North Side Territory

With the offseason about to pick up, who stays and who goes? Nov 01, 2024

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.

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Looking ahead to the GM meetings Oct 31, 2024

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.
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All the Cubs angles to an epic World Series Oct 25, 2024

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.

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Cubs news items: Nico Hoerner’s timeline, Craig Counsell’s staff and more Oct 24, 2024

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.

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Cubs mailbag, Part 2: More trade scenarios, fixing the bullpen and should’ve just called it a rebuild Oct 17, 2024

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.

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Cubs mailbag, Part 1: Would a Justin Steele extension make sense? Plus trade ideas, payroll expectations and more Oct 16, 2024

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.

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Big changes coming to the St. Louis front office and the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry Oct 10, 2024

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

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The Cubs’ offseason to-do list Oct 08, 2024

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?

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Takeaways from Jed Hoyer’s end-of-season press conference Oct 02, 2024

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.

Wrapping up another 83-win season: Cubs fans deserve better Sep 30, 2024

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.

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Could Joe Maddon or David Ross wind up as next Reds manager? Sep 26, 2024

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!

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Are the Cubs stuck? Or is there a way out of this mediocrity? Sep 25, 2024

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!

“We should be trying to build 90-win teams here.” Sep 24, 2024

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?

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Cubs mailbag: Is Jed Hoyer on the hot seat? Sep 20, 2024

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!

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Craig Counsell left Milwaukee and the Brewers still dominated the division Sep 19, 2024

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!

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This Cubs season feels over Sep 16, 2024

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!

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Who has something to prove down the stretch? Sep 13, 2024

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.

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The unexplainable offensive drought at Wrigley Field Sep 11, 2024

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!

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Dodgers vs Cubs Series Sep 09, 2024

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.

How Anthony Rizzo became Mr. Cub 2.0 Sep 06, 2024

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.

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Shota Imanaga leads the Cubs to their 18th no-hitter in franchise history Sep 05, 2024

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!

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After all that work to stay in the race, the Cubs’ slim playoff chances take a big hit Sep 03, 2024

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!

“Cubbie Occurrences” with Chicago Tribune columnist Paul Sullivan Aug 30, 2024

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.

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The vibes around the Cubs after a wild comeback and a much-needed sweep Aug 29, 2024

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?

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Pete Crow-Armstrong is providing the energy this Cubs team needs Aug 27, 2024

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.

Cubs mailbag: Are the Cubs resigned to going after second-tier free agents? And have they learned their lesson in the bullpen? Aug 23, 2024

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.

Javier Báez returns and Héctor Neris leaves as the Cubs go in a different direction Aug 21, 2024

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.

Deciphering the Cubs’ payroll and an early read on Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes Aug 20, 2024

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.

The Cubs’ playoff chances are going, going, almost gone Aug 15, 2024

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.

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Whatever happened to the Cubs’ wave of young pitching talent? Aug 14, 2024

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.

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The Names to Know as the Cubs Try to Fix Their Catching Situation Aug 12, 2024

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.

White Sox preview with James Fegan: Will a new manager make things tougher for the Cubs this weekend? Aug 09, 2024

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?

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Listener Mailbag: Will Jed Hoyer spend big? Do the Cubs need a closer? Bellinger opting in or saying goodbye? Aug 08, 2024

A look to the future with MLB.com's Jordan Bastian Aug 06, 2024

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.

Viewer’s guide to the last two months of the Cubs season Aug 01, 2024

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.

Wrapping up the trade deadline: Was this a missed opportunity for the Cubs? Jul 31, 2024

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.

The Cubs get a much-needed boost with the Isaac Paredes trade Jul 29, 2024

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.

Cubs mailbag: How are the pieces going to fit together? Jul 26, 2024

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.

Let the sell-off at the trade deadline begin Jul 25, 2024

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.

The latest on the Cubs with Jesse Rogers Jul 22, 2024

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!

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Chicago Cubs second-half preview: Good luck trying to figure out this team Jul 18, 2024

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.

What we’re hearing about the Chicago Cubs’ draft and the state of their farm system Jul 17, 2024

With the draft over and the trade deadline approaching, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney zoom out to discuss how the Cubs landed on first-round pick Cam Smith out of Florida State, and what the front office is thinking at this moment.

The Chicago-based beat writers for The Athletic also get into whether Moises Ballesteros could make his major-league debut this year. Other names on their radar include top prospects Matt Shaw, James Triantos and Cade Horton.

Who could help this year? And who might be mentioned in trade talks?

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.

The Cubs suddenly find themselves in a different spot at the All-Star break Jul 15, 2024

A 5-2 road trip through Baltimore and St. Louis at least temporarily delayed any serious talks about a sell-off at the trade deadline.

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic are having the same kinds of conversations that are happening around the team and in the front office, wondering whether this is real or a mirage.

No one truly knows what direction the Cubs will take, but at least they’ve given themselves a chance.

And any team that’s this close to a playoff spot has to be thinking about adding.

Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.

Submit any questions you’d like answered in a future mailbag episode.

What’s up with Willson Contreras and the Cardinals? Jul 12, 2024

The Cubs still have to go through four games against the Cardinals – including a doubleheader at Busch Stadium – before the All-Star break.

How the Cubs perform could have a major impact on how the front office proceeds at the trade deadline. Katie Woo of The Athletic is so good at explaining The Cardinal Way, the pressure in St. Louis and the potential cracks in the franchise’s foundation.

She joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney for a checkup on the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry. 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 an upcoming mailbag episode.

Are the Chicago Cubs Back? Jul 11, 2024

Just when you think they’re out, they pull you back in. An impressive series win in Baltimore recalls the turnaround before last year’s trade deadline, when the Cubs shifted from likely sellers to actual buyers. There are reasons to believe that this team can play at a much higher level and finish strong. But Cody Bellinger remains an important X-factor. 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 an upcoming mailbag episode.

Shota Imanaga is the lone Cubs All-Star in disappointing season Jul 08, 2024

Shota Imanaga is a joy to watch, as Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.

The rest of the team? Not so much. In fact, Colten Brewer broke his hand while punching a Wrigley Field dugout wall in frustration. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney try to make sense of it all before a tough road trip ahead of the All-Star break.

The Cubs need to rack up wins before the trade-deadline plans are finalized.

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.

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Chicago Cubs mailbag: Where is the accountability? Jul 03, 2024

It’s time for more airing of grievances as this Cubs team appears to be going nowhere.

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney respond to questions from fans, trying to explain Craig Counsell’s role in all of this, the perception of Jed Hoyer’s job security, different paths to follow at the trade deadline and the moves that would demonstrate this big-market franchise is serious about winning the World Series.

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.

The Phillies are the super-team the Cubs could have been Jul 02, 2024

People in Philadelphia love Kyle Schwarber. And Bryce Harper is still a must-see superstar.

Imagine how that would have played at Wrigley Field.

Matt Gelb, who expertly covers the Phillies for The Athletic, joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney to preview the upcoming series against a Cubs team that simply has not shown enough progress in its rebuild.

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.

July sell-off looming? Cubs show fire but drop another series Jul 01, 2024

Justin Steele screamed in the dugout in Saturday's win. But two hits and a catastrophic fourth inning led to another loss on Sunday. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney talk about the Brewers continuing to pull away in the division, Steele's fire not igniting a hot stretch and Jed Hoyer admitting that he has to be realistic and possibly sell come the trade deadline. 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 an upcoming mailbag episode.

Listener Mailbag: The fans aren't happy and want to know who is to blame Jun 28, 2024

This Cubs season hasn't gone anywhere close to expectations.

This episode Patrick and Sahadev take listener questions and unsurprisingly, the fans aren't happy.

Topics range from whether they're selling or still buying at the deadline, was David Ross a scapegoat, who is to blame for the offense's struggles and more.

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 an upcoming mailbag episode.

At halfway point, this Cubs season has to be considered a failure Jun 26, 2024

There’s still time to turn it around, but so far this team hasn’t inspired a lot of confidence.

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney evaluate all areas of the roster and wonder what the Cubs are really thinking right now.

It’s setting up some difficult questions for players, management, and ownership because the Cubs don’t have many answers.

Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.

Submit any questions you’d like answered in an upcoming mailbag episode.

For this Cubs team, it’s the same loss over and over Jun 25, 2024

Are the Cubs coming out flat? Or is this just a poorly constructed roster?

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the latest Worst Loss of The Season, which embodied so many of the issues surrounding the team.

Justin Steele’s brilliance is going to waste, and the pattern of losing one-run games is getting old.

Hear what the mood is like within the clubhouse right now.

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Why Ryne Sandberg deserves a Wrigley Field statue Jun 21, 2024

Ryne Sandberg will forever be a Cubs icon and a Hall of Famer.

---------What was the legend like behind the scenes? Before Sunday’s statue unveiling ceremony, Barry Rozner joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney to discuss Sandberg’s relentless pursuit of greatness and off-the-field persona. Rozner, a longtime Daily Herald columnist and fixture on the Chicago media scene, also explains the evolution of Sandberg once his playing career ended.

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What makes Craig Counsell tick, and what Pete Alonso wants Jun 20, 2024

Will Sammon, a great reporter with The Athletic, joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney to explain what it was like to cover Counsell in Milwaukee and why he’s not that surprised the Brewers are still in first place.

With the Mets coming to Wrigley Field this weekend, Sammon explains New York’s evolving approach to the trade deadline. Alonso would be a great fit in Chicago — if the Mets actually sell and the Cubs finally get their act together.

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Cubs encounter GIANT loss Jun 18, 2024

The Chicago Cubs imploded in their 7-6 lost against the Giants.

Sahadev Sharma and Patirck Mooney put together interview sound from Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell to help explain the current situation of the Cubs.

Between Hector Neris' blown save in the 9th, to the team not producing enough runs, the Chicago Cubs are feeling the summer heat.

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Before it’s too late, which prospects might help the Chicago Cubs this year? Jun 17, 2024

As the losing continues at Wrigley Field, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the state of the farm system, identifying players who might be able to help revive a struggling offense or reinforce the bullpen at some point.

Maybe there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

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Cubs Mailbag: Who’s on the hot seat? What’s the manager’s value? Which prospects are untouchable? Jun 14, 2024

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney respond to questions from fans about whether Jed Hoyer’s front office should be feeling heat from the Ricketts family ownership group.

They also get into how much Craig Counsell has added to this disappointing team, and identify the players whose names will keep popping up between now and the trade deadline.

Drop a nice rating for this podcast with a question in your review and we'll answer it during the next mailbag episode!

Cubs Trade Deadline Preview Jun 12, 2024

Craig Counsell says it’s too early for this stuff, but his team’s lackluster performance has created a lot of questions.

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney trace how the Cubs got to this point, and explain the mindset in Jed Hoyer’s front office. It’s not too soon to start thinking about adding a slugger such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and seeing what he could do at Wrigley Field.

Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.

The Cubs should be putting out a much better product Jun 09, 2024

At this point in their rebuilding cycle, the Cubs have not shown nearly enough progress. It feels like we’ve seen this movie before.

The season looks like another slog with the team wasting good pitching, waiting for the offense to click, and hoping for any kind of spark.

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down how changing the manager — while keeping a lot of the roster intact — has exposed several issues for the organization as a whole.
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The Shōta Imanaga experience Jun 06, 2024

Shotamania has probably been the best part of this Cubs season. But after two subpar starts, what should the level of concern be in Wrigleyville?

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take an in-depth look at the scouting process in Japan and why clubhouse fit matters.

It’s also time to reset after the Cubs clawed back for two wins over a historically bad White Sox team, and begin thinking about the trade deadline.

Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory!

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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.

Cubs vs. Sox Jun 04, 2024

As the crosstown rivalry resumes, The Athletic’s Jon Greenberg joins the show to discuss the bromance between Cubs president Jed Hoyer and White Sox GM Chris Getz, who are friends and neighbors in suburban Chicago.

Greenberg, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney also reminisce about some of their favorite Cubs-Sox moments and try to predict who will go viral this time.

Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory!

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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.

Sixty games in, the Cubs are adrift Jun 03, 2024

Sixty games in, the Cubs are adrift.

There is no positive spin to a team that has a losing record and a negative run differential at the beginning of June. This has gone on long enough that the pressure is ratcheting up on the Cubs. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney discuss the lack of star power in the lineup, a manager who hasn’t made that much of a difference yet, and how the momentum starts to shift.

Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory!

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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.

The Cubs Keep Finding Ways to Lose... May 31, 2024

The Cubs keep finding ways to lose.

Two months into the season, the Cubs are playing an underwhelming brand of baseball in every phase of the game except for starting pitching. Is this just a rough stretch in the middle of a long year? Or is it a sign of much deeper trouble for this team? Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney analyze Craig Counsell’s impact (or lack thereof) and what the return of Pete Crow-Armstrong means.

Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.

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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.

No-hitter alert (and no panic) in Milwaukee May 29, 2024

The Cubs did not waste Ben Brown’s seven no-hit innings against the Brewers, a performance that showed how their season can go to another level.

In the meantime, team president Jed Hoyer is telling everyone to stay patient and not overreact to what has essentially been the worst offense in the majors for about a month. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney describe the scene in Milwaukee and Craig Counsell’s reaction to the reaction from angry Brewers fans.

Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.

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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.

Craig Counsell returns to Milwaukee: “Cheer, boo, whatever, man.” May 28, 2024

The Cubs manager heard the jeers from Brewers fans and mostly laughed it off during this highly anticipated matchup. Counsell doesn’t really care what people think, and he has bigger problems to deal with right now.

The Brewers just keep rolling while the Cubs have reached a low point. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain how the Cubs are handling the situation.

Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.

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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.

Is it time for the Cubs to start panicking about their offense? May 24, 2024

It’s been a brutal month for Cubs hitters, and a boring brand of baseball for Cubs fans to watch.

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down what’s going on at Wrigley Field, and where the team goes from here.

At a certain point, the reasons for these struggles begin to sound like excuses. And the frustrations can’t be contained forever.

Plus, a preview of the looming series with the rival Cardinals.

Subscribe (free of course) to the brand new North Side Territory Youtube channel please!

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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.

The Kyle Hendricks decision May 22, 2024

One of the most impactful pitchers in Cubs history has been moved to the bullpen. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what it means and how the Cubs plan to deploy the last player standing from the 2016 World Series team.

That takes us to the Craig Counsell method and why the manager has instant credibility in the clubhouse.

Plus what’s going on with the offense? And is there anyone in the minors who can help?

Subscribe (free of course) to the brand new North Side Territory Youtube channel please!

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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.

New podcast home! Cubs offense outage, Imanaga roaring May 20, 2024

It’s the debut episode with Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney. The two Chicago-based writers for The Athletic take you behind the scenes at Wrigley Field to explain what’s going on with the offense. And why it’s so awkward for the team to watch Kyle Hendricks struggle. And how Shota Imanaga is becoming the kind of star who can change this season’s trajectory.

Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover the brand new North Side Territory!

Welcome to North Side Territory! May 10, 2024

Trailer for the new go-to spot for Chicago Cubs podcast coverage!

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