The state of the team under this ownership saddens me. I'm so glad I saw them win in 2016, but this ownership is younger than me. I could go the rest of my life without seeing them win again, and that's sad. I wish I were a Yankees fan, like my mom. Alas, my dad passed the curse along to me.
At least you got to see one. My favorite team is the Mariners and have never even been to the World Series. I would love to see them go all the way just once and hopefully soon and if I never see it again after that I will be okay , because at lest at that point they would have seen it once. Then I would be able to celebrate for my Grandfather who never got to see them go all the way and for myself as well.
At 10 years old I watched them in 84 lose to the Padres. 89 hurt the most. Then the Sosa years. I'm pretty checked out since 2016. I know this all too well. Thank GOD for Jordan and those teams.
Sam...You're the best. I agree with you and your take on what the Cubs front office is willing to accept. I'm sure Council isn't willing to accept that. Also, stop apologizing to Boog for using the words "sense of urgency". Boog is a national broadcaster first and a Cubs broadcaster next. He has no real affinity with the Cubs fans or the team. He's more neutral than partisan towards the Cubs. Give me a Brickhouse or Carray. I couldn't care less what Boog has to say. I care a whole lot more what Council has to say.
The team has both an ownership and a front office problem. Ricketts is clearly limiting Hoyers ability to spend past the 1st luxury tax. An Hoyer has done a bad job allocating the money within that budget to impactfully improve the team. That's why we constantly hear about "intelligent spending" and "improving on the margins". But Hoyer has largely done a bad job at doing both of those things.
I've never thought Jed needed to reach the playoffs to keep his job. The media and fans make that stuff up. I've never heard anything like that from Ricketts. Until Ricketts stands in front of a camera and says Jed needs to win or he's gone, everything else is just rumors created by fans and bloggers.
just adding Soto and they are a 90 win team without any other moves. He is what they need and sets them up for the next decade. It' s a disgrace and slap in the face to all Cub fans that they won't even talk to Soto.
Jed Hoyer here. Thanks for patiently waiting. I've decided to reward you all and go nuclear. First I'm trading Paredes, Hoerner, Wicks, and Triantos to the M's for Logan Gilbert. I save $11M in deal. M's fill righty 3B and 2B needs plus a top 100 prospect that can replace either down the road plus a depth lefty SP for an all-righty rotation. Next I'm trading Horton, Alcantara, Ballesteros, and Assad to the A's for Mason Miller and Shea Langeliers. $ cost of deal is neutral. I simply overwhelm the "let's be real you're not competing for couple more years" A's with 3 top 60 near-MLB prospects for 2 players nearing arbitration. Next I'm trading Caissie to the Jays straight up for Vladdy Jr. with a lucrative extension waiting on his arrival. I take on $29M in deal. Jays don't want to trade him but can't turn down 6 years of Canadian Caissie after inevitably whiffing on Soto. Next I'm signing shutdown lefty relievers Tanner Scott ($14M) and A.J. Minter ($8M). I have learned from my mistakes! Finally after impressing Roki Sasaki with how frisky I'm feeling above, I'm sending Seiya and Shota to pick him up at the airport. International pool $ only. The net cost of all my swaggy moves is only +$40M in 2025 payroll, leaving me still safely below CBT (ur welcome Tom). Prospect cost is dealing away many of your favorite top 100 prospects, but I did keep Matt Shaw, Cam Smith, and Jefferson Rojas...(ur welcome fans). Here's your opening day roster: Starting lineup - Happ (LF), Shaw (3B), Vladdy Jr. (1B), Bellinger (RF), Seiya (DH), Busch (2B), Swanson (SS), PCA (CF), Langeliers (C). Bench - Tauchman (OF), Canario (OF), Vasquez (IF), Amaya (C). Rotation - Steele (L) Gilbert (R), Imanaga (L), Taillon (R), Sasaki (R). Bullpen - M.Miller (R), Scott (L), Hodge (R), Minter (L), T.Miller (R), Pearson (R), Little (L), Morgan (R). Jed Fantasy Land out.
Politics aside from Tom Ricketts... When it comes to the Cubs, I think there has to be clear improvement. PCA has to take a step forward. The infield has to rebound for a better season or the mix has to change so they have a better season. Our Bullpen has to be better. The Rotation has to be better and healthier. It is team wide. Every guy who makes the roster, needs to show a willingness to do better. There are always going to be a couple of guys who don't work out. That is true with every team. Right now, I am not sure who to trade, where makes sense to trade them, etc. Even who to sign in FA. There are players I hope for, but for all I know, we might be seeing a set 40 man roster right now. I hope this isn't it. That maybe there are at least a couple of moves Jed Hoyer is going to make to improve the team. Right now, I see an 84-85 win team if key guys like Justin Steele stay healthy. At worst case scenario, I see a 70 win team that is trading guys away so they can bring up Cassie, Shaw and Ballestaros to go with PCA and grab a couple of other young guys to team up with them. Now, in the worst case scenario, Jed Hoyer is fired. There is just no saving his job if this team woefully underproduces. Now if somehow he is sitting at 89-91 wins and misses the post season, he might still have a job. So I do think it will depend on how well this team does. If they make the post season, he gets an extension. If he is on the cusp, I think he comes back. If this team is really bad, he is gone.
You would think, but I actually could see Tom extending him soon. The only way there’s going to be real change on the Cubs is if the fans stop coming to the games. As long as that park is full, they will continue to see the cub fans as suckers.
Since the end of the season I've been oscillating between being discouraged with the FO's philosophy/direction and optimistic about the home grown players. After taking a step back and looking at everything objectively I'm willing to give Jed and Carter the benefit of the doubt and here's why. 1. They finished the season 84-79 which is right about where everyone projected them to be if everyone stayed relatively healthy for the majority of the season. 2. Injuries played a HUGE roll in how the season played out. Steele, Hendricks, Wicks, Assad, Alzolay, Merryweather, Brown, Nico, Swanson, Bellinger and Suzuki all missed significant time or played hurt. 3. NOBODY could've predicted how unprecedentedly awful Neris and the bullpen as a whole was going to be. and 4. This was Counsell's inaugural season as manager. When news broke about him coming to Chicago fan's expectations immediately shot sky high (rightfully so) after being on the receiving end of success he had in Milwaukee. After the dust settled, it seemed virtually every article that was written reminded everyone that the Cubs made a similar move in the 2014 off season when Maddon came aboard and it was only natural to compare the two. Looking back, it's hard not to complement Counsell with how he handled the most harrowing parts of the season with aplomb. While we were all angry with how the season was playing out, Counsell was a rock for the players. It was frustrating when it seemed like his demeanor was that of indiffence, but there's more than one way to be a leader. Since we can't witness first hand what happens behind closed doors it's more satisfying for fans to see fire and passion erupt after every missed umpire call. For the most part, what players crave and need is to have someone helm and guide the ship that is a sports team through the most turbulent parts of a season. At the end of the day, having better luck injury-wise, learning from their personell mistakes and addressing needs promptly alongside Counsell having a better idea of where the organization is as a whole I know I'm in the minority, but I'm cautiously optimistic about the 2025 season.
@AndrewCalhounSongs agreed! Just mean he's gonna get even better it was his first time at first base and he was I think at the top for gold glove standards
I agree Sam. I think the plan is to trade for young arms and try to move Bellinger and give Cassie a look. I don't think if they are to move him they will reinvest the money on a star. If the Yankees don't sign Soto Bellinger would make sense as a trade partner.
I don’t agree to spend for the sake of spending to make Cubs fans feel good for a few months. I want them to build from farm and spend to add key players to push them over the hump(when it is time), rather than using spending to build the foundation of the team. I only see very very bad things will happen if they spend like Padres, Phillies, Mets and stuck at false optimism that they would win. They are not near the level of financial income comparing with Dodgers, Yankees, even Mets.
Awesome show Sam! My favorite holidays are Halloween and turkey day!! Can’t wait for the 2025 season to get underway, Go Cubs! You and Matt give us the news and insights us fans want! 🙌🏽 #Thankful
It seems apparent that the Cubs are going to pinch pennies and hope Counsell can guide them to a Wild Card spot then hope for the best. That strategy never pays off. You have to have the horses. Dodgers go get Ohtani and add him to an already good team, boom, World Series. Yankees trade for Juan Soto and add him to an already good team, boom, World Series. If you're serious about winning titles, you have to spend the money. Unfortunately, Ricketts is still satisfied with 2016 and will have no desire to use big revenue towards a true winner as long as Cub fans continue to sell out home games.
Hey Sam, Thanks again for a great show! Amaya eliminated the leg kick because his head was moving way too much, not allowing him to hit consistently... Same thing needs to happen with Paredes... If he is not willing, then deal him! If you notice, Many Latin ballplayers come to the majors with the big leg kick, I believe they're coached to do so as (skinny) youths to get some pop in that bat! But Miggie is a big kid now, strong enough, as is Paredes, to swing the bat and KEEP the HEAD ROCK STEADY!!!
Cubs closers sucked last year. If Cubs could trade for Mason Miller whose a locked down closer, they would easily be close to 90 wins. Why doesn't he ever get mentioned?
If the 2024 team was healthier, or the 2023 yeam wasn't fatigued down the stretch, they make the playoffs. My point is, Jed sees potential. For better or worse.
YES. But it will take great health and for them to field the best lineup everyday. I do not want Hoerner traded and I want Shaw at 3b. I hope this team is not giving up on Ballesteros. It may be hard to trade Bellinger...harder than they thought.
Tom doesn't want to push out a 300M roster. So the best solution is trade out mid season and promote the kids. Then next year target Vlad Jr as a core hitter Getting Ballestroes, Shaw and Caissie on the team with Brown and Horton in the rotation makes this year better and opens up payroll to add impact talent. They can approach it as trade Bellinger and Hoerner now for Stroman and some lower Yankee prospects that address some depth needs on the 40. Promote Caissie and Shaw and have Stroman take over Hendricks' spot Mid season trade out Taillon and Stroman and push Brown and Horton into the rotation. Next year target Vlad Jr and a TOR. I think Jed will be in charge of the turn over. He did his job of getting the farm in shape. The next guy will be brought in to put together a winning window.
Sam is a totally different person when he does a solo show!!! IMHO, he’s much more entertaining by himself!! Him and Matt together can get a little goofy…but it’s all good I’m listening regardless!!!
I’d rather watch a new Cubs team, even if they lose, than keep seeing players like Swanson and Hoerner underperform and give poor interviews throughout the season. It’s more exciting to see fresh faces with potential than sticking with players who aren’t delivering.
Hey Sam Enjoy the solo show! Just to play devil’s advocate. What are some prime examples of past mlb teams that had a good “supporting cast” and one big bat (superstar) rocketed an average team into the playoffs consistently?
It's really odd that the Cubs fired a well-liked manager in Ross (we all had issues but he was basically well-liked) and spent historic amounts to hire Counsell and then we get this winning isn't important stuff. In fact some folks said they "threw him under the bus." I thought that move was a statement that we need to win. but from MLB's perspective (the shadow state of MLB who call the shots) not every fan base can see their team go to the world series every 10 years, or even to the playoffs. So this may come from a place higher than Ricketts in fact. whatever. Buy another beer and hot dog and enjoy.
Why are so many people so down on the team even before free agency gets underway? I think they’re headed in the right direction…they don’t have to spend like the Yankees and Dodgers to get to 90 wins.
If the Chicago Cubs are not in it to win then what are they doing? The Cubs need ownership that wants to put a team out there that the fans are proud of. I want a manager that motivates the team to win and a broadcaster that understands how to broadcast a baseball game. My best example right now would be Pat Hughes.
I suppose jeds job depends on what ricketts goals are. I like small market ball, I prefer it but we have the market to supplement that with major signings. Jed has created logjams at every single position. It's absurd. It doesn't even seem like that would be possible
I agree with the Ricketts description, just win enough to fill the seats.The playoffs aren't the goal.Epstein knew how to win and Hoyer doesn't .Hoyer doesn't have the ability that Epstein does.
It all comes down to one thing in baseball today you have to spend money to make money. Ricketts isn't going to take chances on players as long as he has a cash cow in the Wrigley Field area
Ricketts and the current FO will never sign, or trade for a Freid, Sasaki type or big established bat. Even Belli and Swanson weren't the best available. They'll settle at the margins and pray on the kids. It's the model for continuing an 83 W team.
Wrigley Field is the worst home-field advantage in baseball. The Wrigleys, The Trib Co and Rickerts all fell prey to ignoring the team and simply marketing the "ballpark experience". I had hopes for Rickerts but since 2016, the focus has been increasing the franchise's value through every means *EXCEPT* the product on the field.
first thing cubs have to address is the closer catcher postion period 26 blown saves are you kidding me ?? imagine if 5 or even ten of those games are closed out properly . go out get mason miller and there catcher too langliers . let amaya backup if you dont hit over 200 you aint gonna be starting period, i said after darvish salary dump and all the other trades no playoffs till 25 here we are ! dont tell me we need to be like the brewers rays guardians its insulting to cubs fans how many rings do those teams have ill wait .. address the one of the biggest issues of last year with someone who can get it done ty !
Paredes' head is moving along all three planes (vertical, horizontal, and fore & aft) every time he swings the bat!!! In comparison watch Juan Soto swing and his head doesn't budge one bit!!!
I don't care about what rickets thinks he won a world series and that's all he cares about that and just wants to make money and we can as fans can just be disappointed
Tom spent all his cash on ending democracy in this country…nothing left for meager poor fans wanting something to hope for. What do these billionaires care.
This is our Cubs. it's been like this for ages. As long as their putting people in the stands, they won't do shit. Let's just put a minor league team on the field next season. This organization and its front office is pathetic. Look for another mediocre year.
Counsell is way overrated. If he was concerned with winning then Smyly wouldn't have been put into critical situations in September after they'd already tried putting him on waivers and nobody wanted because he was so bad.
Smyly overall wasn’t SO bad, yes he was bad but remember he was the only lefty in the pen, he also was a veteran and Counsel had to believe he’d come through. Craig can only pitch the guys he has…he doesn’t per se make up the roster…and remember the year prior when Cubs basically used 3 relievers the whole second half and by September they were gassed and blew their playoff chance. The only reason Smyly wasn’t picked up when he was put on waivers was because of his contract/buyout.
Ricketts probably looks at Jed as having had a great run from 2011 to 2024: 8 winning seasons; 5 trips to the playoffs; first pennant since 1945 and first WS since 1908. Go Jed! If I were Ricketts I would spend more but I would also be disappointed with the results. He used 2016 to increase the profitability of Wrigleyville and is happy. If he wasn't he'd do something about it. Maybe he just doesn't resign Jed.
The state of the team under this ownership saddens me. I'm so glad I saw them win in 2016, but this ownership is younger than me. I could go the rest of my life without seeing them win again, and that's sad. I wish I were a Yankees fan, like my mom. Alas, my dad passed the curse along to me.
At least you got to see one. My favorite team is the Mariners and have never even been to the World Series. I would love to see them go all the way just once and hopefully soon and if I never see it again after that I will be okay , because at lest at that point they would have seen it once. Then I would be able to celebrate for my Grandfather who never got to see them go all the way and for myself as well.
At 10 years old I watched them in 84 lose to the Padres. 89 hurt the most. Then the Sosa years. I'm pretty checked out since 2016. I know this all too well. Thank GOD for Jordan and those teams.
Been watching since the 69 collapse, so you get use to this every year. At least I saw one.
Never thought I would see a Cubs WS victory! Got to say though it is a big market run like a small one.
It's .500 or bust so they can run hotels and bars without distraction.
Sam...You're the best. I agree with you and your take on what the Cubs front office is willing to accept. I'm sure Council isn't willing to accept that. Also, stop apologizing to Boog for using the words "sense of urgency". Boog is a national broadcaster first and a Cubs broadcaster next. He has no real affinity with the Cubs fans or the team. He's more neutral than partisan towards the Cubs. Give me a Brickhouse or Carray. I couldn't care less what Boog has to say. I care a whole lot more what Council has to say.
Im on the Ricketts is done investing into this plan bus.
The Cubs will not sniff the playoffs
The team has both an ownership and a front office problem. Ricketts is clearly limiting Hoyers ability to spend past the 1st luxury tax. An Hoyer has done a bad job allocating the money within that budget to impactfully improve the team. That's why we constantly hear about "intelligent spending" and "improving on the margins". But Hoyer has largely done a bad job at doing both of those things.
Sam you're really great at a solo, I like you and Matt together but you really shine on your own. Thank you for another great show.
I've never thought Jed needed to reach the playoffs to keep his job. The media and fans make that stuff up. I've never heard anything like that from Ricketts.
Until Ricketts stands in front of a camera and says Jed needs to win or he's gone, everything else is just rumors created by fans and bloggers.
just adding Soto and they are a 90 win team without any other moves. He is what they need and sets them up for the next decade. It' s a disgrace and slap in the face to all Cub fans that they won't even talk to Soto.
86 win team wins a 96-66 Pythag win record
Jed Hoyer here. Thanks for patiently waiting. I've decided to reward you all and go nuclear.
First I'm trading Paredes, Hoerner, Wicks, and Triantos to the M's for Logan Gilbert. I save $11M in deal. M's fill righty 3B and 2B needs plus a top 100 prospect that can replace either down the road plus a depth lefty SP for an all-righty rotation.
Next I'm trading Horton, Alcantara, Ballesteros, and Assad to the A's for Mason Miller and Shea Langeliers. $ cost of deal is neutral. I simply overwhelm the "let's be real you're not competing for couple more years" A's with 3 top 60 near-MLB prospects for 2 players nearing arbitration.
Next I'm trading Caissie to the Jays straight up for Vladdy Jr. with a lucrative extension waiting on his arrival. I take on $29M in deal. Jays don't want to trade him but can't turn down 6 years of Canadian Caissie after inevitably whiffing on Soto.
Next I'm signing shutdown lefty relievers Tanner Scott ($14M) and A.J. Minter ($8M). I have learned from my mistakes!
Finally after impressing Roki Sasaki with how frisky I'm feeling above, I'm sending Seiya and Shota to pick him up at the airport. International pool $ only.
The net cost of all my swaggy moves is only +$40M in 2025 payroll, leaving me still safely below CBT (ur welcome Tom). Prospect cost is dealing away many of your favorite top 100 prospects, but I did keep Matt Shaw, Cam Smith, and Jefferson Rojas...(ur welcome fans).
Here's your opening day roster:
Starting lineup - Happ (LF), Shaw (3B), Vladdy Jr. (1B), Bellinger (RF), Seiya (DH), Busch (2B), Swanson (SS), PCA (CF), Langeliers (C).
Bench - Tauchman (OF), Canario (OF), Vasquez (IF), Amaya (C).
Rotation - Steele (L) Gilbert (R), Imanaga (L), Taillon (R), Sasaki (R).
Bullpen - M.Miller (R), Scott (L), Hodge (R), Minter (L), T.Miller (R), Pearson (R), Little (L), Morgan (R).
Jed Fantasy Land out.
love the A s move !
Politics aside from Tom Ricketts...
When it comes to the Cubs, I think there has to be clear improvement.
PCA has to take a step forward.
The infield has to rebound for a better season or the mix has to change so they have a better season.
Our Bullpen has to be better.
The Rotation has to be better and healthier.
It is team wide. Every guy who makes the roster, needs to show a willingness to do better.
There are always going to be a couple of guys who don't work out. That is true with every team.
Right now, I am not sure who to trade, where makes sense to trade them, etc. Even who to sign in FA.
There are players I hope for, but for all I know, we might be seeing a set 40 man roster right now. I hope this isn't it. That maybe there are at least a couple of moves Jed Hoyer is going to make to improve the team.
Right now, I see an 84-85 win team if key guys like Justin Steele stay healthy.
At worst case scenario, I see a 70 win team that is trading guys away so they can bring up Cassie, Shaw and Ballestaros to go with PCA and grab a couple of other young guys to team up with them.
Now, in the worst case scenario, Jed Hoyer is fired. There is just no saving his job if this team woefully underproduces.
Now if somehow he is sitting at 89-91 wins and misses the post season, he might still have a job. So I do think it will depend on how well this team does.
If they make the post season, he gets an extension. If he is on the cusp, I think he comes back. If this team is really bad, he is gone.
Hay Sam the old cubbie fan I agree can not see give nine hundred mill for soto we need a good stopper Milton
It's Playoffs Time And 1st Baseman Time For Mike Tauchman As The Illinois King
😂
Good for Shota. He is the best. Happy for his success, and for our good fortune to have him.
90% agree that 2025 is a must in post-season season.
cant let belinger go the only consistent hitter get another belinger and we can win maybe a pitcher
You would think, but I actually could see Tom extending him soon.
The only way there’s going to be real change on the Cubs is if the fans stop coming to the games. As long as that park is full, they will continue to see the cub fans as suckers.
Agreed. I don't want to be a fair weather fan, but if they continue getting great attendance, management has no motivation to improve.
@ completely agree.
Also, cool user name. I hope you were able to forward the foundation.
Since the end of the season I've been oscillating between being discouraged with the FO's philosophy/direction and optimistic about the home grown players. After taking a step back and looking at everything objectively I'm willing to give Jed and Carter the benefit of the doubt and here's why.
1. They finished the season 84-79 which is right about where everyone projected them to be if everyone stayed relatively healthy for the majority of the season.
2. Injuries played a HUGE roll in how the season played out. Steele, Hendricks, Wicks, Assad, Alzolay, Merryweather, Brown, Nico, Swanson, Bellinger and Suzuki all missed significant time or played hurt.
3. NOBODY could've predicted how unprecedentedly awful Neris and the bullpen as a whole was going to be.
and
4. This was Counsell's inaugural season as manager. When news broke about him coming to Chicago fan's expectations immediately shot sky high (rightfully so) after being on the receiving end of success he had in Milwaukee. After the dust settled, it seemed virtually every article that was written reminded everyone that the Cubs made a similar move in the 2014 off season when Maddon came aboard and it was only natural to compare the two. Looking back, it's hard not to complement Counsell with how he handled the most harrowing parts of the season with aplomb. While we were all angry with how the season was playing out, Counsell was a rock for the players. It was frustrating when it seemed like his demeanor was that of indiffence, but there's more than one way to be a leader. Since we can't witness first hand what happens behind closed doors it's more satisfying for fans to see fire and passion erupt after every missed umpire call. For the most part, what players crave and need is to have someone helm and guide the ship that is a sports team through the most turbulent parts of a season.
At the end of the day, having better luck injury-wise, learning from their personell mistakes and addressing needs promptly alongside Counsell having a better idea of where the organization is as a whole I know I'm in the minority, but I'm cautiously optimistic about the 2025 season.
Why does every person hate Busch he is gonna be good
He's already good!
@AndrewCalhounSongs agreed! Just mean he's gonna get even better it was his first time at first base and he was I think at the top for gold glove standards
Not sure if anyone hates him, the thing is he's 26 his time to be good should be NOW not 3 or 4 years later.
@@dave-pm9bu he was good, and a rookie lol
Great show Sam! Everything was well said! 👍
I agree Sam. I think the plan is to trade for young arms and try to move Bellinger and give Cassie a look. I don't think if they are to move him they will reinvest the money on a star. If the Yankees don't sign Soto Bellinger would make sense as a trade partner.
I don’t agree to spend for the sake of spending to make Cubs fans feel good for a few months. I want them to build from farm and spend to add key players to push them over the hump(when it is time), rather than using spending to build the foundation of the team. I only see very very bad things will happen if they spend like Padres, Phillies, Mets and stuck at false optimism that they would win. They are not near the level of financial income comparing with Dodgers, Yankees, even Mets.
Wrigley can only seat so many people, with new stadium AND are fan base much more money coming in then maybe Cubs could spend like NY or LA.
Awesome show Sam! My favorite holidays are Halloween and turkey day!! Can’t wait for the 2025 season to get underway, Go Cubs! You and Matt give us the news and insights us fans want! 🙌🏽 #Thankful
It seems apparent that the Cubs are going to pinch pennies and hope Counsell can guide them to a Wild Card spot then hope for the best. That strategy never pays off. You have to have the horses. Dodgers go get Ohtani and add him to an already good team, boom, World Series. Yankees trade for Juan Soto and add him to an already good team, boom, World Series. If you're serious about winning titles, you have to spend the money. Unfortunately, Ricketts is still satisfied with 2016 and will have no desire to use big revenue towards a true winner as long as Cub fans continue to sell out home games.
Hey Sam, Thanks again for a great show! Amaya eliminated the leg kick because his head was moving way too much, not allowing him to hit consistently... Same thing needs to happen with Paredes... If he is not willing, then deal him! If you notice, Many Latin ballplayers come to the majors with the big leg kick, I believe they're coached to do so as (skinny) youths to get some pop in that bat! But Miggie is a big kid now, strong enough, as is Paredes, to swing the bat and KEEP the HEAD ROCK STEADY!!!
Agree completely Sam. They seem pretty content with where they are.
Dollar Tree Cubs
@@mikepresley9780 you talking about A’s Rays Marlins ???
Thanks Sam! I watch you and Matt everyday. You always do a great job on your solo shows!
Cubs closers sucked last year. If Cubs could trade for Mason Miller whose a locked down closer, they would easily be close to 90 wins. Why doesn't he ever get mentioned?
If the 2024 team was healthier, or the 2023 yeam wasn't fatigued down the stretch, they make the playoffs. My point is, Jed sees potential. For better or worse.
Sam, I appreciate your thoughts as always!
For better or worse, I don't think Jed is the guy who would alter his process for fear of losing his job.
YES. But it will take great health and for them to field the best lineup everyday. I do not want Hoerner traded and I want Shaw at 3b. I hope this team is not giving up on Ballesteros. It may be hard to trade Bellinger...harder than they thought.
Tom doesn't want to push out a 300M roster. So the best solution is trade out mid season and promote the kids. Then next year target Vlad Jr as a core hitter
Getting Ballestroes, Shaw and Caissie on the team with Brown and Horton in the rotation makes this year better and opens up payroll to add impact talent.
They can approach it as trade Bellinger and Hoerner now for Stroman and some lower Yankee prospects that address some depth needs on the 40. Promote Caissie and Shaw and have Stroman take over Hendricks' spot
Mid season trade out Taillon and Stroman and push Brown and Horton into the rotation.
Next year target Vlad Jr and a TOR.
I think Jed will be in charge of the turn over. He did his job of getting the farm in shape. The next guy will be brought in to put together a winning window.
Sam is a totally different person when he does a solo show!!! IMHO, he’s much more entertaining by himself!! Him and Matt together can get a little goofy…but it’s all good I’m listening regardless!!!
I think the Cubs are wanting to act like the pirates and reds
I am patient I want to see the young guys develop I don’t want to see some big name rentals losing in the playoffs
Honestly, does it really matter as long as Ricketts is the owner? When will winning ever be priority #1?
I’d rather watch a new Cubs team, even if they lose, than keep seeing players like Swanson and Hoerner underperform and give poor interviews throughout the season. It’s more exciting to see fresh faces with potential than sticking with players who aren’t delivering.
Hey Sam
Enjoy the solo show!
Just to play devil’s advocate.
What are some prime examples of past mlb teams that had a good “supporting cast” and one big bat (superstar) rocketed an average team into the playoffs consistently?
Don't say URGENCY!😊
Not much will change this year hopefully I'm wrong
Tauchman out with Mad. I am not shocked as I believe that the plan will end up being to get Caissie and Alàcantara playing time.
It's really odd that the Cubs fired a well-liked manager in Ross (we all had issues but he was basically well-liked) and spent historic amounts to hire Counsell and then we get this winning isn't important stuff. In fact some folks said they "threw him under the bus." I thought that move was a statement that we need to win. but from MLB's perspective (the shadow state of MLB who call the shots) not every fan base can see their team go to the world series every 10 years, or even to the playoffs. So this may come from a place higher than Ricketts in fact. whatever. Buy another beer and hot dog and enjoy.
We need a new owner who wants to win. Cubs never spend on a Super Star.
Okay, that's not what they said last season. Everything was about being competitive in 2025. Has that changed now?
Rickets just wants the Cubs to be a better version of the Rockies
The real reason cubs never get superstars player like Juan Soto about tom ricketts doesn't not care about winning
The biggest problem the Cubs have is they get rid of their best players like all of them from the 2016 season look at the last few seasons since
Why are so many people so down on the team even before free agency gets underway? I think they’re headed in the right direction…they don’t have to spend like the Yankees and Dodgers to get to 90 wins.
If the Chicago Cubs are not in it to win then what are they doing? The Cubs need ownership that wants to put a team out there that the fans are proud of. I want a manager that motivates the team to win and a broadcaster that understands how to broadcast a baseball game. My best example right now would be Pat Hughes.
I suppose jeds job depends on what ricketts goals are. I like small market ball, I prefer it but we have the market to supplement that with major signings. Jed has created logjams at every single position. It's absurd. It doesn't even seem like that would be possible
I agree with the Ricketts description, just win enough to fill the seats.The playoffs aren't the goal.Epstein knew how to win and Hoyer doesn't .Hoyer doesn't have the ability that Epstein does.
It all comes down to one thing in baseball today you have to spend money to make money. Ricketts isn't going to take chances on players as long as he has a cash cow in the Wrigley Field area
Ricketts and the current FO will never sign, or trade for a Freid, Sasaki type or big established bat. Even Belli and Swanson weren't the best available. They'll settle at the margins and pray on the kids. It's the model for continuing an 83 W team.
Ben is Hall of Very Good.
Wrigley Field is the worst home-field advantage in baseball. The Wrigleys, The Trib Co and Rickerts all fell prey to ignoring the team and simply marketing the "ballpark experience". I had hopes for Rickerts but since 2016, the focus has been increasing the franchise's value through every means *EXCEPT* the product on the field.
first thing cubs have to address is the closer catcher postion period 26 blown saves are you kidding me ?? imagine if 5 or even ten of those games are closed out properly . go out get mason miller and there catcher too langliers . let amaya backup if you dont hit over 200 you aint gonna be starting period, i said after darvish salary dump and all the other trades no playoffs till 25 here we are ! dont tell me we need to be like the brewers rays guardians its insulting to cubs fans how many rings do those teams have ill wait .. address the one of the biggest issues of last year with someone who can get it done ty !
Why the heck are we shooting for 90 wins?? Isn’t this The majors… don’t we want to dominate the competition??? Come on man!!
Paredes' head is moving along all three planes (vertical, horizontal, and fore & aft) every time he swings the bat!!! In comparison watch Juan Soto swing and his head doesn't budge one bit!!!
Cubs need alot more out of Swanson and Hoerner and Amaya.If they can stay healthy they should win closer to 90
If I can create a 90 win team under the CBT...so can they
I don't care about what rickets thinks he won a world series and that's all he cares about that and just wants to make money and we can as fans can just be disappointed
I can run the team better than hoyer am a 5k runner isn't that ashame.
Tom spent all his cash on ending democracy in this country…nothing left for meager poor fans wanting something to hope for. What do these billionaires care.
Ha. Sad but true.
Tom can build a new pizza plant leave ⚾ to real owners.
This is our Cubs. it's been like this for ages.
As long as their putting people in the stands, they won't do shit. Let's just put a minor league team on the field next season. This organization and its front office is pathetic. Look for another mediocre year.
I thought Tyson should have been paid more than Logan. You didn't have to watch it.
Please, Rickets family, Sell the Cubs to someone that'll put forth a much better effort!!
TAuchman is gone, too
Madrigal got non tendered
Fire hoyer hire rizzo
Counsell is way overrated. If he was concerned with winning then Smyly wouldn't have been put into critical situations in September after they'd already tried putting him on waivers and nobody wanted because he was so bad.
Smyly overall wasn’t SO bad, yes he was bad but remember he was the only lefty in the pen, he also was a veteran and Counsel had to believe he’d come through. Craig can only pitch the guys he has…he doesn’t per se make up the roster…and remember the year prior when Cubs basically used 3 relievers the whole second half and by September they were gassed and blew their playoff chance. The only reason Smyly wasn’t picked up when he was put on waivers was because of his contract/buyout.
Tom ricketts will continue every year cubs never going to get a superstars players
Hoyer is the Eberflus of baseball. This "intelligent signing" crap needs to go along with the over rated Hoyer!!!
Ricketts probably looks at Jed as having had a great run from 2011 to 2024: 8 winning seasons; 5 trips to the playoffs; first pennant since 1945 and first WS since 1908. Go Jed! If I were Ricketts I would spend more but I would also be disappointed with the results. He used 2016 to increase the profitability of Wrigleyville and is happy. If he wasn't he'd do something about it. Maybe he just doesn't resign Jed.
Why the same talk.its all the same bs.with ALL CHICAGO TEAMS..it's not rocket science..
Go get Miyagi to pair with Shota!
Ricketts suck