This is Not a Rebuild

In a mini-episode, the gang discusses: -Relief at Justin Steele's encouraging prognosis -Miguel Amaya's fit on the Cubs roster for the rest of this season -The maddening inability of this team to string wins together -Notable No. 34s in Cubs history -How to properly water trees during a drought

Reeling from an excruciating loss and punchy after a bizarre weekend, the Fab Four wrestle with the big questions of our time: -Are the Cubs any good? -Is Adbert Alzolay a legit closer? -Why is the NFL Draft becoming such a popular live event, and should Roger Goodell wear a meat dress to it? -Who is this week's Random Cub? -How reliable is strangers' tax advice on TikTok? It's the Dan...

The Cubs are on a winning streak! Two games counts as a streak, right? Matt, Todd, Tom, and DJ decide that it does, and celebrate it with another wacky episode of This is Not a Rebuild. Discussed within: -The magic of Christopher Morel -Marcus Stroman and his delightful outing Wednesday night -Justin Steele and the mysticism of the two-pitch starting pitcher -Matt's very bold prediction about...

Amid the pain and ennui of a five-game losing streak, Matt, Tom, and Todd talk about why this Cubs team is still fun; what they need to do to make that fun last all summer; and why it's hard to see, right now, how they might manage that.

The gang laments a missed opportunity to win a crucial series, but revels in both the arrival of several exciting young Cubs and the bizarrely self-defeating choices made by the Cardinals over the last week or so. There's no shortage of fodder for conversation with this team right now. After that, it's time for the Random Cub of the week, the tree of the week, and other good stuff.

Down a man and down in the mouth after a lousy run of Cubs baseball, Matt, Todd, and Tom bring you a shorter episode than usual. It's still jam-packed with good baseball talk, though, including thoughts on the recent run of poor bullpen performances; why it's taken so long for Matt Mervis to arrive, and when that might finally happen; and why what would have been considered a fine start be...

The gang discuss the Cubs' still-promising start; some of the areas where it's clear that they need to make upgrades; the exciting developments in the minor leagues, including the performances of Matt Mervis, Christopher Morel, Kevin Alcantara and Jordan Wicks; and the right mix between desperately wanting to win and being a balanced person with perspective on sports and life.

With Tom back Stateside, the gang is all together again. There's a ton to talk about, as the Cubs are off to a hot start and baseball is buzzing. Episode 27 is the Perfect Game of TINAR.

In the Billy Williams episode of TINAR, Matt, Todd, and DJ chat about Billy Williams; the Cubs' uneven but very fun start to the 2023 season; and some of the key questions that still face the team at the moment. Should they have called up Nelson Velázquez sooner? Should they recall Christopher Morel next? What's eating Hayden Wesneski? And how jazzed is DJ about Ian Happ sticking around fo...

There have been real baseball games now! We can spend all our time talking about those! We *don't*, but it's nice to know the option is there. Anyway, Tom Nurse is on assignment this week, but Matt, Todd, and DJ kick around what we've seen so far this season from the Cubs, as well as their two chief division rivals, and then engage in the usual nonsense. Todd even recommends a good boo...

Even in their time of grief and despair after the loss of Zack "The Thrill of Livin'" McKinstry, Matt, Todd, and Tom manage to talk some baseball. The Cubs will go on, as John Mellencamp told us life must even after the thrill of livin' is gone. The guys dive into the 1984 Cubs, how they might presage the 2023 Cubs (or not), Nico Hoerner's extension, and other topics befittin...

In the Sandberg Episode of TINAR, the crew previews the 2023 Chicago Cubs, makes a bunch of predictions, talks about the joys of the WBC, and goes on an unexpected Pete LaCock-related detour. Then, it's the usual stuff, where "the usual stuff" is defined as a landscaping tip, some thoughts on tax season, a fun fact about players who sang the national anthem before a game, and a few m...

The gang spends most of the podcast talking about the thrilling early rounds of the WBC, including the inanity of those who would decry the event on the basis of Edwin Díaz's injury; what makes the games tangibly different from MLB contests; and how future versions of the event could be even bigger. Then the meander a bit, touching on the end of one glorious regime of quarterbacking in Green Bay a...

The guys are back to full strength, but not back on task, and that's ok! We talk about apportioning sports fandom, how to eat well but simply, what insanity governs some choices made by TV and movie producers, and (oh yeah) the streaking, invincible Chicago Cubs... and so much more.

Down a man, the guys careen from subject to subject, alighting on the mighty and wondrous works of David Halberstam; what makes Giannis so great; and the strange things Tom Brady might eat. Eventually, though, they land on a great conversation about the seemingly small, somewhat nerdy, yet deeply interesting extra effects of the new rules coming into MLB for 2023. Enjoy!

The gang talks about the alluring but often false optimism of early spring training; the Cubs' rotation; the World Baseball Classic; and more Cubs topics, plus the usual assortment of nonsense and a double dose of practical advice. It's the Enrique Wilson Episode!

The guys play America's favorite game, trying to identify the Cubs players about whom various Baseball Prospectus player comments were written.

The Fearsome Foursome careens a bit through the vacuum that stands where there ought to be baseball news, with discussions of Mark Grace, Kris Bryant, Mike Fontenot, the utility of preseason projections, golf handicaps, the 2002 Baseball America Top 100 Prospects list, what gingko trees sweat, and how the Cubs might do relative to the once-mighty White Sox in 2023.

The gang banters about the retirements of Dexter Fowler and Tom Brady, the conspicuous non-retirement of LeBron James, and more, before turning their attention to an effort to sketch out the lineup and rotation for the 2023 Cubs, were the season to begin today.

In an effort to deliver better sound quality, we've switched recording methods. Alas, that almost led to a lost episode this week, and so you'll hear a bit of a rough start on our recovered recording. After that, though, you'll hear lively debate about the Hall of Fame election, Scott Rolen, and more, plus some Cubs prospects talk and the usual nonsense at the end--all in crystal-clear high defini...

Restored to full strength, the guys discuss the Chicago Cubs’ offseason, what causes there are for both hope and trepidation as the 2023 season approaches, and the usual assortment of oddities.

This week, down a man, the crew delved into some very important facts about baseball Todds. Then, they drafted their favorite non-players in Cubs history, from broadcasters to fans. It’s a fun way to observe Cubs Convention week. It’s episode 13.

The gang convenes for the first draft in this is not a rebuild history. They each select their three all-time favorite Cubs moments, and it’s as wonderful as you would think.

The fearsome foursome is back and better than ever, and if not that, then fine, still. They talk about Jaire Alexander’s interception noise, Tucker Barnhart’s acceptability as a catcher and as a name, the endless insanity of the Carlos Correa mess, and how the Cubs can still improve this winter, all while answering your burning Cubs questions.

Three of the Big Four react to Dansby Swanson supercharging the Cubs’ offseason, solidifying their defense, and bringing some semblance of identity to a team now looking more interesting in 2023. They talk about how to finish the job of converting the Cubs into a contender, answer a listener question about a beloved outfielder, and then indulge in the usual nonsense. Happy holidays, Rebuilders.