1 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:09,320 Speaker 1: Welcome into Northside Territory. Foul Territory Networks Cubs Podcast. I'm 2 00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:12,600 Speaker 1: Sahade Sharma with my partner Patrick Moodey. We are your 3 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:16,640 Speaker 1: Cubs beat writers over at the Athletic. Patrick, that was 4 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:21,720 Speaker 1: a really fun weekend at Wrigley Field, packed with fans. 5 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:24,880 Speaker 2: Generally the weather cooperated. 6 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 1: It was you know, Boston versus Chicago is always fun. 7 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:32,400 Speaker 1: I feel like Cubs Red Sox, whether it's at Fenway 8 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: or Wrigley, that's gonna be a fun series. But both 9 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:39,240 Speaker 1: teams were playing well coming into that. Those first two games, 10 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: the Cubs looked great, like they were ready to play. 11 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:47,720 Speaker 1: They looked like the best team in baseball, and for 12 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: a few hours they were the best team in baseball. 13 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:56,000 Speaker 1: But I'm not going to overreact to Sunday's game. Some 14 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,600 Speaker 1: of those bullpen arms are just due for a bad outing. 15 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 1: But this team looks damn good and it's come out 16 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: of the gate. You know, I think showing like okay, 17 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: first half was really strong. Let's continue this. And I 18 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 1: kind of like their mantra. You know, we're not worried 19 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,119 Speaker 1: about anything else one day to time. They're sticking to it. 20 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:17,399 Speaker 1: It gets kind of boring but I feel like that's 21 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:20,039 Speaker 1: the best way to go about it, especially with the 22 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:22,520 Speaker 1: Milwaukee Brewers just red hot and they can't they can't 23 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 1: control what they do. All they can do is control 24 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:26,280 Speaker 1: what's in front of them. 25 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, the Brewers will not go away. I mean sweeping 26 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:35,160 Speaker 3: a series at Dodgers Stadium. Yeah, I think they've been 27 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:39,399 Speaker 3: playing what like seven hundred something ball since maybe memorros 28 00:01:39,440 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 3: a weekend. I mean, it's a pretty long stretch, a 29 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:49,000 Speaker 3: very insane clip of winning. Yeah, maybe that will recede 30 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:52,400 Speaker 3: a bit. I think the Cubs have an easier schedule 31 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 3: going forward, but there's still those I think it's eight 32 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 3: head to head matchups, you know, both home and away. 33 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:05,160 Speaker 3: I think will be great theater. I think it's good 34 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:07,040 Speaker 3: that the Cubs are being pushed in this manner, but 35 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,400 Speaker 3: it's gonna get a little uncomfortable. 36 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 4: Uh. 37 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 3: And I think the we will see the panic meter 38 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 3: surging on social media just because the Brewers are so 39 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 3: pesky and they just do it in these ways. You're like, 40 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 3: how do they keep doing it? But but they do. 41 00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, And you know, like you said, it's gonna be 42 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:36,639 Speaker 1: nerve nerve wracking for the fans. I think it's incredibly 43 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 1: fun like these these types of races being pushed by 44 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:44,840 Speaker 1: another team. Obviously, you know, ideally for the Cubs that 45 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:47,080 Speaker 1: they want to run away with the division and and 46 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 1: you know, get a top two seed in uh for 47 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:54,000 Speaker 1: the playoffs, get that, buy all that stuff. But you know, 48 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:57,640 Speaker 1: part of it is I kind of look back to 49 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 1: Game seven of the World Series. I know some fans 50 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 1: would would have preferred that to be a blowout. I 51 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:05,920 Speaker 1: think that's a great story now you look back, now 52 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: that you know the ending, right, the ride was really fun. 53 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,520 Speaker 1: That what an insane game? What like that Roger Davis 54 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 1: moment is now a moment. It's an unforgettable moment. So yes, 55 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:19,760 Speaker 1: it's going to be nerve wrecking. But this ride is 56 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: should be fun if the Cubs can, especially if the 57 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 1: Cubs pull it off. I know, if they we don't 58 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,799 Speaker 1: know what happens. I feel like the Cubs are good 59 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 1: enough and that they will. We'll talk more about this, 60 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:32,760 Speaker 1: and we're going to continue to for the next two 61 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 1: weeks or ten days. I guess they're going to be 62 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 1: aggressive this next This the rest of this month is 63 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 1: going to be really fun and chalk full of rumors, 64 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 1: and I think they're going to make the right moves 65 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 1: to kind of get there. Maybe they're going to make 66 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: moves to get there. I think something else I was 67 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 1: thinking about is they've kind of nailed every move for 68 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:58,360 Speaker 1: this year. Can they continue nailing those moves the rest 69 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 1: of this month? I think that'll huge. But it's just 70 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:05,080 Speaker 1: really fun to see the Brewers not going away. I 71 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 1: agree with you that the schedule's difference I think may 72 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 1: end up being the difference how different it looks. But 73 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 1: when you sweep the Dodgers, I mean, the Cubs fans 74 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 1: just have to be so annoyed. There are like one 75 00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:21,240 Speaker 1: two run wins consistently too during this stretch for the 76 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: Brewers where they're not blowing teams out. Some of this 77 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:27,840 Speaker 1: is randomness. You're getting the you know, the they're stepping 78 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:31,039 Speaker 1: up in the biggest moments, Guys like Andrew Vaughn coming 79 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:33,279 Speaker 1: through for the Brewers just you know, just the type 80 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:37,160 Speaker 1: of stuff that's maddening for a team you're rooting against. 81 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: So it's it, but it's it's really fun to watch 82 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:40,400 Speaker 1: in my opinion. 83 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 3: You know, I think back to twenty eighteen when the 84 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 3: Brewers just would not stop winning. There that September, and 85 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 3: like the Cups didn't collapse, they did not play maybe 86 00:04:55,279 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 3: their best baseball clearly the Brewers played, but that was 87 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 3: not like a Cubby occurrence. It's just like the Cubs 88 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:08,440 Speaker 3: kind of played above average and the Brewers played at 89 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 3: their you know, insane level that has so frustrated Cubs 90 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:17,360 Speaker 3: executives over the years, and this kind of feels like that. 91 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:20,719 Speaker 3: I mean, to win back to back series against the 92 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 3: New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox and to have 93 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 3: you know, your best players in the All Star Game, 94 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:31,599 Speaker 3: to have several you know, All Star snubs, you know 95 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 3: right there waiting as well. I showed it in the 96 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 3: NAGA coming back and pitching like an ace. Just in general, 97 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 3: I feel like things are going well for the Cubs, 98 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 3: but it's just that the Brewers have really forced the 99 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,480 Speaker 3: issue there, you know, like the Cubs just didn't bury 100 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:54,040 Speaker 3: the Brewers. And now it's going to be kind of 101 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 3: fascinating to see how these clubs are going to respond 102 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:02,839 Speaker 3: at the trade deadline. I mean, even even when the 103 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:07,960 Speaker 3: Brewers do like they're small moves, like they they strike gold, 104 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:12,800 Speaker 3: I mean Andrew Vaughn, I mean, like Drew Yeah, Quinn Priester. 105 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 3: I mean going back to the Drew Pomeranz. Uh, when 106 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 3: he went over to the Brewers. It was just like, 107 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 3: you know, the best couple of months of his life 108 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:23,160 Speaker 3: until this season here in Chicago. 109 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, sorry, I lost. 110 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:29,039 Speaker 1: I was I was looking at Quinn Priester's number and 111 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 1: lost my lost my trade and thought, uh. 112 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:34,320 Speaker 2: I got to take a break. 113 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:37,920 Speaker 1: My brain is is I'm gonna have to have the metal. 114 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 3: I mean, Quinn Priester grew up a Cubs fan, uh 115 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 3: in Illinois. You know, his family, you know, was you 116 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 3: know involved in the Cubs. Was the guy the Cubs 117 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:53,840 Speaker 3: you know, scouted for that first round of his draft year, 118 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 3: but you know had a sense he was gonna be 119 00:06:55,720 --> 00:07:00,480 Speaker 3: off the board by the time they picked. And yeah, 120 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:04,599 Speaker 3: after not clicking with the Pirates and getting moved to 121 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:08,599 Speaker 3: Boston and shuffling round, It's like he shows up and 122 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 3: all of a sudden has an opportunity, has a support system, 123 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 3: and you know might wind up being you know, the 124 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 3: most among the most impactful pitchers traded during the season. 125 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 3: It just happened to be what was it in like 126 00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:27,560 Speaker 3: May or something like that. I mean, it was just 127 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 3: a great move on the Brewers part. 128 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:33,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, sorry, I totally space because when Priester threw me off. 129 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 1: What my point that I was wanted to make was, 130 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 1: this is almost you could almost spin this as being 131 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: pushed right now by the Brewers is a good thing 132 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 1: for the Cubs. It should give this front office more 133 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 1: clarity on Okay, don't have a false sense of security. 134 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:53,520 Speaker 1: Don't you know we have a five game lead. We 135 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 1: don't need to panic. As far as upgrading certain areas, 136 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 1: A game like Sunday should give them a little bit 137 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 1: more clarity. As far as the bullpen, yes, you need 138 00:08:03,560 --> 00:08:07,560 Speaker 1: a fourth uh, a fourth trusted reliever right now. It's Palencia. 139 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:11,400 Speaker 1: Keller looked great those first two games after struggling, after 140 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 1: showing some signs of like, oh is there a sign 141 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 1: of weakness here from Keller before the break? 142 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 2: And then and uh, who's. 143 00:08:20,760 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 1: The Who's the third reliever that I'm thinking of that's 144 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 1: been dominant? 145 00:08:24,160 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 2: Uh Valencia, Keller. 146 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 1: Fielbar Field, bar So those three I feel like, yes, 147 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 1: they're they're locked in. They're they're in there for the 148 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 1: long haul. You never know what the relievers, but the 149 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 1: others are showing some signs. Comerance just wasn't going to 150 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 1: keep up that pace that would have been impossible. 151 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 2: I still think he's been brilliant. 152 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 1: But you need you just add whether it's pushing all 153 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 1: those guys down one rung, whatever it may be, but 154 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:52,680 Speaker 1: a veteran what Presley was supposed to be. Presley has 155 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 1: been fine. He gave up one home run yesterday. He's 156 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:59,160 Speaker 1: been fine. He hasn't been dominant, locked down. Maybe he 157 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 1: doesn't instill like the type of confidence that maybe Polentia 158 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:05,440 Speaker 1: does when he steps in there. Field Bar just continues 159 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:08,400 Speaker 1: to be masterful when he goes in there. So getting 160 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:12,240 Speaker 1: one more veteran that can handle those high leverage spots. 161 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:15,959 Speaker 1: I know Ryan Brazier has been great since he got healthy, 162 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:19,960 Speaker 1: but still you add a veteran, you do that. I 163 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,200 Speaker 1: think it's good that they're being pushed because it just 164 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 1: shows that, Okay, you cannot sit on your hands. You 165 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:26,439 Speaker 1: can't assume that. 166 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:27,560 Speaker 2: All will go well. 167 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:33,720 Speaker 1: I think that's exactly what the Cubs need to kind 168 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 1: of motivate them and push them to make the right moves. 169 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:39,199 Speaker 1: This break, all right, Patrick, Let's take a quick break 170 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,800 Speaker 1: and come back and talk some more Cubs. Nothing says 171 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 1: summer like long days. Clutch plays and firing off a 172 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:46,839 Speaker 1: few bets on the game. All with Draftking Sportsbook. Never 173 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 1: bet on baseball before. 174 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:49,679 Speaker 2: It's easy. 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For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, 193 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 1: see dkang dot co slash audio Patrick Matt Shaub played 194 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 1: three games this weekend started. Two of them looked significantly 195 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 1: better than the first half. It's three games. He he 196 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:00,559 Speaker 1: had a home run, had some even his. 197 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:04,200 Speaker 2: Outs were well struck. I thought he looked like. 198 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:06,160 Speaker 1: It, you know, like kind of like he did right 199 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 1: when he was recalled, and it was probably good to 200 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 1: see him pull the ball there, pull a ball authoritarian, 201 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 1: authoritatively and hit that home run. 202 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:19,720 Speaker 2: I don't think. 203 00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 1: One good weekend washes away, which would have been pretty 204 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:31,600 Speaker 1: extreme struggles for third base in general. That remains an 205 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:35,280 Speaker 1: area of need. I think you can kind of what 206 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 1: I was just saying before the break. You have these 207 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:40,240 Speaker 1: you have this moment, you have these ten days, you 208 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:43,199 Speaker 1: have this space, so only real time where you can 209 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 1: make these upgrades. You can't allow you can't overthink this 210 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:50,199 Speaker 1: and say no, we're fine, it's all good. I'm not 211 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:52,319 Speaker 1: saying they have to go out if they don't get 212 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:54,600 Speaker 1: an upgrade a third it's a failure of a deadline. 213 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 1: But I do think they're not thinking in the sense like. 214 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:03,440 Speaker 2: We can relax. He had a good weekend, no doubt. 215 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 3: I mean, Council said that before Sunday's games, if you 216 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:10,880 Speaker 3: don't make an evaluation off of two games. I mentioned 217 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:14,800 Speaker 3: to him. You know, Craig, when he sent out Matt 218 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 3: Shaw in the middle of April, you had said experience 219 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:22,960 Speaker 3: had taught you that sixty to seventy played appearances is 220 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:26,160 Speaker 3: usually a good sample for evaluating a young hitter. And 221 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 3: now since Shaw has been recalled from Iowa, he's gotten 222 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:35,199 Speaker 3: one hundred and seventy plus plate appearances without really gaining 223 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:40,040 Speaker 3: much offensive traction. And Council stress, you know, the plan 224 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:44,079 Speaker 3: is for Matt Shaw to play at third base almost 225 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 3: every day, but he acknowledged that is part of the evaluation. 226 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:52,480 Speaker 3: That he has been given a great opportunity, and though 227 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:55,680 Speaker 3: he has not completely squandered it, he's shown he's a 228 00:12:55,800 --> 00:13:00,439 Speaker 3: very good, more than capable major league defensive third baseman. 229 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:05,320 Speaker 3: He has not totally answered the question on a team 230 00:13:06,040 --> 00:13:09,480 Speaker 3: that went into spring training knowing they were kind of 231 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:11,680 Speaker 3: there was like one piece in that position player group 232 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:16,400 Speaker 3: that was a question mark, and it remains so. In 233 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:22,720 Speaker 3: late July and so there's enough time before the trade deadline, 234 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 3: and the Cubs have the resources both in money and 235 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:32,000 Speaker 3: prospect capital to exhaust every possibility here. And you're right, 236 00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 3: you know, maybe they just kind of go bigger on 237 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:41,840 Speaker 3: pitching and kind of the depth takes a different shape 238 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:44,679 Speaker 3: on the position player side. You know, this isn't We'll 239 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:46,240 Speaker 3: get into this more in the next second, but this 240 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:50,720 Speaker 3: is not like an overwhelmingly overwhelming sort of like trade market. 241 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:55,760 Speaker 3: But Shaw, you know, I think they believe in him 242 00:13:56,000 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 3: long term. There are things that they see that they appreciate. 243 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:05,440 Speaker 3: But you know, there are lots of sort of like 244 00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:11,679 Speaker 3: positive leading questions about Matt Shaw, and Council wasn't really 245 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:14,960 Speaker 3: having it. It was you know, well look at what 246 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:18,000 Speaker 3: Miguel Emaya did last year, and you know, everyone remembers 247 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 3: what Pete Crow Armstrong did in the middle of last season, 248 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 3: and I Counselor did one of his sort of chuckles 249 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:26,520 Speaker 3: and said, well, there's lots of stuff that fails that 250 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:28,800 Speaker 3: you know, people don't really talk about because it failed. 251 00:14:30,160 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 3: And so we'll see, like Shaw could be one of 252 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 3: those success stories. He could have a lot of big 253 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 3: moments in the last two months of the season. He 254 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:40,240 Speaker 3: could wind up, you know, playing in the playoffs as 255 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 3: a rookie, which would be a really nice achievement. But 256 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:46,000 Speaker 3: just in this window here, the cups have to look 257 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:47,120 Speaker 3: at what else is out there. 258 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:53,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean that's great for Shaw to use as examples. 259 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 1: Like Shaw absolutely should be like trying to get himself 260 00:14:57,080 --> 00:14:58,920 Speaker 1: in a positive mindset. That's kind of what I asked 261 00:14:58,960 --> 00:15:02,520 Speaker 1: him after the game on Saturday or whatever day that 262 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:02,880 Speaker 1: was that. 263 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 2: He hit the home run. 264 00:15:03,520 --> 00:15:07,160 Speaker 1: I think that was Saturday, that did you need that 265 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:10,680 Speaker 1: mental reset both with the series off before the break 266 00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:12,920 Speaker 1: and then the break, And he said absolutely, it was 267 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 1: huge that that helped him a ton, just kind of 268 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 1: get away from the game. Council talked about, you know, 269 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:22,280 Speaker 1: keeping him away from failure. That's kind of what he 270 00:15:22,320 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 1: was doing in the Yankees series, you know, and he 271 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 1: had some success over the weekend. Great, that's how you 272 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 1: build confidence, that's how you get on the right track. 273 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 1: This could be something that is a positive sign for 274 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 1: twenty twenty six. You can't let it keep you from 275 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 1: trying to improve your chances of winning the World Series 276 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty five. 277 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 2: Patrick, there's an obvious. 278 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 1: Upgrade in Arizona, AU Heniosuarez just continues to mash. There's 279 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:56,440 Speaker 1: a chance that au henne O Suarez doesn't do great 280 00:15:56,680 --> 00:16:00,200 Speaker 1: in August and September, a team could acquire him the 281 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 1: Cubs and he just doesn't. He doesn't have that. But 282 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:05,240 Speaker 1: he's on an insane run right now. It's four home 283 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 1: runs of the last two games. It's his third. Yesterday 284 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: was his third two home run game in the last 285 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 1: five games. I believe that he's played just just on 286 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 1: a massive tear. Here's the thing. Arizona swept Saint Louis. 287 00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:22,920 Speaker 1: They're four and a half game back, four and a 288 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 1: half games back and of a wild card spot there. 289 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: They don't want to sell they they think they can 290 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 1: win there. They've been banged up, They've had a ton 291 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: of bad luck with injuries. Zach Gallen has not pitched 292 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:39,520 Speaker 1: like himself in the first half. They think they can 293 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: get a better Zach Gallon in the second, you know, 294 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: going forward. Obviously, they have a ton of talent on offense. 295 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: So this this decision. It's a tough decision for them 296 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 1: because they have three expiring contracts, all big players. They're 297 00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 1: not a team that consistently resigns all their players. They 298 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:05,160 Speaker 1: have a lot of money out, like you know, signing Burns. 299 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:08,479 Speaker 1: They just they were aggressive this past offseason, as they 300 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 1: should have been. It's it's going to be an interesting 301 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:14,440 Speaker 1: deadline for them. Do they kind of do the half 302 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 1: in half out? Do they try and recoup some value 303 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 1: for Suarez because they could just call up Jordan Lawler 304 00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:23,760 Speaker 1: and play him at third base, And if they could 305 00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:26,720 Speaker 1: get like a borderline major leaguer in as Suarez deal, 306 00:17:27,440 --> 00:17:30,600 Speaker 1: someone that could help right away. Maybe that's maybe that 307 00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:34,199 Speaker 1: makes sense. Maybe that's one of those creative things that 308 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:37,119 Speaker 1: Jed's talking about. Maybe there's a way to bring another 309 00:17:37,119 --> 00:17:39,679 Speaker 1: team in that helps the Diamondbacks and the Cubs are 310 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:42,680 Speaker 1: giving a process. I'm just trying to think of different when, 311 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,400 Speaker 1: Like Jed's words of creativity keep coming into my head 312 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 1: whenever I think of different trade scenarios. 313 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:49,919 Speaker 2: So I don't know. 314 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:54,320 Speaker 1: I wouldn't assume that they're going to move these guys, 315 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:57,399 Speaker 1: but they can also they also can't afford to lose 316 00:17:57,440 --> 00:18:00,440 Speaker 1: guys in free agency and not have anything to show 317 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 1: for it. It's a risk for a team like the 318 00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:05,920 Speaker 1: Diamondbacks to to not make these moves and not be 319 00:18:06,040 --> 00:18:07,359 Speaker 1: aggressive at the deadline. 320 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:10,960 Speaker 3: I guess the silver lining for the Cubs would be 321 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:15,200 Speaker 3: if the Diamondbacks don't sell, then Suarez can't wind up 322 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:21,479 Speaker 3: in Milwaukee. But that's kind of a strategy. Look, I mean, 323 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:24,040 Speaker 3: I think as you and I have compared notes over 324 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:25,880 Speaker 3: the last couple of days coming out of the All 325 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:28,919 Speaker 3: Star Break, I think it seems clear that the Cubs 326 00:18:28,960 --> 00:18:33,600 Speaker 3: will be in this until the end. On Suarez, it's 327 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:37,280 Speaker 3: no secret that they're looking for upgrades there. There's a 328 00:18:37,359 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 3: really strong relationship between Cubs President Jed Hoyer and Diamondbacks 329 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:46,160 Speaker 3: general manager Mike Hasen. They're both New England guys who 330 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 3: used to work for the Red Sox. There's some crossover 331 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 3: between the Cubs and Diamondbacks front offices. Just you just 332 00:18:56,119 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 3: get the sense that whatever dialogue is happening, like Jed 333 00:19:01,119 --> 00:19:03,800 Speaker 3: is always sort of in that deal flow no matter what. 334 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 3: But particularly given his strong connection to Hazen, and there's 335 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:12,479 Speaker 3: the glaring need at third base, the Cubs are going 336 00:19:12,520 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 3: to be there. And you know, we did not hammer 337 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 3: this point in our latest story, but you know, the 338 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:20,440 Speaker 3: Red Sox had a third baseman who had a pretty 339 00:19:20,480 --> 00:19:25,160 Speaker 3: big home run on Sunday, some guy named Alex Bregman. 340 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:29,320 Speaker 3: And you know, this is kind of why there was 341 00:19:29,359 --> 00:19:34,080 Speaker 3: frustration on the Cub side when their offer fell far 342 00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:37,679 Speaker 3: short of what Bregman was seeking, is that they knew 343 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 3: there was one spot on the diamond that was a 344 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:43,320 Speaker 3: question mark. There was like, this was kind of a 345 00:19:43,359 --> 00:19:50,160 Speaker 3: moment when, after all this rebuilding and all those hard, 346 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 3: unpopular decisions, was kind of a time to just kind 347 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:58,000 Speaker 3: of go for it. And you know, the Cubs were 348 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:03,720 Speaker 3: not competitive basically any of the metrics where free agents 349 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:07,080 Speaker 3: keep score, and you know, I don't know what the 350 00:20:07,080 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 3: difference would be, you know, if they had Bregman. I mean, 351 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:12,399 Speaker 3: it's important to remember even though they're tied for first, 352 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:15,560 Speaker 3: they're still right around that best record in baseball. So like, 353 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 3: I don't know if the Cubs would be like forty 354 00:20:17,240 --> 00:20:21,679 Speaker 3: games over five hundred with Alex Bregman. I sincerely doubt that, 355 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:29,240 Speaker 3: but as you look towards October, clearly he would have 356 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:32,359 Speaker 3: been a guy. And like that was part of the 357 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:36,360 Speaker 3: frustration within the organization in the clubhouse of why people 358 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 3: were still talking about Bregman long after he made his 359 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:41,320 Speaker 3: decision to sign with the Red Sox. 360 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:42,200 Speaker 2: Yeah. 361 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, I don't want to belabor the point We've talked 362 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:46,639 Speaker 1: about it a lot, but it is the type of 363 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 1: move that it's like, step on their throat, flex your 364 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:54,240 Speaker 1: financial muscles, type of move that an organization like the Cubs. 365 00:20:54,040 --> 00:20:56,080 Speaker 2: Should be able to pull off. They didn't. 366 00:20:56,280 --> 00:20:58,600 Speaker 1: It would have been like a really nice finishing touch 367 00:20:58,680 --> 00:21:01,400 Speaker 1: to a really talented team. You're right, it's the one 368 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:04,320 Speaker 1: hole on the roster. You fill it with Alex Bregman, 369 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:07,320 Speaker 1: one of the best third basement in the game, and 370 00:21:07,680 --> 00:21:10,680 Speaker 1: you're looking very different at this time. I mean, it's 371 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 1: it's hard to complain about this team's offense, but you're 372 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:17,760 Speaker 1: talking about just an impervious lineup, then it would be 373 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:22,760 Speaker 1: really impressive. The Diamondbacks have Houston for three, Pirate at Pittsburgh, 374 00:21:23,080 --> 00:21:26,680 Speaker 1: at Detroit before the break. That's an interesting schedule before 375 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 1: the break, I mean, before the deadline, not to break. 376 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:33,600 Speaker 1: So we'll see how that goes. I just don't I 377 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:37,240 Speaker 1: don't know what exactly Arizona's going to do, but that 378 00:21:37,240 --> 00:21:40,639 Speaker 1: that'll be uh. Fans have to watch that because that's 379 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:44,119 Speaker 1: that's probably the best way to turn this lineup from 380 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,240 Speaker 1: you know, one of the best in baseball to clearly 381 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:49,160 Speaker 1: like I don't think it would be a debate, then 382 00:21:49,720 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 1: who has the best offense in baseball? 383 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:52,280 Speaker 2: If you fill that hole? 384 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:54,639 Speaker 1: All right, let's take a week break and talk a 385 00:21:54,680 --> 00:21:55,840 Speaker 1: little bit more trade brummers. 386 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:59,080 Speaker 5: When we get back, time for a quickie break. 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Try Huel today for complete nutrition with the 408 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:55,280 Speaker 5: code fo u l at huel dot com slash foul. 409 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:03,040 Speaker 1: Patrick pitching is going to be the primary focus. Obviously 410 00:23:03,080 --> 00:23:07,639 Speaker 1: you upgrade their base, but they need another starter, at 411 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:11,359 Speaker 1: least one. Bullpen help is always on the docket for 412 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:17,119 Speaker 1: competitive teams at the trade deadline, there's no obvious upgrade 413 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:19,879 Speaker 1: for the starting rotation. When I say obvious, I shouldn't 414 00:23:19,880 --> 00:23:24,959 Speaker 1: say obvious upgrade. There's no obvious ace in the rotation. 415 00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:28,840 Speaker 1: There are definitely upgrades, especially when you have an open 416 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:32,919 Speaker 1: spot and a bullpen bullpen games on certain nights, but 417 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:36,399 Speaker 1: there's no CC Sabbathia. 418 00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:37,840 Speaker 2: Type addition at this deadline. 419 00:23:37,920 --> 00:23:41,520 Speaker 1: Randy Johnson, those types of Justin Ferlander, those types of 420 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:46,800 Speaker 1: here's an ace stud that that you know what you're 421 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:52,840 Speaker 1: getting from and that doesn't mean that you don't get 422 00:23:52,960 --> 00:23:56,000 Speaker 1: stud performance in the final two months. And I think 423 00:23:56,080 --> 00:23:58,720 Speaker 1: that's kind of what Jeden is for an officer looking 424 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:03,760 Speaker 1: for This isn't going to be a deadline where at 425 00:24:03,880 --> 00:24:05,600 Speaker 1: least I don't think it's going to be a deadline 426 00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:07,520 Speaker 1: where you look at the move that they make and 427 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:10,719 Speaker 1: say that guy has dominated for the first four months 428 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 1: of this season. I'm not sure if that guy's available, 429 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 1: And even if he were, I just don't think that 430 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:20,960 Speaker 1: that's how I mean. Jed's been pretty clear. He keeps 431 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:24,680 Speaker 1: bringing up the twenty twenty one Atlanta Braves. They're going 432 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:27,639 Speaker 1: to search for guys who may not be at their 433 00:24:27,680 --> 00:24:30,640 Speaker 1: peak right now, but they think have their best two 434 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:35,440 Speaker 1: months coming. Whether that's trending the right direction, whether that's 435 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 1: you know, under the hood metrics look better, or they 436 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:42,520 Speaker 1: think their defense can play this guy up, whatever it 437 00:24:42,560 --> 00:24:44,680 Speaker 1: may be, I think the Cubs are searching for those 438 00:24:44,720 --> 00:24:48,160 Speaker 1: types of players right now because that obvious ace isn't available. 439 00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:51,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm curious. What do you got on Charlie Morton, 440 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:55,720 Speaker 3: the Baltimore Orioles starter, who's one World Series with the 441 00:24:55,720 --> 00:24:59,840 Speaker 3: Braves and the Astros, an awful start to this year, 442 00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:03,879 Speaker 3: signed to a one year, fifteen million dollar contract, modes 443 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:06,600 Speaker 3: the bullpen, but it's sort of trending in the right direction. 444 00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:10,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, he had a stinker recently, but he's 445 00:25:10,320 --> 00:25:13,640 Speaker 1: had some really strong outings. Like you said, I mean, 446 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:15,920 Speaker 1: I think his pitch usage has kind of changed over 447 00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:19,399 Speaker 1: the course of the season. He's getting better results on 448 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:23,520 Speaker 1: certain pitches. He's got the track record, and that's kind 449 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:26,720 Speaker 1: of what it's not the Justin I mean, we talked 450 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:29,919 Speaker 1: to Jed Hoyer on our show and he talked about 451 00:25:29,960 --> 00:25:34,639 Speaker 1: the Justin Verlander situation kind of teaching them something. Maybe 452 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:37,440 Speaker 1: just trust that this guy, put in a different environment 453 00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:41,040 Speaker 1: will step up. It happened with them the next year 454 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 1: with Cole Hammill's And I don't know if Charlie Morton 455 00:25:45,200 --> 00:25:48,359 Speaker 1: has a you know, one five vra in the final 456 00:25:48,359 --> 00:25:50,520 Speaker 1: two months, but he is the type of guy that 457 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:53,199 Speaker 1: you can take a bet on, take a gamble on, 458 00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:56,760 Speaker 1: and say he's done it in the postseason. If we 459 00:25:56,920 --> 00:26:00,480 Speaker 1: believe that the pitch mix or this is, you know, 460 00:26:00,560 --> 00:26:04,160 Speaker 1: focus on these three pitches, whatever it may be, keep 461 00:26:04,200 --> 00:26:08,120 Speaker 1: them to five six innings, whatever they see. I think 462 00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:13,560 Speaker 1: there are reasons for optimism. There may not be the 463 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:17,359 Speaker 1: biggest splash, but certainly a guy who has done it 464 00:26:17,560 --> 00:26:21,400 Speaker 1: and helped teams win the World Series and knows how 465 00:26:21,400 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 1: to perform in the biggest moments and can you know, 466 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:26,040 Speaker 1: kind of turn it on for two months. 467 00:26:26,920 --> 00:26:29,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's important We've discussed this before, Like 468 00:26:29,359 --> 00:26:33,479 Speaker 3: the Cubs are looking at everyone right, so, like you 469 00:26:33,520 --> 00:26:37,920 Speaker 3: see a tweet team X interesting player, why who cares? 470 00:26:38,480 --> 00:26:41,879 Speaker 3: But our job has sort of explained why is this 471 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:44,520 Speaker 3: name coming up? Why is he available? Why are they 472 00:26:44,560 --> 00:26:47,760 Speaker 3: discussing with him? What would be the rationale for acquiring 473 00:26:48,760 --> 00:26:55,280 Speaker 3: this player? And Morton it's kind of a historic example 474 00:26:55,720 --> 00:27:01,800 Speaker 3: within the organization. There's some familiarity there in terms of 475 00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:07,119 Speaker 3: like just knowing that he won't be intimidated in a 476 00:27:07,160 --> 00:27:11,360 Speaker 3: big moment. And I think as you see them kind 477 00:27:11,359 --> 00:27:13,720 Speaker 3: of rolling out their rotation here in the second half, 478 00:27:13,760 --> 00:27:16,000 Speaker 3: like there's lots of reasons for optimism, but there's also 479 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:21,280 Speaker 3: just this nagging sense and understanding that they absolutely need 480 00:27:21,320 --> 00:27:23,359 Speaker 3: to get another starter. Like I think that is just 481 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:26,760 Speaker 3: kind of like a clear number one need with like 482 00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:31,199 Speaker 3: kind of bullpen as maybe one A. And that is 483 00:27:31,240 --> 00:27:34,159 Speaker 3: also a way to help your starting pitching, right of 484 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:37,200 Speaker 3: Like if you add another trusted reliever to shorten the game, 485 00:27:37,680 --> 00:27:43,600 Speaker 3: you're not asking a Charlie Morton or whatever, Merril Kelly, 486 00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:45,960 Speaker 3: zach Allen. If the Diebacks do sell, like you're not 487 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 3: asking them to pitch like eight innings every night. It's 488 00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:51,520 Speaker 3: like can you get through the lineup twice with the 489 00:27:51,640 --> 00:27:54,680 Speaker 3: lead and then let a shut down bullpen take over. 490 00:27:55,760 --> 00:27:55,960 Speaker 2: Yeah. 491 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:58,800 Speaker 1: Zach Gallen would be another good guy to bet on 492 00:27:58,920 --> 00:28:02,240 Speaker 1: if you feel like he's trending in the right direction, 493 00:28:02,359 --> 00:28:06,960 Speaker 1: or you see things that aren't too concerning. One guy 494 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:09,520 Speaker 1: that you know you could argue. I mean, he certainly 495 00:28:09,640 --> 00:28:11,280 Speaker 1: was an ace at one point in time. He has 496 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:15,920 Speaker 1: a cy young under his belt. Sandy al Contra sounds 497 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:19,520 Speaker 1: like there are I mean, there are legit concerns there. Patrick, 498 00:28:19,560 --> 00:28:21,600 Speaker 1: What have you heard recently about al Contra? 499 00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:25,840 Speaker 3: I think it's just not just the performance question, which 500 00:28:25,880 --> 00:28:30,480 Speaker 3: is very much an open undecided issue. It's also just 501 00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:34,959 Speaker 3: like how much more can he throw this year? And 502 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:41,040 Speaker 3: I think you could be confident of Sandy's future with 503 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:47,240 Speaker 3: a full normal off season ramp up and in you know, 504 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:52,560 Speaker 3: a better situation. Frankly, you know, just like the Marlins, 505 00:28:52,600 --> 00:28:56,760 Speaker 3: let's face, that have been sort of unstable slash dysfunctional 506 00:28:57,040 --> 00:28:59,400 Speaker 3: over the years. But if you feel really strongly about 507 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:02,680 Speaker 3: your pitching andrastructure, like, there's a case to be made 508 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:05,960 Speaker 3: to believe in his talent and his track record. But 509 00:29:06,040 --> 00:29:10,640 Speaker 3: that track record only goes so far over the next 510 00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:13,160 Speaker 3: two months when he did not throw a single pitch 511 00:29:13,720 --> 00:29:17,360 Speaker 3: all of last year. So I think there's just Cubs 512 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:19,640 Speaker 3: need someone who could just step in and take the 513 00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:23,560 Speaker 3: ball and not like we say, be some sort of 514 00:29:23,560 --> 00:29:27,320 Speaker 3: like Randy Johnson Ace or the CC Sabathia just that 515 00:29:27,400 --> 00:29:32,040 Speaker 3: amazing workload he carried. But you also, but you can't 516 00:29:32,040 --> 00:29:34,880 Speaker 3: bring someone who you're not sure like if he's gonna 517 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:36,720 Speaker 3: last the rest of the race. 518 00:29:36,640 --> 00:29:40,040 Speaker 1: Right, Yeah, yeah, No, I think that the innings thing 519 00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:42,960 Speaker 1: and like how much he has left this season is 520 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:45,600 Speaker 1: a factor that probably we hadn't talked about enough, like 521 00:29:45,720 --> 00:29:51,320 Speaker 1: he I do wonder if the Marlins should have waited 522 00:29:51,480 --> 00:29:53,880 Speaker 1: a little while, like given him more time. I think 523 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:56,520 Speaker 1: they were anxious to get that build that value up, 524 00:29:56,560 --> 00:29:58,680 Speaker 1: and maybe the value would have been built up more 525 00:29:58,720 --> 00:30:00,320 Speaker 1: if they were a little bit more patient with him, 526 00:30:00,320 --> 00:30:03,320 Speaker 1: and he didn't get going in earnest and really getting 527 00:30:03,320 --> 00:30:06,440 Speaker 1: after it until like the middle of May, you still 528 00:30:06,480 --> 00:30:09,560 Speaker 1: probably could have I mean, if that works out, right, 529 00:30:09,680 --> 00:30:12,160 Speaker 1: then then you still get a ton of value from him. 530 00:30:12,840 --> 00:30:13,080 Speaker 2: You know. 531 00:30:13,240 --> 00:30:16,640 Speaker 1: The hindsight's twenty twenty, and I'm making these calls after 532 00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:19,720 Speaker 1: I see that he struggled for the first few months, 533 00:30:19,240 --> 00:30:23,120 Speaker 1: so it's unfair for me to make that, you know, 534 00:30:24,120 --> 00:30:27,080 Speaker 1: point that out, but it's just something to think about. 535 00:30:27,120 --> 00:30:31,760 Speaker 1: I wonder how different it would have been. They're going 536 00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:36,400 Speaker 1: to upgrade the bullpen to I think, like, like I 537 00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:38,400 Speaker 1: was pointing out before, I feel like Sunday was a 538 00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:42,880 Speaker 1: good example of like, Okay, yes, add one more trusted 539 00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:47,120 Speaker 1: arm and you can feel really good about this bullpen. 540 00:30:47,200 --> 00:30:50,320 Speaker 1: There's a lot of talent, but sometimes if you're holding 541 00:30:50,560 --> 00:30:54,760 Speaker 1: you know, they barely did enough to get to Garrett Crochet. 542 00:30:54,800 --> 00:30:56,719 Speaker 1: But it's one of those games where it's like, oh, 543 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:59,680 Speaker 1: if you have that one extra arm because Brad Keller 544 00:30:59,720 --> 00:31:04,000 Speaker 1: was and you weren't gonna push field bar for multiple innings, 545 00:31:04,920 --> 00:31:09,360 Speaker 1: you wonder what a difference they can what more arm 546 00:31:09,400 --> 00:31:10,400 Speaker 1: could make for that bullpen. 547 00:31:11,440 --> 00:31:14,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think watching the Red Sox go on that 548 00:31:14,120 --> 00:31:18,000 Speaker 3: hot streak, seeing him this weekend at Wrigley Field does 549 00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:20,040 Speaker 3: not strike us as a team that's going to sell. 550 00:31:20,160 --> 00:31:24,000 Speaker 3: So we're probably crossing off a rold As Chapman from 551 00:31:24,040 --> 00:31:29,440 Speaker 3: the list. And then after that, you know, Mason Miller, 552 00:31:29,640 --> 00:31:32,640 Speaker 3: our colleague Ken Rosenthal wrote about him in The Athletic 553 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:36,040 Speaker 3: and it seems like maybe there's a little wiggle room there, 554 00:31:36,080 --> 00:31:39,200 Speaker 3: but like the types of teams that he mentioned in 555 00:31:39,280 --> 00:31:43,239 Speaker 3: his notebook, were, you know, those ultra aggressive teams like 556 00:31:43,280 --> 00:31:46,200 Speaker 3: the Philadelphia Phillies, or maybe a g Preller could do 557 00:31:46,280 --> 00:31:49,680 Speaker 3: something crazy like I don't know. To me, I don't 558 00:31:49,680 --> 00:31:53,040 Speaker 3: really feel like the Cubs are all that likely to 559 00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:59,080 Speaker 3: like go all out for a Sacramento closer, to be honest, 560 00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:02,080 Speaker 3: like it just doesn't fit there, m O. And then 561 00:32:02,120 --> 00:32:04,120 Speaker 3: after that, it's like, I don't know how many guys 562 00:32:04,160 --> 00:32:08,520 Speaker 3: are clear upgrades over Daniel Palencia, like far and away 563 00:32:08,600 --> 00:32:11,880 Speaker 3: better than him at this moment. So maybe you set 564 00:32:11,880 --> 00:32:14,800 Speaker 3: your sights a little lower and look at things a 565 00:32:14,800 --> 00:32:18,920 Speaker 3: little more broadly and get another guy who has ninth 566 00:32:18,920 --> 00:32:21,360 Speaker 3: inexperience who could give him a breather once in a while, 567 00:32:21,360 --> 00:32:24,520 Speaker 3: but mostly you be getting him to shorten those games. 568 00:32:24,520 --> 00:32:29,480 Speaker 3: You'd push him forward within a game of maybe he's 569 00:32:29,520 --> 00:32:33,040 Speaker 3: pitching the sixth or the seventh, and his stuff could 570 00:32:33,040 --> 00:32:37,320 Speaker 3: play up and his numbers would almost automatically improve, just 571 00:32:37,320 --> 00:32:39,480 Speaker 3: because he has an awesome defense behind him. And just 572 00:32:39,920 --> 00:32:43,200 Speaker 3: one name again as an example, not that he is 573 00:32:43,240 --> 00:32:45,480 Speaker 3: the end all beat all here, but you know Kyle 574 00:32:45,520 --> 00:32:49,280 Speaker 3: Finn again from the Nationals like seems sort of gettable. 575 00:32:50,160 --> 00:32:56,040 Speaker 3: The price you know, would probably be more within would 576 00:32:56,040 --> 00:32:58,240 Speaker 3: not hurt as much as the Cubs try to like 577 00:32:58,760 --> 00:33:01,440 Speaker 3: keep this thing rolling in twenty twenty six and beyond. 578 00:33:01,480 --> 00:33:05,880 Speaker 3: And you know, a guy who has really good composure 579 00:33:05,920 --> 00:33:08,720 Speaker 3: and like knows how to pitch. The Cubs have has 580 00:33:08,760 --> 00:33:10,640 Speaker 3: some success with those types of guys. 581 00:33:11,560 --> 00:33:13,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, who knows if they can tease a few more 582 00:33:13,800 --> 00:33:17,480 Speaker 1: strikeouts out of him or just simply like his him 583 00:33:17,520 --> 00:33:21,080 Speaker 1: playing in front of a significantly better defense just makes 584 00:33:21,160 --> 00:33:24,400 Speaker 1: him a much better pitcher. I think that's one simple 585 00:33:24,440 --> 00:33:26,440 Speaker 1: way that you know, what does he have like a 586 00:33:26,520 --> 00:33:30,480 Speaker 1: four something yer low four ZR. You put him in 587 00:33:30,480 --> 00:33:33,320 Speaker 1: front of this defense maybe that's sub four and you're right, 588 00:33:33,360 --> 00:33:37,880 Speaker 1: like that's and it's just something that you kind of 589 00:33:37,920 --> 00:33:41,160 Speaker 1: bet on on the experience and say, like go have 590 00:33:41,280 --> 00:33:43,920 Speaker 1: your best two months that you've had of this season. 591 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:46,720 Speaker 1: You know that type of thing, and it can and 592 00:33:46,760 --> 00:33:47,960 Speaker 1: it can work out in your favor. 593 00:33:48,040 --> 00:33:49,200 Speaker 2: You just need depth right now. 594 00:33:49,240 --> 00:33:52,720 Speaker 1: You need experience, You need guys that have been through 595 00:33:52,840 --> 00:33:58,280 Speaker 1: those high leverage moments and if the lockdown guy isn't available, 596 00:33:58,520 --> 00:34:00,840 Speaker 1: then you get I think a guy like Finnegan makes 597 00:34:00,880 --> 00:34:04,560 Speaker 1: a ton of sense, all right, Patrick, Uh, I think 598 00:34:04,600 --> 00:34:07,040 Speaker 1: that it's Kansas City for three and then head to 599 00:34:07,120 --> 00:34:09,400 Speaker 1: the South Side for the weekend. Right, so we got 600 00:34:09,440 --> 00:34:12,399 Speaker 1: two more episodes this week. We'll cover all that talk 601 00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:15,000 Speaker 1: about how this how they match up against the Royals. 602 00:34:15,560 --> 00:34:15,680 Speaker 3: Uh. 603 00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:18,080 Speaker 1: And I'm sure there's gonna be a lot more talk 604 00:34:18,120 --> 00:34:21,600 Speaker 1: about the trades and we'll hear more things this week. 605 00:34:21,840 --> 00:34:23,759 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for listening to everyone. This is North 606 00:34:23,800 --> 00:34:26,759 Speaker 1: Side Territory. Make sure to rate, review, subscribe, subscribe to 607 00:34:26,800 --> 00:34:29,560 Speaker 1: the YouTube channel, and subscribe to The Athletic where Patrick 608 00:34:29,600 --> 00:34:55,960 Speaker 1: and I are on top of all things Cubs. Thanks everyone. 609 00:35:00,520 --> 00:35:02,120 Speaker 1: Do you know Ad