1 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:08,840 Speaker 1: Welcome into Northside Territory, presented by Fox One Foul Territory 2 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:12,479 Speaker 1: Networks Cubs Podcast. I'm Sahadev Charma with my partner Patrick Mooney. 3 00:00:12,520 --> 00:00:15,880 Speaker 1: We are your Cubs beat writers over at the Athletic 4 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:21,319 Speaker 1: and Patrick, the Cubs season is over, eliminated by the 5 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:23,200 Speaker 1: Milwaukee Brewers in five games. 6 00:00:23,960 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 2: It was a great series. 7 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: These are two even teams, but the Brewers just came 8 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:36,240 Speaker 1: out on top. They outpitched them essentially through so many 9 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:39,479 Speaker 1: arms at them all series long, and it just you know, 10 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:46,080 Speaker 1: they outlasted them in five games. The scene in Milwaukee, 11 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:50,600 Speaker 1: I think we all kind of focused on this after 12 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 1: that final out, just you know, the streamer is coming 13 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:59,800 Speaker 1: from the sky there and Cubs players just kind of 14 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 1: staring off into the watching the celebration as the Brewers, 15 00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 1: you know, advanced to face the Dodgers, and there's Niko 16 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:15,560 Speaker 1: arms wrong, Nico Horner staring off into the distance, and 17 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:19,480 Speaker 1: Pete Krol Armstrong, who I don't think anybody is surprised 18 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 1: to see him, just kind of with his arms draped 19 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 1: over the dugout railing and just kind of staring off 20 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: and kind of soaking it all in. And I guess 21 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 1: taking in the pain would be the best way to 22 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:33,399 Speaker 1: describe it. 23 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:39,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was weird to see a team that was 24 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 3: so onto the next one, that compartmentalized everything for them 25 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 3: to have to face the end. And you could see 26 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 3: Pete's eyes were still red. He had this like glassy 27 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 3: look in his eyes. By the time the clubhouse opened 28 00:01:55,600 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 3: to the media, and Nico Horner was extremely emotion know, 29 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 3: he gave several, as always extremely insightful answers, but you 30 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:09,840 Speaker 3: could tell he was kind of catching himself here and 31 00:02:09,880 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 3: there because the emotions were were coming. I mean, Dansby 32 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 3: Swanson was in full uniform, like probably an hour after 33 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:23,320 Speaker 3: the game. I mean he had his you know, sandals 34 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 3: or slides on, but otherwise his jersey was on, just full, 35 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 3: full uniform otherwise. But then they start to process it 36 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:39,360 Speaker 3: and they're doing the hugs, crack open a couple of beers. 37 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 3: What's uh, what do we got in the spread back there? 38 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 3: You know that's always and it's like it just felt 39 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 3: to me like a team that did not have its 40 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,240 Speaker 3: kind of world come crashing down in the sense like 41 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 3: reading our buddy Matt Gelps coverage of the Phillies and 42 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 3: the Athletic that is okay as the manager on the 43 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:06,160 Speaker 3: hot seat, all these you know, iconic players about to 44 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 3: come free agents or key players about to come free agents, 45 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 3: an angry owner, a Hall of Fame Caliver executive who's 46 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:18,680 Speaker 3: known to make bold decisions. This to me didn't quite 47 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:24,920 Speaker 3: have that weight. But I mean, clearly a disappointment and 48 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:28,920 Speaker 3: a season that left Cubs fans wanting more, no doubt. 49 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think that's that's inevitable when you lose the 50 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 1: final game of the season. You know, Cubs fans, I 51 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 1: have to say this, You know, Cubs fans, you should 52 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 1: be proud of yourselves. That atmosphere created a Wrigley Field. 53 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 1: Anyone that says, you know, you're just there to have 54 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 1: a beer. 55 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 2: It's the world's largest beer garden. 56 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 1: They have not been to Wrigley Field during the playoffs recently, 57 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:59,760 Speaker 1: and it's been a while. I hope that is what 58 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:03,800 Speaker 1: you know Wrigley Field is in the postseason going forward. 59 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 1: I hope it wasn't just because it has been a while. 60 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 1: But man, were those fans on top of every moment. 61 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 2: And this is not me ripping the Brewers fans. 62 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 1: But they needed like cajoling from the scoreboard to tell 63 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,880 Speaker 1: them like here for this guy's name, chant this guy's name. 64 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:29,280 Speaker 1: That doesn't happen at wrigley Field. They did that on 65 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 1: their own, and I was impressed. And I don't know 66 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:37,799 Speaker 1: if I guess I didn't sense that reputation for Wrigley 67 00:04:37,839 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 1: Field and Cubs fans, but I think they deserve it now. 68 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 1: They were into the game, they knew what was going on, 69 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 1: they could sense the big moments, and they were on 70 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:51,159 Speaker 1: top of that. Like that was That's my biggest takeaway 71 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:54,360 Speaker 1: as far as something I learned about in this postseason. 72 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:57,039 Speaker 1: I was impressed, but the way fans reacted and the 73 00:04:57,080 --> 00:05:00,760 Speaker 1: way they supported that team, and it was you know 74 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:06,599 Speaker 1: that that clubhouse Nico Horners who stood out to me. 75 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:10,680 Speaker 1: There were like four questions maybe, and I think we 76 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:13,039 Speaker 1: all kind of after like listening to him, we all 77 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:15,600 Speaker 1: kind of like looked at each other. We're like, I 78 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:17,640 Speaker 1: I got no more I can't I can't ask this 79 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:20,480 Speaker 1: guy any more questions, Like I like he's making me sad. 80 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 1: This is like he was very like very thoughtful and 81 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 1: it wasn't like he was tearing up, but you could 82 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 1: sense the emotion. You could feel it, how passionate he 83 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:33,840 Speaker 1: was and how much the end of that hurt. And 84 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 1: he's just like one of those players that's like he 85 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:40,839 Speaker 1: just played so well, he rose to the moment. It 86 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:42,919 Speaker 1: was really it was fun to watch him play and 87 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:47,479 Speaker 1: kind of his type of baseball works anytime against any 88 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 1: type of pitcher, against any team. Uh, and it worked 89 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:53,839 Speaker 1: in the postseason and he was on base all the time, 90 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 1: getting you know, single after single. 91 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 2: It's not he's not a power hitter. 92 00:05:58,040 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: I think he had one home run that one x 93 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:04,320 Speaker 1: base hit in the first game blowout loss to the Brewers, 94 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 1: but just you know, it was fun to watch him 95 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 1: play and kind of rise to the occasion. Someone that 96 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:12,679 Speaker 1: deserves to be a part of winning and hasn't really 97 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:18,480 Speaker 1: seen much in his cub's career, so that his post 98 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:23,480 Speaker 1: game is what really stood out to me. Yeah, it 99 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:27,720 Speaker 1: was a yeah, I just can't I can't get really 100 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:32,280 Speaker 1: fully passed. How how he was just kind of like 101 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:36,520 Speaker 1: pouring himself out there without fully like opening up, but 102 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 1: like really like it was so clear how much this hurt, 103 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 1: and he like kind of held back in a sense 104 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 1: of like he didn't like break down in front of us, 105 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:47,479 Speaker 1: but it was like, man, this guy and he's got 106 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:51,240 Speaker 1: like this stare when he's feeling a lot of emotion 107 00:06:51,320 --> 00:06:52,920 Speaker 1: that you can kind of see, and you're like, Okay, 108 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 1: I just need to walk away now, otherwise I think 109 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:58,720 Speaker 1: I'm gonna like feel like I'm in a therapy session 110 00:06:58,839 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: or something like that. 111 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:05,240 Speaker 3: I mean, I've said this before, and whenever I talk 112 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 3: to Nico, I feel the same way when I'm walking away. 113 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 3: He talks like theo Epstein, like his voice, his pacing, 114 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 3: his insights, his ability to, like in say ninety seconds, 115 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 3: cover six or seven different topics coherently acknowledge one side 116 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 3: of the argument, acknowledge the other side of the argument, 117 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 3: and then tie it all together in the end and 118 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 3: like a synthesizing comment. And he does it as someone 119 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 3: who is a high level player, a goal glove defender, 120 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 3: universally respected in that clubhouse. It's super impressive. I think 121 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 3: that's probably a story we'll write at some point this 122 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 3: October of just kind of Nico how he really made 123 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 3: his mark during these playoffs. And you know, you walked 124 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 3: around the clubhouse and you see different guys you're kind 125 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:07,480 Speaker 3: of packing up. There was certainly like a core group 126 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 3: of players, like there was a lot of players who 127 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 3: just did not really see the field, and clearly there 128 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 3: was a bulbend sort of hierarchy there. We'll get into 129 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:26,560 Speaker 3: a lot of those other kind of matters in subsequent shows, 130 00:08:26,560 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 3: but I think there's one guy. If it's not Nico, 131 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 3: the other guy that everyone was talking about was Kyle Tucker. 132 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:35,320 Speaker 2: October baseball is here. The pressures on the lights are 133 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:35,760 Speaker 2: brighter end. 134 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 1: With DraftKings Sportsbook, you're right there in the middle of 135 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 1: every moonshot moment. 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VOYD and Ontario restrictions apply that must 153 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 4: win to receive bonus bets which expire in seven A 154 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 4: cinemum odds required. Four additional terms and responsible gaming resources 155 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 4: see DKNG dot co, slash Audio Limited time offer. 156 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:37,800 Speaker 1: Welcome back to Northside Territory presented by Fox One. The 157 00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:41,719 Speaker 1: Kyle Tucker question, I mean, we've been talking about. 158 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:43,440 Speaker 2: It since that trade occurred. 159 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:48,360 Speaker 1: This is not a surprise to anyone that it is 160 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:53,720 Speaker 1: a big topic, and it was, if not the first question, 161 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:56,040 Speaker 1: one of the first questions he faced after the game. 162 00:09:57,320 --> 00:10:00,680 Speaker 1: What is he going to do? Like, what are his 163 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:05,000 Speaker 1: thoughts about free agency? You know, just in general, not 164 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 1: much of a like of insight there from Kyle Tucker. 165 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 2: I don't think we got any groundbreaking. 166 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:16,560 Speaker 1: News kind of what he's said all season long, but 167 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:20,480 Speaker 1: with the finality of the season upon us. He just 168 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:22,920 Speaker 1: basically said, you know, we'll see if I'm here, I'm 169 00:10:22,960 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 1: here if I'm not. 170 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 2: Good luck to. 171 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: These guys is what was one of the comments. So 172 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 1: not much there, But I think we all, at least 173 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 1: you and I many of our colleagues and the people 174 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 1: we talked to. I don't think anyone really sees a 175 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 1: scenario with Kyle Tucker coming back to the Cups. 176 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:51,880 Speaker 3: Well, that question was like a leading question, something along 177 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 3: the lines of, you know, how much would you like 178 00:10:56,880 --> 00:11:00,200 Speaker 3: to be here? Like can't you see yourself being here 179 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:03,280 Speaker 3: for a long time? It was. It was not a neutral, 180 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:06,679 Speaker 3: open ended question, and he still went there. I was like, 181 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 3: oh't know, we'll see what happens, and gave the best 182 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:16,040 Speaker 3: of luck quote, which I believe our buddy John Greenberg 183 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:18,520 Speaker 3: was saying. It was like, you know, a yearbook message 184 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:23,680 Speaker 3: or something like that. You wrote this. I picked up 185 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 3: on it the next day in the athletic of This 186 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:29,560 Speaker 3: is not someone who's gonna emote for the cameras or 187 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 3: like wax poetic about Chicago Cubs baseball, and he should 188 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 3: not be judged on that. I think that personality helped 189 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 3: turn him into one of the best hitters in the game. 190 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:47,560 Speaker 3: But like, if you're looking for signs, there are different 191 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:51,439 Speaker 3: ways you can answer this or handle things. And it's 192 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:53,760 Speaker 3: not even the answers of the body language which he 193 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:56,560 Speaker 3: was shrugging, Like that question we're talking about. He's like 194 00:11:56,720 --> 00:12:01,640 Speaker 3: uh and shrugged. Yeah, He's more of just watched the games, 195 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:04,560 Speaker 3: watch what happened. Like there's nothing in that second half 196 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:10,400 Speaker 3: that made you think the Cubs have to go all 197 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:13,080 Speaker 3: out to sign this guy. There's no sort of public 198 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:16,960 Speaker 3: pressure in that regard. Not that the Cub's cave to that, 199 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:18,959 Speaker 3: but I think that played a role in bringing Cody 200 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 3: Bellinger back. I think there was like kind of a 201 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 3: bit of an antsiness there. I wonder how the rest 202 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:33,280 Speaker 3: of the baseball industry views him after this year. Maybe 203 00:12:33,679 --> 00:12:35,800 Speaker 3: it I think it certainly has come down from the 204 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:39,720 Speaker 3: heights that we thought were possible. When Vladd Junior signed 205 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:42,000 Speaker 3: his five hundred million dollars deal with the Blue Jays, 206 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:46,200 Speaker 3: I realized that was different circumstances. But you start talking 207 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 3: about this very exceedingly small group of elite hitters in 208 00:12:50,679 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 3: the game. Kyle Tucker is in that one, and you know, 209 00:12:56,080 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 3: I'm I don't think he'll be a Cub next year. 210 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:04,560 Speaker 3: But I wouldn't put it at zero percent, just in 211 00:13:04,559 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 3: the sense of, like you never really know what's gonna 212 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:13,040 Speaker 3: happen in free agency. Like I remember being told Dexter 213 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:16,000 Speaker 3: Fowler is gonna get paid, there's no chance he's coming back, 214 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:19,160 Speaker 3: and then he's That was towards the end of that 215 00:13:19,360 --> 00:13:24,000 Speaker 3: fifteen season, and then he reaches an agreement with the Orioles. 216 00:13:24,040 --> 00:13:25,680 Speaker 3: Then all of a sudden, he shows up at spring 217 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:28,839 Speaker 3: training with the Cubs, surprising I think even like Rizzo, right, 218 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 3: like those guys like, wait, is that Dexter Fowler? That 219 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:35,560 Speaker 3: kind of looks like Dexter Fowler. Uh So, obviously that's 220 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:39,960 Speaker 3: an extremely rare scenario. I'm not like banking on it, 221 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:44,480 Speaker 3: but I do think in the moment, people are gonna 222 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 3: be down on Kyle Tucker. But I do think once 223 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:49,840 Speaker 3: you step back and look at what else is out 224 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 3: there and how you solve for wins, to use a 225 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:56,760 Speaker 3: Cubs term like Kyle Tucker helps a lot, and it's 226 00:13:56,760 --> 00:13:58,840 Speaker 3: just gonna come down to it's the same thing it 227 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 3: always does as the Cubs. It's what do their models say? 228 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:05,600 Speaker 3: What does he want? Like they're not shutting the door. 229 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 3: It's just that I don't think there's any like momentum 230 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 3: or urgency or traction here yet. 231 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, so I don't think. 232 00:14:14,640 --> 00:14:17,960 Speaker 1: I don't think the Cubs are front office that sorry, 233 00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 1: are going to judge everything off of what was it, 234 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 1: eight games in the postseason. But Tucker didn't have a 235 00:14:26,040 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: monster postseason. He didn't have a terrible postseason. He didn't 236 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 1: have a monster postseason. He brought up lad junior lad 237 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:35,000 Speaker 1: juniors had a monster postseason. 238 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 2: That it's eight games. 239 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 1: I'm not it's not every Everything isn't decided on that. 240 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: I do think going to an even like you know, 241 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 1: the Mats or the Yankees, how would he handle that 242 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 1: media market? How would the media handle him? They may 243 00:14:56,080 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 1: be harsher with his you know, kind of boring answers. 244 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 1: Not always available for the It's not that he wasn't available, 245 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 1: it's that he's just not He's not someone you go 246 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:10,000 Speaker 1: to a lot and say, like, this is the guy 247 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:12,720 Speaker 1: to get the you know, the interesting quotes to the 248 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:16,040 Speaker 1: team leader and face of the franchise type guy. He's 249 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 1: just not that type of person. And I think in 250 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 1: a market like New York he'd get criticized for that. 251 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:24,640 Speaker 2: That would be hard for him. 252 00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:30,000 Speaker 1: I do think I'd just be very surprised if he 253 00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:32,360 Speaker 1: comes back to the Cubs. Here's another thing, like if 254 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,480 Speaker 1: the Cubs if he's looking for a bounce back contract, 255 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:39,040 Speaker 1: which I don't I've gotten no indication of that. But 256 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 1: let's let's just play that scenario out. Why would he 257 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 1: come to the Cubs. Why would a left handed hitter, 258 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:50,920 Speaker 1: power hitter come to Wrigley Field, where a place that's 259 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 1: suppressed offense, especially for lefties the past two seasons. Just 260 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 1: side note. There all the more reason to give Michael 261 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 1: Bush crat for the season he just had. But Kyle Tucker, 262 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,040 Speaker 1: if he is looking for that type of deal, which 263 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:10,720 Speaker 1: is something I'm sure the Cubs would like for any player. 264 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:15,240 Speaker 1: They love those types of deals, I just why not 265 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: go to another place? 266 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 2: Why not go to. 267 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 1: The Yankees If they want to do a deal like that, 268 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:23,920 Speaker 1: Just go go to Tampa, Go go anywhere else that 269 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 1: makes that where you or your offense isn't suppressed by 270 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:28,360 Speaker 1: the ballpark. 271 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:31,680 Speaker 2: That's that would be my thought. 272 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 1: On a short term like opt out type deal where 273 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 1: Tucker is looking to cash in after next season, I 274 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 1: don't think that happens. I think he gets the type 275 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:44,000 Speaker 1: of like a semi respectable deal. I don't think he's 276 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:47,280 Speaker 1: getting glad you in your money. All that talk is 277 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:50,080 Speaker 1: I don't think anybody in baseball really believes that now. 278 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:54,440 Speaker 1: It kind of is like what range is it? Two 279 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:57,360 Speaker 1: hundred three hundred, Like that's kind of what people are 280 00:16:57,760 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 1: thinking right now. And when you talk to people around 281 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 1: Bay and that, you know he'll be fine. He's going 282 00:17:02,960 --> 00:17:04,640 Speaker 1: to I think he's going to get a long term deal. 283 00:17:06,600 --> 00:17:08,879 Speaker 1: I just don't see it with the Cubs. I agree 284 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:10,840 Speaker 1: with you, we can't put it at zero percent because 285 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:14,360 Speaker 1: off seasons are weird and weird things happen. I just 286 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 1: like it's hard for me to envision how he comes back. 287 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:18,639 Speaker 2: I don't. 288 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:24,240 Speaker 1: I don't love like too much criticism about you know, 289 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:29,600 Speaker 1: he was hurt, he had issues, Like his numbers were great, 290 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:34,080 Speaker 1: he had a really great season. I think that can't 291 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:39,359 Speaker 1: be overlooked. I just I don't want to, you know, 292 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:42,480 Speaker 1: tear him down because of that second half. But it 293 00:17:42,520 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 1: did happen, and it was, you know, at times perplexing, 294 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:51,199 Speaker 1: and then especially the postseason just not the final that 295 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:54,399 Speaker 1: the final game is going to linger for a while 296 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:57,000 Speaker 1: for some people, I feel, and it was you know 297 00:17:57,119 --> 00:18:00,480 Speaker 1: they had one threat in that final game, and he 298 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:03,040 Speaker 1: happens to come up in a pretty big moment and 299 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 1: can't get the job done. Unfair to criticize him for 300 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:10,360 Speaker 1: one at bat, but that's why he's here, to come 301 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 1: up in the biggest moments and deliver. 302 00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 2: That didn't happen. 303 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:16,359 Speaker 1: So that may just be the lingering memory of the 304 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:19,639 Speaker 1: Kyle Tucker Cubs experience. 305 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:21,840 Speaker 2: But he certainly had a great season. 306 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:25,960 Speaker 1: I think, you know, how you replace that, what you 307 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:28,879 Speaker 1: do is more relevant to what we're going to be 308 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:32,600 Speaker 1: discussing this winter than like, is he coming back and 309 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:33,639 Speaker 1: is he worth the money? 310 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:34,359 Speaker 2: I just don't. 311 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:38,440 Speaker 1: I don't think it's going to happen. We'll we'll, we'll 312 00:18:38,480 --> 00:18:43,119 Speaker 1: have to talk about it until he's signed wherever it is, because, 313 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:46,600 Speaker 1: like you said, there's that outside possibility. But you know, 314 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:50,400 Speaker 1: I think the real discussion is in other areas. 315 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, And I just think, like Kyle Tucker could see 316 00:18:56,320 --> 00:18:59,560 Speaker 3: what's out there and the Cubs could sort of assess things, 317 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:05,080 Speaker 3: And I'm with you, I don't think they are super 318 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:10,480 Speaker 3: keen on going long term. I think it's not so 319 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:15,280 Speaker 3: much the playoff ats bats as much as missing September. 320 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:19,359 Speaker 3: He had an injury last year that cost him a 321 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:22,840 Speaker 3: couple months, however long it was. As you get older, 322 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:26,119 Speaker 3: you approach thirty, like how far into his thirties do 323 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 3: you want to invest in? And that's something the Cubs 324 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:36,080 Speaker 3: are not super interested in. But I still think there's 325 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:38,480 Speaker 3: the only reason he would do some sort of short 326 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:41,240 Speaker 3: term thing is that if he is that confident or 327 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:46,000 Speaker 3: like his agency wants the super big, super long contract 328 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:49,080 Speaker 3: that much that they're willing to kind of risk it 329 00:19:49,119 --> 00:19:52,400 Speaker 3: for another year because it's still someone who's like, well 330 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:56,840 Speaker 3: like forty percent better than the average major league hitter 331 00:19:57,440 --> 00:20:02,679 Speaker 3: over like more than three thousand played appearances in the majors. Like, 332 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:08,560 Speaker 3: I still think if he walks out the door, I 333 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:11,639 Speaker 3: don't think you can just plug in Owen Casey, Moises 334 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 3: bi Asteris and Sasis who. I think you still need 335 00:20:13,840 --> 00:20:16,879 Speaker 3: someone somewhere else. I know you alluded it to it 336 00:20:16,960 --> 00:20:19,639 Speaker 3: in your three questions piece on the athletic of like 337 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:25,320 Speaker 3: do you go back to Bregman? Is there a trade 338 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:30,760 Speaker 3: out there? I just don't. That offense was so good 339 00:20:30,760 --> 00:20:32,440 Speaker 3: in the first half and he was such a huge 340 00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:36,920 Speaker 3: part of it, and even in those three prior elimination games, 341 00:20:36,960 --> 00:20:40,159 Speaker 3: he was getting on base a ton against you know, 342 00:20:40,280 --> 00:20:42,960 Speaker 3: good pitching. Lock didn't pitch it, but like I think 343 00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 3: he was on base like nine times in those three 344 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:51,120 Speaker 3: three previous elimination games this October. So I get it 345 00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:54,760 Speaker 3: if they're not really super interested in you being a 346 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:57,560 Speaker 3: part of Kyle Tucker's long term future. I just don't think, 347 00:20:57,680 --> 00:21:00,040 Speaker 3: to your points how that you can just totally just 348 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:03,080 Speaker 3: miss him because he was awesome for a long stitch 349 00:21:03,080 --> 00:21:04,480 Speaker 3: of this season, for most of his career. 350 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:07,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean those at bats were really good up 351 00:21:07,160 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 1: until the final game. They were certain he took some 352 00:21:09,680 --> 00:21:13,960 Speaker 1: really good pitches. Uh, that Ashby at bat, I know, 353 00:21:14,160 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 1: like I said, it's going to linger, but that was, like, 354 00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:19,760 Speaker 1: those are some nasty pitches. Yes, he got the three 355 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 1: to one pitch was right down the middle, but that's 356 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:24,119 Speaker 1: a nasty that's that's a hard pitch to hit coming 357 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 1: from a lefty. 358 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:28,000 Speaker 2: That is why he's there to hit those pitches. I 359 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:28,359 Speaker 2: get it. 360 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:31,760 Speaker 1: But the one that got him to strike out, that 361 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:35,040 Speaker 1: was just a perfect pitch, Just an awesome pitch. You 362 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:38,639 Speaker 1: got to give some credit to the opposition, Uh, they 363 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:41,119 Speaker 1: but he had some really good at bats leading up 364 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:44,119 Speaker 1: to that. Did not like was not chasing, just you know, 365 00:21:44,240 --> 00:21:47,840 Speaker 1: quality at bats. I thought you wanted to. There was 366 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:50,080 Speaker 1: a there was a point I thought. 367 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:52,399 Speaker 2: He had kind of clicked and it's like, ooh, okay, 368 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:53,640 Speaker 2: he hits that home run. 369 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:55,280 Speaker 1: What kind of game vibe are we going to get? 370 00:21:55,359 --> 00:21:58,679 Speaker 1: It didn't happen. He didn't deliver, and now you know, 371 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:01,400 Speaker 1: narratives are written after that, and. 372 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:05,520 Speaker 2: I like, yeah. 373 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:10,160 Speaker 1: He's incredibly impactful, changes the dynamic of the lineup when 374 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:11,320 Speaker 1: he's healthy and out there. 375 00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:14,800 Speaker 2: We can't just ignore that first half. 376 00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:18,560 Speaker 1: Let's let's talk about, like how how they kind of 377 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 1: look at what else is going on this offseason? 378 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:22,920 Speaker 2: Take a quick break. That's it. 379 00:22:23,080 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 5: This week's Arena Club Slab pack pull. We opened a ruby. 380 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:29,160 Speaker 5: We went big fifty. 381 00:22:30,920 --> 00:22:32,399 Speaker 2: You know what. The nerves got me. 382 00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:34,919 Speaker 6: I think it was so exciting because the motion it 383 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:36,919 Speaker 6: waits about four or five seconds for the card to 384 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 6: come up. Card that I got was over three hundred 385 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:44,520 Speaker 6: dollars a prospect from the Mariners, and for me, I 386 00:22:44,560 --> 00:22:46,680 Speaker 6: love the card. I thought it was great. Guess what 387 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:49,200 Speaker 6: I sold it back? Yeah, and I got a little 388 00:22:49,200 --> 00:22:50,879 Speaker 6: more money and now I can go buy another one. 389 00:22:50,920 --> 00:22:53,159 Speaker 6: You have to wait a couple of minutes afterwards, and 390 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:55,640 Speaker 6: this is the excitement, the whole thing. Put your money 391 00:22:55,640 --> 00:22:57,600 Speaker 6: where your mouth is and have fun with Arena Club. 392 00:22:57,680 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 5: You can see that big smile on todd Father's face. 393 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:03,040 Speaker 5: Plazaro Montes, who's supposed to be good. He's Baseball America 394 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:07,280 Speaker 5: Top three, he's in the miners organization. But Todd Father 395 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:10,800 Speaker 5: sometimes thinks prospects or suspects sometimes going back to the 396 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:13,320 Speaker 5: well and we'll see what he gets next time. Use 397 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:16,479 Speaker 5: the code foul foul at Arena club dot com slash 398 00:23:16,480 --> 00:23:17,800 Speaker 5: foul if you want to get in on the first 399 00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 5: slap Pack experience and get twenty percent off or twenty 400 00:23:20,960 --> 00:23:22,360 Speaker 5: percent off your first card purchase. 401 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:27,120 Speaker 1: Welcome back to North Side Territory presented by Fox One. 402 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:28,080 Speaker 2: Patrick. 403 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:31,600 Speaker 1: You know, I don't know what direction they'll go to 404 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:37,040 Speaker 1: help the offense. If Kyle Tucker heads elsewhere. It's that 405 00:23:37,119 --> 00:23:39,600 Speaker 1: I think is going to be fascinating. I think it's 406 00:23:39,680 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 1: really risky, Like you said, to just stick with all 407 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:47,920 Speaker 1: youngsters somewhere they need another veteran somehow. I'll be curious 408 00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:50,600 Speaker 1: to do that. But that's that's not the only issue 409 00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:54,199 Speaker 1: with this team. They're losing. There were five bullpen arms 410 00:23:54,680 --> 00:23:59,919 Speaker 1: that were leaned on in this postseason and kind of 411 00:24:00,119 --> 00:24:03,520 Speaker 1: on the stretch, you kind of know who Craig Counsel 412 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:06,720 Speaker 1: was trusting. Danian Plenci is the only one guaranteed to 413 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:09,280 Speaker 1: return unless he's part of a trade package or something 414 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:11,520 Speaker 1: like that. But he's only one that they can have 415 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:16,159 Speaker 1: complete control over and expect to be back. Andrew Kittridge, 416 00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:20,960 Speaker 1: I believe has a nine million dollar option that has 417 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:25,960 Speaker 1: a one million dollar buyout. Maybe he's worth that. Maybe 418 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:28,879 Speaker 1: they deem like this is what his value is on 419 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:33,320 Speaker 1: the open market, and that's and they decide to pick 420 00:24:33,320 --> 00:24:35,280 Speaker 1: that up. I think you and I would both be 421 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:37,960 Speaker 1: surprised by that. I don't want to put words in 422 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:40,159 Speaker 1: your mouth, but I'd be surprised by that. It just 423 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:42,199 Speaker 1: doesn't seem like what this front office does. And then 424 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:46,040 Speaker 1: it's Brad Keller, Drew Pomerantz, Caleb Thielbar all free agents, 425 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:50,240 Speaker 1: all huge parts of this season, and the bullpen. 426 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:52,919 Speaker 2: You know you were there for. 427 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:57,159 Speaker 1: When Brad Keller talked Drew Promerance indicated that you know, 428 00:24:57,240 --> 00:24:58,600 Speaker 1: he he'd like to play some more. 429 00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:01,720 Speaker 2: He's not retiring just yet. He'd like to continue playing. 430 00:25:02,840 --> 00:25:05,720 Speaker 1: Brad Keller, I think indicated that you know, he'd love 431 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:06,359 Speaker 1: to be back. 432 00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:08,240 Speaker 2: I love to come back to the Cubs. 433 00:25:09,119 --> 00:25:11,480 Speaker 1: I think it's really hard to envision a scenario where 434 00:25:11,480 --> 00:25:14,040 Speaker 1: those guys come back the Cubs. Just the Cubs front 435 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:19,440 Speaker 1: office doesn't do that. They find those guys and they 436 00:25:19,480 --> 00:25:22,439 Speaker 1: hope that they have the bounce back or breakout season 437 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:25,200 Speaker 1: and then they kind of let them get paid, go 438 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:25,800 Speaker 1: get paid. 439 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:29,040 Speaker 2: It's a risky way to go about it. 440 00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:31,919 Speaker 1: Because sometimes it doesn't always lock in, or sometimes it 441 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:34,639 Speaker 1: takes a while, or sometimes those guys just stay injured 442 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:40,439 Speaker 1: or whatever it is. So it's risky, but it's worked 443 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:44,760 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty one, twenty two, didn't work, in twenty three, 444 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:47,120 Speaker 1: didn't work so well in twenty four, then it worked 445 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:49,840 Speaker 1: great in twenty five. So you see, like it's a 446 00:25:49,880 --> 00:25:54,440 Speaker 1: mixed bag. But I think that's a huge question going 447 00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:55,600 Speaker 1: into the offseason. 448 00:25:57,480 --> 00:25:59,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, I circled back to Keller just to kind of 449 00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:03,040 Speaker 3: ask him, you know, his thoughts, and he said, once again, 450 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:06,760 Speaker 3: this is the most fun I've ever had playing baseball. 451 00:26:06,920 --> 00:26:10,160 Speaker 3: Of course that I love the city, love to come back, 452 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:15,320 Speaker 3: And he's also aware that he's proven something to both 453 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:19,960 Speaker 3: himself and the entire baseball industry. And being a trusted 454 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:26,280 Speaker 3: guy in elimination games, the end of elimination games. You're right, 455 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:29,440 Speaker 3: I don't Kidtrid's a hard one for me to see 456 00:26:29,440 --> 00:26:35,440 Speaker 3: them picking up. I think that would probably prevent one 457 00:26:35,480 --> 00:26:37,680 Speaker 3: of those other guys from coming back. It just when 458 00:26:37,680 --> 00:26:39,680 Speaker 3: you think about the Cups bullpen, it seems like they 459 00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:43,080 Speaker 3: like taking shots on goal, to use a jet analogy. 460 00:26:44,160 --> 00:26:46,480 Speaker 3: And then if you start locking up nine million here 461 00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:50,520 Speaker 3: whatever would cost for Keller, like like then all of 462 00:26:50,560 --> 00:26:55,439 Speaker 3: a sudden, you're you're kind of boxed in, not just 463 00:26:55,800 --> 00:27:00,359 Speaker 3: with the money, but the roster spot, the flexibility, the 464 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:04,320 Speaker 3: ability to for next year's Drew palm Rance who's at 465 00:27:04,359 --> 00:27:07,560 Speaker 3: some Triple A affiliate and trying to get his way 466 00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:10,040 Speaker 3: out of a minor league deal and force his way 467 00:27:10,040 --> 00:27:15,160 Speaker 3: onto a major league roster. Keller's the one, like he's 468 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:17,600 Speaker 3: a little younger than those other guys, and like he 469 00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:19,440 Speaker 3: had been a you know, a starter for a while. 470 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:22,000 Speaker 3: And the Cubs had their reasons, as you wrote from 471 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:24,120 Speaker 3: like your first day at spring training, of why they 472 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:27,720 Speaker 3: like this guy and what they were seeing. Not saying 473 00:27:27,800 --> 00:27:29,919 Speaker 3: he will be the exception, but I think they'd have 474 00:27:29,960 --> 00:27:32,840 Speaker 3: to like be pretty open minded about Keller just because 475 00:27:32,880 --> 00:27:35,679 Speaker 3: of all the different roles he did and how you know, 476 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:38,199 Speaker 3: he's just a big dude too. This is there's no 477 00:27:38,359 --> 00:27:41,280 Speaker 3: like analytics for that. But I don't know he looks 478 00:27:41,359 --> 00:27:43,760 Speaker 3: I mean, he's just like whatever. He looks like Like 479 00:27:43,800 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 3: he looks like yeah, like and uh, you know, his attitude, 480 00:27:49,800 --> 00:27:54,679 Speaker 3: his story. I think he does feel really comfortable in 481 00:27:54,720 --> 00:27:58,800 Speaker 3: this organization. You know, his eyes were opened when he 482 00:27:58,840 --> 00:28:01,400 Speaker 3: went to the Red Sox lash year, and the Cubs 483 00:28:01,440 --> 00:28:04,879 Speaker 3: built upon that of just kind of the information and 484 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:08,320 Speaker 3: what he can do on the mound. I think all 485 00:28:08,359 --> 00:28:12,679 Speaker 3: that stuff is not easily dismissed. But yeah, if some 486 00:28:12,800 --> 00:28:17,280 Speaker 3: team sees Brad Keller and like makes some deal that 487 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:19,120 Speaker 3: the Cubs don't like, they're just gonna let him walk. 488 00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:20,320 Speaker 3: I mean that's just how they operate. 489 00:28:20,920 --> 00:28:24,159 Speaker 1: Yeah, I guess I wouldn't completely rule out like a 490 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:27,679 Speaker 1: clay Home situation where he tries to convert back to 491 00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:33,000 Speaker 1: a starter. That's yes, I wouldn't rule out he's one 492 00:28:33,040 --> 00:28:35,679 Speaker 1: of the guys. I wouldn't rule them out on I 493 00:28:35,720 --> 00:28:39,760 Speaker 1: could see them finding a way to keep him if 494 00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:42,800 Speaker 1: they can come to a reasonable deal. I think this 495 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:45,200 Speaker 1: is important to say because of the way the season ended, 496 00:28:45,240 --> 00:28:46,680 Speaker 1: a lot of people are going to be like, how 497 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:50,400 Speaker 1: do does this offense score runs? How do they do things? 498 00:28:50,680 --> 00:28:53,320 Speaker 1: How do they win in the postseason? What happened to 499 00:28:53,360 --> 00:28:58,080 Speaker 1: the offense down the stretch? All fair questions. But I 500 00:28:58,120 --> 00:29:00,400 Speaker 1: think when I watched the playoffs and think back on 501 00:29:00,400 --> 00:29:03,360 Speaker 1: the playoffs, and I think back to conversations with Craig 502 00:29:03,400 --> 00:29:06,280 Speaker 1: Council about what he needed from his team to advance, 503 00:29:06,840 --> 00:29:11,560 Speaker 1: it's the pitching. Get more pitching, invest in pitching. We 504 00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:13,320 Speaker 1: don't know what's going to happen to show to Managa, 505 00:29:13,400 --> 00:29:18,120 Speaker 1: complicated option optionality there. I think you'll write about that 506 00:29:18,200 --> 00:29:22,040 Speaker 1: more in the coming days. 507 00:29:21,640 --> 00:29:22,000 Speaker 2: Like that. 508 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:25,240 Speaker 1: Really it's Kate Horton and Justin Steele coming back, that'll 509 00:29:25,240 --> 00:29:31,960 Speaker 1: be huge. You know, Jamison Tyne Matthew Boyd both under 510 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:36,080 Speaker 1: contract for next season. That's all important stuff. We don't 511 00:29:36,120 --> 00:29:38,400 Speaker 1: know what will happen to Colin Ray. But I think 512 00:29:40,240 --> 00:29:42,760 Speaker 1: when you talk about how to build a really good 513 00:29:42,760 --> 00:29:46,040 Speaker 1: playoff team and watch playoff baseball, you just need to 514 00:29:46,040 --> 00:29:48,440 Speaker 1: do enough on offense. The clubs didn't get the big 515 00:29:48,560 --> 00:29:53,560 Speaker 1: hit on whatever night that was Saturday night. They they 516 00:29:53,600 --> 00:29:56,040 Speaker 1: also didn't pitch well enough in Game one and two 517 00:29:56,600 --> 00:29:59,680 Speaker 1: and that's a huge reason why they're not advancing. They 518 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:02,520 Speaker 1: need to stock up on pitching. And they do it 519 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:05,680 Speaker 1: every they talk about it every year. But depth, depth, depth, 520 00:30:06,080 --> 00:30:08,080 Speaker 1: and I'd like to see another I'd. 521 00:30:07,880 --> 00:30:08,560 Speaker 2: Like to see it. 522 00:30:08,680 --> 00:30:12,040 Speaker 1: A swing and misarm in the rotation showed a was 523 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:14,920 Speaker 1: kind of that guy in his first year. The strikeouts 524 00:30:14,960 --> 00:30:19,040 Speaker 1: went down, velocity, stuff kind of ticked down in general. 525 00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:21,080 Speaker 1: That's that's tough to deal with. 526 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:23,520 Speaker 2: I think. I think that should that's gonna end up 527 00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:26,200 Speaker 2: being what we talk about the You know, it. 528 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:28,080 Speaker 1: Feels like every year we will get a better idea 529 00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:29,880 Speaker 1: at the GM meetings in a couple of weeks. But 530 00:30:30,920 --> 00:30:33,320 Speaker 1: every year you and I like end up zero in 531 00:30:33,440 --> 00:30:36,800 Speaker 1: and zeroing in on something because we get a little 532 00:30:36,840 --> 00:30:39,760 Speaker 1: tidbit of information. We try and figure things out. And 533 00:30:39,800 --> 00:30:41,920 Speaker 1: this is what it like. I have a feeling this 534 00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:45,280 Speaker 1: is what it is. Upgrade the pitching. Work your butt 535 00:30:45,320 --> 00:30:48,040 Speaker 1: off to find as much pitching as possible, whether that's trades, 536 00:30:48,120 --> 00:30:51,280 Speaker 1: whether that's free agency. I think that's the that's the path. 537 00:30:51,680 --> 00:30:55,120 Speaker 1: That's the path to get to the playoffs again and 538 00:30:55,160 --> 00:30:59,040 Speaker 1: go deep into the playoffs. I don't think there's any 539 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:02,959 Speaker 1: one recipe I think it's solving for wins, is what 540 00:31:03,040 --> 00:31:05,960 Speaker 1: Craig Council or Jed Hoyer or Carter Hawkins would tell us. 541 00:31:07,200 --> 00:31:08,520 Speaker 2: But I liked that path. 542 00:31:08,680 --> 00:31:12,520 Speaker 1: I like, I think you you really solidify your pitching, 543 00:31:12,560 --> 00:31:15,719 Speaker 1: you get two of your big arms back healthy. I 544 00:31:15,760 --> 00:31:18,520 Speaker 1: think there's a pathway for the Cubs to be really good. 545 00:31:19,880 --> 00:31:22,760 Speaker 1: Then we'll have questions and figure out and think about 546 00:31:22,800 --> 00:31:24,760 Speaker 1: how do you kind of solidify the offense. 547 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:25,840 Speaker 2: But I think you. 548 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:28,880 Speaker 1: Can really have strong pitching that it wasn't bad pitching, 549 00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:31,400 Speaker 1: but clearly it was a weakness and they lost some 550 00:31:31,520 --> 00:31:34,760 Speaker 1: depth there, especially at the end with Kate Horton going down. 551 00:31:34,800 --> 00:31:37,040 Speaker 1: They lost a big, impactful arm. But I think that's 552 00:31:37,160 --> 00:31:39,600 Speaker 1: that's such a huge way. Like I just watched them. 553 00:31:39,800 --> 00:31:41,760 Speaker 1: I just watched it in general, like and it isn't 554 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:44,160 Speaker 1: even teams that had like we're built on pitching, but 555 00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:46,040 Speaker 1: they're pitching is stepping up in the postseason. 556 00:31:46,480 --> 00:31:50,560 Speaker 2: Just find a way to scratch across a couple runs. 557 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:54,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, does any I'm trying to think of the most 558 00:31:54,280 --> 00:31:56,400 Speaker 3: optimistic Cubs fan out there, do you think they had 559 00:31:56,440 --> 00:31:58,600 Speaker 3: any chance to beat the Dodgers in the seven game 560 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:04,600 Speaker 3: series after expending so much of their pitching to win 561 00:32:04,640 --> 00:32:09,800 Speaker 3: a wild card round in this scenario, winning a game 562 00:32:09,920 --> 00:32:15,560 Speaker 3: five on the road then having a fly to Dodger Stadium, 563 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:21,600 Speaker 3: pitching in that environment just don't see that happening. I 564 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:26,160 Speaker 3: also think when you look at this farm system, don't 565 00:32:26,160 --> 00:32:30,600 Speaker 3: see a lot of arms that are gonna be you're 566 00:32:31,240 --> 00:32:37,000 Speaker 3: knocking the door down here anytime soon. And h and 567 00:32:37,040 --> 00:32:40,479 Speaker 3: even that guy like was a guy the Cubs drafted, 568 00:32:40,480 --> 00:32:43,160 Speaker 3: if I'm remembering correctly, like because he had what Tommy 569 00:32:43,240 --> 00:32:46,240 Speaker 3: John or some sort of injury checker. There was a 570 00:32:46,240 --> 00:32:51,760 Speaker 3: lot of load management talk this year. And even the 571 00:32:51,760 --> 00:32:56,840 Speaker 3: best pitching prospects they get hurt too. And so in 572 00:32:57,000 --> 00:33:00,200 Speaker 3: talking to Justin Steele, I mean, his hope is that 573 00:33:01,840 --> 00:33:05,280 Speaker 3: it's actually right around now he should be or sorry, 574 00:33:05,320 --> 00:33:09,240 Speaker 3: maybe another week or so. The idea of beginning to 575 00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:15,960 Speaker 3: play catch. He may not have a fully normal, full 576 00:33:16,240 --> 00:33:19,320 Speaker 3: strength spring training, just because that would imply he's like 577 00:33:19,920 --> 00:33:23,880 Speaker 3: automatically locked in for the opening day rotation. But the 578 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:26,920 Speaker 3: hope is that he won't be too far from that 579 00:33:26,920 --> 00:33:34,240 Speaker 3: that he would be doing a he would have a 580 00:33:34,360 --> 00:33:44,120 Speaker 3: robust spring training schedule aiming for around opening day. Maybe 581 00:33:44,360 --> 00:33:47,640 Speaker 3: maybe that's a couple of weeks after, maybe there's a 582 00:33:47,680 --> 00:33:51,960 Speaker 3: setback that changes everything. Maybe the Cubs once again are 583 00:33:51,960 --> 00:33:55,960 Speaker 3: just like cautious and conservative and throw out let's just 584 00:33:56,000 --> 00:33:56,920 Speaker 3: throw out May first. 585 00:33:57,000 --> 00:33:57,360 Speaker 2: Whatever. 586 00:33:57,640 --> 00:34:01,360 Speaker 3: But the idea is that he should be an impactful 587 00:34:01,440 --> 00:34:08,960 Speaker 3: part of next year's team after his elbow surgery. And 588 00:34:09,600 --> 00:34:12,759 Speaker 3: the feedback that he's gotten is that whereas when he 589 00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:15,120 Speaker 3: had Tommy John and the Miners, that was almost like 590 00:34:15,200 --> 00:34:18,360 Speaker 3: relearning his arm. Some of the motions that this procedure, 591 00:34:21,320 --> 00:34:24,480 Speaker 3: by all indications, is something that it should feel a 592 00:34:24,520 --> 00:34:32,120 Speaker 3: lot more natural just because of the way this procedure works. 593 00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:36,759 Speaker 3: So we'll see that. I mean, those are sort of 594 00:34:36,840 --> 00:34:40,880 Speaker 3: internal answers that were not available against the Brewers. But 595 00:34:40,960 --> 00:34:44,880 Speaker 3: I'm with you, like, can Matthew Boyd replicate this? Do 596 00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:52,120 Speaker 3: you trust basically locking in three more seasons of Shoda 597 00:34:53,360 --> 00:34:58,360 Speaker 3: just all around? I think you just go for more pitching, 598 00:34:58,440 --> 00:35:02,680 Speaker 3: and maybe that that's how some of the bullpen issues 599 00:35:02,719 --> 00:35:05,120 Speaker 3: are solved, that they're spillover, that they just get too 600 00:35:05,160 --> 00:35:09,319 Speaker 3: many starting pitchers and you have a Colin Ray, you 601 00:35:09,520 --> 00:35:12,520 Speaker 3: use out getters. You kind of take the innings puzzle 602 00:35:12,760 --> 00:35:15,560 Speaker 3: philosophy to another level next. 603 00:35:15,440 --> 00:35:21,160 Speaker 1: Year, And I should give Colin Ray some credit. Really 604 00:35:21,200 --> 00:35:23,560 Speaker 1: good end of the season, and you know he pitched 605 00:35:23,600 --> 00:35:24,440 Speaker 1: well in the postseason. 606 00:35:24,480 --> 00:35:25,839 Speaker 2: He gave up that solo home run. 607 00:35:27,200 --> 00:35:29,200 Speaker 1: I may have jinxed him because I think I said 608 00:35:29,200 --> 00:35:32,640 Speaker 1: to you after he got out before that solo home 609 00:35:32,719 --> 00:35:34,239 Speaker 1: run to Vaughan, I was like, how do you take 610 00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:35,960 Speaker 1: Colin Ray out of this game? And then he gave 611 00:35:36,040 --> 00:35:38,000 Speaker 1: up that three to two. 612 00:35:38,280 --> 00:35:41,479 Speaker 3: Yeah, he'd be a great bench coach. Maybe if Ryan 613 00:35:41,520 --> 00:35:45,080 Speaker 3: Flair he gets some manager's job, you could apply to 614 00:35:45,120 --> 00:35:46,320 Speaker 3: be counsels bench coach. 615 00:35:46,680 --> 00:35:51,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, uh yeah, we'll we'll we'll be talking about this 616 00:35:51,239 --> 00:35:54,160 Speaker 1: a lot. This is, you know, our focus for the 617 00:35:54,200 --> 00:35:57,879 Speaker 1: next few months. How they fill out this roster. There's 618 00:35:57,920 --> 00:36:01,440 Speaker 1: a lot, there's a lot of questions facing this roster. 619 00:36:02,160 --> 00:36:05,120 Speaker 1: Have to rebuild a bullpen, how do you add to 620 00:36:05,200 --> 00:36:07,600 Speaker 1: the pitching staff, and then how do you like if 621 00:36:07,640 --> 00:36:09,239 Speaker 1: you're replacing Kyle Tucker, how do. 622 00:36:09,200 --> 00:36:09,600 Speaker 2: You do that? 623 00:36:10,680 --> 00:36:13,879 Speaker 1: Just kind of what we will be talking about over 624 00:36:13,920 --> 00:36:17,799 Speaker 1: and over again and hopefully getting good information over the 625 00:36:17,840 --> 00:36:21,040 Speaker 1: coming weeks to kind of fill out that puzzle and 626 00:36:22,200 --> 00:36:25,239 Speaker 1: understand the direction the Cubs want to go. Thanks so 627 00:36:25,320 --> 00:36:28,520 Speaker 1: much for listening everyone. This is Northside territory, Foul Territory 628 00:36:28,560 --> 00:36:31,640 Speaker 1: Networks Cubs podcast. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 629 00:36:31,680 --> 00:36:34,600 Speaker 1: Subscribe to the YouTube channel, and subscribe to The Athletic, 630 00:36:34,920 --> 00:36:37,240 Speaker 1: where Patrick and I are on top of all things Cubs. 631 00:36:37,239 --> 00:36:40,360 Speaker 1: We really appreciate you guys listening throughout the season and 632 00:36:40,400 --> 00:36:42,520 Speaker 1: throughout the playoffs. We will be doing this all off 633 00:36:42,560 --> 00:36:46,160 Speaker 1: season long. Make sure to read our work. We'll be 634 00:36:46,200 --> 00:36:48,440 Speaker 1: on top of it all. Thanks for listening. Everyone, take care. 635 00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:14,239 Speaker 2: Anything I do, they live