1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,240 Speaker 1: Don't spend like the Dodgers, Yankees and Mets. How about 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:05,080 Speaker 1: spend like the Phillies and the Padres and the Astros 3 00:00:05,240 --> 00:00:08,039 Speaker 1: and the Braves. You can't beat tenth okay, you just 4 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:16,840 Speaker 1: can't welcome into North Side territory. Foul Territory Networks Cubs Podcast. 5 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:20,599 Speaker 1: I'm Sahadev Sharma with my partner Patrick Mooney. We're your 6 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:26,360 Speaker 1: Cubs beat writers for the Athletic Patrick. It's kind of 7 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:28,560 Speaker 1: slowed down right, Not for. 8 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:33,239 Speaker 2: The Dodgers, though, who keep making moves. The Cubs have. 9 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:38,479 Speaker 1: Made a small move here adding John Birdie, who solid 10 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: bench player. I think a lot of a lot of 11 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:43,640 Speaker 1: people were expecting this type of move. They need a 12 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:46,600 Speaker 1: right handed bad to play that can back up at first. 13 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:49,720 Speaker 1: He's versatile, he can play second, they can play third base. 14 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 1: Not the type of move that's gonna, you know, really 15 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:56,680 Speaker 1: rile up the fan base. But I think that's kind 16 00:00:56,680 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 1: of what we want to discuss. Have the Cubs done 17 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: enough post Tucker acquisition? You're kind of filling holes. This 18 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:07,960 Speaker 1: feels like Craig Council move last winter and then nothing 19 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:09,320 Speaker 1: big happens. 20 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 2: I don't want it. 21 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:13,000 Speaker 1: There's still a month ish left a few weeks, I 22 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:15,880 Speaker 1: should say, I guess, not a month, a few weeks. 23 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 1: There's names out there, but do you feel like it 24 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: feels a little different to me? But still has there 25 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:28,960 Speaker 1: been enough done? Is this is like I've noticed some 26 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 1: restlessness among the. 27 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 3: Fans, understandably so, right, I mean, I think this has 28 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 3: been another one of those off seasons where the Cubs 29 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:45,840 Speaker 3: can kind of tease their fans a little bit of like, 30 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 3: you know, there's still some names out there. You know 31 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 3: there's still some stuff to do, and clearly there's not 32 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 3: as many names on the board anymore, and our reporting 33 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:02,080 Speaker 3: strongly indicates that the bigger names out there they are 34 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:06,200 Speaker 3: not in play for When the Cubs talk about upgrading 35 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:10,520 Speaker 3: the bench, they're not talking about Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso. 36 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 3: And certainly, I think the most accomplished reliever on the 37 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 3: twenty twenty five Cubs has not been acquired yet. I 38 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:27,639 Speaker 3: think that will make it look better. But clearly, when 39 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 3: you're kind of trying to sign free agents against the 40 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:35,600 Speaker 3: Dodgers and your opening day opponent will be the Dodgers 41 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 3: and the Mets signed Wan, so do the biggest contract 42 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 3: in sports history, Like it's not going to look like 43 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:48,480 Speaker 3: they've done enough. And you know, this is just I 44 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:52,240 Speaker 3: think the accumulation of the last several years. It doesn't 45 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:56,919 Speaker 3: mean the Cubs are toast. It doesn't mean the season's 46 00:02:56,919 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 3: going to go sideways. It's just like I think the 47 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 3: expects coming off back to back eighty three win seasons. 48 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:07,079 Speaker 3: Then you go out and get someone like Kyle Tucker, 49 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:09,359 Speaker 3: you think there's going to be a little more there, 50 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:12,519 Speaker 3: But that's not how they run this team. 51 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, look, let's just look at the forty man ads 52 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 1: post Tucker, Okay, Matt Festa, go through the least list, 53 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:31,639 Speaker 1: Cody Cody, Colin Ray, Caleb, thielbar Carson, Kelly, Vidal, Bruhan. 54 00:03:33,639 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 2: I think that's it. 55 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:38,760 Speaker 1: That's that's who they've added post post Kyle Tucker. None 56 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 1: of those names, like, like, who knows of those relievers 57 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 1: could turn out to be really good, right, we've seen 58 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: it wouldn't be a shock if Matt Festa has a 59 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:49,840 Speaker 1: great season, right, because that's how relievers work. But my 60 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 1: point is none of these none of these names excite 61 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 1: a fan base. None of these names give you some certainty, 62 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 1: and for a team that needs a little bit more certainty, right, 63 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 1: that is going into a critical season. I'm not saying 64 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 1: that they're going to have a bad season because of that. 65 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: I actually think they have a pretty solid roster with 66 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 1: with some holes that they need to continue to fill 67 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 1: that I think some of them will be filled. I 68 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:17,040 Speaker 1: just think it's it's really hard, and we talked about 69 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 1: this in the last episode when you have your owner 70 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,279 Speaker 1: coming out and like kind of making excuses about why 71 00:04:23,279 --> 00:04:26,359 Speaker 1: they're not spending like like a big market, it's really 72 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:27,839 Speaker 1: frustrating for fans to hear that. 73 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 2: So it's and it's really hard to nod along. 74 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: And say like, oh, yeah, you're making good points about 75 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 1: financial finances. No, they don't want to hear about breaking even. 76 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:41,280 Speaker 1: They don't want to hear about why you can't spend 77 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 1: like the Dodgers and the Yankees and the Mets. That's fine, 78 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: Like I said last time, don't spend like the Dodgers, 79 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:49,360 Speaker 1: Yankees and Mets. How about spend like the Phillies and 80 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: the Padres and the Astros and the Braves. You can't 81 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 1: be tenth okay, you just can't. So like and certainly 82 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:59,240 Speaker 1: if you're if you're, if you are, don't go on 83 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 1: the radio and start explaining all these things and telling 84 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:07,840 Speaker 1: the fans why they don't understand how how how this 85 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: is how their finances work, especially if you're not opening 86 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: up the books like show it to me, prove it, 87 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 1: you know, like I don't want to hear the financial excuses. 88 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:21,800 Speaker 1: So it's it's a little it's a little frustrating to watch. Ah, 89 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 1: and I get why. 90 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:26,479 Speaker 2: Fans are up in arms and and and then you 91 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 2: have what happened today or not today. 92 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:35,960 Speaker 1: Earlier this week, Crebate signs with the Dodgers, Like it's 93 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 1: I I want players to get paid. I want uh, 94 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 1: I want teams to act like the Dodgers and the Mets. 95 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:48,480 Speaker 1: But this is it seems a little absurd. It's not finalized, right, 96 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 1: we don't know numbers on yeates. 97 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 2: I don't. 98 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:53,919 Speaker 1: I think you still uh passive, physical and all that stuff. 99 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:57,440 Speaker 1: And they need to make a forty man move. This 100 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:00,200 Speaker 1: is crazy though, right, Like the Dodgers are getting everyone 101 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 1: like this is a powerhouse. I know baseball's weird and 102 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:04,840 Speaker 1: it's not like the other sports, so we can't give 103 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 1: them the World Series just yet. But I don't know 104 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:11,039 Speaker 1: man's This makes it hard for fans as well. I 105 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:15,000 Speaker 1: think that are fans of the Dodgers. 106 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 3: I mean, and we've heard for a long time from 107 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:22,640 Speaker 3: Cubs officials, and I think they're largely correct. Is that, 108 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 3: you know, relievers are volatile, and it's not the it's 109 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 3: not a place that makes the most sense to put 110 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 3: your resources. But like Dodgers are a pretty well run team, 111 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 3: and if they think Tanner Scott is worth four and 112 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:39,479 Speaker 3: seventy two and that wasn't enough that they still want 113 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 3: to go out and get Kirby Yates, who if I 114 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:45,280 Speaker 3: remember Craigly' said of when we were kind of huddling 115 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:51,160 Speaker 3: last weekend, I believe the sense was like Yates was 116 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 3: already sort of creeping beyond a comfort zone for the Cubs, right, 117 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 3: Is that that was your recording at. 118 00:06:55,920 --> 00:07:00,480 Speaker 1: That point, Yeah, yeah, exactly, It sounded like he yeah. 119 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: I mean, that's I didn't realize it was with La, 120 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:05,599 Speaker 1: but I'd heard that the number had gotten to a 121 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 1: point that was already a little uncomfortable. And we don't 122 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:12,320 Speaker 1: know years or anything, right with Yates. I heard he 123 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 1: may have had a two year offer. That's kind of 124 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 1: crazy for he's thirty eight, right, I'm pretty sure he's 125 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 1: thirty eight. That's it's wild that he's getting. If he 126 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 1: that he had a two year offer, he'll be thirty 127 00:07:26,040 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 1: eight in March. Yeah, really good season and really experienced guy. 128 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 1: He's he has nearly one hundred saves in his career, 129 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 1: just a I mean a great season last year, nearly 130 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:43,440 Speaker 1: thirty six percent strike out rate, one point one seven ERA. 131 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 1: It's like he can still pitch. But the money being 132 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 1: thrown out there, you would think, right the whole Remember 133 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:52,760 Speaker 1: what do we say, like a week or two ago, 134 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 1: like maybe this is setting up in Jud's favor. Yeah, yeah, No, 135 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 1: the market is not for relievers. Didn't die down, Like 136 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,560 Speaker 1: these guys are still getting pretty hefty deals. 137 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 2: It's a little surprising. 138 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 3: And I mean if the reigning World Series champs, in 139 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:14,239 Speaker 3: one of the best run organizations in all the professional sports, 140 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 3: is thinking it's important to put bigger money into your 141 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:26,640 Speaker 3: bullpen to take some risk with relievers, and that's pretty telling. Two. 142 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 3: You and I wrote about this in The Athletic of 143 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 3: like kind of the names are still out there, and 144 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:35,960 Speaker 3: I do think if they wind up with former Dodgers 145 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 3: closer ken Lee Jansen or David Robertson who pitched really 146 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:45,160 Speaker 3: well for the Cubs, a couple of years ago, and 147 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:51,200 Speaker 3: who represents himself as an agent. You add guys like 148 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:55,560 Speaker 3: that to the back end, I think it makes a 149 00:08:55,640 --> 00:09:01,280 Speaker 3: huge difference experience, know how. I just to proven ability 150 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:04,200 Speaker 3: to pitch at a place like Wrigley Field in a 151 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:06,720 Speaker 3: one run game with forty thousand people on their feet, 152 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:11,800 Speaker 3: like that is a must do. Here, we got about 153 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 3: a little over two weeks until pitchers and catchers report, 154 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 3: believe on Super Bowl Sunday, So like, you know, the 155 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:23,360 Speaker 3: Cubs are going to have to start making some decisions 156 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 3: here pretty soon. And I'm kind of fascinated. We talked 157 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 3: about this earlier of like Tanner Scott was kind of 158 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 3: a unicorn, right, a guy that had been obsessed with 159 00:09:32,360 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 3: for years, So like, now where do they go? I mean, 160 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:39,360 Speaker 3: one name just went off the board. Our understanding was 161 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 3: Paul Seawold was not like a guy the Cubs were 162 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:45,840 Speaker 3: enamored with. But I think he got one year seven 163 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:51,680 Speaker 3: million ish. So like what would Jansen and Robertson be 164 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:55,960 Speaker 3: expecting at this point? You could probably slot in maybe 165 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:59,680 Speaker 3: multiple relievers. I think money wise it could probably do it. 166 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 3: I think just becomes a matter of flexibility and roster space. 167 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, and look, Kenley Jansen really good peripherals again last 168 00:10:09,080 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 1: year the wapsburth, I mean not double digit rate, so 169 00:10:12,559 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 1: that's fine. Nearly thirty percent strikeout rate. I kind of 170 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 1: love David Robinson. He's throwing harder than he ever has before. 171 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 1: He's going to be forty when the season he turns 172 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:28,319 Speaker 1: forty early on in April. He I mean, he had 173 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 1: a really good season. Three ra over thirty percent strike 174 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:32,360 Speaker 1: out rate. 175 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 2: The guy is. I mean, he loved his whatever three 176 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 2: months in Chicago. I remember talking to him. 177 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 1: He really liked Tommy Hottevey h He was happy in Chicago. 178 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 1: I think winning in Chicago would would be even better 179 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 1: for him, and he probably can, you know, sign with 180 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 1: them and be told you're going to be our closer 181 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 1: to start this season. 182 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:57,199 Speaker 2: Like I think it. I think he makes a ton 183 00:10:57,240 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 2: of sense. 184 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 1: I don't know how, like we know their's interest right, 185 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:03,800 Speaker 1: don't know how much it's reciprocated, and don't really know 186 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 1: if anything's close there. But I think he's the one. 187 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:11,200 Speaker 1: Like Jansen and Robertson both make a ton of sense. 188 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 1: I think Robertson makes even more sense just because like 189 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:17,840 Speaker 1: he's still nasty, Like it's almost like he hasn't dropped 190 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:19,120 Speaker 1: off and he's almost forty. 191 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:20,679 Speaker 2: That's that's wild to me. 192 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 1: Some of it is, you know, we talk about this 193 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:26,559 Speaker 1: on occasion, like sometimes it's almost I don't want to 194 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 1: say it's good, but like you miss some time late 195 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 1: in your career. 196 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:35,080 Speaker 2: Remember like John Lackey had that had late in his career. 197 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:37,520 Speaker 1: It almost like saved innings and he was able to 198 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:41,200 Speaker 1: like pitch later like a little older. Robertson missed most 199 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 1: of nineteen, all of twenty and a lot of twenty one. 200 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:47,760 Speaker 1: He pitched like twenty innings between those three seasons. Yeah, 201 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:51,480 Speaker 1: like that's that's I know he's hurt, but that's that's 202 00:11:51,559 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: miles off that on your arm that you don't that 203 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 1: you're not using right. 204 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:56,080 Speaker 2: And that's how. 205 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:59,960 Speaker 1: Pitchers really are, especially relievers, they're just grounded like ground 206 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 1: in the dust by managers. So often it seems like 207 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:07,120 Speaker 1: he can he's still at or near the top of 208 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:07,560 Speaker 1: his game. 209 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:09,160 Speaker 2: Really impressive reliever. 210 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:13,319 Speaker 1: I that's who I would focus on if I were 211 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 1: the Cubs, I think they have to cast a wider net. 212 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 1: That were to a few other names that we had heard, 213 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:21,360 Speaker 1: and like you said, I think maybe they could add 214 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:24,839 Speaker 1: the closure type like Jansen and Robertson and then look 215 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:28,319 Speaker 1: at film atone, look at Ryan Stannick. Ryan Stannick throws 216 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: in the upper nineties. I'm sure Tommy Hotteby has ideas 217 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:34,640 Speaker 1: for him, and like guys like Hottaby and Jacobson and 218 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 1: Tyler's Zambro all have like these ideas of how to 219 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:41,920 Speaker 1: maximize him as well. I think he he could be 220 00:12:42,040 --> 00:12:45,120 Speaker 1: like a second edition if they if they are looking 221 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:47,400 Speaker 1: to add too. I just don't know how much. You 222 00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 1: know how Craig Council is. He likes some flexibility with 223 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:51,880 Speaker 1: the bullpen. You want some optionality. 224 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:52,840 Speaker 2: You want to be able. 225 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:54,840 Speaker 1: To send guys up, send guys down. That's part of 226 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 1: That's how depth works, right. You have eight relievers to 227 00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:03,320 Speaker 1: start to see and and you kind of you know 228 00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:08,000 Speaker 1: you're using twelve. I guess hopefully maybe maybe not much 229 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 1: more than that, but you sending guys up and down 230 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 1: trying to get trying to get innings here and there, 231 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:16,400 Speaker 1: get through a tough stretch, whatever it may be. But 232 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:20,280 Speaker 1: I think that'd be an interesting way to go about it. 233 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:23,200 Speaker 3: I think Stank was a name we had kind of 234 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:25,600 Speaker 3: presented to the Cubs, like around the start of spring 235 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:29,000 Speaker 3: training last year of like how about this, And I 236 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:32,600 Speaker 3: think that was the exact argument they made against it, 237 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:36,080 Speaker 3: of just like they already have X number of guys 238 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 3: who are locked into major league deals, you know why 239 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:44,120 Speaker 3: number of guys who can't be optioned, and that you know, 240 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:47,240 Speaker 3: this pitching staff is gonna have a huge Craig Council 241 00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:51,679 Speaker 3: imprint on it. I mean, we'll see how they roll 242 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 3: it out once the season starts, but Counsel is a 243 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:57,800 Speaker 3: guy who likes giving starters extra rest. It's not just 244 00:13:57,840 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 3: a show to thing. May not be a six month 245 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 3: rotation per se, but I think he's probably gonna be 246 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:07,679 Speaker 3: looking for chances to do that if everyone's healthy and 247 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 3: if Colin Ray is in that sort of swingman role. 248 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 3: Your counsel is not someone who you know, he did 249 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 3: have those name brand closers. Eventually in Milwaukee, you know, 250 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:23,160 Speaker 3: Hater and Williams became those guys. But I don't think 251 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:26,560 Speaker 3: he's think he's pretty open minded about how they're going 252 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 3: to do this, and we'll see whether it works or not. 253 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:34,960 Speaker 3: But they are kind of on the same page here 254 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:40,560 Speaker 3: of like having versatility and flexibility and kind of you know, 255 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 3: solving for wins without getters, whatever, all their sort of 256 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 3: phrases now, And so I do think that's you know, 257 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 3: that's the area where you know, you look at the 258 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:57,600 Speaker 3: names one through whatever. It's going to take who knows 259 00:14:57,640 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 3: how many pitchers this year, what like twenty thirty four, 260 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 3: Like I think they're they're in like a decent spot 261 00:15:04,600 --> 00:15:07,560 Speaker 3: with that. That just doesn't win the off season and 262 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 3: that just hasn't been good enough these last two years. 263 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:12,400 Speaker 3: And I think that gets back to the beginning of 264 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:16,960 Speaker 3: this discussion of the frustration of like where you know, 265 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 3: where's that guy that you can count on for like 266 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 3: four wins or you know a guy you know is 267 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 3: gonna get you like thirty five saves and just kind 268 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:30,400 Speaker 3: of perform in those high leverage moments like the the 269 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 3: depth the roster flexibility in vs. Silly is just not 270 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:37,760 Speaker 3: it's not really not a lot of sizzle there, right, 271 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:40,760 Speaker 3: And we'll see it goes back to the process. And 272 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 3: we wrote that big story leading into GM meetings of 273 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:46,120 Speaker 3: like if the process is so good, why has it 274 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 3: led to eighty three wins the last two years? And 275 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:51,800 Speaker 3: now they would say the process takes time, and they're 276 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:56,160 Speaker 3: you know, the process is evolving and process could certainly 277 00:15:56,200 --> 00:16:02,920 Speaker 3: work this year, but it's been a little lacking after 278 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:06,960 Speaker 3: the after the Talker trade in terms of like the oh, yeah, 279 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 3: this team is going for it. It's not like this 280 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 3: team's going to spend more than everyone else in the 281 00:16:10,960 --> 00:16:14,600 Speaker 3: Central but not as much as you know, similar big 282 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:16,480 Speaker 3: market teams in the National League, and they're just going 283 00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 3: to kind of see what happens. Maybe there's some opportunities 284 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:23,320 Speaker 3: late in spring, maybe there's a push around the trade 285 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 3: deadline if the team performs well, but certainly not that 286 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 3: you know, full throttle off season that Cubs fans you know, 287 00:16:31,520 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 3: understandably would have hoped for. 288 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I you know, I'm not sure if we 289 00:16:37,520 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 1: kind of expected anything like crazy once Tucker was acquired. 290 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 2: I think that's kind of what we look at is 291 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:45,400 Speaker 2: like that's, you. 292 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:47,880 Speaker 1: Know, number one move with a bullet Like they're not 293 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:51,120 Speaker 1: going to They're not going to come close to that. 294 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: Like I just didn't, like, Yes, would it have made 295 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 1: sense to like go aggressively after Alex bregnant after that? 296 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:58,280 Speaker 1: I think so, Yeah, I think that would have made 297 00:16:58,280 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 1: a lot of sense. Like I think we're just so 298 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:05,000 Speaker 1: like we're just very aware of what the spending is 299 00:17:05,080 --> 00:17:06,919 Speaker 1: like with this team right now, and as much as 300 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: people want things to be differently, it's just that's just 301 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 1: not how it is. And so like you can you 302 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 1: can hope for more, You can hope that they suddenly 303 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 1: like go out of their comfort zone. And I think 304 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:19,879 Speaker 1: they are going out of their comfort zone in certain 305 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,920 Speaker 1: ways just by acquiring someone like Tucker, But that's not 306 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 1: the spending is not like it's not about comfort as 307 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:28,720 Speaker 1: much as it is about like what what the budget is. 308 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: And I think what we wrote like even like they're 309 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: close to two hundred million right now, you add Bregmann, 310 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: even on a short deal, you're pushing up against what 311 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:41,200 Speaker 1: they can spend overall on the on the season. That 312 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:43,239 Speaker 1: would then you wouldn't like what kind of reliever are 313 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 1: you getting? What are you doing at the trade deadline? 314 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:47,959 Speaker 1: Because they are working within a budget And that's not 315 00:17:48,040 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 1: a jed criticism, right like, this is just the reality 316 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:55,080 Speaker 1: of what they're working with. So yeah, I I I 317 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:57,399 Speaker 1: think there are obvious moves that would have made a 318 00:17:57,440 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 1: lot of sense that they just that that don't fit 319 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: within what they're working with now. I don't think they 320 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:08,800 Speaker 1: they're in a position to whine about it because because like, 321 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 1: look at where all these people that they have, and 322 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:12,679 Speaker 1: a lot of these people in their front office are 323 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:17,439 Speaker 1: coming from right Milwaukee, Cleveland, Like they're working with less 324 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:21,199 Speaker 1: and doing more, so they need to step up in it. 325 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 1: Like so the pressure is on them in a sense. Right, 326 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:26,159 Speaker 1: It's like, Okay, you have a lot of resources compared 327 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:28,840 Speaker 1: to other teams, So what are you going to do 328 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:30,880 Speaker 1: with it? How do you maximize it? And that's why 329 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:35,360 Speaker 1: we hear all these sayings that drive us nuts, right that, like. 330 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:37,199 Speaker 2: Because that's like that's kind of what they have to 331 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:39,520 Speaker 2: work with. They're like, how do we maximize our. 332 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 1: How do we outperform projections? Because that's what Tampa Bay does, 333 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:46,360 Speaker 1: that's what Cleveland does. How often have I said how 334 00:18:46,359 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 1: long has this podcast existed? How or how long have 335 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:49,919 Speaker 1: we been podcasting together? 336 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:50,440 Speaker 2: Patrick? 337 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 1: How many years have I said coming into the season, 338 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:55,639 Speaker 1: I'm not high on Milwaukee every season? 339 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 2: Right? Every season? 340 00:18:59,400 --> 00:18:59,680 Speaker 3: Yeah? 341 00:18:59,720 --> 00:19:01,639 Speaker 1: And then by July I'm like, well, I'm an idiot. 342 00:19:01,920 --> 00:19:05,919 Speaker 1: Since they're good again and and they there's something about 343 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:08,119 Speaker 1: there's something to be said for that. Right now, the 344 00:19:08,160 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 1: Cubs aren't doing that, So we can't we can't give 345 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:13,680 Speaker 1: them credit for something they haven't done, but that ultimately 346 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:16,840 Speaker 1: is the goal. Like out, Okay, we're not impressed, we're 347 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:19,520 Speaker 1: impressed by Kyle Tucker, not impressed by the rest of 348 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:22,160 Speaker 1: what you're doing. Okay, prove us wrong, and I think 349 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:26,399 Speaker 1: that's where like Cubs fans want the obvious answers and 350 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:28,720 Speaker 1: I and I get that, and I think that's I 351 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:31,960 Speaker 1: think that's a fair request. But if you can prove 352 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:34,800 Speaker 1: us wrong, you start to get the benefit of the doubt. 353 00:19:34,880 --> 00:19:37,960 Speaker 1: Like Milwaukee, Now, I'm not like they you know, they 354 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:40,520 Speaker 1: don't on paper, they don't look as good as last year. 355 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:43,920 Speaker 1: Am I going to doubt them? No, I'm done. It's 356 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:46,040 Speaker 1: been too many years in a row. Say with Cleveland, 357 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:48,439 Speaker 1: I don't know, Like Cleveland is just like kind of 358 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:51,439 Speaker 1: moving pieces around and doesn't like you've gotten rid of 359 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 1: some good players. 360 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 2: I'm not. I'm not going to doubt them. 361 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:57,480 Speaker 1: Okay, I'll assume that you're going to outperform projections because 362 00:19:57,520 --> 00:20:00,439 Speaker 1: that's what you've consistently done. Tampa Bay had down year 363 00:20:00,520 --> 00:20:03,040 Speaker 1: last year. I wouldn't be surprised that they're competing for 364 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:06,920 Speaker 1: a division despite being in a really tough division. It's 365 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:08,919 Speaker 1: just how like when you when you prove it, you 366 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:11,280 Speaker 1: have to prove it otherwise we're going to doubt you. 367 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:12,639 Speaker 2: That's just how it works. 368 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:17,080 Speaker 3: I think the other pressure point here, you know, internally 369 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:20,560 Speaker 3: is the farm system and this young talent that they've 370 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 3: accumulated and have talked up for years now. And part 371 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:28,679 Speaker 3: of it is, yes, Craig Counsel, the sports highest paid manager, 372 00:20:28,840 --> 00:20:31,560 Speaker 3: pushing all of the right buttons and like ringing more 373 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:34,640 Speaker 3: wins out of this team. It is the front office 374 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:40,160 Speaker 3: process that has been shaped by places like Milwaukee and Cleveland, 375 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:44,880 Speaker 3: as well as Jed Hoyer's own sort of like analytical 376 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:51,320 Speaker 3: outlook of hitting on you know guys. You know, if 377 00:20:51,320 --> 00:20:53,560 Speaker 3: you're looking at twenty six man roster, those guys you 378 00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:56,440 Speaker 3: know from like you know, twenty to twenty six, or 379 00:20:56,520 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 3: you know, the guys who aren't making you say, he's 380 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:02,480 Speaker 3: finding the right complimentary pieces and then this guy's coming 381 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:05,400 Speaker 3: up because they have I'm sure part of I guess 382 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:08,200 Speaker 3: everything revolves around money. Part of it is just the budget, 383 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:12,960 Speaker 3: but they have created certain pathways for young players this year. 384 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:17,119 Speaker 3: I mean, you know, non tendering Mike Talkman is not, like, 385 00:21:17,480 --> 00:21:22,080 Speaker 3: you know, the most telling sign of this offseason but 386 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:25,280 Speaker 3: like it's been a really good player for the Cubs. 387 00:21:25,320 --> 00:21:27,919 Speaker 3: He'd be making a sense, you know, relatively nothing and 388 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,600 Speaker 3: you know what you're gonna get, And like the actually 389 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:33,439 Speaker 3: our leadoff question the other day kind of you know, 390 00:21:33,560 --> 00:21:35,520 Speaker 3: maybe made me think of that. And as they fill 391 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:38,320 Speaker 3: out this bench here, like Mike talking was like the 392 00:21:38,359 --> 00:21:41,960 Speaker 3: perfect bench player, you know, and and the Cubs get 393 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:44,919 Speaker 3: credit because he had gone overseas and come back and 394 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:48,440 Speaker 3: bounced around and they found him and he performed really well, 395 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:50,800 Speaker 3: so they could certainly do it again. 396 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:51,280 Speaker 2: But like. 397 00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:57,160 Speaker 3: Overall how this has been built, there are openings for 398 00:21:57,560 --> 00:22:03,160 Speaker 3: young guys, so like Matt Shaw has to perform. Owen 399 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:06,359 Speaker 3: Casey Mois's baal Stero said, maybe they're not all on 400 00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 3: the opening day roster, and maybe they they all don't 401 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:12,200 Speaker 3: get like four hundred and five hundred at bats, but 402 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:15,720 Speaker 3: when they get an opportunity, they have to produce because 403 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:18,440 Speaker 3: that is in part how this team is built, and 404 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:22,520 Speaker 3: that is also part of why there is this kind 405 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 3: of confusion about exactly what the Cubs are doing. You know, 406 00:22:26,280 --> 00:22:30,240 Speaker 3: this all in trade for Kyle Talker filed by a 407 00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:33,360 Speaker 3: lot of sort of like okay, well, see see how 408 00:22:33,359 --> 00:22:34,000 Speaker 3: that goes. 409 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:35,760 Speaker 2: Right right, right. 410 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: One thing I want to mention before we wrap up, 411 00:22:38,480 --> 00:22:40,920 Speaker 1: we shouldn't rule out a trade for reliever either. 412 00:22:40,960 --> 00:22:43,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's a good point. 413 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:45,360 Speaker 1: Like it could be like it could be a name 414 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:47,439 Speaker 1: we haven't even mentioned yet, Like it could be a 415 00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 1: bigger one. 416 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:49,920 Speaker 2: Now that's about prospect costs and. 417 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:52,800 Speaker 1: That again we're talking about value and all that stuff 418 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:54,800 Speaker 1: that get you know, getting too far into the weeds 419 00:22:54,840 --> 00:22:58,600 Speaker 1: and nobody wants to hear. But I think that is 420 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:01,640 Speaker 1: something that they have explored and they're looking into. 421 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:03,320 Speaker 2: But they're trying to figure. 422 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:06,600 Speaker 1: Out what's the best avenue to add this established reliever. 423 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:10,480 Speaker 1: Whether it's a dominant force or just a really solid piece. 424 00:23:10,520 --> 00:23:14,479 Speaker 1: We'll see. I think we'll be hearing something on that 425 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:15,280 Speaker 1: soon enough. 426 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:15,480 Speaker 2: Right. 427 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:19,159 Speaker 1: The market seems like it's moving well enough that maybe 428 00:23:19,160 --> 00:23:21,720 Speaker 1: by the next time we record, we'll know who that 429 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:24,439 Speaker 1: name is. I think we're getting closer to Thatvie, so 430 00:23:24,440 --> 00:23:28,080 Speaker 1: we're getting closer to it as time moves. But yeah, 431 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:31,560 Speaker 1: I wouldn't be surprised if we're talking if we have 432 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:34,480 Speaker 1: a name by the next time we record. We'll see 433 00:23:35,280 --> 00:23:38,480 Speaker 1: what that is if they get that done. All right, 434 00:23:38,520 --> 00:23:40,879 Speaker 1: this is north Side territory. Thanks so much for listening. 435 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:41,240 Speaker 2: Everyone. 436 00:23:41,280 --> 00:23:44,399 Speaker 1: Make sure to rate, review, subscribe, subscribe to the YouTube channel. 437 00:23:44,520 --> 00:23:46,680 Speaker 2: Be sure to subscribe to The Athletic, where Patrick and 438 00:23:46,760 --> 00:23:49,520 Speaker 2: I are covering the Cubs. We really appreciate all of 439 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:51,320 Speaker 2: you listening. Thanks so much,