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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.