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.

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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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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