1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: What we're going to talk about here and the realistic 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,960 Speaker 1: option here is a time share with Miguel Amaya. It's 3 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:10,920 Speaker 1: not going to blow anyone out of the water. Welcome 4 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:15,400 Speaker 1: into Northside Territory, Foul Territory Networks Cubs Podcast. I'm Sahadev 5 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:18,160 Speaker 1: Sharma with my partner Patrick Mooney, where your Cubs beat 6 00:00:18,160 --> 00:00:21,959 Speaker 1: writers for the Athletic Patrick, Let's get right to it. 7 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:26,080 Speaker 2: It is GM meetings time. Uh. We talked to Jed 8 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:28,600 Speaker 2: Hoyer already a couple. 9 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: Times and uh, you know, there are a few things 10 00:00:31,720 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 1: we can we can talk about that we've gathered during 11 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 1: our couple days here in San Antonio. 12 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 2: Uh. 13 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 1: I think the first is is what we've kind of 14 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:45,480 Speaker 1: been talking about for you know, since the season ended, 15 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 1: maybe before the season ended, and that you know, starting 16 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 1: pitching will be a priority. Starting pitching is the way 17 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: that this this front office will look to, uh, to 18 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:04,040 Speaker 1: upgrade a roster that obviously needs more wins it. You know, 19 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 1: I'm not saying they're going to ignore the lineup, but 20 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 1: starting pitching is an obvious path to success and improvement. 21 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 3: I would say it was obvious even before Cody Bellinger 22 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 3: opted in and took out a thirty million dollar chunk 23 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 3: of that budget for baseball operations, right, I mean the 24 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 3: lineups sort of Boxton here or the front officer is 25 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:30,320 Speaker 3: sort of boxed in with their lineup. 26 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:33,039 Speaker 4: We've talked about it for a long time. 27 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:38,480 Speaker 3: Jen and Carter, even Council are not big on giving 28 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 3: out those like three four year deals to relievers. So 29 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:45,320 Speaker 3: what do you look at. It's it's the pitching and 30 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 3: the farm system is lined up in a way where 31 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 3: they do have lots of hitters coming that they want 32 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 3: to create some lanes for. It's not exactly clear like who, 33 00:01:56,160 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 3: when and how, but that cluster is there, and quite frankly, 34 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:05,160 Speaker 3: I don't think the organization's young pitchers like proved enough 35 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 3: this past year just like, oh we can trust him, 36 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 3: him or him to be a fifth starter next year, 37 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:15,160 Speaker 3: much less up front of the rotation guy. And I 38 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 3: remember think too. I think it is interesting. I know 39 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 3: you'll be getting into it in a future piece, but 40 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 3: if the Cubs thought their offense was better then it 41 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 3: performed at Wrigley Field, they also have to acknowledge that 42 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 3: they're pitching probably overachieved last year. 43 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,840 Speaker 1: Right, Yeah, I think that's you know, that's the counter 44 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:39,400 Speaker 1: that we've kind of avoided, right, we haven't talked enough 45 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:39,919 Speaker 1: about that. 46 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 2: I think we kind of touched on it. 47 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: And one thing I realized was, you know, like Jameson 48 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:49,040 Speaker 1: Tyan has massive splits home road splits. Right, he struggled 49 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 1: at home. I looked at his career that that's kind 50 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:57,960 Speaker 1: of the norm, like he struggles at home, struggles on 51 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:01,240 Speaker 1: the road, and and does well at home. I'm not 52 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 1: sure if I said the opposite when talking about that originally, 53 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:06,560 Speaker 1: but he struggles on the road, does well at home. 54 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 1: He's more comfortable in his home ballpark for some reason. 55 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: Maybe it's just randomness, well whatever, It's been that way 56 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: since twenty twenty one. I think the person you point 57 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:18,959 Speaker 1: to that's most you know, like what's going on here? 58 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 2: What do we trust? Is Javier Asad. 59 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 1: Those splits are big, like Imanaga Steel. It's all okay, 60 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:30,960 Speaker 1: the splits aren't huge. Those are the two main guys, Right. 61 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 1: Then you go to Tyne and Assad and you look 62 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 1: at a Sad and this is a guy that kind 63 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 1: of established himself as you know, he can give you 64 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 1: one hundred and sixty plus innings, Like let's rely on 65 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:44,240 Speaker 1: him as a fifth starter. I think there's a little 66 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:47,360 Speaker 1: bit of a you know, squint, tilt your head, wonder 67 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 1: what's going on, and that that makes it all the 68 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 1: more important that you have to lock in someone. 69 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 2: Patrick. I like your idea of, hey, the Cubs. 70 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 1: The Cubs kind of you know, THEO and Jed have 71 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: always had this idea. THEO then now Jed have had 72 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:09,800 Speaker 1: this idea of these nine figure guys coming every few 73 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:10,840 Speaker 1: years for the rotation. 74 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 2: I'm not sure if we're certainly. 75 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:17,160 Speaker 1: Going to see that, but I do appreciate the philosophy 76 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 1: of what you were kind of trying to present. 77 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:24,000 Speaker 3: It sort of got shot down, but I think it 78 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 3: was more theoretical makes sense more than in practice for 79 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:33,400 Speaker 3: this exact off season. I still think Max Reid makes 80 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 3: a lot of sense. I would anticipate the Cups have 81 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 3: to like see where that goes. I think is a 82 00:04:39,560 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 3: really good fit. Sort of lines up with the profile 83 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 3: of what they like, I mean, World Series champion, comes 84 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 3: from a winning organization, all that stuff. But in terms 85 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 3: of that like top absolute top of the market, I mean, 86 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 3: we've been given indication. 87 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:03,279 Speaker 4: Is like that's not going to happen. I mean, I 88 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:04,280 Speaker 4: mean obviously. 89 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 3: Like it's not even like, oh, well, him and council 90 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:11,839 Speaker 3: will work together. Like no, like that's not how this 91 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 3: is going to work. And you know, Blake Snell, we're 92 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:21,600 Speaker 3: assuming won't get the type of deal that Burns will. 93 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:24,560 Speaker 3: But I don't think he's the guy that's going to 94 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:28,599 Speaker 3: light up the IVY system in terms of control command. 95 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:33,120 Speaker 4: Uh, his year to year variance. 96 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 3: Just an overall reliability factor. I don't really see the 97 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 3: Cubs going there. So then it's kind of freed or 98 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 3: that next year. 99 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 4: Which they've been good at. Uh. 100 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 3: But it is a weird sort of like we're not 101 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 3: even done with the GM meetings and we're just kind 102 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:51,880 Speaker 3: of crossing off a lot of stuff with a big 103 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:54,600 Speaker 3: market team that has payroll flexibility and a very good 104 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 3: farm system in a pretty good Major League nucleus. 105 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's you know, we've touched on it so much, 106 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 1: but like it's it hurts for fans to like enter 107 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:06,760 Speaker 1: the off season and be like, well, we know we 108 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 1: aren't shopping there at the very top, and to cross 109 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 1: off the superstars almost immediately is a frustration. One way 110 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 1: that the Cubs can improve their lineup is kind of 111 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:23,760 Speaker 1: solidifying the catching spot. Again, this is something we've talked 112 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 1: about since July, we're getting a. 113 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:30,240 Speaker 2: Little more clarity there. 114 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:34,039 Speaker 1: Like, first of all, I think it's important to like 115 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 1: we talked a lot about like them trading for this big, impactful, 116 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 1: established catcher. 117 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:44,800 Speaker 2: I think as we get into the off season. 118 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 1: We're realizing, like that's going to be near impossible, if 119 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:51,919 Speaker 1: not just flat out impossible, Like Logan o'hoppy isn't like 120 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:54,280 Speaker 1: wasn't realistic at the deadline. As much as Jed may 121 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 1: have tried, it seems like that's gonna be the same case. 122 00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:00,880 Speaker 1: One name that has come up on the internet circles 123 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:02,200 Speaker 1: and I think we may have mentioned on the. 124 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:04,680 Speaker 2: Podcast was cal Rally. 125 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 1: No, like Seattle isn't going to trade this impactful catcher 126 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 1: that's in the prime of his career if they want 127 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 1: to get creative and try and get a young catcher, 128 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: like a prospect. Maybe, But I think what we're going 129 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 1: to talk about here and the realistic option here is 130 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 1: a time share with Miguel Amaya. And there are some 131 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 1: solid names there. It's not going to blow anyone out 132 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:31,280 Speaker 1: of the water. But what you want is some stability 133 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 1: and some trust and and someone that you know, a 134 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 1: veteran presence to kind of make sure that Miguel Amaya 135 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 1: isn't overexposed, and you can try and play pitching matchups. 136 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,400 Speaker 1: It won't be left right matchups as much as just 137 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 1: like maybe skill set matchups. But but there are some 138 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:50,840 Speaker 1: veteran names there that that would make you feel a 139 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 1: little bit more comfortable about the spot. 140 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:55,160 Speaker 4: Yeah, this is not. 141 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 3: Really one where it's like criticizing ownership with the front 142 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:03,840 Speaker 3: office for a lack of conviction or imagination or resources. 143 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:10,760 Speaker 3: It's just these guys are really hard to find. I 144 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 3: don't think the Cubs are going to trade for Wilson Contraras. 145 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 3: Let's throw that across, that name off the list as well, 146 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 3: But yeah, when when it's such a premium position that 147 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,200 Speaker 3: I think the two or three takeaways we had on 148 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 3: the on the catching front was Miguel Maya is not 149 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 3: viewed as a number one starting catch, right, and that's 150 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:34,440 Speaker 3: sort of obvious. But they're not going to like go 151 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 3: out of their way to like kind of give him 152 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:42,839 Speaker 3: wider birth here that it's going to be at least 153 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 3: sign kind of a co catcher here. That free agent 154 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:53,520 Speaker 3: list is like, Okay, the Travis Darnault's, the Danny Janssen's, 155 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:59,120 Speaker 3: Carson Kelly's like that with another step from Maya would 156 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 3: be an upgrade at a spot that was what. 157 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 4: Like maybe thirty out of thirty for a big portion. 158 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:07,160 Speaker 2: Or a big chunk, yeah of. 159 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 3: Or you know whatever third of the season, you know, 160 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:13,080 Speaker 3: near the bottom of the majors, if not almost half 161 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 3: season in that you know, kind of bottom third. So 162 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:20,679 Speaker 3: that would be a substantial improvement, especially if you get 163 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 3: a guy who can contribute on both sides of the ball. 164 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:26,680 Speaker 3: That if he does click with some pitchers or help 165 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 3: help the bullpen come together a little faster and just 166 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:35,319 Speaker 3: adds a little more thumb towards the bottom of the lineup, 167 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 3: which I think is something you've written about at length 168 00:09:38,280 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 3: of like what happened in that second half of the offense. 169 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 4: It was. 170 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 3: Dansby finally getting on track, Pa becoming this you know, 171 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:53,280 Speaker 3: dynamic presence, and Miguel Maya making some significant in season 172 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 3: adjustments to his credit to become like a credible offensive presence. 173 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:02,440 Speaker 2: Right And and you know, I don't think it's ripping 174 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:03,200 Speaker 2: Miguel Amaya. 175 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 1: There's just so few of those guys, right, It's just 176 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 1: there's that that isn't those guys aren't prevalent across the game, 177 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:12,320 Speaker 1: and that's why it's hard to find him in free 178 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 1: agency because they very rarely hit free agency, and that's 179 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:18,160 Speaker 1: why it's hard to trade for him, because nobody's gonna 180 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:19,240 Speaker 1: trade him because they. 181 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 2: Cling to him. That's why you kind of have to 182 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 2: get a prospect. So I wouldn't rule that out. 183 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 1: And I think when people hear that, they're like, well, 184 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:30,800 Speaker 1: don't they have their own prospect? What about Moises Biasteros. Look, 185 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,319 Speaker 1: I don't think there's any doubt that they're in love 186 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 1: with his bat, and why wouldn't he be, Like, there's 187 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 1: a reason he's he's on top one hundred prospect lists 188 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 1: when he barely When people are like Kenny's take a catcher, 189 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:44,679 Speaker 1: usually that means you're not gonna make the top one 190 00:10:44,720 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 1: hundred prospect list. You have to be a no crap catcher. 191 00:10:48,160 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 1: His bat is that special that they're high on it. 192 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 1: They love the offense, everything about that bat. It's a 193 00:10:54,280 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 1: well rounded, dangerous bat. Everything we've we understand and is 194 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:05,959 Speaker 1: that you know, Wiley's improved there. They don't envision everyday 195 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 1: catcher status down the road, even down the road right, 196 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 1: like maybe maybe he can help out at that position. 197 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:14,679 Speaker 2: But he's a prospect. 198 00:11:14,679 --> 00:11:17,720 Speaker 1: He's in this system, and they like him for his offense, 199 00:11:19,640 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 1: so that that he's a and I think like that's 200 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:26,760 Speaker 1: kind of that's not just like an internal evaluation, it's 201 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:30,520 Speaker 1: kind of how the league sees him. So his value 202 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:33,160 Speaker 1: is his offense. That's how he's going to eventually help 203 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 1: this team. Maybe as soon as like June or July 204 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 1: or something like that. 205 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:38,480 Speaker 2: We'll see. He's young still. 206 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 1: But you know, I don't think you can count on 207 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:45,480 Speaker 1: him being developed into the everyday catcher. So that that 208 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,360 Speaker 1: is a question, and I don't know if it'll get 209 00:11:48,360 --> 00:11:52,000 Speaker 1: answered this offseason, but it'll remain a question as far 210 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,160 Speaker 1: as can they find like that one hundred and twenty 211 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 1: one hundred and thirty start catcher. Maybe they're gonna be 212 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 1: timeshare for a little while longer, but absolutely, and you 213 00:12:02,679 --> 00:12:05,960 Speaker 1: mentioned his name. I think Darno hitting the the market 214 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 1: is a huge boon for them because it gives them 215 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 1: another really solid option with Danny Jansen and Carton Kelly, 216 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:12,680 Speaker 1: like those three names. 217 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:14,439 Speaker 2: I think we just focus on that. 218 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 1: It would you know, we don't have like solid info 219 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:20,600 Speaker 1: that those are the three guys that they're hell bent on, 220 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:23,679 Speaker 1: but I think like when you look at their history 221 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: and what they're looking for and all the signs, like 222 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:29,200 Speaker 1: one of those three names makes a lot of makes 223 00:12:29,240 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 1: a lot of sense. 224 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 4: Yeah. 225 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:35,960 Speaker 3: I think one theory I had heard was for Moises 226 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:39,160 Speaker 3: to you know, start next year at Triple A Iowa 227 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:41,720 Speaker 3: and the Cubs will added some sort of like minor 228 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,720 Speaker 3: league depth, maybe a defense first veteran guy who could 229 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:46,319 Speaker 3: work with. 230 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 4: Him and help them on that side of the game. 231 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 3: And it comes also hired catching guru right side of 232 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:54,720 Speaker 3: away from from the Rockies. 233 00:12:55,320 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, Jerry, I believe it's pronounced Weinstein. Weinstein. 234 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:03,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, older guy that is just revered for his ability 235 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 1: to work with catchers. 236 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:06,079 Speaker 2: I'm sure he will. 237 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 1: That's that's part of the puzzle there, like to get 238 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 1: via Steros to a point where you know, again, is 239 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:17,960 Speaker 1: it is it everyday status? Likely not, but very likely not, 240 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: but it you know, can he help catch well? Can 241 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: he be it back like a third catcher like that? 242 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 1: That's that's valuable, right if you're impactful d H slash 243 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:32,360 Speaker 1: I catch one time through the through the rotation, or 244 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: or give guys a break and a blowout, whatever it 245 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 1: may be, that's valuable because that also keeps them fresh 246 00:13:39,880 --> 00:13:41,959 Speaker 1: and allows that offense and not dip because what's the 247 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:44,720 Speaker 1: biggest issue with catchers in their offense that they get 248 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:47,079 Speaker 1: ground down over the course of the season and they 249 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:50,200 Speaker 1: can't they can't hit because their lower bodies just shot right, 250 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:52,960 Speaker 1: And like that's what happens to catchers a lot. Like 251 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:55,920 Speaker 1: there's there's so rare that you can find these guys 252 00:13:55,920 --> 00:13:58,080 Speaker 1: that help on both sides of the ball and catch 253 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:01,040 Speaker 1: every day. So it's an interesting theory, but we'll see 254 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 1: how how it all plays out there. 255 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean his position is hitter, right, Yeah, Like this. 256 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:12,880 Speaker 3: Dude's twenty years old, you know, Raking double a Tennessee 257 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 3: Iowa Arizona Fall league, and I realized, you know, some 258 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:19,160 Speaker 3: of those numbers could be inflated for for various reasons. 259 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:23,440 Speaker 3: And there's still a huge leap to go for him 260 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 3: in terms of future competition. But like man a left 261 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 3: handed hitter, the way the Cups talk about him leaves 262 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:37,880 Speaker 3: like no doubt that they are extremely high on his 263 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:40,280 Speaker 3: offensive ceiling. And you've made the point as well, saw 264 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 3: that defensive growth can come later or more incrementally for 265 00:14:47,960 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 3: a catcher, right, and so that you give him some 266 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:54,920 Speaker 3: of that time to figure it out. You know, his offense, 267 00:14:56,080 --> 00:15:01,760 Speaker 3: you highly expect that his offense will carry you at 268 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:04,800 Speaker 3: stretches and then see how the rest of the kind 269 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 3: of lineup and roster shakes out for a manager who 270 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:13,000 Speaker 3: does love kind of playing the long game and you know, 271 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 3: finding matchups and really highlighting rest and recovery for his 272 00:15:17,960 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 3: everyday guys. All right, Soadam, what do we got on 273 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 3: Nico corner? Should Cubs fans expect him in Japan for 274 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 3: opening Day? 275 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 5: And I mean it seems like it's it's similar to 276 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:37,520 Speaker 5: what we've heard since we heard about the surgery right 277 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:40,640 Speaker 5: like the time, Like this doesn't sound like a timeline 278 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:42,800 Speaker 5: where they're worried about him. 279 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:45,000 Speaker 2: Not you know, outside of setbacks or whatever. 280 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 1: As long as there's no setbacks and it's a normal recovery, 281 00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 1: they're not worried about him like you know, not showing up. 282 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 2: Till June or July or something like that. 283 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:59,280 Speaker 1: But especially with that early opening day, it may be 284 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:01,720 Speaker 1: pushing it for him to be ready for opening day, 285 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:04,800 Speaker 1: or maybe he's ready right at opening day. Like it's 286 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 1: it's not like there's kind of like this window that 287 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 1: sounds like a few weeks to a month of where 288 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:12,600 Speaker 1: he could like show up, like maybe it's he misses 289 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:16,400 Speaker 1: like the first couple of weeks of the season. But 290 00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 1: this is like, this is not something that where they're 291 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:25,000 Speaker 1: considered concerned long term about his recovery. They're not concerned 292 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:28,680 Speaker 1: about the type of player he'll end up being, Like he, Uh, 293 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:32,520 Speaker 1: they kind of knew about this, right, Well, it's not 294 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:35,520 Speaker 1: one hundred percent clear if they if they definitely knew 295 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 1: about this, uh when when it initially happened, as much 296 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:44,360 Speaker 1: as it is like he he kind of knew about 297 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 1: this and then pushed through and uh, and and and 298 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 1: played and it didn't. I don't think this was I 299 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:53,960 Speaker 1: think the other injuries that occurred probably impacted his play 300 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 1: more than this one. What what this impacted sounds like 301 00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 1: was his throwing. It didn't you know. I guess you 302 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:03,120 Speaker 1: could go back and watch clips, but he just wasn't 303 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 1: the same type of player. But that doesn't impact him 304 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,280 Speaker 1: as much at second base, right like that that's you 305 00:17:11,359 --> 00:17:13,600 Speaker 1: need an arm to turn that double play sometimes. 306 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:16,480 Speaker 2: But I think you could see that he was. 307 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:19,400 Speaker 1: Still an elite glove there and was able to make 308 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:20,880 Speaker 1: the plays at that position. 309 00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:25,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, maybe he just didn't have quite the same zip 310 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:28,679 Speaker 3: on his throat, and Jed indicated that it was roughly 311 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:35,000 Speaker 3: half the season, maybe more in terms of bothering Nico, 312 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 3: not to the point where he had to shut it down. 313 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:41,840 Speaker 3: But the idea is that this surgery will allow him to, 314 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 3: you know, consistently and fully play shortstop at a high 315 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:49,800 Speaker 3: level should the Cubs need him to step in for 316 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:54,480 Speaker 3: Dansby Swanson. That's also something that other teams may take notice. 317 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:57,720 Speaker 3: I still have a hard time thinking that some team 318 00:17:57,760 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 3: is going to blow the Cubs away with an offer, 319 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 3: right that the Cubs are going to kind of get 320 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:06,640 Speaker 3: the right value on a guy who's recovering for surgery 321 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:09,720 Speaker 3: with no timeline until he shows up for spring training. 322 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:14,080 Speaker 3: But it's an interesting thought exercise. It's something that I'm 323 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:21,440 Speaker 3: sure will be bandied about at times. But this could 324 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:26,120 Speaker 3: create an opportunity for a young player or I think 325 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:28,200 Speaker 3: the Cubs may try to address their bench. 326 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:29,600 Speaker 4: What are you hearing, sad If. 327 00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:33,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean they they don't have like I mean, 328 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 1: do they have a left handed presence on that bent 329 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: that can kind of roam the infield right like rarely 330 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 1: go around to different spots and spell Nico spell danceby 331 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:50,120 Speaker 1: spell Essekparatis. It's it's a pretty right handed group obviously 332 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:53,320 Speaker 1: most of the time. That's how it works. Those those players, 333 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 1: you know, I guess we should look at the free 334 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:58,800 Speaker 1: agent list, or who are these utility left handed guys 335 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:02,199 Speaker 1: or switch hitting guys that could help them. I'm not 336 00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:05,880 Speaker 1: sure if they have If that's readily available on free 337 00:19:05,920 --> 00:19:10,159 Speaker 1: agency and like a bench type bat trade market, perhaps 338 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:15,159 Speaker 1: that guy's there. I do agree with you when you say, like, 339 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:22,400 Speaker 1: it's hard to envision someone trading for Nico when he's injured, 340 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:27,080 Speaker 1: right like, or at least giving proper value exactly because 341 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 1: right I will say this because of the shortstop market, 342 00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:35,719 Speaker 1: which is Willie Adamas and then nothing else after that. 343 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 2: It could see what I. 344 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,600 Speaker 1: Could squint and see a team getting like being like, 345 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:46,320 Speaker 1: we really need a shortstop. We know, like, let's check 346 00:19:46,320 --> 00:19:48,280 Speaker 1: out the medicals here. Can can we go over the 347 00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:52,200 Speaker 1: medicals on this? Okay, he's gonna be back no later 348 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:55,080 Speaker 1: than April fifteenth. We're very confident in that. Or maybe 349 00:19:55,119 --> 00:20:00,639 Speaker 1: it's January and like we've also heard all any that 350 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:03,359 Speaker 1: this market may be slow again. This may be another 351 00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:06,600 Speaker 1: slow playing market. Scott Boris has every single big name 352 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:09,160 Speaker 1: for the most part, Uh, he's gonna do a Scott 353 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:13,920 Speaker 1: Boris thing and uh and and it may be like 354 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:17,920 Speaker 1: you know, Willia Domas signs and and teams are scrambling 355 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:20,879 Speaker 1: for shortstops, and by January the cups are like, Okay, 356 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:23,600 Speaker 1: maybe we got to move. Maybe we maybe we have 357 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:27,480 Speaker 1: enough offers that this makes sense. They love Nico Horner though, 358 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 1: That's another thing, right, like and yeah, you and I 359 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:33,119 Speaker 1: have talked to him a thousand times, like what's not 360 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:38,240 Speaker 1: that this this is a legit good makeup guy, And 361 00:20:38,240 --> 00:20:41,080 Speaker 1: and he works his butt off, and and that he 362 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:43,080 Speaker 1: put up the numbers that he did while kind of 363 00:20:43,080 --> 00:20:45,560 Speaker 1: battling multiple little things over the course of the season, 364 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 1: I think says. 365 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:47,920 Speaker 2: A lot about him. 366 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm curious about depth at that in those areas, 367 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:56,119 Speaker 1: I think, you know, we've kind of entered a period 368 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 1: where we have to like we can keep it on 369 00:20:58,600 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: our radar. 370 00:20:59,080 --> 00:20:59,840 Speaker 2: But it's very. 371 00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 1: I agree with you, it's it's probably an unlikely scenario. 372 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:09,479 Speaker 1: I'm trying to envision the scenario. That's why what I 373 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:13,160 Speaker 1: was presenting. I don't think it's likely. I agree that, 374 00:21:13,320 --> 00:21:16,560 Speaker 1: like moving Nico Horner just gets really hard when when 375 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:22,119 Speaker 1: he's he's recovering from a decently significant surgery, so it 376 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:22,760 Speaker 1: does kind of. 377 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:25,600 Speaker 2: Hamper their ability to get creative, which brings. 378 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:26,639 Speaker 1: Us back to what we were talking about with the 379 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:29,200 Speaker 1: catcher spot and the offense, and from the very first 380 00:21:29,240 --> 00:21:32,080 Speaker 1: segment here like, I don't know what it's gonna be, 381 00:21:32,119 --> 00:21:34,520 Speaker 1: and I think we'll have to continue to dig into that. 382 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:37,080 Speaker 2: They do have to get creative. 383 00:21:37,160 --> 00:21:38,920 Speaker 1: I think I don't think you can go into next 384 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:41,480 Speaker 1: season with the same offense and have it be like, hey, 385 00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:44,359 Speaker 1: we got a time share catcher and here's the lineup 386 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 1: again and say, well, well, the second half was better. 387 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:50,400 Speaker 1: Third in run scored from July first on. I think 388 00:21:50,520 --> 00:21:52,680 Speaker 1: that's gonna be a hard sell. Maybe maybe they don't 389 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:55,760 Speaker 1: need to maybe selling it doesn't matter. Maybe that's real 390 00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:58,879 Speaker 1: and we'll all be proven wrong that. Look, this offense 391 00:21:58,920 --> 00:22:01,520 Speaker 1: from May in June was the aberration, and what they 392 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:05,119 Speaker 1: are is this is is this impactful offense at Wrigley 393 00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:07,720 Speaker 1: will play like a normal regular season and we'll all 394 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:11,480 Speaker 1: see like, oh, okay, the offense is good enough, We'll see, 395 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:12,840 Speaker 1: you know, But I'm not. 396 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:13,280 Speaker 2: I'm not. 397 00:22:13,560 --> 00:22:16,960 Speaker 1: I'm also not resigning myself to like them not trying 398 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:19,960 Speaker 1: to be creative and adjusting this offense in some way. 399 00:22:21,280 --> 00:22:23,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean it's it's early November. 400 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:28,120 Speaker 3: I still think going big on pitching, stretching for the bullpen, 401 00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:32,240 Speaker 3: creating some opportunities for these young guys that they believe in, 402 00:22:35,160 --> 00:22:37,920 Speaker 3: changing the shape of the bench, like. 403 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:40,520 Speaker 4: I think those things could add up. 404 00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:44,160 Speaker 3: It's not going to be like very sexy or what 405 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:47,720 Speaker 3: you know Cubs fans probably want. 406 00:22:48,440 --> 00:22:50,919 Speaker 4: But we gotta let this play out, right, and the 407 00:22:50,920 --> 00:22:52,760 Speaker 4: GM meetings have not ended yet. 408 00:22:52,600 --> 00:22:55,760 Speaker 3: So we'll probably come back next week with kind of 409 00:22:55,760 --> 00:22:59,240 Speaker 3: an overall what we learned, and maybe the tone will 410 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:01,640 Speaker 3: will shift a little. 411 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 4: Bit as we head in toward the holiday season. 412 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:07,679 Speaker 2: Yep, we'll see what. Let's just hope that there's a 413 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:08,919 Speaker 2: move before Cubs Convention. 414 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:11,439 Speaker 1: I think we got our first move right before Cubs 415 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:14,359 Speaker 1: convention last winter, so let's let's let's hope for that 416 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 1: so fans aren't in full panic mode by the new year. 417 00:23:19,280 --> 00:23:21,760 Speaker 2: But yeah, that's that's right now what we're hearing. 418 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:23,720 Speaker 1: After a couple of days of the Winter Meetings, we'll 419 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:26,399 Speaker 1: be back early next week with a full wrap up 420 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:29,120 Speaker 1: of the week and make sure you all have as 421 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:31,840 Speaker 1: much information as possible. Thanks so much for listening. This 422 00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:35,280 Speaker 1: is Northside Territory. Make sure to rate, review and subscribe. 423 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:38,360 Speaker 1: Subscribe to the YouTube channel, Subscribe to The Athletic where 424 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:41,400 Speaker 1: Patrick and I will be on top of this off 425 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:44,600 Speaker 1: season that the Cubs are in the midst of or 426 00:23:44,720 --> 00:23:45,919 Speaker 1: are just entering. 427 00:23:46,880 --> 00:23:49,240 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for listening everyone. Thanks take care.