1 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:09,880 Speaker 1: Welcome into Northside Territory. Foul Territory Networks Cubs Podcast. I'm 2 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 1: Sahad Sharma with my partner Patrick Mooney. It's getting hard 3 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:18,200 Speaker 1: to say my partner Patrick Moone. 4 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 2: Episode ninety three Welcome epis. 5 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: We're your Cubs beat writers from the Athletic Patrick, we are. 6 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:28,920 Speaker 1: It's like ten days less than ten days away from 7 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: pictures and catchers reporting. As far for the Cubs, it's 8 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 1: it's coming up on us, like it's it's baseball season. 9 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 1: Let's the super Bowl is gonna come and then it's 10 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:40,800 Speaker 1: baseball season, right as far as we're concerned. 11 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, but we're taping on a Friday. If I have 12 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:48,560 Speaker 3: my dates correct a week from tomorrow, I'll we find Arizona. Yeah, 13 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:50,320 Speaker 3: first leg of our coverage. 14 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 4: Yeah that's crazy. 15 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:55,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, I mean we always say that, right, it 16 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: sneaks up on us, but this one, this year's even earlier. 17 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 1: So the Cubs roster is not finalized, right, it's we 18 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 1: we don't know if it's finalized, if the if there 19 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:10,240 Speaker 1: have any finishing touches left to do, well, we'll touch 20 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 1: on that. One of their their most recent edition spoke 21 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:16,160 Speaker 1: to us Tuesday. 22 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 4: Was it Wednesday whatever day it was he spoke to us. 23 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:25,280 Speaker 1: Uh, yeah, we got some first impressions of Ryan Presley. 24 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:28,360 Speaker 1: He was in the parking lot of his children's school 25 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: heading to parent teacher conferences. 26 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:33,000 Speaker 4: So he's a family man, he's a good guy. Uh. 27 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: It does seem like that's like first and foremost. That's 28 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:38,480 Speaker 1: what I came away from it, like, this is a 29 00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:43,440 Speaker 1: really everybody that we talked to, whether it was Chandler 30 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 1: Rome or just like scouts or players, seem to like 31 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:51,960 Speaker 1: really respect the guy. And it's it's unsurprising like that 32 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 1: the Cubs are acquiring this type of uh that they 33 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 1: want the player right. The player is always first and 34 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 1: foremost the most important thing. But how much have we 35 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:02,520 Speaker 1: talked about in the bullpen, like these leadership aspects that 36 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 1: they look for, these veteran bullpen arms. They felt that 37 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 1: was an issue in twenty three that there wasn't a 38 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:12,239 Speaker 1: leader in that bullpen and things kind of fell apart 39 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 1: down the stretch in the sense that there wasn't a 40 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:17,360 Speaker 1: veteran guy, a veteran voice that kind of showed them 41 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 1: how to go about business. Hector Narris was kind of 42 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 1: that guy. I remember seeing things in the clubhouse and 43 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: then there were, of course things we didn't see behind 44 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 1: the scenes that he was doing, but I saw him 45 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 1: like get go up to young relievers and kind of 46 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:34,360 Speaker 1: talk to them or like say, this is how you 47 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:36,080 Speaker 1: need to behave, this is how you need to act, 48 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:38,799 Speaker 1: This is how you need to prepare day to day. 49 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,240 Speaker 1: Some of them take it really well, and this is 50 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 1: why we probably hear reports of like Porter Hodge is 51 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 1: a beast, you know, and coming into camp, like coming 52 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:50,080 Speaker 1: into Arizona working his butt off every day. Maybe that's 53 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:53,600 Speaker 1: just who he is. Maybe Hector Naris had some influence 54 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 1: on it in him. The clubs obviously hope Ryan Presley 55 00:02:57,200 --> 00:02:59,840 Speaker 1: does more on the field than Hector Naris did for 56 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 1: the team last year, but the aspect that he brings 57 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:05,079 Speaker 1: off the field it seems important as well. 58 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:08,919 Speaker 2: No doubt, I think Chandler has alluded to this. 59 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:12,400 Speaker 3: Honestly, we've talked to Chandler so much over the last 60 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:13,919 Speaker 3: couple of weeks that I can't remember if there was 61 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:16,520 Speaker 3: on air, off air or a text chain, but that 62 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 3: you know, Presley was someone who really had to work 63 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:22,079 Speaker 3: at his craft. 64 00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:23,200 Speaker 2: And bounced around a little bit. 65 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:25,639 Speaker 3: I mean, this is someone who was in the Anthony 66 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:29,680 Speaker 3: Rizzo draft class with the Boston Red Sox. I believe 67 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:36,520 Speaker 3: that was seven a Rule five guy, someone who really 68 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:40,840 Speaker 3: had to work at it to establish himself, who showed 69 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 3: amazing composure. Whatever that stat was of consecutive scoreless postseason 70 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 3: innings is kind of amazing. Getting the last out of 71 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:54,080 Speaker 3: a World Series. I think how he handled the Josh 72 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 3: Hater situation. You know that Hater and Presley wound up 73 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 3: being pretty tight. Wesley and Astros general manager Dana Brown, 74 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 3: I think that's a different story. Brown, on the record 75 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 3: with Astros reporters said there was a fracture due to 76 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 3: the addition of Hater, but Presley wound up having a 77 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 3: pretty good year last year, and you know, sometimes it's 78 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 3: just about the fit. 79 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:24,720 Speaker 2: I think Presley's value with the Cubs is. 80 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 3: Exponentially more than what he could bring to the Astros 81 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 3: or even like, you know, rebuilding team, and the Cubs 82 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:35,279 Speaker 3: need someone from opening day on who can just like 83 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:39,039 Speaker 3: stop the bleeding, you know, who can get that nail down, 84 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 3: that save to make sure a three game losing streak 85 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:45,159 Speaker 3: doesn't become like a two week. 86 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:49,279 Speaker 2: You know, catastrophe. 87 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 3: So you know, just said they can, you know, win 88 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:55,320 Speaker 3: a series versus a losing a series, just all of 89 00:04:55,320 --> 00:05:00,680 Speaker 3: those like kind of games that pivot for a team 90 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 3: that's won eighty three the last two years. I think 91 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 3: he I think he could be a huge difference maker here. 92 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 3: That's an optimistic scenario, but I do think it's. What 93 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 3: I found interesting from that call was his existing relationships 94 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 3: with people in the Cubs organization I think maybe accelerate 95 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:22,520 Speaker 3: some of this process. 96 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 4: So I found that interesting as well. 97 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 1: He knows Tommy how to be really well, like over 98 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:29,600 Speaker 1: a decade relationship there. 99 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:31,839 Speaker 4: I think they were in camp together, probably in Boston. 100 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, and he knows like Caleb Thielbar from his 101 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 1: Minnesota days. There were multiple people, right, obviously Poppy, Kevin, 102 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 1: Poppy who And I was going to get to that. 103 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:45,880 Speaker 1: I think I think that's that's interesting. No, no, no, like, 104 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:50,280 Speaker 1: I think it's interesting because listen, his velocity was down. 105 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:52,520 Speaker 1: He was not the same picture that he has been 106 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 1: the previous like four years, four or five years. Last year, 107 00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 1: he wasn't bad. He wasn't This wasn't like, oh look 108 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:02,839 Speaker 1: at these major red flags. This guy's terrible. He just 109 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 1: wasn't missing bats as much. Probably had a little bad 110 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 1: luck too, but he admitted he was battling his mechanics 111 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 1: all season long, pretty much all summer. First of all, 112 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:15,839 Speaker 1: that's something great Tommy's That's something that Tommy's great at identifying. 113 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:18,000 Speaker 1: Like it's like people talk about it all the time. 114 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: People that have worked with Tommy. That's the first thing 115 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:23,160 Speaker 1: they'll mention. He's really good at noticing little things and 116 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:27,080 Speaker 1: identifying Okay, this is happening, okay, but why is that happening? 117 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: My arm slot is off? Okay, but it's not. You 118 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:31,680 Speaker 1: don't just move your arm. There's something earlier in the 119 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:34,840 Speaker 1: delivery that's off. Tommy's really good. Tommy Alomy's really good 120 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 1: at identifying those things and correcting them. 121 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:38,800 Speaker 4: Obviously, they have technology that helps. 122 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 1: Them identify those things and kind of pinpoint it as well. 123 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 1: But he apparently he's been working with Kevin Poppy, who 124 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:49,239 Speaker 1: has a facility out in Houston, and he's been working 125 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 1: with him even before he became, you know, a CUB, 126 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: and he feels like some of those mechanical issues have 127 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:58,360 Speaker 1: already been corrected. Kevin Poppy, by the way, is the 128 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:00,360 Speaker 1: CUB strength and conditioning coacher. We say that, I don't 129 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:05,479 Speaker 1: think we said that, so I I think I've talked 130 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 1: to people even before he was acquired. Yes, they kind 131 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 1: of have an idea of what they want to do, 132 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 1: some plans that they have for him. 133 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 4: If he can, if he can. 134 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 1: Slightly improve upon last year, that is huge for the 135 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 1: Even if he's the same pitcher, that's going to be impactful, right, 136 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 1: But if he can slightly improve I'm not saying get 137 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 1: back to whatever twenty one twenty two when he was 138 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 1: pretty dominant and like one of the best relievers in 139 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 1: the game. But even if he's you know, the best 140 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 1: reliever for the Cubs, that's a huge win. And I 141 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:37,640 Speaker 1: think I think there's a lot of talent in this 142 00:07:37,760 --> 00:07:42,280 Speaker 1: bullpen right now, and it fields as deep as it's 143 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: been in a while. Entering a season, we can say 144 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 1: that and everything goes to hell. Right, probably two years ago, 145 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 1: we were pointing to various arms and and they you know, like, 146 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 1: remember Kegan Thompson seemed like this lockdown reliever at one point, 147 00:07:58,520 --> 00:07:59,960 Speaker 1: and now he's kind of just like, you don't know 148 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 1: what you're gonna get from him, and that happens a 149 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: lot so and you know, relievers. 150 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 4: Are volatile, but we'll see. 151 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:11,400 Speaker 1: Adding Presley feels like a big addition to this bullpen 152 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 1: that probably I shouldn't say probably that may not be 153 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 1: done right, Like, yeah. 154 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 2: There's still a little little wiggle room there and then 155 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 2: in that bullpen. 156 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 1: Yeah right, it will see if they add like there 157 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 1: are there like Ryan Stanek signed with the Mets. Correct, Uh, 158 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 1: he's someone that would link to the to the Cubs. 159 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 1: But there's still David Robertson's out there. Kenlee Janssen's out there, 160 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 1: I believe right, Kenley Jansen didn't sign yet. 161 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:42,480 Speaker 4: There's there's some relievers out there. 162 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:46,480 Speaker 1: We'll see if they if they can fit any more arms. 163 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 1: Like we were told after Presley, like while they were 164 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:54,000 Speaker 1: working finalizing Presley that uh, there wouldn't that wouldn't rule 165 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:58,000 Speaker 1: out another reliever. Who knows if they can add that 166 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:01,440 Speaker 1: other reliever. But I think that's not the only thing 167 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:03,960 Speaker 1: right Like this is we're at that point of the 168 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:06,559 Speaker 1: offseason where prices are going to go down, Guys are 169 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 1: looking for jobs. They want to know, am I going 170 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 1: to be in Florida? Am I going to be in Arizona? 171 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:11,960 Speaker 1: Who am I playing with? Who are my teammates? All 172 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:14,839 Speaker 1: those things? And my family's unsettled. Right now, let's get 173 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:18,679 Speaker 1: this stuff done. This is when you know, this is 174 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 1: Jed and Carter's favorite time of year. Right, they'll look 175 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:25,400 Speaker 1: for that deal, and there are some interesting names still available. 176 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 3: I did our colleagues Ken Rosedalil Salmon had a good 177 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:33,720 Speaker 3: notebook out on the Athletic this week and they had 178 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:38,040 Speaker 3: a Kenley Jansen item which caught my eye. And they're 179 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:43,400 Speaker 3: reporting indicates that Jansen's goal of five hundred saves. 180 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:45,439 Speaker 4: It's important to him. 181 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 3: He needs fifty three for five hundred, and with the Mets, 182 00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 3: he would set up for Edwin Diaz rather than pitch 183 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 3: the ninth inning. As a Cubs reporter, I read that 184 00:09:54,760 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 3: as Presley probably makes Jansen less likely. That's wh read 185 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 3: also jans and I think will probably come in with 186 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:06,520 Speaker 3: a pretty high number. 187 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 2: I'd imagine you still have. Like you said, David Robertson. 188 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 3: Was just yeah, I mean, Carlos Estevez is off the board, 189 00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:23,280 Speaker 3: but I believe you're reporting indicator the Cubs were. 190 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 2: Not as high. 191 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 4: Never seen. 192 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:31,679 Speaker 2: Kyle Finnegan kind of I don't know if that's yeah. 193 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:37,080 Speaker 3: I love him, but there are you know, between minor 194 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 3: league deals. David Robertson, some of those more complimentary relievers 195 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 3: Phil may tone he's still out there. 196 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:46,840 Speaker 1: Right, Yeah, I always, I always get it wrong. 197 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, I had. 198 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 3: He's a nice picture and if yeah, you know, also 199 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:58,400 Speaker 3: if you're plugging him in for the seventh inning or 200 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:01,080 Speaker 3: like matchups in the sixth inning, a lot different than like, 201 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 3: you know, needing a guy for like the eighth inning 202 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 3: and you're hoping. 203 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 2: That Porter Hodge is like your closer. 204 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:11,320 Speaker 3: I think that's a big difference here of just like 205 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:17,200 Speaker 3: the sense of organization you get with Presley in the 206 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 3: back end working backwards from the ninth inning, I think 207 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:23,440 Speaker 3: that makes everything just kind of look and feel better 208 00:11:25,160 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 3: in terms of opportunistic I know there are times when 209 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 3: you follow this team and you're like, why don't they 210 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 3: have more resources, Why don't they have conviction? Why aren't 211 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:40,240 Speaker 3: they just going out and making things happen rather than 212 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 3: like hanging back and waiting for stuff to fall to them. 213 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:45,839 Speaker 3: But like you said, this is like their super Bowl 214 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 3: week of players getting and see agents probably hearing it 215 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 3: from their clients, opportunities disappearing. You know, maybe you got 216 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,559 Speaker 3: you know, family's wondering where are we going for spring training? 217 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:05,120 Speaker 3: You know what's going on, and you know the Cubs 218 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 3: do have this. You know, it's certainly not unlimited funds 219 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 3: given the basement operations. 220 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 2: But there are. 221 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 3: These opportunities that could pop up, you know, when that's 222 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:22,600 Speaker 3: has always been the scenario of how a Jack Flaherty 223 00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 3: could fault them. 224 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:26,560 Speaker 2: Now we're not saying we don't think that's like, you know, 225 00:12:26,920 --> 00:12:27,560 Speaker 2: a high. 226 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:31,280 Speaker 3: Priority or necessarily like extremely likely, but like, how does 227 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:32,120 Speaker 3: he wind up with the Cubs? 228 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 2: It's playing out this way, you know, Alex Bregman. 229 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:37,560 Speaker 3: I don't if Alex Bregman has this nice deal in 230 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 3: hand from the Astros, perhaps something else from another team. 231 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 3: You know, I don't really see where he's coming to 232 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:50,600 Speaker 3: the Cubs on some sort of you know, prove it 233 00:12:50,679 --> 00:12:51,439 Speaker 3: pivot deal. 234 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:56,840 Speaker 4: But he's thirty the backboard, right, yeah, he's that. 235 00:12:56,840 --> 00:13:00,240 Speaker 1: That's why to me, like the I'll take the three 236 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:03,600 Speaker 1: year deal with the opt outs after a year one 237 00:13:03,640 --> 00:13:06,559 Speaker 1: and two, for me, it doesn't make as much sense. 238 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 1: He's gonna be thirty one at the end of March. 239 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 1: This is age thirty one season. Like do you do 240 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 1: you do you need. 241 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:15,280 Speaker 4: That type of deal or do you take the five 242 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 4: year guarantee or what is it? Five one? Fifty six 243 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:19,240 Speaker 4: is that what or that. 244 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:21,680 Speaker 2: Supported early in the offseason. 245 00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:25,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, for me, it doesn't make sense to me, 246 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 1: it doesn't make sense. Look, the Cubs, you said it 247 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:31,559 Speaker 1: all about the finances. 248 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 4: We can We're. 249 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:35,840 Speaker 1: Gonna keep talking about that over the course of time, 250 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:38,319 Speaker 1: just because it is a real thing. But like this 251 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 1: is the Cubs aren't like they're set up to offer 252 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 1: him that type of Ballinger type deal, right, that's what 253 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 1: they're in and like probably a little cheaper as far. 254 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 4: As AAV goes. 255 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:51,600 Speaker 1: I don't think he's getting thirty plus. It just doesn't 256 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: make sense to me. It doesn't make sense that Bregman 257 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: want would want that deal unless he really just wants to, 258 00:13:57,320 --> 00:14:01,320 Speaker 1: you know, play with Kyle Tucker still and come to Chicago, 259 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:05,560 Speaker 1: experience something new, go to a bigger media market, which 260 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:08,640 Speaker 1: is possible. Maybe he wants to you know, win somewhere else. 261 00:14:08,760 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 1: Maybe he sees I actually think the Astros roster, for 262 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:14,560 Speaker 1: everything that they've done, looks pretty good. I think they're 263 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:18,480 Speaker 1: they're gonna eventually they're going to struggle. Eventually, that's not 264 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 1: going to be a good team. Those guys are all 265 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 1: getting old and their systems things. But eventually, like right now, 266 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 1: they still look like they can win and they're in 267 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 1: a bad division, so so I'm not sure what the 268 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 1: exact appeal would be outside of like, I want to 269 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 1: go to a big market, I want to play here, 270 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 1: I want to try something new, And I'm not sure 271 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 1: if that's exactly how he feels, but he certainly. 272 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 4: Keeps saying it. 273 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:43,880 Speaker 1: But he's just like a perfect fit and kind of 274 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 1: would be icing on the cake of what's been a 275 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 1: pretty maybe not as aggressive as fans want it, but 276 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 1: it's been a solid offseason for the Cubs. I can't 277 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 1: look at this off season and say like that they've 278 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 1: rarely screwed the pooch here or they're like, yeah, you'd 279 00:14:56,920 --> 00:15:02,800 Speaker 1: probably like a Jack Flaherty type at the front, or 280 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:06,280 Speaker 1: like to add to the show to Justin Steele mix right, 281 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:10,520 Speaker 1: someone like that, or a bigger name. But outside of that, 282 00:15:10,560 --> 00:15:14,560 Speaker 1: I think they've done a lot of good work and 283 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 1: they'll continue to look for stuff. Patrick one one rumor, 284 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 1: like there's rumors going around that the Padres may move 285 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 1: some guys, right, Like, there's so many different names from 286 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 1: Luis Araez to uh to the their their reliever, Uh Suarez, 287 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 1: and then two names that intrigue Cubs fans are Dylan 288 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:44,000 Speaker 1: Cees and Michael King. Listen, I don't I wouldn't like 289 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:47,280 Speaker 1: that on the Cubs swinging a deal here. I think 290 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:49,800 Speaker 1: either one of those starting pitchers makes a ton of 291 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 1: sense for the Cubs. A j probably doesn't give players away. Uh, 292 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 1: he doesn't want to move these guys in all likelihood 293 00:15:57,680 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: that Like everything that we're hearing is like, this is 294 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 1: like if this happens, it would be like a like 295 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 1: ownership telling him he's got to find a way to. 296 00:16:07,880 --> 00:16:08,920 Speaker 4: Reduce the payroll. 297 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 1: But like there's no way Preller wants to Like Preller 298 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 1: wants to win, and he wants to compete with the Dodgers, 299 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 1: and like he thinks he has a really good team. 300 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:18,480 Speaker 4: He does have a really good team. 301 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:22,040 Speaker 1: They were probably like the better team when watching them 302 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: play the Dodgers. I thought they were gonna win that series. 303 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 1: They were playing so well. The Dodgers pulled it out, obviously, 304 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 1: but I thought they had. I thought they were gonna 305 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:33,880 Speaker 1: win a World Series last October. I like, I think 306 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 1: there's interest from the Cubs. I'm not sure if it's 307 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 1: super aggressive. I'm not sure. It doesn't sound like it's 308 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:42,520 Speaker 1: really aggressive or like they're on the verge of anything 309 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 1: Dylan ces is gonna cost too much. In my opinion 310 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:50,480 Speaker 1: from what everything I hear, I think Michael King could 311 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 1: could make sense again. I just ultimately I think Preller 312 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: is gonna do everything he can to avoid trading anyone 313 00:16:57,120 --> 00:16:58,280 Speaker 1: really at this point. 314 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:01,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, our colleague Dennis Lynn at the Athletic does a 315 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:06,119 Speaker 3: great job covering the Padres and like part of it. 316 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 2: He's just really good at his job. 317 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 3: But also, like Preller is, for our listeners to understand, 318 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:12,920 Speaker 3: probably is like a maniac. He's always involved in these 319 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:16,080 Speaker 3: conversations and the Cubs are always checking in on everything. 320 00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 2: And we've gone through this before of you know, oh 321 00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:22,399 Speaker 2: have you heard this? Have you heard that? 322 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:22,640 Speaker 4: Now? 323 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:24,280 Speaker 2: Sometimes it does come to fruition. 324 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 3: I mean we were on the U Darvis trade and 325 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:31,920 Speaker 3: that was you know that did come to pass. But yeah, 326 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 3: I'm with you, this feels like a lot of you know, 327 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 3: either due diligence or. 328 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:41,840 Speaker 2: You know, I'm with you. I don't see why Preler 329 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:42,439 Speaker 2: wants to do this. 330 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:46,040 Speaker 3: It would be something forced from above, given the instability 331 00:17:46,119 --> 00:17:50,359 Speaker 3: in their ownership structure. I think the Padres and Dodgers 332 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:55,880 Speaker 3: felt like their playoff battle was like the Real World Series, 333 00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:58,920 Speaker 3: and a team like that is not, you know, should 334 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 3: not be looking to unload those types. Probably, like you said, 335 00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 3: has a great eye for talent, which if I'm a 336 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 3: Cubs executive, he's not really a guy I want to 337 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:12,080 Speaker 3: be trading. 338 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:13,120 Speaker 4: In that regard. 339 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 3: But maybe maybe the you know, infighting amongst the Padres 340 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:23,439 Speaker 3: ownership group like makes it you know, more appealing or 341 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 3: something that like, you know, the Padres just simply have 342 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:32,800 Speaker 3: to explore. But until we hear something more firm or concrete, 343 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:38,959 Speaker 3: I really think the Cubs focus is on adding another 344 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 3: like proven reliever, and also you know, like filling off 345 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:46,080 Speaker 3: a bench. I know that's not like a real like 346 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:49,160 Speaker 3: exciting part of the team, but like when you get 347 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:53,680 Speaker 3: rid of Cody Bellinger, who could play four positions for you, 348 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:57,600 Speaker 3: really well, it just seems. 349 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:01,120 Speaker 2: Really thin to me. Like if say, is oblique hurts, 350 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:04,320 Speaker 2: you know, if someone. 351 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:08,080 Speaker 3: You know whatever, like fouls the ball off his shin, 352 00:19:08,359 --> 00:19:11,119 Speaker 3: like just all the weird stuff that happens over the 353 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 3: course of the season. I guess They're gonna leave some 354 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 3: pathways open for some of the young players, some of 355 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 3: the top prospects in those top one hundred things but 356 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 3: it's there's. 357 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:25,760 Speaker 2: That is not a strategy that is not without risk. 358 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:31,119 Speaker 1: Absolutely, And one name that I I kind of forgot 359 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:33,200 Speaker 1: about that's going to be a part of that depth 360 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:36,159 Speaker 1: is Alexander Canario. Right, I don't know what role he plays. 361 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 1: I think he's out of options. Is he a trade candidate, 362 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:44,720 Speaker 1: is he a bench candidate? Like what what is his role? 363 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 1: I'm curious to see how that plays out. But I 364 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:52,399 Speaker 1: do think that the you know, if the Cubs and 365 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:54,639 Speaker 1: Padres could pull off a trade, it would be like 366 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:58,840 Speaker 1: kind of it would like it would be a great 367 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:02,680 Speaker 1: offseason for Jack Well whatever, regardless, he'd have to give 368 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:04,920 Speaker 1: up a lot, right, and it would probably sting a 369 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:09,679 Speaker 1: little especially prospect wise, because they're looking I mean, well, 370 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:12,400 Speaker 1: they're looking for major league talent too, right, Like they 371 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:15,000 Speaker 1: need someone that can help the rotation now and is 372 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:17,320 Speaker 1: under contract for a longer period of time. Someone like 373 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:20,680 Speaker 1: Javier or Assad would make a ton of sense. And 374 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:22,920 Speaker 1: the Cubs are inserting someone at the top of their 375 00:20:23,040 --> 00:20:25,399 Speaker 1: rotation right next to show it in to Justin Steele. 376 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:28,040 Speaker 1: I think it would catapult them into like, yeah, this 377 00:20:28,119 --> 00:20:30,480 Speaker 1: is a really good team, Like okay, clear favorites for 378 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:33,120 Speaker 1: the division and have a chance to make some noise 379 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:33,760 Speaker 1: in October. 380 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:37,639 Speaker 4: Right, it just doesn't. It just feels like a long shot. 381 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:41,680 Speaker 1: These things can suddenly change and turn we like you said, 382 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:44,440 Speaker 1: the Darvish thing, when we first heard it, we're like really, no, 383 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:47,639 Speaker 1: what And then then they trade it for Blake Snell, remember, 384 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:51,440 Speaker 1: and we shut down like thinking like Okay, it's not happening. 385 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:53,600 Speaker 1: And then the next morning I think I got a 386 00:20:53,640 --> 00:20:55,919 Speaker 1: text and I messaged you and Dennis and was like, 387 00:20:56,240 --> 00:21:00,720 Speaker 1: apparently we shouldn't, you know, stuff digging into this. So 388 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:02,800 Speaker 1: these things happen and they come out of nowhere, and 389 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 1: we don't always know. Uh. Sometimes when when these things 390 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:10,320 Speaker 1: do get out, like like these this stuff has leaked out, 391 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:14,640 Speaker 1: it's more than it is, or it's it's less than 392 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:16,760 Speaker 1: what it seems like on Twitter, you know what I mean. 393 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:19,880 Speaker 4: It's just like, yeah, they talk. They always talk. 394 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:23,400 Speaker 1: They're always talking about and throwing ideas around and and 395 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:25,720 Speaker 1: trying to engage with people. And like you said, Prober 396 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:27,960 Speaker 1: is kind of a mad man. He's he's always looking 397 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:33,320 Speaker 1: to do something like he's a scout. Scout, He's he's 398 00:21:33,359 --> 00:21:38,159 Speaker 1: he's all like he he's just constantly evaluating talent, and 399 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:41,320 Speaker 1: thinking of ways to get better. So you know you 400 00:21:41,359 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 1: can't put anything past him, but I'd still be surprised here. 401 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:47,440 Speaker 3: I mean, why not just sign Jack Flarerty then, right, 402 00:21:47,560 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 3: I mean like yeah, I mean, I mean he is 403 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:56,000 Speaker 3: better and you know, Michael King is interesting and you 404 00:21:56,040 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 3: know it would cost more money with Flarity, but if 405 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:00,840 Speaker 3: Flarerty is where. 406 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:04,240 Speaker 4: It's no no qualifying offer, right. 407 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:07,159 Speaker 2: Maybe it's a short term thing with opt outs. 408 00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:12,119 Speaker 1: Like, yeah, King's interesting to me because like what is 409 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:14,800 Speaker 1: he asking for in ar But it's like nine million, right, 410 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:19,159 Speaker 1: Like that's like for his performance level, that's that's nothing. 411 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:22,639 Speaker 1: And you know that's got to be music to Jedden 412 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:25,440 Speaker 1: Carter's ears or like you know what is that war 413 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:26,040 Speaker 1: per dollar? 414 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:30,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, exactly, solving for wins. 415 00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:37,240 Speaker 1: All right, Well, we'll be back next week, inching closer 416 00:22:37,280 --> 00:22:41,359 Speaker 1: to Patrick heading to Arizona. Uh, maybe we'll talk have 417 00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:44,520 Speaker 1: a little prospect talks, see what what we can do. 418 00:22:44,840 --> 00:22:47,399 Speaker 1: Uh next week, but there may be some more moves 419 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 1: maybe not, maybe we'll there There probably will be moves 420 00:22:50,359 --> 00:22:53,480 Speaker 1: around the league at minimum to kind of like so 421 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:57,320 Speaker 1: we know what the Cubs options are. Thanks so much 422 00:22:57,480 --> 00:23:00,760 Speaker 1: everyone listening. Make sure to rate review some scribe to 423 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:04,480 Speaker 1: North Side Territory, subscribe to the YouTube channel. Check out 424 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 1: our work at the Athletic. Patrick and I will be 425 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:09,399 Speaker 1: on top of spring training. I'll be out in Japan. 426 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:12,440 Speaker 1: We'll be there for the start of the season, so 427 00:23:12,720 --> 00:23:15,639 Speaker 1: make sure you're subscribing, reading, doing all that good stuff. 428 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:17,680 Speaker 4: Thanks so much everyone for listening. Take