how they prepare 466 00:27:57,880 --> 00:28:02,879 Speaker 1: and how they are baseball rats. Like, how do you 467 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:08,159 Speaker 1: merge those two very different things? Obviously you always need 468 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:12,360 Speaker 1: a supply of young talent coming in, but like, how 469 00:28:12,400 --> 00:28:15,439 Speaker 1: do you get that right synthesis of kind of the 470 00:28:15,520 --> 00:28:18,920 Speaker 1: old and the new and the veteranize and the young 471 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:22,960 Speaker 1: guys who are learning. But that's a hard thing to 472 00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:26,120 Speaker 1: pull off. And that's kind of where I think things 473 00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:28,360 Speaker 1: are gonna collie for the Cubs here over the next 474 00:28:28,359 --> 00:28:29,400 Speaker 1: several weeks. 475 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:32,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, I don't I don't think we're on 476 00:28:33,000 --> 00:28:36,360 Speaker 2: the verge of seeing any moves, any trades that is 477 00:28:36,440 --> 00:28:40,480 Speaker 2: for the Cubs. Maybe something smaller may come in the 478 00:28:40,480 --> 00:28:44,040 Speaker 2: coming weeks, but I would be surprised if anything happens 479 00:28:44,080 --> 00:28:49,080 Speaker 2: before July, anything of significance. So we've still got a 480 00:28:49,120 --> 00:28:51,960 Speaker 2: few weeks before you can really ramp up that talk. 481 00:28:53,400 --> 00:28:57,160 Speaker 2: Council may maybe a little snarky with his five weeks, 482 00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 2: but maybe maybe Sorry, Craig, he's probably he's probably right 483 00:29:02,920 --> 00:29:05,400 Speaker 2: about that in general, Like, we're not going to see 484 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:07,640 Speaker 2: a flood of moves over the next few weeks. It's 485 00:29:07,680 --> 00:29:10,880 Speaker 2: just not how it works, especially with the way the 486 00:29:10,920 --> 00:29:14,920 Speaker 2: game is now, combination of the front offices and and 487 00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:18,680 Speaker 2: the fact that there's three wild cards. Everybody's in it this. Yeah, 488 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:22,200 Speaker 2: Like go look at the standings. There's like five terrible 489 00:29:22,240 --> 00:29:26,240 Speaker 2: teams and then five great teams, and then a bunch 490 00:29:26,240 --> 00:29:29,640 Speaker 2: of mediocrity where the Cubs are stuck. Who's who's going 491 00:29:29,720 --> 00:29:31,840 Speaker 2: to make the move, Who's going to get out of 492 00:29:31,880 --> 00:29:34,360 Speaker 2: the run, Because I guarantee you there's nineteen other fan 493 00:29:34,400 --> 00:29:37,640 Speaker 2: bases that are screaming about how awful their teams are 494 00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:40,640 Speaker 2: right now and how frustrating it is to watch them, 495 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:43,880 Speaker 2: you know, well nineteen because the other five that are 496 00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:46,360 Speaker 2: so bad or just despondent, like white Sox fans, they're 497 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,440 Speaker 2: not even they're not even that they're so upset about 498 00:29:49,440 --> 00:29:51,280 Speaker 2: it that they you know, they've moved on to other 499 00:29:51,320 --> 00:29:59,080 Speaker 2: things in their lives. Uh, yes, exactly. So I mean, 500 00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:03,360 Speaker 2: and we will, We will get to our our fans 501 00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:07,400 Speaker 2: that the Cubs fans that are that are upset, we are. 502 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:14,120 Speaker 2: Hopefully our next podcast will be discussing your questions and concerns, uh, 503 00:30:14,760 --> 00:30:17,160 Speaker 2: because I mean, you guys have a lot, and and 504 00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:22,280 Speaker 2: I get the anger and the frustration. Hopefully. I don't 505 00:30:22,320 --> 00:30:24,640 Speaker 2: know if we can fix that for you, but I 506 00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:27,720 Speaker 2: think we can at least address address them as best 507 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:30,160 Speaker 2: we can and and discuss it. Uh and I and 508 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:35,000 Speaker 2: maybe it can be therapeutic for you. But we can't. 509 00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:37,960 Speaker 2: We can't deliver wins. That that's not that's not part 510 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:41,200 Speaker 2: of our job description. Uh. If we went on the field, 511 00:30:41,240 --> 00:30:44,560 Speaker 2: it would be even uglier. So you don't want that. Uh. 512 00:30:44,600 --> 00:30:48,760 Speaker 2: But yeah, Patrick, I think this is we summed up. 513 00:30:49,160 --> 00:30:52,720 Speaker 2: You know, we way too early trade deadline talk. But 514 00:30:52,960 --> 00:30:55,440 Speaker 2: it's gotta something's got to happen at some point because 515 00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:58,280 Speaker 2: this isn't good enough. I don't know when the spark 516 00:30:58,360 --> 00:31:00,160 Speaker 2: is going to come, if it's going to come. It 517 00:31:00,520 --> 00:31:04,640 Speaker 2: happened around this time last year. It felt like yesterday 518 00:31:04,720 --> 00:31:07,320 Speaker 2: was headed towards a win and and you know, another 519 00:31:07,360 --> 00:31:10,160 Speaker 2: gut punch for for Cubs fans and for the Cubs. 520 00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:13,720 Speaker 2: But you know, maybe maybe that's what this season will be. 521 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:15,440 Speaker 1: We'll be back. 522 00:31:16,680 --> 00:31:20,240 Speaker 2: To you guys soon, I believe almost. I think in 523 00:31:20,280 --> 00:31:22,520 Speaker 2: a day or two we'll have another podcast for you. 524 00:31:22,600 --> 00:31:25,760 Speaker 2: And thanks so much for listening. This is Northside Territory. 525 00:31:25,880 --> 00:31:29,280 Speaker 2: Make sure the rate reviews, subscribe to the podcast. Greet 526 00:31:29,280 --> 00:31:32,239 Speaker 2: Patrick and I work at the Athletic and do all 527 00:31:32,280 --> 00:31:35,040 Speaker 2: that good stuff. Make sure you're reading and ranting if 528 00:31:35,040 --> 00:31:37,880 Speaker 2: you if you feel the need. Thanks so much for listening. 529 00:31:37,960 --> 00:31:38,680 Speaker 2: I'll take care