1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,360 Speaker 1: If he just completely crumbles in the second half that 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 1: contract that comes in albatross. There are very few teams 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: that can overcome that type of deal. Welcome into North 4 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:18,360 Speaker 1: Side Territory. Foul Territory Networks Cubs Podcast. I'm Sahadev Sharma 5 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:20,880 Speaker 1: with Patrick Mooney, where your Cubs beat writers over at 6 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:27,040 Speaker 1: the Athletic covering the free falling Cubs. Patrick, the Phillies 7 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: come to town down three stars and they have a 8 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: fourth that can crush another team's hopes. And Trey Turner 9 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:40,600 Speaker 1: did exactly that. You know, It's just that we don't 10 00:00:40,640 --> 00:00:43,120 Speaker 1: need to get too far into the details because it's 11 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:47,559 Speaker 1: just more of the same, no offense, a star crushing 12 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 1: the team, Trey Turner with two homers, RBI single, they're 13 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: not doing enough. Hayden was Nesky with home run problems, 14 00:00:55,160 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 1: those continue for him, and just you know, this feeling 15 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 1: of this isn't good enough and you're being outclassed by 16 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: the best team in baseball. Just a stark difference in 17 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 1: talent level, a stark difference in performance and entertainment value. 18 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:17,080 Speaker 1: Cubs fans have to be we know are sick of 19 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:21,640 Speaker 1: this and frustrated. And then that's why we're doing another 20 00:01:21,800 --> 00:01:24,480 Speaker 1: mail bag episode because you guys are frustrated, and you 21 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:27,679 Speaker 1: guys deserve to have your voices heard and your questions answered. 22 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:33,200 Speaker 1: There's just, you know, too much bad going on for 23 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: a team that had high expectations coming into the season 24 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 1: and now sits eight games under five hundred. It's like 25 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 1: every week it's another low point. You could say, you 26 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,400 Speaker 1: can't say this is the low point, because they can 27 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 1: definitely fall further down. 28 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 2: Exactly on tod I thought you put it well in 29 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:55,960 Speaker 2: your latest at the Athletic of just kind of drawing 30 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 2: out the distinctions and comparisons between these two teams and 31 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 2: how they kind of went about it, building on what 32 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:06,120 Speaker 2: we talked about with our buddy Matt Gilp from the 33 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 2: Athletic last time, of just what the Phillies have built. 34 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 2: I mean, Philadelphia is not a glamorous free agent city, 35 00:02:13,760 --> 00:02:16,679 Speaker 2: and yet guys want to go there. It's supposed to 36 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 2: be a tough place to play. I mean, you saw 37 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:22,240 Speaker 2: it last night, how many Phillies fans were traveling. I 38 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 2: mean there's a big section right outside the visiting doug 39 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 2: out there, and I'm pretty sure there was a huge 40 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 2: let's go Phillies change, just like cheering these guys on 41 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 2: like it's the vibes are really really good there with 42 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 2: the Cubs is not necessarily bad as much as just 43 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:44,880 Speaker 2: like kind of blah, which might even be worse. And 44 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:49,799 Speaker 2: I think we got so many good questions here. This 45 00:02:49,919 --> 00:02:53,639 Speaker 2: exercise helps us think about the team and generate story ideas. 46 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 2: And so we'll start here side it for you. We 47 00:02:56,840 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 2: got Clay I low. I hope I'm pronouncing that correctly, 48 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 2: But Clay Wrights, when are we gonna hear some accountability 49 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 2: from Craig Council. They hired him because he air quotes 50 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 2: gets the most ad a team, and that's clearly not 51 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 2: the case currently. 52 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 1: Well, you know, like, I don't know if I agree 53 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 1: with him getting the most out of the team. I 54 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 1: think the team has to perform. I think this is 55 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 1: a big The big difference between last year and this 56 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:29,840 Speaker 1: year is for those first three months I watched that 57 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:32,639 Speaker 1: team and I said, I think this team should have 58 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 1: more wins. I think they're playing better than their record. 59 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 1: States your record is your record, but I think they're 60 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 1: playing well. I do not even have the slightest bit 61 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,080 Speaker 1: of that feeling watching this team. They're not playing better 62 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 1: than their record. States they're playing down to their to 63 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 1: their record. They have the record they deserve. Council is 64 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 1: working with what he has and the players aren't aren't performing. 65 00:03:56,880 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 1: When are we gonna start? Listen? Council isn't a screamer, 66 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 1: He's not a year doesn't really fully call uh guys out, 67 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 1: but he he seems pretty exasperated with his team's performance. 68 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 1: I mean he yesterday, you know, he wasn't fooled by that. 69 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:18,039 Speaker 1: He wasn't trying to spin that ninth inning three runs off. 70 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:21,600 Speaker 1: You know what, they're probably the Phillies' fifth best reliever 71 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:25,280 Speaker 1: or something like that. Uh yeah, that he wasn't. He 72 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:28,920 Speaker 1: wasn't acting like that changed anything because he said there 73 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:32,920 Speaker 1: was nothing happening, and essentially the first eight innings he 74 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:37,359 Speaker 1: he's he's frustrated with this offense. We got to do 75 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 1: more offensively. That's one of the things we have to do, 76 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 1: There's no question about it. Just too many easy innings today. 77 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 1: I mean, he's they're giving outs the way to the opposition. 78 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:51,560 Speaker 1: Yet I think you said you wrote oh for twenty 79 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 1: six to end the Brewers game on on Sunday Tuesday. 80 00:04:57,040 --> 00:05:00,719 Speaker 1: It would have been like, oh for sixteen to end 81 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:03,840 Speaker 1: the game. And and they but they they had those 82 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 1: hits against the reliever and say it delivers that three 83 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:09,159 Speaker 1: run homer. It was. It was a you know, four 84 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 1: innings four through eight were nothing and that's not hyperbole. 85 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 1: That was they didn't do anything. They went down in order. Uh, 86 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 1: Cody Bellinger had RBI double and in the third and 87 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:25,839 Speaker 1: then out to end that inning. All the way through 88 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 1: the eighth inning, outs outs, outs. That's it against a 89 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 1: rookie making his first major league start. And then yeah, 90 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:37,280 Speaker 1: some good relievers out of a Phillies bullpend that. Gelb 91 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 1: told us, you know that they're focused on adding velocity, 92 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 1: and they've done that. I don't know when when people 93 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: talk about accountability, does that mean, like, is he supposed 94 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,880 Speaker 1: to bench guys and then put in worse players and 95 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 1: then essentially you're not like they don't have better players 96 00:05:55,279 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 1: to play. He's trying to win games. He's he's not 97 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: giving up on the season, right, So he's not gonna 98 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 1: start Patrick Wisdom and Miles master Bony and whoever else 99 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:09,279 Speaker 1: is on this bench. He's not going to start them 100 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 1: every day. Right. He doesn't believe they're the answer to 101 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: winning games. He's trying to win games. He doesn't. There's 102 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 1: not a lack of effort from the players. Did did 103 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 1: Cody Bellinger run into an out the other day that 104 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:25,679 Speaker 1: he shouldn't have? Sure? I don't think that's because Cody 105 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 1: Bellinger is not trying or or doesn't care. He made 106 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:32,160 Speaker 1: a mistake and he screwed up. When it happens when 107 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:36,080 Speaker 1: things are going bad, that's you know, it's it's all 108 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: the more magnified. I think it's similar to the Justin 109 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 1: Steele thing on Saturday. Justin Steele screamed and yelled. Right, 110 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:47,279 Speaker 1: they win a bunch of games, and that's motivational. Hey, 111 00:06:48,080 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 1: look what he did. He fired up his team. They 112 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:53,360 Speaker 1: keep losing, and that's that's a team coming apart at 113 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 1: the seams. It's however you want to read it, you know, 114 00:06:55,800 --> 00:06:57,279 Speaker 1: it's how you want to read it and how you 115 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:01,520 Speaker 1: want to perceive things. I don't think they're something that 116 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:04,599 Speaker 1: Craig Council can do right now that flips a switch 117 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:08,039 Speaker 1: with this team. Uh. It just that's not where this 118 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:10,720 Speaker 1: team is right now. It's the talent, It's the players. 119 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:13,280 Speaker 1: They need to perform. It's on them. And I don't 120 00:07:13,320 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 1: think accountability quote unquote fixes this because I'm not sure 121 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 1: what that means and how that looks. I think the 122 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 1: player he is holding players accountable, but he has to 123 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:27,560 Speaker 1: play the players that he thinks gives him the best 124 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 1: chance to win. 125 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:33,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, I just think it's it's hard, though, to say 126 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 2: that he's doing a good job. 127 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:37,200 Speaker 1: That's that's the only sure sure. Did I say he 128 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:39,080 Speaker 1: was sorry if I said if I said he's doing 129 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 1: I think. 130 00:07:41,320 --> 00:07:45,440 Speaker 2: I agree with your explanation, and I think our next 131 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:47,400 Speaker 2: question will kind of get into more of the root 132 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 2: cause of this. But it's just a it's just a bad, 133 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:52,560 Speaker 2: bad look. I didn't want Clay to think that his 134 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 2: question was. 135 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 1: Kind of being. 136 00:07:57,520 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 2: Dismissed, not that you were dismissive, but just that like 137 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:02,280 Speaker 2: everything you said was true. 138 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:02,640 Speaker 1: Aiut it. 139 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:05,520 Speaker 2: But it's also like, dude, you're You're supposed to be 140 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 2: the guy right here. You're the one who's supposed to 141 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 2: like tighten a lot of this up, and it just 142 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 2: it's just been a odd how. 143 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 1: It hasn't been good enough. And I listen, yeah, I 144 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 1: will say that. You know you want to blame counsel 145 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:21,120 Speaker 1: that listen, the blame has to be spread, right now, 146 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 1: everyone gets the blame, I think players, and like, let's 147 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 1: we'll let me ask the next question here to you, Patrick, 148 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:32,240 Speaker 1: because who put this team together? Right? It's Jeed Hooyer, right, 149 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 1: And here's Jay Madden's glasses asking us what is the 150 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:40,679 Speaker 1: best argument for not firing Jed Hoyer. 151 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:49,840 Speaker 2: Well, I personally don't think Jed will get fired. I 152 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 2: think there's a lot much larger conversation about like what 153 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:59,320 Speaker 2: went wrong this year, what happened. I think if you 154 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 2: follow chairman Tom Ricketts how he's owned this team, He's 155 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 2: always thought about the long term. He's been relatively patient 156 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 2: and supportive and not someone who interferes or looks. 157 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 1: To kind of. 158 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 2: Break things up like you very much, kind of like 159 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:27,440 Speaker 2: continuity stability. I think this team was sort of designed 160 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 2: in a way that ownership wants it to, and that 161 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 2: is to kind of sneak into a wild card compete 162 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:38,960 Speaker 2: for the division, not spend like the Dodgers, not spend 163 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 2: like the Yankees, and that you know, they do have 164 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 2: pitching in a way that they didn't earlier, and that 165 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 2: to me gives a little more credibility of like, which 166 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:54,319 Speaker 2: is why I didn't think the bottom would fall out 167 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 2: like before the fourth of July. So I was wrong 168 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 2: on that, but I think it would be look knowing 169 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,439 Speaker 2: the circumstances in which he took this job. I mean, 170 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:08,839 Speaker 2: Kyle Schwarber, like Jed, was not like I want to 171 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 2: get rid of Kyle Schwarber for nothing. It was no, 172 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:15,480 Speaker 2: I need to make my budget number and cut millions 173 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:19,800 Speaker 2: and millions of dollars, and Schwarber is just one. You know, 174 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 2: his name came up. You know that. That's just kind 175 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 2: of how it worked. That was not a talent evaluation thing. 176 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:31,840 Speaker 2: The U Darvish trade was clearly something that was driven 177 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 2: by financial considerations. And so you know, I think if 178 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 2: you look at those circumstances, I think last year happened 179 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:42,760 Speaker 2: a little maybe faster than they thought. I think this 180 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:45,079 Speaker 2: was going to be the year, and maybe last year 181 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 2: lulled them a little bit into a false sense of security. 182 00:10:49,640 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 2: I think at this point, Ricketts knows that baseball is weird. 183 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 2: If you look at one one run game, you know, 184 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 2: every three weeks going your way, the season looks a 185 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:07,800 Speaker 2: lot different. They're right in it, credibly, and I think 186 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 2: they're positioned to go right back at it next year. 187 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 2: Let's see what they do with the trade. Deadline, But 188 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:18,199 Speaker 2: like I think there's the the bones of a competitive 189 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 2: team is still in there. I think Jed Hoyer conducts 190 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:26,400 Speaker 2: himself with a lot of integrity. He works well with 191 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:31,960 Speaker 2: others and from our understanding, at the highest levels of 192 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 2: the Wrigley Field office building. So like, you know, this 193 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 2: isn't really what we think or what the fans think. 194 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: It's like, what is ownership thing? 195 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:42,400 Speaker 2: What did Jed Hoyer's bosses think? And I just have 196 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 2: a hard time seeing them being like just blowing everything up. 197 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:52,040 Speaker 2: Now that sets up, you know, kind of a lame 198 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 2: duck year as an executive final contract year, Like do 199 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:59,840 Speaker 2: you give him extension? Probably not. I don't see how 200 00:11:59,880 --> 00:12:03,160 Speaker 2: that happens. Do you let him see out the entire 201 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 2: five year term that you had given him when the upsoe, 202 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 2: I think that I think that is fair to give 203 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 2: him the five to see what happens. But it's kind 204 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:17,000 Speaker 2: of like with David Ross when it goes off the 205 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:24,560 Speaker 2: rails in this kind of unpredictable, surprising fast way, you 206 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:30,160 Speaker 2: let other variables, other voices come in, and you just 207 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:39,440 Speaker 2: don't quite know what could happen. All right, we need 208 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 2: one just go a little back more onto like the 209 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 2: ross the field. We got Kevin W. Ferris for you, Sahadev, 210 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 2: what would selling look like for this team moving Belly? 211 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:57,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, you know it's funny, this is this is what 212 00:12:57,200 --> 00:13:00,840 Speaker 1: we've we've been talking about this lot in the in 213 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:04,239 Speaker 1: the press box, right Like it's kind of the discussion 214 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:07,640 Speaker 1: among writers, what what does this look like? Yeah, I 215 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:09,760 Speaker 1: think Belly is a name you have to mention. I 216 00:13:09,800 --> 00:13:15,280 Speaker 1: think look, he was he was asked about it. He 217 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:17,600 Speaker 1: was asked about it a couple of times after the 218 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 1: game yesterday. You know, kind of like, is it shocking 219 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 1: that we're doing this again. We're gonna have to start 220 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:26,560 Speaker 1: asking you. It's July. The team is, you know, in 221 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:29,440 Speaker 1: last place, eight games under. We got to talk about 222 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:31,960 Speaker 1: the trade deadline again. And you know he's focused on 223 00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:36,079 Speaker 1: trying to turn things around because he knows he's he's 224 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 1: gone through this. He has the right answers. But yeah, Belly, 225 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 1: I think that's where the obvious answer is. You have 226 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:46,680 Speaker 1: to under it. Like I I think it's important to 227 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 1: understand his contract. He has an opt out after this year. 228 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 1: I think it kind of like it complicates things, you know, 229 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:59,199 Speaker 1: is it is it something where that hurts his value 230 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 1: because teams fear that if he if he just completely 231 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 1: crumbles in the second half, that contract becomes in albatross. Uh. 232 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,079 Speaker 1: There are very few teams that can overcome that type 233 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:14,200 Speaker 1: of deal, right, I mean the Yankees are probably one. 234 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:18,320 Speaker 1: Uh yeah, and they could they could use them. The 235 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:20,920 Speaker 1: Phillies could use them, and and they're probably another team 236 00:14:20,920 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 1: where it's just like, yeah, we can overcome that that 237 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 1: that if he opts in. Uh, you if listen, if 238 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 1: if he is the guy, if if if that's the guy, 239 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:35,000 Speaker 1: you move, You want him to get hot. You want 240 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 1: to see more games like yesterday where he was driving 241 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 1: the ball and pulling the ball hard. Uh, he only 242 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: came away with one extra base hit. Nick Casiano stole 243 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:47,200 Speaker 1: probably another one, But it's a yeah, that that's where 244 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:50,720 Speaker 1: it starts. And then then you start talking about bullpen arms. 245 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 1: Is it Tyson Miller who was already you know, he 246 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:58,440 Speaker 1: was moved once, Yeah, it could make sense to trade him. 247 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 1: Who who else in that bull pen? I mean I 248 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:08,040 Speaker 1: guess yeah, yeah, it's about who's healthy and who's performing. 249 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 1: And then yeah, I think you start you start looking 250 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 1: at it basically becomes who doesn't have a no trade clause? Right, 251 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:22,120 Speaker 1: So yeah, yeah, I mean look around the diamond. You know, 252 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 1: Danzy Swanson isn't being moved, right, Michael Bush is part 253 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:27,440 Speaker 1: is having a good season and it's part of the future. 254 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:30,040 Speaker 1: You're not moving him. It's gonna be hard to move, 255 00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:34,160 Speaker 1: sayas Azuki Riian Hap, right, maybe you could, maybe they wait, 256 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:36,800 Speaker 1: maybe Ian half Waves is no trade clause. I just 257 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:39,880 Speaker 1: don't think those are the guys that you focus on. 258 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 1: Nico Horner could make some sense when you have guys 259 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 1: like James Triantos and met Sean the and the minors 260 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 1: and then in the starters. I think you the the 261 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 1: crazy aggressive move is trading Justin Steel, Right, that's the 262 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 1: crazy aggressive move. Where what you mentioned before, and I agree, 263 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: the case to not fire Jed Hoyer is look at 264 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 1: the pitching development. This has completely been a one to 265 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 1: eighty from you know, the theo Epstein regime, right, and 266 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:15,640 Speaker 1: you have to they can hang their head on that. 267 00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 1: So far. If you move Justin Steele, you get a haul, right. 268 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: How you use that Hall is what I would be 269 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:27,680 Speaker 1: more interested in than saying, look at all these fancy prospects, right, Yeah, 270 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 1: that's a it's a different story. I'm just saying like 271 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: that's I don't think it'll happen, but like these are 272 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:38,400 Speaker 1: the types of things that have to come up when 273 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 1: when they're in this situation, is a shake up needed. 274 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: You need to change the mix because they can't take 275 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:48,560 Speaker 1: big steps back to where twenty twenty five is like 276 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:51,520 Speaker 1: another step up year where it's like, Okay, let's let's 277 00:16:51,520 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: see if we can get close to eighty wins. Yeah, 278 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 1: I mean, and like you said, like the previous answer, 279 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 1: I mean, Jed Hoyer is isn't I agree with you. 280 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 1: I don't think he's going to be fired at the 281 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:06,360 Speaker 1: end of this season, but then then that final year 282 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:11,879 Speaker 1: becomes like really important. Twenty twenty five just becomes essential 283 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 1: to winning. It's it's not, yeah, this isn't like a 284 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:23,000 Speaker 1: perfect roster to start training guys from. You know, like, 285 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 1: this isn't this isn't this roster wasn't built to sell 286 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:30,479 Speaker 1: at the deadline. So if if you get creative, if 287 00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:33,040 Speaker 1: you find ways to move guys and kind of ship 288 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 1: guys out, but also bring some guys that can help 289 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 1: this year in, I think I think that would be 290 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:42,720 Speaker 1: the most interesting for fans and and something that they 291 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 1: could be like, Okay, I see it, Okay, this could 292 00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:49,040 Speaker 1: maybe be maybe it's a slightly better, and then in 293 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:52,560 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five it's a lot better. That's hard. It's 294 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:55,320 Speaker 1: really hard to pull off. That's that's my biggest thing. 295 00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:58,199 Speaker 1: It's like, you can't take huge steps back. How do 296 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:00,639 Speaker 1: you pull off a way to like kind of reshape 297 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: the roster. It's Jed Hoyer Carter Hopkins in their Front 298 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 1: Offices challenge. I don't think it's an easy thing to 299 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:09,639 Speaker 1: pull off. They're going to have to figure it. Figure 300 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:15,800 Speaker 1: it out. Patrick. Here's a question from C. Charles nineteen 301 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 1: eighty three, and it kind of touches on where I 302 00:18:20,560 --> 00:18:23,240 Speaker 1: was going. Could would they trade from the twenty six 303 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:28,720 Speaker 1: man roster to help the offense, end or bullpen? He says, 304 00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:33,000 Speaker 1: Horton is close, Horton's hurt, so he's not as he's 305 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:35,720 Speaker 1: not as close as we think, and we don't really 306 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 1: have a timeline there. They're being very like they always 307 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:42,399 Speaker 1: are with minor league injuries. Yeah, yeah, Ary Vague Brown, 308 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:44,520 Speaker 1: I think as a starter, yeah, I wouldn't disagree with that. 309 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 1: Would they trade Asad or tie on from the rotation 310 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:49,719 Speaker 1: or one of the position players to fill other holes 311 00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:52,359 Speaker 1: in the lineup or bullpen. This team needs a shake up. 312 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:55,120 Speaker 1: I kind of touched on this, Patrick, but I mean, 313 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 1: let's get your opinion on Yeah, I think. 314 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:01,280 Speaker 2: They're more I think you're right to point out the 315 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:06,480 Speaker 2: justin Seal kind of thought exercise, like it's unlikely, but 316 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:10,440 Speaker 2: something we can't dismiss out of hand and something we'll 317 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:15,159 Speaker 2: certainly have on our radar. I think it's important to 318 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:21,080 Speaker 2: remember how Council operated with the Brewers, and it was 319 00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:26,560 Speaker 2: kind of constantly thinking about things not black and white. 320 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 2: Now you can make the case that the Cubs are 321 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:29,919 Speaker 2: big market team and should not have to think like 322 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:30,560 Speaker 2: the Brewers. 323 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:31,679 Speaker 1: But the idea would be is. 324 00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:33,720 Speaker 2: There's only so many times on the calendar when teams 325 00:19:33,760 --> 00:19:40,560 Speaker 2: are trading and like that too, right, Yeah, if they 326 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:44,719 Speaker 2: have four or five pitchers, like get healthy, like in 327 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:49,679 Speaker 2: mid to late July, Like do you move some of 328 00:19:49,720 --> 00:19:55,120 Speaker 2: those guys, whether it's you know, Drew Smiley to partially 329 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:58,879 Speaker 2: clear that salary, get some of that money back so 330 00:19:58,960 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 2: you can get for that. 331 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:00,480 Speaker 1: You know. 332 00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:03,639 Speaker 2: I don't know how much all of this moves the needle, 333 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:08,920 Speaker 2: but whether it's a Tyson Miller, I don't know. Mark 334 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 2: Later Junior, if he's held, Like, you gotta explore and 335 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:18,320 Speaker 2: see what people are willing to give up for that. 336 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:20,600 Speaker 2: I'm with you in this idea of like the Cubs 337 00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:23,520 Speaker 2: don't need more a ball guys, they don't really need 338 00:20:23,560 --> 00:20:28,920 Speaker 2: to rebalance their farm system. Is there a trade out 339 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:34,800 Speaker 2: there in the in a way that you know the 340 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 2: Hayden Wiznessky Scott Frost trade a couple of years ago 341 00:20:37,880 --> 00:20:40,359 Speaker 2: of just like, okay, we think this about this player, 342 00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 2: they need that right now in there? Well, can you 343 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:50,439 Speaker 2: kind of get some more near term major league talent? 344 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:53,720 Speaker 2: And so you know, ty On is a guy, as 345 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:58,000 Speaker 2: you know, who has at least a limited no trade protection. 346 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:03,760 Speaker 2: He's a really good pitcher. Is he moving the needle 347 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:08,320 Speaker 2: for a team that already has like three or four 348 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:12,040 Speaker 2: good starters? Like, is he going to start the first 349 00:21:12,119 --> 00:21:16,159 Speaker 2: or second game of a playoff series for you? I 350 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:19,320 Speaker 2: don't know, Probably not right. So, like what are you 351 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 2: getting for a guy who may be more like depth 352 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,199 Speaker 2: on a division winner? And I'm not saying anything like 353 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:29,480 Speaker 2: he's definitely a guy you want on your team. He's dependable, 354 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:35,800 Speaker 2: he's professional, he's pitching really well. But you look at 355 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:38,000 Speaker 2: these numbers with these pitching and I know this is 356 00:21:38,040 --> 00:21:41,440 Speaker 2: all knock on wood that we could chowpe at really 357 00:21:41,520 --> 00:21:44,399 Speaker 2: today and they gives injury updates on like eight different pitchers. 358 00:21:44,520 --> 00:21:47,800 Speaker 2: You know, they do have seemed to have a little 359 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:51,800 Speaker 2: bit of a relative surplus there. Can you kind of 360 00:21:51,800 --> 00:21:55,600 Speaker 2: move some of that out and bring in different shapes 361 00:21:56,600 --> 00:22:02,280 Speaker 2: of talent position player side, Really tough to see how 362 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 2: that works other than Bellinger or maybe Nico. And you know, 363 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:14,520 Speaker 2: Nico is a guy you kind of built around. He's 364 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 2: not a thumping offensive player. I'm not quite sure what 365 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:25,159 Speaker 2: you'd get for that. But all this stuff has to 366 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:27,399 Speaker 2: be on the table, right Like we're both kind of 367 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:30,800 Speaker 2: you know, we've been thinking about this so much. It'll 368 00:22:30,840 --> 00:22:34,680 Speaker 2: be fascinating to see how they play it. And that 369 00:22:34,760 --> 00:22:38,280 Speaker 2: leads into I've got one for us to hide it 370 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:42,120 Speaker 2: from WICKI Woo woo one. I don't know if that's 371 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 2: Ronnie Woo's cousin or something, But assuming the Cubs missed 372 00:22:47,320 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 2: the playoffs intel the deadline is the most likely scenario, 373 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:52,800 Speaker 2: Jed returns but has to make the playoffs in twenty 374 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:55,879 Speaker 2: twenty five to keep his job. Do you foresee a 375 00:22:55,920 --> 00:23:00,199 Speaker 2: more aggressive offseason if those are the stakes? 376 00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, so I think we I think we kind of 377 00:23:04,600 --> 00:23:07,879 Speaker 1: answered that first part right, like, yeah, I see it 378 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:12,520 Speaker 1: as I think we both agree that he's got another season, 379 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:17,240 Speaker 1: and I do agree the pressures on, the pressure has 380 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:20,280 Speaker 1: to be on. And yeah, what what does a more 381 00:23:20,359 --> 00:23:24,680 Speaker 1: aggressive offseason look like for for Jed Hoyer? I mean 382 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:28,120 Speaker 1: it's a lot of what I mean, a lot of 383 00:23:28,160 --> 00:23:30,720 Speaker 1: the trades that we're talking about now could be explored 384 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 1: in the off season too. Right, maybe you have more 385 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:36,359 Speaker 1: teams willing to pay up if a team is willing 386 00:23:36,359 --> 00:23:39,479 Speaker 1: to pay a ransom at the deadline. Sure you you 387 00:23:39,480 --> 00:23:42,920 Speaker 1: you you jump at it, but but maybe you maybe 388 00:23:42,920 --> 00:23:45,600 Speaker 1: there are more teams interested come the deadline, I mean, 389 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:48,159 Speaker 1: come the off season and you can make a move there. 390 00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:51,960 Speaker 1: You know who what does an aggressive off season look like? 391 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:55,879 Speaker 1: Look like? Danny Jansen was a hot name, you know, 392 00:23:55,960 --> 00:23:58,439 Speaker 1: a month ago, and then he went and had a 393 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:01,760 Speaker 1: disastrous June, and now, like, do you do you go 394 00:24:01,880 --> 00:24:03,560 Speaker 1: out of your way to try and sign him and 395 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:06,600 Speaker 1: fix the catcher's spot. I don't know if that makes sense. 396 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:12,160 Speaker 1: Pete Alonso is is a very good ballplayer, Uh where 397 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:14,159 Speaker 1: does he play on this team? If? If you if 398 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:16,760 Speaker 1: Michael Bush is as good as he looks right now. Right, 399 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:20,359 Speaker 1: I'm not saying you don't like Pete Alonso is not 400 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:23,640 Speaker 1: an impactful bat, Like he hits a ton of home 401 00:24:23,720 --> 00:24:27,639 Speaker 1: runs and the Cubs need that. Uh, I'm just not 402 00:24:27,720 --> 00:24:30,119 Speaker 1: sure if that's the right fit for this team. If 403 00:24:30,119 --> 00:24:32,480 Speaker 1: that's what the lawyer is going to look at and say, like, 404 00:24:32,840 --> 00:24:37,159 Speaker 1: that's where I spend big A first baseman who you know, 405 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:42,680 Speaker 1: who knows how he ages? Uh, there's there's Willia Domas, 406 00:24:42,720 --> 00:24:47,120 Speaker 1: He's he could you know, I think he's a very 407 00:24:47,240 --> 00:24:51,680 Speaker 1: quality player. After that, you know, wan so To is 408 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:56,320 Speaker 1: the name. I don't know if he's leaving New York, right, 409 00:24:56,720 --> 00:24:59,560 Speaker 1: I don't think he's leaving the Yankees. If he is, 410 00:25:00,440 --> 00:25:03,680 Speaker 1: that's the guy you spend crazy money for. In my opinion, 411 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:07,160 Speaker 1: there will be questions about what happens when he gets paid. 412 00:25:07,280 --> 00:25:09,679 Speaker 1: I get that that's going You're going to hear rumors 413 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:12,919 Speaker 1: about that because scouts, there are scouts that are wondering that. 414 00:25:13,480 --> 00:25:16,160 Speaker 1: I I think that's a really hard thing to answer. 415 00:25:16,480 --> 00:25:19,240 Speaker 1: I've seen him compete in a World Series and give 416 00:25:19,280 --> 00:25:22,600 Speaker 1: his all and kind of you know, stand out when 417 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:26,320 Speaker 1: the Nationals won won the World Series. Uh, you know, 418 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:29,160 Speaker 1: as a. Was he nineteen at the time. Maybe maybe 419 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:31,639 Speaker 1: he was a little older when they were. 420 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:32,640 Speaker 2: He debuted, he was nineteen. 421 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:36,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, either way, he stood out. He was a super 422 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 1: shart on the field and helped the team come back 423 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:42,959 Speaker 1: from the like the type of depths the Cubs are 424 00:25:42,960 --> 00:25:45,760 Speaker 1: in right now and and and win a World Series. 425 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:50,160 Speaker 1: Uh Is He's the type of talent you risk it for. 426 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:52,760 Speaker 1: In my opinion, I don't know if Jed's going to 427 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:55,680 Speaker 1: have that opportunity to even do it because of the Yankees. 428 00:25:56,040 --> 00:25:58,119 Speaker 1: I think the guy that makes the most sense is 429 00:25:58,160 --> 00:26:03,840 Speaker 1: Alex Bregman. I worry about the age, I worry about 430 00:26:03,840 --> 00:26:07,480 Speaker 1: the dip and power, but you know, you've got to 431 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:09,560 Speaker 1: be aggressive and you've got to take risks. You've kind 432 00:26:09,560 --> 00:26:11,760 Speaker 1: of backed yourself into a corner here with that type 433 00:26:11,760 --> 00:26:16,199 Speaker 1: of stuff. Other than that, it's a really good I 434 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:19,480 Speaker 1: believe it's a really good free agent pitching class. So 435 00:26:19,600 --> 00:26:23,040 Speaker 1: that's so what gets back to what we were talking about, 436 00:26:23,119 --> 00:26:28,199 Speaker 1: right Patrick, If you if you trade Justin Steele and 437 00:26:28,240 --> 00:26:32,920 Speaker 1: you get a ton for him, now you go and 438 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:35,600 Speaker 1: you're able to get a bat via trade, do you 439 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:37,680 Speaker 1: go and spend on Max Freed? 440 00:26:38,520 --> 00:26:38,639 Speaker 2: Uh? 441 00:26:39,640 --> 00:26:44,679 Speaker 1: You know, Yeah, Corbyn Burns. Yeah, hey, I guess what. 442 00:26:45,200 --> 00:26:48,160 Speaker 1: I'm sure Craig Council has a good relationship with him 443 00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:50,880 Speaker 1: and would love to have him on his team. So yeah, 444 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:53,160 Speaker 1: those are two names that I think make a ton 445 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:57,080 Speaker 1: of sense if you're moving a pitcher, uh, and that's 446 00:26:57,119 --> 00:26:59,919 Speaker 1: where you want to spend And now you you've kind 447 00:26:59,920 --> 00:27:04,159 Speaker 1: of reshuffled the deck. You know, we're speculating now and 448 00:27:04,480 --> 00:27:07,880 Speaker 1: trying to get creative because this is this is what 449 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:10,400 Speaker 1: this season has led to. We're talking about the off 450 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:15,160 Speaker 1: season in July. But I do think it's worth thinking 451 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:17,879 Speaker 1: about that type of stuff too. Do they need a 452 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:20,920 Speaker 1: picture right now? No, they don't need a starting picture 453 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:23,600 Speaker 1: right now. Does that mean they shouldn't they shouldn't find 454 00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:26,520 Speaker 1: ways Like if that's where the best where the money 455 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:29,199 Speaker 1: is best spent in the off season, maybe that's what 456 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:32,680 Speaker 1: they do. And then and then you can move from 457 00:27:32,720 --> 00:27:35,920 Speaker 1: an area of depth an area of strength and and 458 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:40,879 Speaker 1: and try and fill the weaknesses via via trade. I 459 00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:45,480 Speaker 1: think that could be a route. Uh. Well, we'll see 460 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:50,360 Speaker 1: where everything goes come come October, November, and and when 461 00:27:50,359 --> 00:27:54,439 Speaker 1: we have a better idea of what what the direction is. Uh, 462 00:27:54,720 --> 00:27:59,760 Speaker 1: but yeah, it is God Damn Patrick talking about talking 463 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:02,640 Speaker 1: about the offseason in July. I did not, except it's. 464 00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:05,040 Speaker 3: Not even the fourth of and we're already trying to 465 00:28:05,040 --> 00:28:08,280 Speaker 3: conjure up like trade scenarios and maybe go back out 466 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 3: and sign you know this Boris guy who's probably you know, 467 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:15,760 Speaker 3: ticketed for another place already. 468 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:22,600 Speaker 4: H yeah, yeah, Okay, here's the here's a question. I 469 00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:25,840 Speaker 4: I have something to say about this afterwards. But Bob 470 00:28:25,960 --> 00:28:29,760 Speaker 4: Moore en V he asked, this team smells a lot 471 00:28:29,800 --> 00:28:32,520 Speaker 4: like teams from the nineties when ownership tease fans with 472 00:28:32,560 --> 00:28:35,560 Speaker 4: whips of player potential that never panned out. If you 473 00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:38,280 Speaker 4: had to pick one sign that ownership was serious about 474 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:40,720 Speaker 4: winning the World Series, which would you pick? 475 00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:45,720 Speaker 2: All right, Bob, well, I'm sign of I'm curious to 476 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:48,360 Speaker 2: hear your thoughts. I mean, the name Juan Soto jumped 477 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:54,480 Speaker 2: out to me. We've already kind of covered that, you know. 478 00:28:54,600 --> 00:29:02,440 Speaker 2: I think the sign is having a payroll like the 479 00:29:02,520 --> 00:29:04,960 Speaker 2: Yankees or Dodgers. Maybe not all the way up there, 480 00:29:04,960 --> 00:29:07,160 Speaker 2: but a little closer there. And I think one of 481 00:29:07,200 --> 00:29:11,840 Speaker 2: the frustrations is that the Cubs payroll, taking out the 482 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:18,280 Speaker 2: COVID dip years like, has increased from twenty sixteen, but 483 00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:22,040 Speaker 2: it's been a lot more incremental, and you have teams 484 00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:25,200 Speaker 2: like the Phillies all of a sudden kind of jumping, 485 00:29:25,640 --> 00:29:29,440 Speaker 2: you know, towards you know, maybe a top four payroll 486 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:32,920 Speaker 2: instead of like the ninth payroll, or you know, before 487 00:29:32,920 --> 00:29:35,440 Speaker 2: Peter Sidler died, the Padre is all of a sudden 488 00:29:36,120 --> 00:29:43,640 Speaker 2: totally reimagining their business model. And that has not happened 489 00:29:43,920 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 2: with the Cups. It's been very sensible, kind of within 490 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:50,920 Speaker 2: definitely not outside. 491 00:29:51,960 --> 00:29:52,520 Speaker 1: The box. 492 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:58,360 Speaker 2: I think this ownership group is not bad in relation 493 00:29:58,600 --> 00:30:01,800 Speaker 2: to some of their peers in the city. I think 494 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:07,080 Speaker 2: you look at Wrigley Field, the renovation, actually winning World Series. 495 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:10,959 Speaker 2: I think a lot of their hands off nature is 496 00:30:11,280 --> 00:30:17,000 Speaker 2: good of just signing authorizing the council higher and not 497 00:30:17,520 --> 00:30:21,160 Speaker 2: getting caught up in the emotions with David Ross or 498 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:26,400 Speaker 2: letting your president Baseball Operations trade away all these guys 499 00:30:26,480 --> 00:30:30,640 Speaker 2: who you wind up sort of falling off a cliff like. 500 00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:33,520 Speaker 2: I think those are good attributes, But to me, it 501 00:30:33,600 --> 00:30:36,840 Speaker 2: always comes down to follow the money and side of 502 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:39,760 Speaker 2: the I'm curious here what you do say. You know, 503 00:30:40,160 --> 00:30:43,800 Speaker 2: I love the nineties. I'm sure that short of conjured 504 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:46,760 Speaker 2: up some memories for you, like when you were a kid, 505 00:30:46,800 --> 00:30:50,440 Speaker 2: you know, yelling at the WGN screen or you know, 506 00:30:51,760 --> 00:30:53,840 Speaker 2: right Jersey or whatever. 507 00:30:54,520 --> 00:30:58,240 Speaker 1: Right. Well, I have this theory that if it weren't 508 00:30:58,240 --> 00:31:01,000 Speaker 1: for ninety eight, the nineties would be looked at as 509 00:31:01,080 --> 00:31:04,840 Speaker 1: one of the worst decades of baseball for a franchise, 510 00:31:05,000 --> 00:31:10,800 Speaker 1: like just complete you know, like just complete disinterest in 511 00:31:10,840 --> 00:31:13,360 Speaker 1: that team. I love baseball. I fell in love with 512 00:31:13,400 --> 00:31:15,320 Speaker 1: baseball at a young age. My dad took me to 513 00:31:15,320 --> 00:31:18,920 Speaker 1: the ballpark a ton, So I watched that team. I 514 00:31:19,000 --> 00:31:22,200 Speaker 1: watched that garbage that was my teenage years. I want 515 00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:25,520 Speaker 1: they were bad. It was an awful product and and 516 00:31:25,960 --> 00:31:28,280 Speaker 1: it made me cringe when I read that at first, 517 00:31:28,320 --> 00:31:30,480 Speaker 1: and I was like, how how could you even compare 518 00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:34,560 Speaker 1: this to the nineties. But honestly, watching this team on 519 00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:37,480 Speaker 1: a day to day basis now like I've been, you know, 520 00:31:37,720 --> 00:31:40,280 Speaker 1: like it's been hard to watch, and it's been like 521 00:31:40,960 --> 00:31:44,080 Speaker 1: you want to disengage, you want to you want to 522 00:31:44,120 --> 00:31:47,120 Speaker 1: just be Like I got to tweet the other day 523 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:50,480 Speaker 1: about something like bring on Bear season, and I was like, 524 00:31:50,560 --> 00:31:53,280 Speaker 1: this is how bad it's gotten. Yeah, people think the 525 00:31:53,320 --> 00:31:57,400 Speaker 1: Bears are going to save their you know, sports enjoyment, 526 00:31:57,640 --> 00:32:00,200 Speaker 1: Like that's how bad it is, Like you're gonna to 527 00:32:00,200 --> 00:32:03,120 Speaker 1: go to the Bears, they won't hurt you, Like that's 528 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:08,120 Speaker 1: that's dangerous mentality. Like Chicago sports fans are in dangerous 529 00:32:08,160 --> 00:32:12,880 Speaker 1: territory here. I mean just looking at these standings. Fourth place, 530 00:32:12,880 --> 00:32:15,680 Speaker 1: fourth place, fourth place, fourth place, fifth place, oh, third 531 00:32:15,680 --> 00:32:18,440 Speaker 1: place in nineteen ninety five, when when there were one 532 00:32:18,520 --> 00:32:21,960 Speaker 1: hundred and forty four games played, fourth place, fifth place, 533 00:32:22,200 --> 00:32:25,120 Speaker 1: ninety eight, second place, sixth place in ninety nine with 534 00:32:25,240 --> 00:32:28,280 Speaker 1: sixty seven wins. That's how they close out the the 535 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:31,800 Speaker 1: decade of the nineties. It was it was a bad decade, 536 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:36,560 Speaker 1: Like I get it. There was it Jose Guzman instead 537 00:32:36,600 --> 00:32:39,920 Speaker 1: of Greg Maddox. That that's where some of that event. 538 00:32:41,120 --> 00:32:46,560 Speaker 1: There's there's the Jeff Blausser signing in the nineties, you know, 539 00:32:46,720 --> 00:32:50,240 Speaker 1: running back that ninety eight team and bringing back that core, 540 00:32:50,760 --> 00:32:53,560 Speaker 1: which was I mean just bringing like no adding, no 541 00:32:53,640 --> 00:32:57,000 Speaker 1: big free agents when you have like the some young talent, 542 00:32:57,400 --> 00:32:59,800 Speaker 1: and it was just like typical, like this is what 543 00:32:59,800 --> 00:33:01,880 Speaker 1: they gonna do. They're gonna try and sell us that 544 00:33:02,040 --> 00:33:06,360 Speaker 1: this team can bounce back after and and and repeat 545 00:33:06,440 --> 00:33:10,680 Speaker 1: after like a amazing ninety win season that nobody expected. 546 00:33:11,280 --> 00:33:16,000 Speaker 1: Uh it's I Like I said, at first, I thought, 547 00:33:16,000 --> 00:33:19,320 Speaker 1: how dare that person compare the nineties to this? But 548 00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:23,760 Speaker 1: this season does feel like that. I don't think you've 549 00:33:23,800 --> 00:33:26,480 Speaker 1: been sold a bill of goods. I do believe there's 550 00:33:26,560 --> 00:33:32,280 Speaker 1: there's talent on this team, Like I just don't like 551 00:33:32,320 --> 00:33:36,560 Speaker 1: they're not producing and I believe that they're not far off. 552 00:33:37,240 --> 00:33:39,640 Speaker 1: And I'm not not saying this season. I'm just saying, 553 00:33:39,960 --> 00:33:42,440 Speaker 1: you add the right players to this group, a couple 554 00:33:42,640 --> 00:33:45,800 Speaker 1: pieces here and there, and this is a winning team. 555 00:33:47,200 --> 00:33:49,560 Speaker 1: We've said it like a ton over the last couple 556 00:33:49,640 --> 00:33:52,200 Speaker 1: of weeks, the last couple episodes. But you add a 557 00:33:52,240 --> 00:33:55,000 Speaker 1: big bat, a fearsome bat, in the middle of this lineup, 558 00:33:55,040 --> 00:33:56,840 Speaker 1: and I think it changes a lot of things. It 559 00:33:56,880 --> 00:33:58,880 Speaker 1: takes a lot of pressure off guys, and everyone else 560 00:33:58,960 --> 00:34:03,040 Speaker 1: kind of is able to produce, and those those runners 561 00:34:03,040 --> 00:34:05,239 Speaker 1: that are being left on base are driven in and 562 00:34:05,280 --> 00:34:09,880 Speaker 1: things like that. But it's it is scary that fans 563 00:34:09,920 --> 00:34:12,680 Speaker 1: are thinking of the nineties while watching this team. It 564 00:34:12,760 --> 00:34:17,160 Speaker 1: is a bad situation for everyone involved, fans especially. I 565 00:34:17,200 --> 00:34:20,799 Speaker 1: don't envy the way fans feel right now because it's 566 00:34:22,880 --> 00:34:25,600 Speaker 1: Patrick and I have been talking about it, but I love. 567 00:34:25,480 --> 00:34:30,120 Speaker 2: It therapy sessions for your repressed childhood memories. Well didn't 568 00:34:30,120 --> 00:34:33,480 Speaker 2: I put this question at the end the whole episode 569 00:34:33,560 --> 00:34:35,000 Speaker 2: of in the nineties. 570 00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:39,480 Speaker 1: So there's you know we're at we're doing this again, Patrick, 571 00:34:39,520 --> 00:34:42,040 Speaker 1: where we have to go big picture, where we have 572 00:34:42,160 --> 00:34:44,879 Speaker 1: to shift our thinking. And it's not like I love 573 00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:49,239 Speaker 1: writing about games. And my biggest frustration from like, we 574 00:34:49,280 --> 00:34:51,960 Speaker 1: didn't have access in twenty twenty twenty twenty one, we 575 00:34:52,040 --> 00:34:54,359 Speaker 1: had very little access and it was hard to write 576 00:34:54,360 --> 00:34:57,680 Speaker 1: about games and the team stunk, and like last year, 577 00:34:57,800 --> 00:34:59,840 Speaker 1: finally it was like, oh, we get to write about games, 578 00:35:00,080 --> 00:35:01,920 Speaker 1: and then the beginning of this year is like, oh 579 00:35:01,960 --> 00:35:04,640 Speaker 1: I can I can do some analysis on games. Nope, 580 00:35:04,760 --> 00:35:07,240 Speaker 1: out the window. Now like the rest of the season, 581 00:35:07,280 --> 00:35:09,440 Speaker 1: it's like, what am I supposed to I'm not writing 582 00:35:09,440 --> 00:35:11,880 Speaker 1: about a game. I gotta we gotta do big picture 583 00:35:11,960 --> 00:35:16,080 Speaker 1: and profiles. And that's that's because of what this team 584 00:35:16,320 --> 00:35:18,960 Speaker 1: is doing on the field. It's not worth breaking down 585 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:21,920 Speaker 1: a game because why does that matter win or lose 586 00:35:22,040 --> 00:35:24,839 Speaker 1: right now? Until they prove show us otherwise, it just 587 00:35:24,920 --> 00:35:27,560 Speaker 1: doesn't matter. You have to you have to produce, you 588 00:35:27,640 --> 00:35:29,719 Speaker 1: have to be in contention for those games to matter, 589 00:35:29,760 --> 00:35:33,080 Speaker 1: and they haven't done it the nineties. 590 00:35:33,120 --> 00:35:36,759 Speaker 2: Man, Come on, Yeah, I'm glad we got that off 591 00:35:36,800 --> 00:35:39,880 Speaker 2: our chests. You can share, share, we can do a 592 00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:44,160 Speaker 2: story time with the hot Ave. Maybe that'd be one 593 00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:48,000 Speaker 2: of our running features. But I think you made I 594 00:35:48,080 --> 00:35:50,040 Speaker 2: think you made a good good That was a good 595 00:35:50,160 --> 00:35:54,040 Speaker 2: historical perspective that I think it was good to hear. 596 00:35:54,320 --> 00:35:59,160 Speaker 1: So yeah, I mean I wish it could send you 597 00:35:59,200 --> 00:36:02,560 Speaker 1: all on a more positive note into your July fourth 598 00:36:02,640 --> 00:36:04,400 Speaker 1: and enjoy your holiday weekend. 599 00:36:04,800 --> 00:36:04,920 Speaker 2: Uh. 600 00:36:05,400 --> 00:36:08,040 Speaker 1: If you're a Cubs fan, it's you know, if you 601 00:36:08,120 --> 00:36:10,720 Speaker 1: want to enjoy things, I would say, avoid the Cubs 602 00:36:10,960 --> 00:36:14,040 Speaker 1: because it's just yeah, go to a barbecue like the beach, go. 603 00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:16,000 Speaker 2: To the park, hanging out with your friends and family. 604 00:36:16,239 --> 00:36:17,160 Speaker 1: You know. Check this. 605 00:36:18,560 --> 00:36:20,399 Speaker 2: I mean, regular is still a great place to go. 606 00:36:20,440 --> 00:36:23,640 Speaker 2: I'm sure for the July they're gonna have a huge 607 00:36:23,760 --> 00:36:29,360 Speaker 2: crowd a lot of Phillies fans. But otherwise, yeah, don't 608 00:36:29,480 --> 00:36:30,200 Speaker 2: don't don't. 609 00:36:30,000 --> 00:36:32,640 Speaker 1: Get too worked up right now, right right, try and 610 00:36:32,760 --> 00:36:37,560 Speaker 1: enjoy your life in other ways. Thanks so much for listening. 611 00:36:37,600 --> 00:36:41,400 Speaker 1: This is North Side Territory Foul Territories Cubs Podcast. Uh, 612 00:36:41,680 --> 00:36:45,319 Speaker 1: we make sure to rate, review, subscribe to all that 613 00:36:45,360 --> 00:36:49,400 Speaker 1: fun stuff for our podcast. We truly appreciate you guys listening. 614 00:36:49,840 --> 00:36:52,520 Speaker 1: Thank you for sending in all those questions and and 615 00:36:52,520 --> 00:36:54,960 Speaker 1: and making us go through this process and think about 616 00:36:55,040 --> 00:36:58,640 Speaker 1: things in a different way. I love these episodes. It's 617 00:36:58,680 --> 00:37:01,160 Speaker 1: fun to get riled up up and and and feel 618 00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:04,080 Speaker 1: the fans' energy because I mean, you guys deserved event. 619 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:07,200 Speaker 1: It's it's a frustrating group to watch right now, so 620 00:37:07,760 --> 00:37:10,839 Speaker 1: it's very fair to have these complaints and and and 621 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:14,720 Speaker 1: questions and and and just confusion about how this happened 622 00:37:14,760 --> 00:37:17,480 Speaker 1: and where it's going. Uh, thanks so much for listening. 623 00:37:17,520 --> 00:37:19,800 Speaker 1: Make sure to read Patrick in my work at the Athletic. 624 00:37:19,960 --> 00:37:22,759 Speaker 1: We'll be back at you next week. Thanks so much 625 00:37:22,800 --> 00:37:23,440 Speaker 1: for listening to pick it