North Side Territory: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

Adding another piece to their rotation, the Cubs are betting on the upside that Matthew Boyd showed during Cleveland’s playoff run. But this two-year, $29 million deal for a starter with an injury history comes with several questions. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic break down why the Cubs targeted Boyd, whether this is the extent of the rotation upgrades, and what they're hearing about Cody Bellinger with the winter meetings approaching.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The action within the baseball industry typically picks up after the Thanksgiving break. With some moves already in the works and the winter meetings fast approaching, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic answer questions from listeners who want to know more about the Isaac Paredes trade, Yusei Kikuchi’s deal with the Angels and the overall direction of a team that has a lot to prove this offseason.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Cubs out of the running for the best-of-the-best free agents, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney try to explain what’s going on in Wrigleyville. If Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes aren’t coming to the North Side, what does a best-case offseason look like? Is this more on the Ricketts family ownership group or Jed Hoyer’s front office? The Athletic’s two Cubs beat writers answers questions from listeners on a range of topics. Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From small deals to non-tender decisions to rumors about trades and free agents, the Cubs are starting to make some moves and narrow their options. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have you covered with all of the latest information. The duo from The Athletic get into the Eli Morgan trade with Cleveland, why releasing Mike Tauchman and Nick Madrigal made sense, and how the Cubs are using a process of elimination with free-agent starters. Plus an explanation of what the team is thinking with Cody Bellinger. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the offseason about to heat up, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic field questions from listeners on the next steps in Pete Crow-Armstrong’s development, whether Sonny Gray and Garrett Crochet are realistic trade targets, and which prospects are untouchable. Plus an updated scouting report on Moises Ballesteros and a reality check on the team’s pitching program.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review.Visit MINTMOBILE.com/Territory where all 3-month plans are only $15 a month, including the Unlimited plan. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After laying some groundwork at the GM meetings, teams are starting to make moves. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney discuss some of the names connected to the Cubs, explaining why the club is targeting a certain tier of starting pitchers and how those players would fit in Chicago. As the Cubs assess their options at catcher, you can cross Travis d'Arnaud’s name off the list now that he’s signed with the Angels, the team that also worked quickly to sign Kyle Hendricks. The Athletic’s Cubs beat writers dig into why the team moved on from Hendricks, why the veteran pitcher didn’t wait around, and why we’ll never see another player quite like The Professor.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. And submit any questions for potential use in a future mailbag episode.Go to StoryWorth.com/FOUL and save $10 on your first purchase! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Believe the hype surrounding Roki Sasaki, the young Japanese pitcher who has been on the Cubs’ radar for years. Now that Sasaki will enter the posting system and become an international free agent (with strings attached), Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic give you a full scouting report. That background includes the club’s efforts to build up credibility in Japan as well as its connections to Sasaki’s American agency. Find out why Chicago would be a great place for Sasaki and how the Cubs can sell their vision. This might be the key to the entire offseason.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. And submit any questions for potential use in a future mailbag episode.Get 10 FREE meals at HelloFresh.com/FREEFT. Applied across 7 boxes, new subscribers only, varies by plan. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the offseason picking up steam, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic check in from San Antonio and share what they’re hearing from sources who have gathered for the GM meetings. There are items on Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell and how the Cubs view the pitching market. Plus names to consider at catcher, the prospects now on the major-league radar, and an update on Nico Hoerner and whether teams would trade for him this winter.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the GM meetings underway in San Antonio, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney discuss their big story for The Athletic on the behind-the-scenes changes happening at Wrigley Field. Cubs executives Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins have drastically reduced their pro scouting department and leaned heavily into analytics, relying on a model system to construct the roster. Why are the Cubs going in this direction? How does this compare to the rest of the industry? What does it mean for trades and free agents this winter? Listen and find out.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review.Get 20% off + free shipping with the code FOUL20 at manscaped.com Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Craig Counsell is adding a coach from his old Milwaukee staff as the Cubs try to get better on the margins. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic explain why the Cubs are hiring Quintin Berry away from the Brewers. With mixed signals on Cody Bellinger’s opt-out decision, the Cubs’ offseason plans will immediately take shape at the upcoming GM meetings. Plus a rundown on the club’s arbitration/non-tender decisions and where Chicago fits in the Juan Soto sweepstakes.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. And submit any questions for potential use in a future mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago Tribune reporter Meghan Montemurro joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic to preview the event that is a starting point for baseball’s offseason. Montemurro explains what Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts is thinking and why President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has to deliver a playoff team next year. The group also looks back on the stunning Craig Counsell hire during last year’s GM meetings and wonders where the team’s next star is coming from.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. And submit any questions for potential use in a future mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Yankees and Dodgers are taking over the baseball universe, showing that money matters, and reminding Cubs fans it wasn’t that long ago that their big-market team once had a similar moment in the spotlight. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic are back to discuss Anthony Rizzo’s legacy, where the Cubs organization has fallen short, and why no one wants to hear about how the Diamondbacks won 84 games and made last year’s World Series. Plus more thoughts on Juan Soto, realistic targets in free agency and building a bullpen for the playoffs.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. And submit any questions for potential use in a future mailbag episode.Go to vuori.com/FOUL for 20% off your first purchase and discover the versatility of Vuori Clothing. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s quiet at Wrigley Field, but the Cubs don’t stop in the offseason. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic discuss some of the newsy items coming out of the North Side this week, including what surgery means for a Gold Glove second baseman (and his trade market), and how the manager is evaluating coaches and reshaping the group. Plus why Cubs fans must have noticed what the Mets did this October. The National League isn’t getting any easier.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review.Visit MINTMOBILE.com/Territory where all 3-month plans are only $15 a month, including the Unlimited plan.Try Huel with 15% OFF today using code FOUL at my.huel.com/foulterritorysept24. Fuel your best performance with Huel today! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic are back to answer more of your offseason questions. Garrett Crochet of the White Sox and a few notable catchers are among the popular names for some trade ideas. There’s the usual angst about the bullpen and how Jed Hoyer’s front office is going to attack that area of the roster. Plus more on Craig Counsell’s influence and what the Cubs doing behind the scenes.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic open it up to the audience for an offseason mailbag. There were enough good questions to break it up into two parts. Fans want to know if the front office will try to lock up the Opening Day starter and attempt to build a different offense after Wrigley Field’s conditions frustrated hitters. There’s also much more on trade ideas and how ownership will respond to another disappointing season.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review.Go to Orgain.com/FOUL to receive 20% off your order. Real Nutrition for Real Life! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cardinal Way has gotten a little stale. Chaim Bloom now represents the succession plan as Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak intends to step down after the 2025 season. How did the Cardinals lose their edge? And what will this mean for their long-running rivalry with the Cubs? Derrick Goold, an expert beat writer with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, answers those questions and more in a wide-ranging conversation with Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Everyone agrees that the expectations in Chicago and St. Louis should be much higher than trying to win baseball’s mid-major division.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. And submit any questions for potential use in a future mailbag episode.Go to vuori.com/FOUL for 20% off your first purchase and discover the versatility of Vuori Clothing. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It all starts with Cody Bellinger’s move to either opt-in or become a free agent, a contract decision that at this point looks pretty straightforward. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain why things are trending in one direction, and how the Cubs are planning to upgrade their rotation and catching situation. Plus, will they finally take a different approach with their bullpen or run it back with the same strategy?Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review.Visit MINTMOBILE.com/Territory where all 3-month plans are only $15 a month, including the Unlimited plan. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where is the sense of urgency? After back-to-back 83-win seasons, the Cubs president of baseball operations tried to send an optimistic message, doubling down on the organization’s long-term approach and focus on sustainability. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic were in the Wrigley Field interview room, asking questions and taking notes on a big-market franchise that doesn’t always act that way. Let the overreactions begin.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cubs fired David Ross, hired Craig Counsell and wound up with the exact same record as last year. The fans who flock to Wrigley Field every season should be watching a much better product than this mediocre team. Outside of a few bright spots, there wasn’t much excitement or personality to this group. The farewell to Kyle Hendricks’ stood out as a rare emotional moment and a reminder of how things used to be in Wrigleyville.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review.Try Huel with 15% OFF today using code FOUL at https://my.huel.com/foulterritorysept24. Fuel your best performance with Huel today! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer joins the show to discuss why the Reds fired David Bell and how two ex-Cubs managers could fit into their search. Wittenmyer, a longtime reporter with the Chicago Sun-Times, also explains the backstory to his recent feature on Lou Piniella, whose colorful, decorated career has fallen just short of the Hall of Fame. Wrigley Field’s final weekend of the season will feature two disappointing teams: Where do they go from here?Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. And leave questions for potential use in an offseason mailbag.Go to Orgain.com/FOUL to receive 20% off your order. Real Nutrition for Real Life! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki are among the good players the Cubs identified as building blocks at Wrigley Field. But this overall group hasn’t been good enough. Near the end of a disappointing season, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic analyze Hoerner’s value as a trade chip, Happ’s no-trade protection and Suzuki’s potential future as a designated hitter. This is part of why the Cubs are expected to spend heavily on pitching this winter and entertain all trade possibilities, including the promising group of prospects who finished this season at Triple-A Iowa.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review.Use code FOUL50 at factormeals.com/foul50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month while your subscription is active!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Without naming names, Cubs manager Craig Counsell essentially called out his entire organization. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic interpret what Counsell was actually saying and relay Jed Hoyer’s response from Philadelphia as another disappointing season nears its end. Missing the playoffs calls into question ownership’s willingness to spend and the front office’s cautious approach. What will that mean for the offseason?Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. Also, submit any questions for possible use in a future mailbag episode.Use promo code FOUL at Navage.com/FOUL to order a Navage starter pack, and you’ll get a cleaning kit as a FREE gift with your order! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Cubs disappearing from the playoff picture, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic field questions from listeners on where the team goes from here. Hot topics include the fate of the front office, how the Cubs view Cody Bellinger’s option for next season, the next wave of prospects headed toward Wrigley Field, and more.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Brewers are rarely viewed as the preseason favorite or a cutting-edge franchise. Yet this small-market team keeps frustrating the Cubs and outperforming expectations. How does this keep happening? Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic examine the distance between Milwaukee and Chicago, how the Cubs can close the gap, and why the Brewers will be their problem for a long time coming.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. Also submit any questions for possible use in a future mailbag episode.Try Huel with 15% OFF today using code FOUL at Huel.com/FOUL. Fuel your best performance with Huel today! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Though mathematically still alive for the playoffs, Fangraphs still gave this team a zero percent chance to make the playoffs after rough back-to-back losses over the weekend at Coors Field. The Cubs return home to Wrigley Field with so many big-picture questions about the organization’s direction. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic get into the clubhouse environment, gains in player development, why upgrading the rotation rotation will be a priority and whether Cody Bellinger will opt-in for next season in Chicago.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. Also submit any questions for possible use in a future mailbag episode.Use promo code FOUL at Navage.com/FOUL to order a Navage starter pack and you’ll get a cleaning kit as a FREE gift with your order! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite their long-shot odds to make the postseason, the Cubs still have a lot to play for in September. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic run through some of the players they’re following more closely as well as a few names they’re already hearing about as possible targets in free agency. The trajectory of this season only reinforces the idea that the Cubs have to be more aggressive this winter and build a team with more certainty and fewer unknowns.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review.Use promo code FOUL at Navage.com/FOUL to order a Navage starter pack and you’ll get a cleaning kit as a FREE gift with your order! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do the Cubs look like a different team on the road? The offense came alive again at Dodger Stadium, where agent Scott Boras pointed out how unkind the Friendly Confines have been to hitters this season. It’s a topic of conversation for players, coaches and the front office, so it had to be addressed on North Side Territory. Sahadev Sharma discusses Patrick Mooney’s Boras interview with The Athletic, what Cody Bellinger is thinking, and whether this trend could impact free agents and roster construction in Wrigleyville.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review.FREE BREAKFAST FOR LIFE! Go to HelloFresh.com/FREEFT for one free breakfast item per box while subscription is active. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sahadev Sharma joins Clint Pasillas and Alanna Rizzo on Dodgers Territory to talk about the Cubs vs Dodgers upcoming series. Sahadev dives into the surprising luck the team has on the road and the offense that needs to pick itself up as the team heads to Dodgers Stadium. One Cub in the spotlight is Cody Bellinger, being back at Dodgers Stadium again brings the group to reflect on he MVP he used to be. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story will quickly shift after Shota Imanaga’s brilliant performance in a combined no-hitter. The Yankees are coming to town, which means Rizzo’s first game back at Wrigley Field since getting traded at the 2021 deadline. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney both covered the entire breadth of Rizzo’s career in Chicago, which featured a full-scale rebuild, the end of a 108-year championship drought, and some entertaining back-and-forth with a character who enjoyed that part of the gig. A Friday 1:20 p.m. game at the Friendly Confines should be a great showcase for one of the most important figures in franchise history.Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review. Go to Orgain.com/FOUL to receive 20% off your order. Real Nutrition for Real Life! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a night at Wrigley Field, where the crowd booed Craig Counsell’s decision to pull his ace pitcher after seven no-hit innings. Imanaga, his catcher and the next reliever up didn’t even know they were on the verge of making history. And this actually started out as a bad day for the Cubs. For context, Sahadev Sharma checks in with Patrick Mooney from the postgame press box to discuss the scene, Imanaga’s seamless transition from Japan and what catching a combined no-hitter means to Miguel Amaya. You never know what might happen when you show up at the Friendly Confines. Support NST! Please leave this podcast page a rating and review.FREE BREAKFAST FOR LIFE! Go to HelloFresh.com/FREEFT for one free breakfast item per box while subscription is active. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cubs returned to Wrigley Field on Labor Day with a sense of momentum and a chance to make September interesting. And then the one-two punch of a blown save and Justin Steele’s injury damaged their postseason odds. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney absorb all that news, putting it in the context of a season that was supposed to go into October. Plus more on Craig Counsell’s observational style and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s emergence as a real force.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.Use promo code FOUL at Navage.com/FOUL to order a Navage starter pack and you’ll get a cleaning kit as a FREE gift with your order! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are the Cubs back because of a Taylor Swift candle or the Sully Bounce? The legendary newspaperman joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic to discuss Mike Royko’s influence on his career, what it’s really like to cover the Wrigleyville circus and how the beat has changed over the years. Sully also implores the Cubs to let Craig Counsell out of his “cage” and endorses A.J. Pierzynski as the next White Sox manager.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As September approaches, the Cubs are still staying in the playoff picture. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic try to make sense of the offensive explosion in Pittsburgh and this recent surge that has pushed the club above .500. There are also newsy items to discuss regarding Drew Smyly and Jorge López, two key pieces of a bullpen that will be tested down the stretch. Can the Cubs defy the odds and finish strong, the way Craig Counsell’s teams typically did in Milwaukee? Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rookie known as “PCA” is becoming a dynamic player, someone who can deliver a highlight-reel moment at any given time. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic discuss what this development means for the future and how the center fielder has combined style and substance. Miguel Amaya is another young player who has shown significant growth in the second half of a disappointing season. Should the Cubs trust that development or look for an upgrade at catcher? Plus an update on first-round pick Cam Smith, who's tearing it up in the minors.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic respond to listener questions about how the Cubs will approach Juan Soto and the free-agent market this winter and what might be different this time. Anthony Santander, for example, would be a good name to file away. There’s also an in-depth discussion about how to fix the bullpen and whether the Cubs are going to follow the same process and hope for different results.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The montage on the Wrigley Field video board was essentially the only highlight for Báez in his first game back since getting traded at the 2021 deadline. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what it was like covering “El Mago” and watching him struggle mightily with the Tigers. The duo from The Athletic also discuss why the Cubs shook up their bullpen, dumping Neris before he gained a $9 million player option for next season. Does this mean Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell are going to let the kids play?Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And leave any questions for potential use in an upcoming mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cubs executives have publicly acknowledged that the team will likely finish the year over the $237 million luxury-tax threshold. What does this mean in a season that will very likely end without a playoff appearance? Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney go over some frequently asked questions, explain Sharma’s latest reporting in The Athletic, and look ahead to another monster class of free agents.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And leave any questions for potential use in an upcoming mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cubs refuse to concede that it’s over — and there are still things to play for — but getting swept out of Cleveland damaged the team’s diminishing postseason probability. But with the way this up-and-down season has gone, a relatively easy stretch of the schedule could pull them right back into the playoff race. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic also bring you the latest on Rockies catcher Elias Díaz and whether the Cubs would see that as an upgrade — or if they would similarly dump players onto waivers if things don’t turn around fast.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This isn’t their year. Maybe the Cubs can somehow defy the odds and sneak into the playoffs, but things simply haven’t lined up for this team. Part of the organization’s frustration and uncertainty moving forward revolves around the pitchers who were supposed to take big steps forward this year. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic bring you the latest on Ben Brown, Cade Horton and much more.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cubs have made up some ground in the wild-card race, playing a better brand of baseball and giving themselves a chance to compete in meaningful September games. But whatever happens down the stretch, the offseason planning has already begun. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney discuss Sahadev's reporting in The Athletic on how the Cubs tried to acquire Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe at the trade deadline. What does that mean? Who else is on their radar? And how does the team ultimately make the leap from the edges of the wild-card picture?Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sahadev Sharma is joined by James Fegan from Sox Machine. News of Pedro Grifol's firing had just been announced and Fegan touches on how the team could start playing better -- could they really play worse? -- thoughts on a few players on the Sox who could be trade targets for the Cubs and which season is more disappointing the one that high expectations and failed to live up to them or the one with low expectations that turns out to be historically bad?Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cubs continue to do just enough to tease fans and then let them down, but there are reasons to be hopeful for the future. Sahadev Sharma is joined by Jordan Bastian as they discuss Pete Crow-Armstrong's recent hot stretch at the plate and how impactful even average offensive performance from him could be to the team's future. And a trio of promotions of top prospects to Triple-A brings more offensive talent to the cusp of the big leagues.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What should fans be watching for in August and September? What does the team’s brass need to see before heading into a critical offseason? Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney acknowledge the obvious — that Jed Hoyer is on the hot seat — and explain how this closing stretch can set the stage for 2025. From Cody Bellinger to Miguel Amaya to Pete Crow-Armstrong, there will be players under the microscope. And how will Craig Counsell respond after observing for a year?Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jed Hoyer’s front office wasn’t a traditional buyer or a pure seller at this year’s trade deadline. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney talk through that strategy and assess the deals that brought in Isaac Paredes and shipped out Mark Leiter Jr. There is a certain rationale to what the Cubs did at this moment, but just because it made sense doesn’t mean it’s going to work. The pressure to get it right this offseason is definitely rising.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And submit any questions you’d like answered for potential use in a future mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jed Hoyer meant it when he said his front office would be opportunistic, dealing Christopher Morel and two pitching prospects to the Rays for an All-Star third baseman. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what the Cubs are trying to accomplish at this trade deadline, which suddenly is far more complex than simply buying or selling. Trading with the Rays usually means buyer beware, but the Cubs had to change up their mix and show some creativity.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

t’s never a good sign when looking ahead to next year becomes a thing in July. But that’s where the Cubs are at right now, so Patrick Mooney of The Athletic opened up the mailbag to take your questions about the franchise’s direction. It always starts at the top, how ownership feels about the baseball operations group and whether patience is running out. From there, it’s a look at Christopher Morel’s development, clubhouse chemistry, the chances of a Corbin Burnes pursuit and whether hiring Craig Counsell was a rushed decision.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cubs left no doubt by coming out of the All-Star break and losing two must-have series against real playoff contenders. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic break down Jed Hoyer’s confirmation that the front office won’t be adding rental players for a postseason push, and question Craig Counsell’s take on the trade deadline now that he’s working for a big-market team. With relief pitchers already expected to be on the move, what the Cubs do with Jameson Taillon might be the most revealing part of this entire deadline.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 100-plus games, the Cubs do not envision a scenario in which they become buyers at the trade deadline. But does that actually mean selling? Which players and teams could be in play at the end of July? And where do Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell stand amid this disappointing season?ESPN’s Jesse Rogers always has interesting answers, national perspective and a local spin on topics. He joins Patrick Mooney for a look behind the scenes at Wrigley Field, where they still draw crowds of 40,000, win or lose. That might be part of the problem.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And submit any questions you’d like answered for potential use in an upcoming mailbag episode!--Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/foul. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the All-Star break about to end, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic sit down to preview the second half of this up-and-down season and offer a few predictions on what’s ahead. The storylines inevitably revolve around Craig Counsell, a manager who is definitely not on the hot seat but also hasn’t made a huge mark on the team yet. Shota Imanaga and Christopher Morel are among the players to watch in crunch time. There are legitimate reasons for optimism, as well as real concerns about whether the bullpen and the offense will show up for the stretch run. Expected stats and well-thought-out plans don’t matter anymore. The Cubs need wins fast.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And submit any questions you’d like answered in a future mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.