1 00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:09,520 Speaker 1: Welcome into Northside Territory. Foul Territory Networks Cubs Podcast. I'm 2 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:12,400 Speaker 1: Sahadev Charma with my partner Patrick Mooney. We are your 3 00:00:12,520 --> 00:00:18,080 Speaker 1: Cubs beat writers over at the Athletic Patrick. We are 4 00:00:18,120 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: recording this on good Luck for me finding the day. 5 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: I think it's a Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday night. We are 6 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: recording this firm. Bruce Meyer visited Kansas City and the 7 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: Cubs today. When I say Kansas City, I mean their 8 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:38,479 Speaker 1: camp and he visited the Cubs camp out in Mesa 9 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:45,199 Speaker 1: where reporters talk to him about the looming CBA issues. 10 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:50,600 Speaker 1: And this was supposed to be obviously Tony Clark speaking 11 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 1: to the media. He abruptly resigned Tuesday morning. At least 12 00:00:57,200 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 1: that's when the news went public. I'm not sure exactly 13 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: when he resigned, but that is when players found out. 14 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 1: And from my understanding, that's when player players found out 15 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 1: from the reports on Twitter and and calls started going 16 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 1: out around, you know, between players he had They had 17 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:18,840 Speaker 1: already been like there was already some stuff going on 18 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 1: with him being investigated for financial reasons. And this was 19 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:25,960 Speaker 1: not him, just the union, the players Association to players. 20 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: I believe the NFLPA was also being investigated. Uh, and 21 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 1: then it was revealed that he had an inappropriate relationship 22 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 1: with his sister in law, who is also an employee 23 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:44,039 Speaker 1: of the Players Association. So mess there when we're months away, 24 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:48,760 Speaker 1: nine months away, I believe nine ten months away from 25 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: the CBA expiring critical time obviously not a good thing. 26 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 1: I'll start by saying that Bruce Meyer was clear like, look, 27 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 1: this isn't a disaster for like, it's not good they 28 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 1: none of this is you know, it's not a good thing. 29 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:08,320 Speaker 1: But he wasn't like in panic, mo or how do 30 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 1: we solve this issue? 31 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:15,840 Speaker 2: I mean, Bruce Meyer at the time that we're recording 32 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:20,520 Speaker 2: is viewed as the likely successor to Tony Clark. But 33 00:02:21,919 --> 00:02:25,640 Speaker 2: I believe there was a call reportedly scheduled for later today. 34 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 2: Our colleagues at the Athletic have had have floated a 35 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:36,040 Speaker 2: couple of names that appear to be under consideration. Are 36 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:41,079 Speaker 2: understanding is that he would be the lead negotiator no 37 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:46,119 Speaker 2: matter what, But I think there are questions about him 38 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:51,920 Speaker 2: filling what's kind of a CEO type role as well, 39 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:57,560 Speaker 2: and that Tony Clark got a lot of, if not all, 40 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:00,119 Speaker 2: of his buy in from the fact that he was 41 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 2: a former player, and it's kind of stunning to see 42 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:13,800 Speaker 2: the you know, at least ethical boundaries that were crossed 43 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:18,120 Speaker 2: when you look at you know, hiring someone from your 44 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 2: extended family to work for the union you run is 45 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 2: not good. And then to have an inappropriate professional relationship 46 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 2: with anyone when you're running the entire organization much as 47 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:31,200 Speaker 2: someone who's also a part of it, just kind of 48 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 2: a mind blowing sequence of events. And so I'm curious 49 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 2: what was Meyers sort of demeanor when he walked out 50 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 2: of the building and saw you know, yet another media 51 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 2: waiting for it. 52 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 1: He I mean, I think he's more than used to this. 53 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 1: He was he obviously was the one talking to the 54 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 1: media in twenty twenty two. That was twenty twenty two, 55 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 1: when you know, our buddies like Bob Nightingale, Jesse Rogers 56 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:05,080 Speaker 1: were out there. He was probably getting sick of these 57 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 1: guys and seeing them every day. But he he's used to, 58 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 1: you know, difficult questions, pointed questions. He's going to have 59 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:17,279 Speaker 1: to do it a lot over the next few days. 60 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 1: He did it earlier this morning and then once again 61 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 1: in the afternoon. He had to you know, we were 62 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:26,279 Speaker 1: chatting afterwards, and he's like, we got to get going 63 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:30,880 Speaker 1: because we have another meeting. It's obviously a hectic time 64 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 1: for him. This was an unexpected like, this was not 65 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:37,720 Speaker 1: something that they saw coming at all, and so it 66 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 1: came out of nowhere. He does not I gotta say 67 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:46,680 Speaker 1: like he was pretty composed. Seems like he's pretty accustomed 68 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:50,440 Speaker 1: to talking to the media. He was asked, you know, 69 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: when did he find out about the inappropriate relationship. He wasn't. 70 00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 1: He didn't want to get into those details with us. 71 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 1: He said, the play will know everything. There's still an 72 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 1: investigation going on. The players will get every bit of information. 73 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,839 Speaker 1: That's not something that you know, I assume this stuff 74 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:12,920 Speaker 1: will be leaked in some fashion some of the you know, 75 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:16,320 Speaker 1: whether it's passing, whether it's Evan Drelich, whoever it is, 76 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 1: someone's going to get all the gory details. What was 77 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 1: interesting is when we talked to the players on Tuesday morning. 78 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:27,800 Speaker 1: You know, we talked to Ian Half, Nico Horner, and 79 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,039 Speaker 1: jameson Ty On all three the Nico Happ is the 80 00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 1: current player, rep. But Ian Happ, What did I say? 81 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 1: Nico Horner is the current player? Right? Ian Halp was 82 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 1: the previous rep. And Tyon was the rep in Was 83 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:48,360 Speaker 1: he in New York or was he with Pittsburgh whatever 84 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:50,719 Speaker 1: it was, he's been a REP before, a player rep before. 85 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:53,599 Speaker 1: I think it was New York, I mean Tyone, Like 86 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 1: both these guys ty one and half have been through 87 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:59,240 Speaker 1: a lot, Like between COVID and the lockout, they've had 88 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:01,560 Speaker 1: to sit through a lot of these meetings and go 89 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 1: through a lot of stuff. And now Horner is getting 90 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 1: his taste a bit. None of the stuff about the 91 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 1: inappropriate relationship had broken when we spoke to the players, 92 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:14,600 Speaker 1: so they kind of thought that there was an assumption 93 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 1: that it was about these financial investigations. H that's not 94 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 1: the case. Obviously it changes some of this stuff, but 95 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:27,720 Speaker 1: you know, none of them seemed that shaken by it. 96 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 1: I thought, you know, when you're part of a union, 97 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:36,360 Speaker 1: you're you know, I think Goo's like a union. You're 98 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:38,840 Speaker 1: unified as a union. That's the point of it. And 99 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:42,159 Speaker 1: you you know, I think they're sticking together, and they're 100 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:45,799 Speaker 1: very powerful union, you know, arguably the most powerful union 101 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 1: in this country. And they they've you know, in sports, 102 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:53,919 Speaker 1: they're the most they're you know, the strong, they're the 103 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 1: only sport you know of the four major sports in 104 00:06:57,160 --> 00:07:00,040 Speaker 1: this country that don't have a cap. Bruce, my I 105 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 1: was really hammering that, and that's that's going to be 106 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 1: the biggest topic. It may not, you know, I with 107 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:10,280 Speaker 1: some of the rumblings that we're hearing, I don't know 108 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 1: if it'll end up being the sticking point. There's probably 109 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: some other things. Who knows how long ownership sticks to 110 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 1: like really fights for that. But Bruce Byer was pretty 111 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 1: clear that that's not happening. You know. He was also 112 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:31,080 Speaker 1: pretty clear that, look, there's there's going to be a lockout. 113 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:35,680 Speaker 1: Like he just guaranteed we're headed for a lockout. There 114 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 1: will be a lockout. It just did not seem like, uh, 115 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:43,400 Speaker 1: there was any Basically, the point was, look, the the 116 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:46,520 Speaker 1: league likes to put pressure on the players and that's 117 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 1: the way they handle business. And look that's a negotiation tactic. 118 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:53,320 Speaker 1: I mean, just listen to what Jed Hoyer says when 119 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 1: he's talking about negotiating contracts right, like the different thing, 120 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:03,760 Speaker 1: but like it, these are contracts and deadlines help with 121 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: the contracts. So do your get to spring training. The 122 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:08,920 Speaker 1: closer you get to opening day, that puts pressure and 123 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:13,520 Speaker 1: people want to get a deal done. It's what happened 124 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 1: last time we got We didn't miss any games, but 125 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:18,720 Speaker 1: it went pretty deep into spring training. Who knows what 126 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 1: happens here, But this this seems as contentious, if not more, 127 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 1: than anything I've experienced while covering this game. And certainly 128 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:32,319 Speaker 1: you know I was a kid in ninety four. But 129 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:37,839 Speaker 1: let's let's hope it doesn't get to that extreme. But also, 130 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 1: at least we have a season. That's something I don't 131 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 1: think we we said last episode when talked about Tom Ricketts. 132 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:47,719 Speaker 1: He kind of he was asked about that, like, how 133 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 1: what would you tell fans, you know, with this looming 134 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:53,840 Speaker 1: cbas Like I don't think he meant it in this 135 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 1: exact ways, like but like, enjoy this season, enjoy the 136 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 1: games as we have them. I don't think he was 137 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 1: saying like, yeah, we won't have any games for a 138 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:05,199 Speaker 1: while after this one, But it was just like it, 139 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 1: enjoy the moment and don't dwell on the future, don't 140 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 1: worry about the future. But it also comes across as 141 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: like who knows, which I think is a fair assessment. 142 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:19,559 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think baseball fans have to file that name away. 143 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 2: Bruce Meyer, like you get yourself familiar with this character 144 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:27,439 Speaker 2: for years. I feel like this might have been even 145 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:29,440 Speaker 2: around the time when I first started working with you 146 00:09:29,480 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 2: at the Athletic there's these rumblings about Tony Clark and 147 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:38,000 Speaker 2: questions about, you know, whether he was really suited to 148 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 2: lead this union. And part of what came out of 149 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:49,319 Speaker 2: this was the union adding more legal firepower. They recognized 150 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:52,880 Speaker 2: that they had to staff up. They saw what Major 151 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,200 Speaker 2: League Baseball had done on the management side and built 152 00:09:56,200 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 2: a very robust labor relations department. And so his reputation 153 00:10:05,920 --> 00:10:10,920 Speaker 2: is out of a tenacious negotiator, and I think it'll 154 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 2: be kind of fascinating to watch, you know, whether or 155 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 2: not he gets the number one top job or not. 156 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:21,040 Speaker 2: It sounds like he's going to be heavily involved as 157 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:28,560 Speaker 2: the lead negotiator, so in terms of rhetoric, messaging, the 158 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:32,079 Speaker 2: various pressure points, like, he's going to be involved in 159 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 2: all of it. 160 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: Yeah. Absolutely, he's an important part of all of this. 161 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:39,959 Speaker 1: And you're right, we're going to be hearing his name 162 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 1: a lot, I think over the next year or so. 163 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:46,080 Speaker 1: Hopefully it's only a year or so and not and not, 164 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 1: you know, a year plus, because none of us want 165 00:10:49,679 --> 00:10:53,600 Speaker 1: this stuff to linger into March and April, and certainly 166 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:54,520 Speaker 1: not beyond that. 167 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 2: Because you know, let's move on, let's not even let's 168 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 2: not even entertain idea. 169 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:03,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, because the reason why we don't is because 170 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:06,320 Speaker 1: there's the payment to be had. There's you know, this 171 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:10,079 Speaker 1: is as fun as this season looks like it's going 172 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:14,720 Speaker 1: to be, the Cubs have some actual, bright, future, exciting 173 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:19,560 Speaker 1: future on this team. We talked about Pete Armstrong last week, 174 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 1: him trying to back up a strong season, if not 175 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:30,920 Speaker 1: a perfect season. I think all the pressure I shouldn't 176 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:33,959 Speaker 1: maybe maybe pressure is it all the all the When 177 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:36,360 Speaker 1: it comes to the pitching staff, the hype is going 178 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 1: to be around Cade Horton, and I got to say, 179 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:45,560 Speaker 1: I know it's spring training. I have to I have 180 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:49,320 Speaker 1: to always remind myself that don't take too much away. 181 00:11:50,040 --> 00:11:54,199 Speaker 1: But when pitchers are this far ahead, I find it interesting. 182 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:58,080 Speaker 1: He's not going to pitch a team USA. He's not 183 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 1: ahead because he has to be. He's not pitching competitively 184 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 1: until you know, when I say, in a real game, 185 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:07,960 Speaker 1: until you know, opening day or later whenever he does start. 186 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 1: But I saw I was standing behind his live BP. 187 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 1: I was standing in the back, you know, Patrick in 188 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 1: the backfields, you can. If they're doing it in the 189 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:23,000 Speaker 1: in Sloan Park, you don't see all the data. If 190 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:24,959 Speaker 1: you stand in the backfields, can you stand right behind 191 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:27,040 Speaker 1: the guys with the tablet, you can see right over 192 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:30,439 Speaker 1: their shoulder and see all the info about that stuff. 193 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: And I saw a ninety eight pop up and the 194 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:38,840 Speaker 1: I was like did I I had to go up 195 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:42,000 Speaker 1: to someone and say did that? Say ninety eight? Like 196 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,360 Speaker 1: that wasn't like an exit velocity that I was that 197 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:47,920 Speaker 1: I missed or something like that. That Like Kate Horton's 198 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:53,080 Speaker 1: throwing ninety eight right now. He's like yeah, and he's like, 199 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 1: how about that. It's it's February whatever, fifteenth, and you know, 200 00:12:57,679 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 1: this kid's thrown ninety eight. I don't think I from 201 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:02,959 Speaker 1: what I saw, he didn't hit it again. But in 202 00:13:03,040 --> 00:13:09,840 Speaker 1: ninety five, ninety six, middle of February, you know, like 203 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:14,920 Speaker 1: he looked like he was in mid season form. I'm 204 00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:17,440 Speaker 1: not saying he's gonna hit one hundred this year. I 205 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:20,000 Speaker 1: don't think that's exactly how it works. It's just like 206 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:22,800 Speaker 1: he's he's ready to go. He's in great shape. And 207 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:28,040 Speaker 1: I think Council kind of said it, you know, I said, 208 00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:30,480 Speaker 1: he said like, oh, yeah, he look pretty good. I 209 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 1: was like, he was sitting ninety six and he hit 210 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:34,240 Speaker 1: ninety eight. Yeah, and he was like yeah, and he 211 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:37,559 Speaker 1: was cruising. I was like, like, you're so kind of 212 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 1: like he's like, I was like, it feels more than cruising, 213 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:43,880 Speaker 1: he said, And he was like, yeah, he said he 214 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 1: was in good shape or whatever. He says. He's like, yeah, 215 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:49,200 Speaker 1: it was so matter of fact about it. But I 216 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:51,880 Speaker 1: will say this. You know, Council, We all know, Council. 217 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:57,760 Speaker 1: He's not hyperbolic. And he did say in his opening 218 00:13:57,760 --> 00:13:59,600 Speaker 1: press are when asked about Kate Horton, he said, he 219 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 1: dominated the league last year, and you know, now he 220 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 1: has to go back that up. It's going to be 221 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:06,559 Speaker 1: a big challenge. There's a big challenge ahead of him 222 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:09,800 Speaker 1: this season. And I think he's right, and I agree. 223 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:13,640 Speaker 1: You know, not every data point says he dominated, but 224 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:15,720 Speaker 1: when you go look at his second half and you 225 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:18,640 Speaker 1: look at the runs allowed, he did dominate. It was 226 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 1: it was a pretty impressive stretch. And who would have 227 00:14:22,040 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 1: thought that entering last spring training. If I would have 228 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:30,440 Speaker 1: told you, hey, Patrick, the Cubs are going to make 229 00:14:30,440 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 1: the playoffs. And because Kate Horton's hurt, Like, that's a 230 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 1: huge blow to their chances. Like I mean, it probably 231 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 1: changed like the course of their postseason because of this 232 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:46,360 Speaker 1: one rookie pitcher. That's how impactful he was last season, 233 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:48,840 Speaker 1: and now he's got to go out there and do 234 00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 1: it again for thirty somethings starts. It's a lot of 235 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:55,640 Speaker 1: pressure for him. He seems to be the same guy 236 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 1: that I remember talking to after the season ended last 237 00:14:59,080 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 1: year or in the middle of season, whatever it is. 238 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:04,640 Speaker 1: He's pretty mature. I'm impressed by the way he is 239 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:07,800 Speaker 1: able to handle these things, or at least outwardly, how 240 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:10,000 Speaker 1: he carries himself with all this stuff. 241 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, that was a good story on the Athletic I'd 242 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:17,160 Speaker 2: encourage everyone to check that out. Yeah, I mean, Kate 243 00:15:17,240 --> 00:15:21,040 Speaker 2: Horton was on the training wheels program last year. I 244 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:22,960 Speaker 2: mean they were doing everything and just try and keep 245 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:27,040 Speaker 2: him healthy and get him out to an affiliate, and 246 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 2: it was all all we know is if Kate Horton's healthy, 247 00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 2: he has a chance to impact the major league team. 248 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:36,080 Speaker 2: You'll be pitching at Wrigley and just you even saw it, 249 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 2: even as you know he was in the major league 250 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 2: rotation that they did you have certain kind of governors 251 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 2: on his outings, and you know, to their credit, they 252 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:51,360 Speaker 2: got him almost to the finish line, not quite what 253 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:55,160 Speaker 2: was seemed like kind of a freak injury. But you know, 254 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 2: without reading too much into practice, I think what I 255 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:02,960 Speaker 2: thought it was another thing you had written this offseason, 256 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 2: just this idea of like what if the Cups have 257 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 2: like a legit number one starter, like a Cy Young 258 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 2: Award contender right now, Like what if he's better than 259 00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:16,840 Speaker 2: any free agent who signed this past offseason or was 260 00:16:17,360 --> 00:16:21,040 Speaker 2: you know, traded this offseason, Like that's not out of 261 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 2: the realm of possibility. And I think, you know, with pictures, 262 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:27,680 Speaker 2: you just have to, like you take it as it comes. 263 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:31,040 Speaker 2: Like if he's if he's cruising, if he's in a 264 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:36,160 Speaker 2: good frame of mind, and if physically he's holding up, 265 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:40,920 Speaker 2: he's gonna be one of the biggest characters of the season, 266 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 2: no doubt. 267 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:46,840 Speaker 1: Yeah. I think when uh, when I interact with fans 268 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:50,760 Speaker 1: and some of the ones that are little hesitant or 269 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:54,160 Speaker 1: don't understand how people can say, how is this team 270 00:16:54,560 --> 00:17:00,360 Speaker 1: better than last year's? Look, I understand just like you know, 271 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 1: taking out Kyle Tucker and bringing in Alex Bregman. Maybe 272 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: that's a slight offensive I mean, that probably is a 273 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:12,720 Speaker 1: slight offensive down like a slight downgrade. I think overall 274 00:17:12,960 --> 00:17:18,239 Speaker 1: it's probably like value wise, it's probably pretty similar. But 275 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:21,240 Speaker 1: I understand the point being made. I just think the 276 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:24,320 Speaker 1: upside of this rotation is so much higher than last 277 00:17:24,359 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 1: year coming especially coming into the season. While we probably 278 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:33,280 Speaker 1: all had hopes for Kate Horton or believed he could 279 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:36,160 Speaker 1: be a really good player, I don't think we expected 280 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:38,800 Speaker 1: that type of impact last year. And now what you 281 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:42,400 Speaker 1: just said, yes he has the upside of cy Young, 282 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:45,159 Speaker 1: and then you add in Edward Cabrera. You're talking about 283 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 1: like two huge, high upside guys at the front of 284 00:17:48,119 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 1: the rotation. It really changes the dynamic for the team. 285 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:55,399 Speaker 1: And if your pitching is that good, if you have 286 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:59,399 Speaker 1: two guys that you know have the potential to be 287 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 1: like run to the rotation starters, they just didn't have 288 00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 1: that to start last season. You know, Yes, Justin Steele 289 00:18:07,280 --> 00:18:10,200 Speaker 1: and showed him Naga were looked at as really good 290 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:13,959 Speaker 1: pictures entering last season. This feels a little different, at 291 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:18,440 Speaker 1: least stuff wise. I guess that would be the separator, 292 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:22,040 Speaker 1: Like these guys have this stuff to be like, oh yeah, 293 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 1: like not only do they put up the numbers and 294 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:29,400 Speaker 1: get the results, but now you're talking about like intimidation factor, 295 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:32,919 Speaker 1: and like guys that are splashy headline names, and like 296 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:35,840 Speaker 1: you know, other teams are like game planning, like we 297 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:38,679 Speaker 1: gotta face Kate Horton in game one and Edward Cabrere 298 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: in game two, Like how do we deal with this? 299 00:18:42,119 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 1: I think that's a that's kind of a separator. 300 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 2: You bring up SHOWDA and we'll get into him more 301 00:18:50,800 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 2: as camp develops. I am curious to hear your thoughts 302 00:18:54,760 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 2: on him. Yeah, separately, But this show to adjacent note 303 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:04,879 Speaker 2: we have is that Asmoto, a longtime Cubs official, is 304 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:09,119 Speaker 2: planning to join the New York Yankees after the World 305 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:18,200 Speaker 2: Baseball Classic. He has been instrumental in turning Chicago Hubs 306 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 2: into a top destination for Japanese players. After this past season, 307 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:29,800 Speaker 2: now elected to become a free agent and explore his options, 308 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 2: given how long he had been with the Cubs since 309 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:35,439 Speaker 2: two thousand and five, and just looking at you know, 310 00:19:35,520 --> 00:19:42,480 Speaker 2: the explosion of Japanese baseball really across the globe, and 311 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:45,520 Speaker 2: you know, now as you know side of us, very 312 00:19:45,560 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 2: behind the scenes, he would kind of manage their operations 313 00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:53,000 Speaker 2: in the Pacific RIM while also being a guy in 314 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 2: the clubhouse, you know, breaking down video and data and 315 00:19:56,600 --> 00:20:01,399 Speaker 2: presenting information to the clubhouse as you know, being a 316 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:05,000 Speaker 2: huge part of the support system for all these Japanese 317 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:08,760 Speaker 2: players who they've brought in, whether it's interpreting, whether it's 318 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 2: you know, giving sort of tips or recommendations to players families. 319 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 2: I think the Yankees are getting a good one here 320 00:20:21,280 --> 00:20:27,000 Speaker 2: as they try to sort of re establish themselves in Japan. 321 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:29,199 Speaker 2: It's crazy, you know, obviously the Yankees are this like 322 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:34,480 Speaker 2: globally iconic brand, but they've they haven't been big players 323 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:37,200 Speaker 2: for the biggest Japanese players in quite some time. 324 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:40,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, it has been a little while since we've really 325 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:46,280 Speaker 1: seen the Yankees involved in that area. The Cubs made 326 00:20:46,720 --> 00:20:52,840 Speaker 1: a huge push. We wrote about it entering last season 327 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:55,880 Speaker 1: when they opened the season in Japan. This wasn't a coincidence. 328 00:20:57,040 --> 00:20:59,880 Speaker 1: They didn't these players didn't just fall into their lap. 329 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:03,920 Speaker 1: They worked hard to establish themselves as a player in Japan. 330 00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:10,040 Speaker 1: They saw how much impact talent was coming and they 331 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:15,640 Speaker 1: wanted to be able to get involved to the you know, 332 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 1: say a Suzuki huge impact offensively showed him Anaga let's 333 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:23,280 Speaker 1: say a season and a half season plus where he's 334 00:21:23,320 --> 00:21:26,840 Speaker 1: been pretty damn good. Obviously, we expect to bounce back 335 00:21:26,880 --> 00:21:31,439 Speaker 1: this year. Both of them are impending free agents. What 336 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:35,080 Speaker 1: is the like this is It's hard to answer this 337 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 1: question now. I don't know what the answer is, but 338 00:21:39,560 --> 00:21:41,920 Speaker 1: I'm very curious to see what the impact will be 339 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:48,119 Speaker 1: with their involvement in Japan and going forward. I don't 340 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:54,280 Speaker 1: know if it's going to significantly change things. How like, 341 00:21:54,440 --> 00:21:59,800 Speaker 1: are they retaining either of the players. Are they going 342 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:02,560 Speaker 1: back back to Japan to try and acquire the next 343 00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:07,720 Speaker 1: big free agent? I don't know. Like they claim they 344 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:11,840 Speaker 1: want to continue to be, you know, steeped in that market. 345 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:17,879 Speaker 1: We'll see if that's possible. The kind of the talent 346 00:22:18,359 --> 00:22:22,359 Speaker 1: pipeline there doesn't really end. It's not just a one 347 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:25,080 Speaker 1: player there are a year after year there are more 348 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:29,520 Speaker 1: players there. You know, I'd have to look who the 349 00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:34,200 Speaker 1: names are, but there are still really big names. In 350 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:38,080 Speaker 1: particular I believe on the pitching side that that will 351 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:41,760 Speaker 1: be coming stateside in the next few years. Are the 352 00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:44,760 Speaker 1: clubs going to be players there? We just don't know. 353 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:50,600 Speaker 1: This was seen as like this huge initiative for Jed 354 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:56,320 Speaker 1: Hoyer and how much does Now's departure change things. We'll 355 00:22:56,359 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 1: have to see. But he was like, I don't think 356 00:22:59,880 --> 00:23:03,119 Speaker 1: you could really deny that he had an impact along 357 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:03,480 Speaker 1: the way. 358 00:23:05,359 --> 00:23:07,479 Speaker 2: Yeah, I have a hard time believing the Cubs just 359 00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:15,920 Speaker 2: giving up on their operations in Asia. Obviously, everyone is replaceable. 360 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:19,840 Speaker 2: It's just helpful I think for our listeners to understand, like, 361 00:23:20,760 --> 00:23:23,919 Speaker 2: why were the Cubs one of this part of that 362 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:26,480 Speaker 2: small group of teams that were constantly in the mix 363 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:29,199 Speaker 2: for these players. Well, that was a big part of 364 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:34,080 Speaker 2: that because he became very close with you, you Darvish. 365 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:38,960 Speaker 2: Darvish is an enormously influential figure among a certain generation 366 00:23:39,040 --> 00:23:45,600 Speaker 2: of Japanese players. And you know, it's a different way 367 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:49,120 Speaker 2: of doing business over there. It's a different culture, like obviously, 368 00:23:49,359 --> 00:23:54,840 Speaker 2: and you need people who can maneuver in those spaces, 369 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:59,760 Speaker 2: people who have relationships, people who have credibility, people who 370 00:23:59,800 --> 00:24:04,400 Speaker 2: have connections. And it was never a one man operation, 371 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:07,880 Speaker 2: don't don't get us wrong, but like Now was kind 372 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 2: of the glue to that in a lot of ways. 373 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 2: I mean just literally someone who we'd see in the 374 00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:17,480 Speaker 2: club house, he'd be in like Jim Swartz and a 375 00:24:17,520 --> 00:24:19,600 Speaker 2: Cub's hoodie because he was doing part of his day job, 376 00:24:19,640 --> 00:24:22,600 Speaker 2: but he also had this other uh. Another part of 377 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:31,080 Speaker 2: his responsibilities was maintaining all of those various connections abroad. 378 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:34,320 Speaker 2: And some of it was you know, small stuff of 379 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:36,399 Speaker 2: just like you know where to go or what to 380 00:24:36,440 --> 00:24:38,560 Speaker 2: do in Chicago. Some of it was more important stuff 381 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:42,720 Speaker 2: of if the coaching staff needed a message delivered to 382 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:46,200 Speaker 2: a player and they wanted to make sure they got 383 00:24:46,240 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 2: it right now, was the guy, uh you'd go to? 384 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:54,680 Speaker 2: And then just you know kind of these agencies. You know, 385 00:24:54,880 --> 00:24:57,879 Speaker 2: the contract is obviously a big part of what they do, 386 00:24:57,960 --> 00:25:00,760 Speaker 2: that's where they make the money, but ormous amount of 387 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:03,280 Speaker 2: work is just the day to day stuff, the smaller 388 00:25:03,320 --> 00:25:09,520 Speaker 2: things just kind of the just that that workflow that 389 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:13,280 Speaker 2: does not make headlines or is not really talked about 390 00:25:13,320 --> 00:25:17,640 Speaker 2: on podcasts, But there are people like now who help 391 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:20,680 Speaker 2: fill in some of those gaps or you know, kind 392 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:23,000 Speaker 2: of get the right person on the phone or like 393 00:25:23,080 --> 00:25:26,399 Speaker 2: share that piece of information. And so, yeah, I think 394 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 2: you're right. It remains to be seen. Like no one 395 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:33,520 Speaker 2: really knows. The Cubs have had a really nice run 396 00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:36,720 Speaker 2: here with Japanese players. I don't think that that goes 397 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:39,879 Speaker 2: away overnight, clearly, But I think it's just something a 398 00:25:39,880 --> 00:25:43,080 Speaker 2: monitor of just sort of what what are the ambitions 399 00:25:43,280 --> 00:25:47,600 Speaker 2: and will we see the Yankees again maybe starting to 400 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:49,760 Speaker 2: re establish themselves in that sphere. 401 00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:52,439 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I don't like in a lot of this stuff, 402 00:25:52,440 --> 00:25:55,720 Speaker 1: like we don't even realize how impactful something like the 403 00:25:55,760 --> 00:25:58,880 Speaker 1: behind the scenes stuff is until you know, we kind 404 00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 1: of heard rumbling Japanese reporters telling us like now is 405 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:04,080 Speaker 1: really important. I can't believe they're letting him go things 406 00:26:04,119 --> 00:26:07,480 Speaker 1: like that, you know. So you know, like like I said, 407 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:10,640 Speaker 1: we'll see you know, obviously now and he. 408 00:26:10,560 --> 00:26:12,960 Speaker 2: Had he had a he could have come back. 409 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:15,520 Speaker 1: They yes, in terms of letting him go. 410 00:26:15,560 --> 00:26:19,199 Speaker 2: Like he he chose to become a free agent and 411 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:22,040 Speaker 2: see what's out there, and obviously had whatever it was 412 00:26:22,119 --> 00:26:26,080 Speaker 2: twenty something seasons or twenty plus, I forget the exact number, 413 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:29,879 Speaker 2: but left everything in a in a very good place, 414 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:32,480 Speaker 2: and he's onto the next challenge. 415 00:26:32,760 --> 00:26:34,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, So I mean, good luck to him. He's always 416 00:26:35,040 --> 00:26:38,720 Speaker 1: enjoyed talking to Now we'll see if what kind of 417 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:40,920 Speaker 1: impact he can make in New York and if they 418 00:26:41,359 --> 00:26:44,960 Speaker 1: kind of change how they've been doing things there. And 419 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:49,480 Speaker 1: get back into a free agency in Japan as well. 420 00:26:50,040 --> 00:26:51,960 Speaker 1: All right, thanks so much for listening to everyone. We'll 421 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:55,360 Speaker 1: be back next week with more episodes of Northside Territory. 422 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:58,399 Speaker 1: Make sure to rate, review, subscribe, subscribe to the YouTube channel, 423 00:26:58,480 --> 00:27:01,040 Speaker 1: and Subscletica. Patrick and I are on top of all 424 00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:29,920 Speaker 1: things cubs. Thanks so much for listening everyone. Take care,