North Side Territory: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

Blockbuster trades do not typically happen at this point in the baseball calendar. Still, it is not too early to start asking about how the Cubs will approach the trade deadline this summer. The team has performed at such a high level – and endured so many pitching injuries already – that the trade deadline will be a dominant topic around Wrigley Field. For an early read on the market,...

It has been an unbelievable stretch at the Friendly Confines, where the Cubs last lost a game on April 11 while simultaneously dealing with a multitude of pitching injuries. For perspective on this red-hot streak, as well as a preview of what’s to come, listen to Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney. The Athletic beat writers detail the Matthew Boyd situation and provide updates on swingman Ben...

It’s still early, but the Cubs have already overcome several challenging moments and demonstrated so many different ways that they can win. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back to explain why this team is absolutely legit (and perhaps a little boring). It starts with up-the-middle defense – Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner and Pete Crow-Armstrong – that sho...

You have to start with pitching. More than a month into the season, the Cubs have weathered an alarming amount of injuries. How much more can they withstand? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the pitching plans, anticipating the next moves and potential trouble spots. Plus, how are the Cubs going to use Moisés Ballesteros at catcher? And who’s for real...

After a 3-3 road trip through Dodger Stadium and San Diego that has to be considered a success, the Cubs are back at Wrigley Field this weekend and looking to continue their momentum. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share some nuggets from their notebooks, beginning with another PCA resurgence on the West Coast. Plus, a comprehensive report on Steele’s diagnosis and a...

While it’s too soon to label this a playoff preview, the Cubs got an up-close look at the two-time defending World Series champs. With the Dodgers ending the 10-game winning streak that showed a lot about the Cubs’ resourcefulness, it’s time to reset and assess what’s gone right and what’s gone wrong. One month into a new season, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma an...

Riding a nine-game winning streak, the Cubs will see how they measure up this weekend against the two-time defending World Series champs. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down how the Cubs are playing through adversity, what to watch for against the Dodgers and why the club believes this high level of performance is sustainable. Listen all season long for behind-the-sce...

Right now, the Cubs are rolling, but everyone in baseball is still ultimately chasing the Dodgers. Why did Counsell bring up the two-way superstar and a perceived unfair advantage for the two-time defending World Series champs? For the story behind the story, listen to The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney. Plus, several important updates on a pitching staff that has come together...

Amid a wave of pitching injuries and a few hitting slumps, the Cubs are in a relatively good position at this point of the season. How are they doing it? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain the roster-building philosophy and personnel decisions that are paying off right now. Plus more on how Moisés Ballesteros is being developed at the major-league level and why C...

With the Cubs off to a so-so start, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney open the mailbag to answer questions from listeners and place some context around the beginning of the season. What factors go into Craig Counsell’s lineup decisions? How would you change the roster if you had an offseason do-over? And who’s to blame for this recent wave of pitching injuries? All...

Three weeks into a long season, three particular developments have caught our attention (besides the recent rash of pitching injuries). The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney spotlight these ideas and try to project what might be sustainable and what could be a long-term concern. Is there reason to think Shota Imanaga could again be a legitimate Cy Young Award contender? Is Nico Ho...

As the injuries continue to pile up, the Cubs are looking at ways to add to their pitching staff. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their reporting on the club’s interest in Lucas Giolito, a one-time All-Star who remains available as a free agent. The two Chicago beat writers lay out the pros and cons of that potential move. For in-depth analysis and unique informa...

With the Cubs starting to get into the flow of the season, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer timely questions from listeners. How concerned should Cubs fans be about the state of the bullpen? What are the takeaways from potential aces Cade Horton and Justin Steele suffering serious injuries in back-to-back years? Is it too early to start thinking about the trade deadlin...

This is devastating news for Horton, who will need a major procedure on his right elbow, which will sideline one of the sport’s best young pitchers for the rest of the year. As the Cubs absorb this information, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney describe the scene in the clubhouse and outline the updated plans for the rotation. One name involved in this discussion is Luca...

Ten games into the season, the Cubs have already placed 40 percent of their Opening Day rotation on the injured list. The short-term outlook for Matthew Boyd appears better than Cade Horton’s situation, but the organization’s depth is being severely tested in April and the major-league club simply isn’t playing well right now. What’s the real level of concern here? The Athl...

The Cubs are sending mixed signals about Horton, their potential ace who’s now dealing with a forearm issue. With the club waiting for more information off further testing, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney describe the scene in Cleveland and outline the options for the rotation. Questions from listeners also involve the Cubs’ plans for the trade deadline and strat...

As the Cubs get into the flow of the season, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney spot some of the early trends and share what they’re looking for in the first month. The rotation, led by Matthew Boyd, is always a focus and moving in the right direction. Right field remains a question mark, both in April and for the long team. And something interesting is happening with Pet...

It’s never easy for Crow-Armstrong to hide his emotions, but it was almost impossible during Friday’s news conference at the Wrigley Field office building, where the Cubs heralded his six-year, $115 million contract extension. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take you inside the room and behind the scenes of the negotiations, explaining how it happened and why it...

In one financial quarter, the Cubs committed $431 million to Nico Hoerner, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman, solidifying them as building blocks at Wrigley Field. Is this a new way of doing business? Yes and no. With direct insights from the key players involved in the negotiations, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney outline the thinking behind these big moves and how the d...

Opening Day at Wrigley Field was kind of dud, but the Cubs delivered a six-year agreement with Hoerner, a homegrown Gold Glove second baseman and a fan favorite for his style of play. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney look into the motivations for this deal, how the front office has seemingly evolved with extensions and why the club now has a clear identity and a solid foundat...

With Opening Day being treated as a deadline, the Cubs and Crow-Armstrong’s camp came together to finalize a six-year, $115 million deal that solidified him as a new face of the franchise. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take you inside the negotiations and explain what each side was thinking during the process. If you want to know how the Cubs operate, and what people...

Nearing the end of spring training, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney open their notebooks for some information on how the team is coming together. Why did Cubs manager Craig Counsell tell his hitting coaches to stay away from Ballesteros? And what’s the story behind this elite hitting prospect? Plus, some reports from evaluators who maybe aren’t as high on Chicago...

What did the Cubs really think of how Team Venezuela handled their closer? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain Palencia’s rise through the organization and onto the stage of an electric championship game. As the Cubs welcome key players back from the WBC, the focus will be getting the entire group on the same page and preparing for Opening Day. How will the pitchin...

Near the end of a relatively smooth spring training, the Cubs are dealing with some uncertainty. The club continues to monitor Suzuki, who injured his right knee while playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic, making it questionable whether he will be able to start the season on time. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have the latest updates on this situation, from...

With Opening Day fast approaching, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney analyze some of the decisions that club officials will be facing before the Cubs pack up and leave Arizona. The Cactus League numbers won’t reveal much about Horton, one of the sport’s best young pitchers. But how the Cubs manage the next stage of his career will be fascinating to watch. For certa...