North Side Territory: a Chicago Cubs podcast

As Pete Crow-Armstrong blossoms into one of the game’s most exciting players, it’s worth revisiting why contract talks were tabled and how both sides view the situation. That is a jumping-off point for more questions on what the Cubs will prioritize at the trade deadline, how much money is available for in-season additions, and where Moisés Ballesteros fits long term. You have questions. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have answers.Get 20% off your first Slab Pack or card purchase by going to ArenaClub.com/FOUL and use code FOUL.Get up to 10 FREE meals and a free high protein item for life at HelloFresh.com/FT10FM. One item per box with active subscription. Free meals applied as a discount on the first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

This is exactly why the Cubs wanted Justin Turner on their team. And this is exactly what Turner needed after a brutal start to the season had some people wondering if his roster spot was in jeopardy. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take you inside the clubhouse to understand Turner’s process and his enormous impact on teammates. Plus, first impressions of Moisés Ballesteros and thoughts on the renewed energy at Wrigley Field.Get up to 10 FREE meals and a free high protein item for life at HelloFresh.com/FT10FM. One item per box with active subscription. Free meals applied as a discount on the first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan.Schedule your PXG golf club fitting today at PXG.com/foul to save up to 20% on your entire order. Restrictions apply, see site for details. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

In what’s becoming a regular occurrence, the Cubs are calling up another elite prospect to make his major-league debut. To get you prepared for Moisés Ballesteros’ big moment, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have a scouting report on what to expect from the young left-handed hitter, and why the Cubs are making this move right now. Ballesteros follows Cade Horton, a top pitching prospect who certainly looked like he belonged in New York. These are things that have to happen in order for a team to put together a special season. From this youth movement to under-the-radar contributors such as Colin Rea and Brad Keller, The Athletic’s Chicago beat writers have it covered.Schedule your PXG golf club fitting today at PXG.com/foul to save up to 20% on your entire order. Restrictions apply, see site for details.Get 20% off your first Slab Pack or card purchase by going to ArenaClub.com/FOUL and use code FOUL. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

With top pitching prospect Cade Horton lined up to make his major-league debut on Saturday night in New York, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney give a full preview of what to expect when the Cubs face the Mets this weekend. This goes back to what the Cubs saw leading up to the 2022 draft, and why they reached for the University of Oklahoma pitcher with the No. 7 pick. It’s also a sign of an organization that has evolved on the pitching side, and executed a deliberate plan to get Horton back on track after a disappointing 2024 season. Listen now for a complete breakdown on Horton, who might be the team’s best pitching prospect in a generation.Buy or sell your next car today at CarGurus.com and make sure your big deal is the best deal. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

After a historically bad outing, it’s back to the drawing board for Ryan Pressly. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down what’s going on with Pressly and why the Cubs aren’t writing him off yet — while still looking at other options for the ninth inning and trying to put him in lower-pressure situations. Plus, a look ahead to this weekend’s series in New York, where Pete Crow-Armstrong will be a focus for Mets fans and the crowd of media. You just know that the showman side of PCA’s personality will come out in NYC.Get 20% off your first Slab Pack or card purchase by going to ArenaClub.com/FOUL and use code FOUL. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

Already down one All-Star pitcher, the Cubs will again have to reshape the top of their rotation now that Shota Imanaga has joined Justin Steele on the injured list. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney provide the latest on Imanaga’s hamstring injury, the ongoing internal debate about Cade Horton and what that all means for a top pitching prospect. The Cubs have options, but the best one right now appears to be Horton, an uber-talented starter who’s positioned to make his major-league debut soon. Plus, why Horton would be walking into an ideal environment for a young pitcher to learn, grow and succeed.Go to Hungryroot.com/FT and use code FT to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

With the Cubs off to a great start, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney open up the inbox to field questions from listeners and look ahead to what’s around the corner. The hot corner is an obvious topic of conversation as the Cubs cycle through options ahead of the trade deadline. From there, The Athletic beat writers discuss Craig Counsell’s influence on roster construction and lineup decisions. That leads into the Cade Horton question and when we should expect to see the organization’s top pitching prospect make his Wrigley Field debut.Go to harrys.com/FOUL for a $6 Trial Set. Get an edge on your shave with Harry’s. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

With the offense rolling through the first month of the season, Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic for a wide-ranging conversation. Kelly explains the evolution of Pete Crow-Armstrong’s game and the impact since Kyle Tucker’s arrival. Plus, the message sent to Matt Shaw when he got sent down to the minors and why the Cubs aren’t worried about Dansby Swanson’s early offensive struggles. Within this Q&A, Kelly also gets into the vibes at Wrigley Field and how the club has turned the ballpark into a real advantage.Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code FOUL.Use code FOUL for 20% off your first purchase on Rhoback.com Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

After the Cubs passed baseball’s most difficult opening test, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their takeaways from the first month of the season. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker are the names that jump out in a much-improved offense. Craig Counsell’s blunt assessment of Ben Brown summed up the sense of urgency around the club: “We need better.” Already, it seems clear what Jed Hoyer’s front office will be looking for at the trade deadline.Go to harrys.com/FOUL for a $3 Trial Set. Get an edge on your shave with Harry’s. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

It’s not a silly question to ask at this early stage of the season. The numbers are off the charts. The entertainment value is back at Wrigley Field. And Kyle Tucker might be the best hitter in the game right now. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what’s happening at this moment, from the Tucker effect to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s emergence to a catching group that has become a real strength. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

Once again, the Cubs are becoming a must-see attraction. In a city that desperately wants to see a winner, and an iconic stadium that lacked buzz in recent years, the Cubs just put together two wild wins over the Dodgers. The entire scene felt like a potential playoff preview. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their takeaways from how the club matched up against the defending World Series champs.Get 20% off your first Slab Pack or card purchase by going to ArenaClub.com/FOUL and use code FOUL. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

Good starting pitching and an explosive offense have masked some of the issues with Chicago’s bullpen. A winning record and an early lead in the division have also slightly lowered the concern level at Wrigley Field. But Cubs manager Craig Counsell and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer are taking a proactive approach to fixing the bullpen. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain the trade for Drew Pomeranz, the differences between this group and last year’s unreliable bullpen, and the big-picture thinking that guides these decisions.Go to Hungryroot.com/FT and use code FT to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

By demoting Matt Shaw to the minors, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and manager Craig Counsell demonstrated that their patience will not be unlimited. The recent shake-up was also felt in the bullpen, an area where the Cubs have to be aggressive until something else clicks. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down what all these decisions mean, and how this proactive approach also applies to the trade deadline and beyond.Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at trueclassic.com/FOUL! #trueclassicpod Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

After exchanging extension proposals around the start of the season, Cubs officials and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s camp decided to hold off and focus on the season. What went into that decision? Who are the comps for Crow-Armstrong? And how did each side feel the process was handled? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer those questions and discuss another bullpen meltdown in the latest episode, using information gathered during the team's West Coast trip.Get 20% off your first Slab Pack or card purchase by going to ArenaClub.com/FOUL and use code FOUL. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

The bad news coming out of Dodger Stadium overshadowed the Cubs winning two of three games against the defending World Series champs. All-Star pitcher Justin Steele is scheduled to undergo major surgery. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have the latest information from the team’s current West Coast trip, including insights into Steele’s situation and how the rotation plans are taking shape.Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code FOUL. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

With the Cubs on the West Coast, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer questions from fans about what’s next. The Athletic writers have the latest from Dodger Stadium on Justin Steele and how his injury could force the team to scramble. Will Jed Hoyer’s front office be more aggressive ahead of the trade deadline? Are there any standouts at Triple-A Iowa? And what is the buzz around Cade Horton? Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

A good start has been interrupted by the injury news regarding an All-Star pitcher. Still, the Cubs are in decent shape after the season’s first homestand at Wrigley Field. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic give you their latest information, more insight on Matt Shaw and a robust offense, and a preview of what could be a brutal West Coast trip. Go to harrys.com/FOUL for a $3 Trial Set. Get an edge on your shave with Harry’s.Go to Hungryroot.com/FT and use code FT to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

The impact of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 14-year, $500 million megadeal will be felt in Chicago as Kyle Tucker has already started to put together a potential monster season. The Blue Jays finally locking up a star with a contract extension will put more pressure on the Cubs. After the club enjoyed a very good opening weekend at Wrigley Field, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney sit down to discuss Tucker’s future, the bullpen situation and more early takeaways from the North Side.Schedule your PXG golf club fitting today at PXG.com/foul to save up to 20% on your entire order. Restrictions apply, see site for details. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

Shota Imanaga again pitched like an ace in the franchise’s 150th home opener. Kyle Tucker continues to show why he might be the sport’s No. 1 free agent next winter. The closer situation is becoming a thing. Ten games into the season, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic discuss the team’s emerging identity as well as the sights and sounds in Wrigleyville. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!

The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney dig into the franchise’s situation, which has impacted the rebuild the Cubs once refused to call a rebuild. Why does the franchise with the third-highest revenue in Major League Baseball spend like an ordinary team? How did so many National League teams surpass the Cubs in this area? With the gates reopening for another season at Wrigley Field, a look at how they got here.Visit Homage.com/FoulTerritory and use code FoulTerritory for 20% off for all first time Homage shoppers. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!