1 00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:08,959 Speaker 1: Welcome into North Side Territory. Foul Territory Networks Cubs Podcast. 2 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:12,320 Speaker 1: I'm Sahadev Sharma with my partner Patrick Mooney. We are 3 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:16,560 Speaker 1: your Cubs beat writers over at the Athletic Patrick. The 4 00:00:16,640 --> 00:00:21,320 Speaker 1: season is kicking off. Let's do some season predictions. Uh, 5 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:25,080 Speaker 1: let's let's kind of see what we how we feel 6 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 1: about this team, the division, what may happen. Uh, you 7 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:33,599 Speaker 1: know it's we're bound to be wrong. I saw, like 8 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:36,560 Speaker 1: you know, everybody's predictions are coming out now on Twitter 9 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 1: and they're getting yelled at. Uh. Half those things you 10 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 1: get yelled at are right, and half the time you 11 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 1: know you're gonna look like an idiot. So uh, I 12 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 1: guess we'll we'll take our arrows coming our way if if, 13 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:52,559 Speaker 1: if people are upset by anything we have, but we 14 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: may as well kick it off with the point of 15 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:59,040 Speaker 1: the season. Uh. The biggest, the biggest thing that Jed 16 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 1: Hoyer has to be concerned about, and that Craig Council 17 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:06,959 Speaker 1: is stated as the obvious goal. And will this team 18 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 1: make the playoffs? How do you feel about that? 19 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:15,880 Speaker 2: Well, our editors make us do these prediction preview type pieces, 20 00:01:15,880 --> 00:01:18,240 Speaker 2: so I had to put something on record so I will. 21 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:20,280 Speaker 2: I'm not going to run away from it, even though 22 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:23,399 Speaker 2: they lost two games in Tokyo and did not look 23 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,399 Speaker 2: all that compelling while doing so. But I had them 24 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 2: winning slightly more than eighty three games and winning the 25 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:39,760 Speaker 2: division after in part a blockbuster trade for Sandy a 26 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 2: Contra from the Marlins this summer. So that's the general 27 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 2: outline of the season. How I see it. They're gonna 28 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:53,320 Speaker 2: hang on. They're going to scrape and scratch and claw. 29 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 2: It's not going to be like a comfortable smooth ride. 30 00:01:57,800 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 2: I think the roster will kind of turnover a bit. 31 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:05,640 Speaker 2: I think they're gonna push their chips in at the 32 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:10,160 Speaker 2: trade deadline, and I don't see anyone running away with 33 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:13,839 Speaker 2: the division, which is probably good for the Cubs and 34 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 2: that they make the playoffs. Jed Hoyer in this front 35 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:23,760 Speaker 2: office kind of survive in advance to another contractual term. 36 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:28,160 Speaker 1: I also have them making the playoffs. I think they're 37 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 1: they're gonna push ninety wins. I don't I don't know 38 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:36,680 Speaker 1: if they'll get there. I just you know, we'll see. 39 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: I agree that there will be a move at the deadline. 40 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 1: It'll be a big move, probably for a starter. But 41 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 1: I have Here's why I would hesitate on Sandy al Contra, 42 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,519 Speaker 1: and it's because I think he's gonna be the prize 43 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:54,760 Speaker 1: of the deadline, and there's gonna be like four teams 44 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 1: out of it obvious sellers and everyone else thinks they're 45 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:00,400 Speaker 1: they can they can compete, and they're just going to 46 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 1: be too many teams competing for that. But the reason 47 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 1: you could be right is because of everything that's online 48 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:11,799 Speaker 1: on the line for this season, and maybe Jed Hoyer 49 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:14,360 Speaker 1: and company will be the boldest of those teams that 50 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:18,160 Speaker 1: are competing. Do they have It's all going to depend like, 51 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:21,920 Speaker 1: how's you know, James Treanto's doing, how's Owen Casey doing, 52 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:26,240 Speaker 1: How's Moses Biastero's doing, How's you know the next to 53 00:03:26,320 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 1: the next picture that they've developed doing, How's uh, you know, 54 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 1: Jefferson Rojas doing? Like, how are these guys doing? Do 55 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: they have what it takes? And then are there guys 56 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 1: that we're not that I'm not talking about that pop 57 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 1: right that that that's very possible. I I just don't know, 58 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: Like I guess we need to see it. Right, Hey, listen, 59 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,560 Speaker 1: they've they've done a good job developing talent or unearthing 60 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 1: talent in the draft, right, I mean, Sire Hope is 61 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: a top one hundred prospect according to many, Jackson Ferris 62 00:03:57,280 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 1: is a top one hundred prospect according to many. And 63 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 1: and now Cam Smith has made the Astros and just 64 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 1: an insane development over the course of spring training. Like, 65 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 1: I am not going to criticize that trade. I think 66 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 1: it was you had to be bold, you had to 67 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: go get a superstar. They they're the ones that picked 68 00:04:18,080 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 1: Cam Smith, what was it, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, something like that. 69 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:24,360 Speaker 1: The guy looks like you should have been a top 70 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:26,400 Speaker 1: three pick. And I said that at the time, I 71 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 1: was told that by other people outside the Org, this 72 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:32,280 Speaker 1: guy's a stud. They made the they did the like 73 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 1: they nailed this pick, like they didn't overthink it. They 74 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 1: trusted the info that they have and they went and 75 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 1: got a guide that I think. You know, a lot 76 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:44,359 Speaker 1: of scouts told me, we're going to look back on 77 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:46,280 Speaker 1: this draft in five years and say, why wasn't Cam 78 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 1: Smith the top three pick. I think some people are 79 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: saying that already. But we'll see, We'll see how camp 80 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:54,960 Speaker 1: Smith does. I mean, that could be like a way 81 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 1: too aggressive. I'm not going to make a bold prediction 82 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 1: on Cam Smith, but you know, we'll see how he 83 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:03,120 Speaker 1: does it. It's going to be hard for him to 84 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 1: adjust right away. Well, it's one thing to do in 85 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: spring training. Let's see how he does it in the 86 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:13,400 Speaker 1: regular season. I'm gonna say this, This is my prediction, 87 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:16,360 Speaker 1: and it ties into what we just said. I think 88 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:19,159 Speaker 1: their rotation is going to struggle in the first half. 89 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: And when I say struggle, I don't mean be like 90 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:25,960 Speaker 1: a like a bottom ten rotation, but like it's going 91 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:27,840 Speaker 1: to be middle of the pack and it's going like 92 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 1: it's like people are worried about the bullpen and the 93 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:33,120 Speaker 1: offense right now. I think it's the rotation that is 94 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:36,839 Speaker 1: just like it's it's not bad, like it has a floor, right, 95 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:40,159 Speaker 1: it has a floor. I just worry that it's not 96 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:42,919 Speaker 1: going to be this obvious strength. And I think you 97 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 1: need everything to kind of be an obvious strength. You 98 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:49,919 Speaker 1: need to like, you know, you don't want to have 99 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 1: to worry about fighting for a division that seems very 100 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:54,719 Speaker 1: winnable and seems weak. 101 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:55,440 Speaker 2: Uh. 102 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 1: And and I think it's going to keep them around 103 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 1: the pack. There's there's going to be moments where people say, man, 104 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:02,839 Speaker 1: they should have a six to seven game lead in 105 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:07,360 Speaker 1: the division and they're tied with whoever. And I think 106 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:09,240 Speaker 1: we're going to look back and say, well, in the 107 00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 1: first half, you know, this is why they have to 108 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:14,160 Speaker 1: go out and get a starting pitcher. They're They're pitching 109 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:16,640 Speaker 1: is good, They're starting pitching is good. It's not great, 110 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:20,040 Speaker 1: and it's you know, some suspect outings here and there 111 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 1: are costing them. So that's like, I you know, who knows. 112 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 1: Maybe showdam minaga is is as good as he was 113 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 1: last year, and Justin Steele's first start was a blip. 114 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:34,799 Speaker 1: But and I'm not predicting either will take a huge 115 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,799 Speaker 1: step back. It's just that I think I think the 116 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 1: rotation as a whole is kind of just going to 117 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:43,679 Speaker 1: look average in that first half of the season. 118 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:48,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, you're our resident weather conspiracy guy too, 119 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 2: of like if Wrigley Play is a little different, if 120 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:56,720 Speaker 2: any of them just take a slight step back, Like, 121 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:59,240 Speaker 2: this is a team that does not have a lot 122 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,760 Speaker 2: of margin for And that's why if I'm going to 123 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:05,600 Speaker 2: pick the Cubs to win the division, implicit in that 124 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 2: is that Kyle Tucker will have a good enough year. 125 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 2: I think there are going to be times where being 126 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 2: a left handed hitter at Wrigley Field is going to 127 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 2: be frustrating for him. I think he's going to miss 128 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 2: playing with the Bregman's and Alvarez's and two days of 129 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 2: the World. I think there will be some degree of 130 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:33,720 Speaker 2: Walkier pressure. I know he has not. He's shown himself 131 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 2: to be extremely resilient and focused throughout his career. I 132 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 2: just think it's kind of natural and almost always happens. 133 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 2: But if he carries this team to the playoffs, I 134 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 2: think cam Smith is a distant thought, and if I 135 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 2: had to predict it, I would be I would bet 136 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 2: that he'd wind up back in Triple A at some 137 00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:58,920 Speaker 2: point this year, more than he's going to be in 138 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 2: the All Star Game or playing in October. Again, that's 139 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:05,160 Speaker 2: nothing against Cam Smith. He has a wonderful future in 140 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:10,080 Speaker 2: front of him. The Astros have so many times, so 141 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 2: much such a bigger opportunity to win this trade. I 142 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 2: think it was maybe fourteen years of club control the 143 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 2: Cubs gave up for one year, one season with Kyle Tucker. 144 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 2: So yeah, I mean Predis did not look all that 145 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:25,600 Speaker 2: good at wrigley Field, but playing in Houston, in that 146 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 2: ballpark whatever it's called, now probably you can have a 147 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:34,559 Speaker 2: real big season and was Nesky, we've known he's had talent, 148 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 2: change of scenery, going back to his hometown. He could 149 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 2: put it all together one of these years. And then obviously, 150 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:44,839 Speaker 2: if you're taking the first six years of camp Smith's career, 151 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:48,120 Speaker 2: he's probably gonna be pretty good at some point. Just 152 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 2: looking at his track record as a major college program, 153 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:55,200 Speaker 2: Cape cod League first round pick guy, Like, yeah, he's 154 00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:58,480 Speaker 2: probably gonna be pretty good at some point. But if 155 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 2: the Cubs make it to October, uh, I think it 156 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:05,680 Speaker 2: is well worth it. Like we can't sit back and 157 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:07,400 Speaker 2: kind of roll our eyes that, oh, they have all 158 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:09,720 Speaker 2: these prospects and then you know, the one time they 159 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:11,840 Speaker 2: actually make a huge trade, then all of a sudden 160 00:09:11,920 --> 00:09:15,240 Speaker 2: start you know, you know, scolding them for giving up 161 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 2: a prospect, Like you're a big market team, you have 162 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:20,880 Speaker 2: to go for it. And I think the bigger issue 163 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 2: I think where this season hinges is going to be 164 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:27,760 Speaker 2: like did they do enough around Kyle Tucker? They do 165 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:31,800 Speaker 2: enough around hiring Craig Council, Like you kind of hire 166 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 2: him and then kind of run things more like the 167 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 2: Brewers and the Dodgers. You trade for Kyle Tucker and 168 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:40,720 Speaker 2: then do a lot of sort of incremental gradual moves 169 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:42,680 Speaker 2: like that. I think it's kind of the larger tension 170 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 2: within the organization right now. 171 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:48,000 Speaker 1: No, absolutely great. I agree with a lot of what 172 00:09:48,040 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 1: you just said. I think, uh, if I were going 173 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:54,280 Speaker 1: to predict a Tucker season, I think he's going to 174 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:57,880 Speaker 1: get some down ballid MVP votes if not, like maybe 175 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:00,120 Speaker 1: even he has, maybe even has like a full an 176 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:04,680 Speaker 1: MVP type season and he gets top three votes. My 177 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:09,160 Speaker 1: prediction for the offense, I talked about this with some 178 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 1: other writers early in spring training. I'm gonna stick with it. 179 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:14,160 Speaker 1: As far as breakout guy on the offense, I think 180 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:17,440 Speaker 1: it's Michael Bush. I think Wrigley hurt him a little 181 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 1: bit last year, probably decent amount. He was a monster 182 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 1: on the road. I think he's going to be one 183 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 1: of the best all round first basement in baseball. He emerges. 184 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:28,679 Speaker 1: He was kind of like fringe that guy like he was. 185 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 1: There was the tier of like Vlad Bryce Harper. I'm 186 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 1: missing one other first baseman that's a stud, and then 187 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 1: there's another this year, Freddy Freeman. That's who I'm missing. 188 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:42,080 Speaker 1: Like there's that tier and then there's the other next 189 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:45,040 Speaker 1: tier and he was about to enter or maybe he 190 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:47,200 Speaker 1: did enter that next year of like Pete Alonzo in 191 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 1: that group a very solid first basement Christian Walker guys 192 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 1: like that. He was like kind of hovering in that. 193 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 1: I think he takes it up and he doesn't quite 194 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:59,680 Speaker 1: get to Bryce Harper, Vladd Junior, Freddy Freeman level, but 195 00:10:59,720 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 1: he's knocking on that door where people are like, is 196 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 1: Michael Bush a stud? Like there's going to be like 197 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:07,040 Speaker 1: a month where he has where people are like, well, 198 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:10,319 Speaker 1: this guy's a monster type thing. That's that's my prediction. 199 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:12,439 Speaker 1: I don't I don't think he ends the season and 200 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:15,640 Speaker 1: in that elite level, because that's those are like guys 201 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:19,600 Speaker 1: that you're talking about that are either like looking like 202 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 1: Hall of famers or or knocking on the door on 203 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:25,360 Speaker 1: the pathway to that, which is a very high bar 204 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:29,600 Speaker 1: for first base right Hall of Fame level production. But 205 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 1: I think he's he's going to have a really big season. 206 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 1: I just have a feeling. I think when you talk about, 207 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: you know, Kyle Tucker doesn't have the same type of 208 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:44,079 Speaker 1: bats around him that he did in Houston. It's absolutely true. 209 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 1: He doesn't have that established track record of guys there 210 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 1: aren't many bats like you were done Alvarez. There are 211 00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:52,680 Speaker 1: not many third basemen have the history that Alex Bregman 212 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:57,920 Speaker 1: does in this in this league, so he needs guys 213 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:01,520 Speaker 1: like Michael Bush to step up. And I'd even say 214 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 1: he has the second most power output on this team. 215 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:08,320 Speaker 1: If we're going to measure that, I'd go buy ISO. 216 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:11,360 Speaker 1: I think that's bold because I like, if I was 217 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:13,680 Speaker 1: just going by the numbers, I'd probably like it. The 218 00:12:13,679 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 1: safe bet is Saya behind Tucker, but I think it. 219 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:18,400 Speaker 1: I think that Bush is going to have that type 220 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 1: of season. 221 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 2: This isn't a prediction as much as an observation that, 222 00:12:23,520 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 2: like Pete Crow, Armstrong is going to be this like 223 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:32,839 Speaker 2: amazing X factor, unpredictable element to this season. I think 224 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:35,800 Speaker 2: we've joked about this before that Marquis could just change 225 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:40,559 Speaker 2: their call letters to PCA because he is that electric. 226 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:47,199 Speaker 2: He is a really sharp guy, like we love talking 227 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 2: to him. He's very honest. He's constantly sprinkling in F 228 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:58,480 Speaker 2: bombs to his answers, and his teammates really embraced him. 229 00:12:58,520 --> 00:13:00,360 Speaker 2: I think it could have been hard walking into that 230 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:03,920 Speaker 2: situation last year, and he did not perform well in 231 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:06,200 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three, he was put in a tough spot 232 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 2: as a September call up and really looked had a 233 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 2: bit of like a deer in the headlights or just 234 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:14,800 Speaker 2: was trying to do way too much, forcing the action 235 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:18,200 Speaker 2: way too much, and so like, I have no idea 236 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:20,840 Speaker 2: if Pico Armstrong is going to get like sent back 237 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:23,400 Speaker 2: to Des Moines at some point, or he's gonna be 238 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:26,720 Speaker 2: like the starting center fielder in the All Star Game. 239 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:30,880 Speaker 2: Like I guess I wouldn't be shocked by either one. 240 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 2: I guess if I'm picking the cups with playoffs, I 241 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:37,080 Speaker 2: think he'll in the long run wind up being very 242 00:13:37,160 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 2: good this year. But I think just watching him on 243 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 2: a daily basis, he is just someone we haven't had 244 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 2: as a from a media perspective, someone like Hobvi of 245 00:13:47,880 --> 00:13:50,440 Speaker 2: like you never know what sort of like viral moment 246 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 2: he could be a part of. And that is what 247 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:54,720 Speaker 2: I am looking forward to covering this year. 248 00:13:55,400 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, it was fascinating to talk to him 249 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 1: this spring. He continues to like you said, he's just 250 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:06,400 Speaker 1: he's easy to talk to. He seems to get what 251 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 1: our job is, and he's not afraid to speak his 252 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 1: mind and it doesn't come across as like over the 253 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:15,960 Speaker 1: top or no, oh, you shouldn't say that, and like 254 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:18,560 Speaker 1: what are you doing? It never comes across that way. 255 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:22,560 Speaker 1: He seems like it, And it's not like I don't know. 256 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:25,400 Speaker 1: It doesn't come across as like I'm super polished with 257 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 1: the media and I know exactly what to say. It 258 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 1: doesn't come across that way either, right, like they're saying 259 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 1: he's genuine and it can be a little raw sometimes, 260 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:37,720 Speaker 1: but I appreciate it. I like it. He seems like 261 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 1: a good kid and so exciting on the field, Like 262 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:43,520 Speaker 1: the fact that there were PCA chants in Japan was 263 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 1: really cool. He seems to embrace it. He seems to 264 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:51,160 Speaker 1: enjoy it, like he likes the energy of it all, 265 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:54,000 Speaker 1: Like you said, like Hobby, Like Hobby loved that. I 266 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 1: think PCA feeds off of it. There was this hit 267 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 1: that he had Tuesday and I kind of I looked 268 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 1: to Jordan and I said, if he does that this season. 269 00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 1: It was just like this slapped ground ball the other 270 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:09,920 Speaker 1: way that got past the shift and I was like, 271 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:12,520 Speaker 1: that's just such a like a nothing single in the 272 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:14,760 Speaker 1: like when you think about it, but then like you 273 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:17,840 Speaker 1: see who he is, Like that's gonna like if he 274 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 1: can do that along with finding the gaps and putting 275 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 1: a couple over the fence, like just get on base man, 276 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:24,200 Speaker 1: like you are a menace. 277 00:15:24,920 --> 00:15:25,040 Speaker 2: Uh. 278 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:28,600 Speaker 1: And if he does that, it's going to be really 279 00:15:28,640 --> 00:15:32,920 Speaker 1: impactful for this team. If, like I talked about Michael Bush, 280 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 1: If PCA and Michael Bush are impactful offensively, we're talking 281 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 1: about a really good offense, right, assuming everyone else plays 282 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 1: close to what they're the back of their baseball cards says, 283 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 1: I just think that there's a lot of potential for 284 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:51,040 Speaker 1: this offense. And I've said it for most of the offseason. 285 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 1: I liked it. I think that after they got Kyle Tucker, 286 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: I like it. I agree with you. One more piece 287 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:59,280 Speaker 1: and Alex Bregman would have been really nice and made 288 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 1: you feel a lot more comfortable. Talk about margin foreer 289 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 1: that reduces it, right, and like if it just makes 290 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 1: it like having Matt Shaw's the first bat to call 291 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:13,040 Speaker 1: up instead of starting the season as a huge bat 292 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 1: really changes the field. But I still like this group. 293 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 1: I like it. Patrick. Before we get to the rest 294 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:21,680 Speaker 1: of our predictions, let's take a quick break here. 295 00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 3: If you're looking for premium clothes at an affordable price. 296 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:27,520 Speaker 3: You got to check out True Classic aj. You're rocking 297 00:16:27,520 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 3: a True Classic shirt right now. 298 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 4: Believe it. Look at this thing, Look at it soft. 299 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:34,240 Speaker 4: It fits perfect even with these guns. Not too tight 300 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 4: like Scott likes it, a little bit of room to 301 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 4: move in there, right. 302 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:38,120 Speaker 2: Look. 303 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:39,680 Speaker 4: You can wear it under a suit, you can wear 304 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 4: it out to dinner with some nice jeans. You can 305 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:44,120 Speaker 4: wear it to the gym if that's what your game is. 306 00:16:44,440 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 4: Whatever it takes. A thing fits great, feels great. 307 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:50,880 Speaker 2: Great shirt, the long sleeve honey for these cold kind 308 00:16:50,920 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 2: of warm spring days. 309 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: Perfect yep. 310 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:56,520 Speaker 3: Build the perfect outfit in five minutes or less. Everything 311 00:16:56,600 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 3: goes great together. Free shipping on all orders. It's designed 312 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 3: to bring out your best features with a perfect fit, 313 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:05,640 Speaker 3: so ft fam, whether you're bundling up for the cold 314 00:17:05,720 --> 00:17:08,320 Speaker 3: or getting ready for spring, level up your style with 315 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 3: clothes that actually fit right. Go to our exclusive link 316 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 3: True Classic dot com slash foul to save. That's True 317 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 3: Classic dot com slash foul. Shop now and elevate your 318 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 3: wardrobe today. 319 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:25,040 Speaker 1: Ft Fan, get after it all, right, Patrick one, Here's 320 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 1: here's a random one for you, very random, and it's 321 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:33,840 Speaker 1: it's just like purely had heard some things maybe two 322 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:37,160 Speaker 1: years ago. This guy's not been great in the minors, 323 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:40,359 Speaker 1: but they need lefties, right, Like, I'm not sure if 324 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:44,159 Speaker 1: the Cubs have a lefty that you fully trust. Riley 325 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 1: Martin missus batts. He's got a really good breaking ball. 326 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 1: He's I think he's gonna be twenty seven or twenty eight, 327 00:17:50,359 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 1: like he's it's it's time, right, and like he walks 328 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 1: way too many guys. It's like almost like you do that, 329 00:17:57,119 --> 00:18:00,800 Speaker 1: you're not usable. I could have said that about Porter 330 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:04,200 Speaker 1: Hodge at one point, where he walks too many guys 331 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 1: nasty stuff. But this is Riley Martin from the left side, 332 00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:12,719 Speaker 1: has a really good curveball, sits like ninety three ninety 333 00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 1: four with his fastball. I'm going out on a limb 334 00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:20,119 Speaker 1: here very much so, but I want to be I 335 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:22,440 Speaker 1: want to give like a really bold one and random one, 336 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:24,240 Speaker 1: out of the blue one, and that's that's my guy. 337 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 1: I think he's gonna come up and have and be 338 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:29,600 Speaker 1: the maybe not Porter Hodge level, but like kind of 339 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 1: like the out of nowhere reliever that comes up that 340 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 1: you know, like there's gonna be someone like Kate Horton 341 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 1: that comes up that everyone knows about, right, like they're 342 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:41,040 Speaker 1: gonna be guys like that, but Riley Martin, like nobody 343 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:44,399 Speaker 1: has them on their radar unless you're like super prospect nerd. 344 00:18:46,160 --> 00:18:50,640 Speaker 1: I just have a like, it's just my random I'm 345 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:55,040 Speaker 1: not even going off anything like concrete here outside of 346 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:59,200 Speaker 1: Missus bats and and like you just get that walks 347 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:02,840 Speaker 1: slightly under control and now you're now you can and 348 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:05,200 Speaker 1: they have a need for lefties. Everybody has a need 349 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:08,000 Speaker 1: for lefties. So, uh, that's just a random one that 350 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:11,520 Speaker 1: I'm throwing out there. And if I'm right, great, If 351 00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 1: I'm wrong, get used to it. 352 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:18,920 Speaker 2: Well, we do three shows a week, you know, I'll 353 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:23,240 Speaker 2: get not as random. But I do think Brandon Hughes, 354 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:28,520 Speaker 2: another left hander, will play a big part in this bullpen. Uh, 355 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 2: like the fact that he's had experience and success in 356 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 2: Wrigley Field before, did not have the contractual leverage you know, 357 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:44,639 Speaker 2: coming out of spring, but you know, from what I 358 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:49,760 Speaker 2: had heard, he was really good for the Diamondbacks Triple 359 00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:54,320 Speaker 2: A affiliate last year. Was really in a position to 360 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:57,119 Speaker 2: maybe even be added to like a playoff roster if 361 00:19:57,160 --> 00:20:01,200 Speaker 2: they had actually made the playoffs. If you're they were 362 00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:03,639 Speaker 2: one of those teams kind of like watching I think 363 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:05,359 Speaker 2: it was it a game in one sixty three the 364 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 2: Mets and Braves whatever, or they played a doubleheader. There 365 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:09,960 Speaker 2: was kind of that mad scramble at the end of 366 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 2: the regular season. 367 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:12,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, because there were rainouts or something like that. 368 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:16,080 Speaker 1: Yeah like that. Yeah, but like if. 369 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 2: He you know, is healthy, you know, he had a 370 00:20:20,040 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 2: kind of an I think it was a knee issue 371 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 2: coming out of the Cubs a couple of years ago. 372 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:31,520 Speaker 2: Seems to me like a guy who had very quickly 373 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:36,080 Speaker 2: entered David Ross's circle of trust. And David Ross is 374 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:41,399 Speaker 2: not someone who'd kind of easily bestow that upon a rookie. 375 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:44,919 Speaker 2: And David Ross, I think we both agree, had a 376 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 2: pretty sharp eye for guys who had it or didn't. 377 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 2: He seemed to have a good feel for that. So 378 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 2: that would be you know, my you know, quasi random 379 00:20:56,760 --> 00:21:01,760 Speaker 2: name to pop in the bullpen, especially since they're going 380 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:03,800 Speaker 2: to be scrambling here in April. 381 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:07,760 Speaker 1: Right right, Well, I'm very curious to see how the 382 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:11,199 Speaker 1: bullpen shakes out. I like Brandon Hughes too. That twenty 383 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:14,160 Speaker 1: twenty two season was I mean, he was really good 384 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:18,320 Speaker 1: getting save opportunities, if I remember correctly, like a really 385 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:22,199 Speaker 1: really strong season in twenty two, and that knee was 386 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:28,160 Speaker 1: just really sidetracked things in twenty three. I'm curious about 387 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:33,920 Speaker 1: the division. I don't know. Look, the Cardinals didn't have 388 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 1: this huge selloff that kind of was expected, so I 389 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:41,239 Speaker 1: don't think they're going away. I don't think they're that 390 00:21:41,359 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 1: good though. I just don't think they're that good. They're 391 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:48,480 Speaker 1: going to be pesky, They're going to be annoying. They're 392 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:53,440 Speaker 1: still the Cardinals. They have some talent there. I don't 393 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:56,400 Speaker 1: think they're the team you worry about, like I think 394 00:21:56,440 --> 00:22:01,040 Speaker 1: the Pirates and Reds are talented. When you add when 395 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:03,080 Speaker 1: you have Paul Skeans and you have a ton of 396 00:22:03,119 --> 00:22:08,040 Speaker 1: young pitching, you never know what can happen. That offense 397 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:11,520 Speaker 1: still hasn't produced. It just hasn't. I'm not like they're 398 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:12,960 Speaker 1: They're one of those teams that I'd look at it 399 00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:15,800 Speaker 1: and be like, I don't know, like if the offense clicks, 400 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:18,000 Speaker 1: maybe they make some noise. I just don't I'm not 401 00:22:18,040 --> 00:22:20,840 Speaker 1: buying it. I think I'm a little like I would 402 00:22:20,840 --> 00:22:23,280 Speaker 1: be looking over my shoulder at the Reds. Terry Francon 403 00:22:23,400 --> 00:22:27,040 Speaker 1: is there. They have a so much talent on both sides, 404 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:31,080 Speaker 1: like like you want to talk about like offense pitching. 405 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:35,199 Speaker 1: They have a lot of young, exciting talent. Ultimately, I 406 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:39,080 Speaker 1: think this division comes down to the Cubs and yet 407 00:22:39,119 --> 00:22:42,520 Speaker 1: again the Milwaukee Brewers. I don't know how they continue 408 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:48,240 Speaker 1: to do it. I'm not going into another season saying 409 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:51,359 Speaker 1: the Brewers are no good. I'm done doing that. I 410 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:54,439 Speaker 1: know they've lost to everybody that we know on that team. 411 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:58,080 Speaker 1: They don't have the same roster. It's like Christian Yelich 412 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:01,840 Speaker 1: is the only one that's left. William Domas is gone, 413 00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:05,240 Speaker 1: Devin Williams is gone, Josh Hater's gone, Corbin Burns is gone, 414 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:10,480 Speaker 1: Everyone's gone. I don't know if they're much worse, just 415 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:15,119 Speaker 1: because they're so good at finding talent, getting better on 416 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:19,520 Speaker 1: the fly, changing, Like it's really impressive what they do, 417 00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:23,520 Speaker 1: and I think they're going to be a good team again. 418 00:23:24,640 --> 00:23:28,280 Speaker 2: I mean, this is a moment where they have supplanted 419 00:23:28,600 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 2: the Cardinals as kind of this primary rival. I mean, 420 00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:34,080 Speaker 2: if you go back to when Jen and THEO showed 421 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:36,600 Speaker 2: up here, it was the Cardinals winning the World Series. 422 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:39,760 Speaker 2: They were setting the standard. Then. Obviously there's decades and 423 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:44,120 Speaker 2: decades and decades of history there between, you know, these 424 00:23:44,119 --> 00:23:49,800 Speaker 2: two iconic franchises and maybe or hopefully it'll get back 425 00:23:49,840 --> 00:23:54,440 Speaker 2: to that point again where they're kind of fighting tooth 426 00:23:54,480 --> 00:23:58,040 Speaker 2: and nail. But at this point, the Brewers are the 427 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:06,159 Speaker 2: team that one really stopped that twenty sixteen team in 428 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:09,479 Speaker 2: its tracks from becoming that sort of dinasty or they 429 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:11,280 Speaker 2: were one of the factors we should say, I mean, 430 00:24:11,359 --> 00:24:16,800 Speaker 2: chasing them down in twenty eighteen and forcing that game 431 00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:19,919 Speaker 2: one sixty three. 432 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:21,639 Speaker 1: That was big. 433 00:24:21,760 --> 00:24:25,680 Speaker 2: And you know, in Wrigleyville you had people running the 434 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:30,000 Speaker 2: team looking at the Brewer's payroll and wondering like, how 435 00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:34,480 Speaker 2: are they doing this? And then obviously hiring Council away 436 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:39,359 Speaker 2: from Milwaukee, Uh you know where he is this you know, 437 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:43,680 Speaker 2: hometown hero, you know, like Little League Field named after 438 00:24:43,720 --> 00:24:48,040 Speaker 2: his family, you know, a multi generational connection to the 439 00:24:48,040 --> 00:24:53,000 Speaker 2: franchise because Council's dad had worked there, you know, Council 440 00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:56,359 Speaker 2: growing up, you know and working with all these you know, 441 00:24:56,480 --> 00:24:59,480 Speaker 2: amazing you know, Brewers Hall of famers over the years, 442 00:24:59,480 --> 00:25:04,440 Speaker 2: and then to just come to Chicago. So how this 443 00:25:04,840 --> 00:25:08,120 Speaker 2: plays out this year with the Brewers being managed by 444 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:13,520 Speaker 2: Counsel's old college coach at Notre Dame, a guy who 445 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:18,840 Speaker 2: and Pat Murphy. Who Council really even though Murphy had 446 00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:21,359 Speaker 2: already transitioned into professional baseball and Council gave him a 447 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:24,159 Speaker 2: huge lifeline in his career of like, Okay, come be 448 00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:29,040 Speaker 2: my bench coach and let's build this. I think those 449 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:33,520 Speaker 2: games up in Milwaukee are going to be fantastic to watch. 450 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:38,359 Speaker 2: When the Brewers come into Wrigley Field, it should be rocking. 451 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:42,160 Speaker 2: And you know, I'm with you. I think they'll probably 452 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:44,159 Speaker 2: take a step back. Like, I don't think they'll go 453 00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:48,199 Speaker 2: wire to wire and win whatever ninety plus games. But 454 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:50,879 Speaker 2: I have a hard time believing the Brewers are just 455 00:25:50,880 --> 00:25:56,240 Speaker 2: going to like fold and like sell at the trade deadline. 456 00:25:56,359 --> 00:26:00,239 Speaker 2: And you know, every year it seems they have very 457 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 2: little money to spend, but they find guys in minor 458 00:26:03,359 --> 00:26:07,439 Speaker 2: league free agency. They get great buy in within their 459 00:26:07,560 --> 00:26:12,120 Speaker 2: pitching infrastructure, and really like they've changed over the manager, 460 00:26:12,760 --> 00:26:18,280 Speaker 2: the gm U, their style of play, their frontline pitchers, 461 00:26:18,359 --> 00:26:21,600 Speaker 2: and yet here they are. They still have a pretty 462 00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:23,919 Speaker 2: good shot at this, in part because the Cubs didn't 463 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:27,159 Speaker 2: stomp their foot on the accelerator of the Saw season. 464 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:32,639 Speaker 1: Right. Yeah, I'm like, I'm just baffled at how they 465 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:36,440 Speaker 1: do it. It's it's really impressive. Uh. It's like with 466 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:40,000 Speaker 1: Cleveland and Tampa Bay do Uh. I think we've said 467 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:42,960 Speaker 1: it over the past year, like they've they've become that 468 00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:45,720 Speaker 1: they're in that echelon with those with those teams that, 469 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:49,320 Speaker 1: like the small market teams that don't have aren't given 470 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:52,480 Speaker 1: the budget to really go out there and make any noise. 471 00:26:53,160 --> 00:26:57,159 Speaker 1: But somehow they've they've created this front office machine. Like 472 00:26:57,560 --> 00:27:00,520 Speaker 1: props to those people that have figured it out whoever. 473 00:27:01,240 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 1: And I don't think it's one department. You don't just 474 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:05,880 Speaker 1: say like they've nailed this, you know that they they're 475 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:10,000 Speaker 1: it's uh, it's impressive to build an organization like that. 476 00:27:10,119 --> 00:27:12,640 Speaker 1: It takes a while to figure things out and get 477 00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:14,720 Speaker 1: it right and have it moving like that. But like 478 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:16,880 Speaker 1: you said, it's it's buy in not just by the players, 479 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:19,560 Speaker 1: it's buy in by like everyone in the org trusting 480 00:27:19,640 --> 00:27:21,040 Speaker 1: like this is how it works, this is how we 481 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:23,320 Speaker 1: have to do it, this is our path to success. 482 00:27:23,359 --> 00:27:26,160 Speaker 1: And and they've bought in and they've found they've found 483 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:30,359 Speaker 1: ways to succeed. It's certainly an impressive way to go 484 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:34,439 Speaker 1: about things. The Cubs, Uh, you'd love to see them, 485 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:38,600 Speaker 1: you know, using that financial might to kind of say like, oh, oh, 486 00:27:38,840 --> 00:27:41,600 Speaker 1: that's that's cute what you guys are doing. Well, we're 487 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:42,919 Speaker 1: just gonna blow you out of the water and not 488 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:46,240 Speaker 1: make it competitive because we have this financial mind. This 489 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:49,720 Speaker 1: is our advantage. We're using it. And and they're they're 490 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:52,560 Speaker 1: they're spending more than them, but they're not they're not 491 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:56,160 Speaker 1: blowing them out of the water in that area, and 492 00:27:56,160 --> 00:27:58,840 Speaker 1: and maybe they should be in order to really put 493 00:27:58,840 --> 00:28:02,720 Speaker 1: this division away. We'll see, we'll see how it goes 494 00:28:02,800 --> 00:28:07,439 Speaker 1: in the season. Opening days here. Excited for a season, hope, 495 00:28:07,760 --> 00:28:10,760 Speaker 1: hope the listeners are too, will be. We'll be coming 496 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:13,600 Speaker 1: at you three days a week, breaking down series, breaking 497 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:16,200 Speaker 1: down what's going on over the course of the season. 498 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:18,679 Speaker 1: Looking forward to it. Thanks so much for listening. This 499 00:28:18,760 --> 00:28:23,120 Speaker 1: is Northside Territory Foul Territory Networks Cubs podcast. Make sure 500 00:28:23,119 --> 00:28:26,159 Speaker 1: to rate, review, subscribe, subscribe to the podcast, Subscribe to 501 00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:28,560 Speaker 1: The Athletic, where Patrick and I will be on top 502 00:28:28,600 --> 00:28:31,399 Speaker 1: of all things Cubs all summer long. Thanks so much 503 00:28:31,440 --> 00:29:02,920 Speaker 1: for listening to everyone. Take care and they all