Article: PODCAST: This is Not a Rebuild, Feb. 6, 2024: The Worm Has Turned in Barbecue Town

[Matthew Trueblood]

As projection systems begin trying to predict the season ahead, the Cubs absiolutely refuse to endear themselves to any of them. We kvetch about that at some length.

Image courtesy of Matt Trueblood via Spotify for Podcasters

In their comfy, customary Monday night recording, Matt Trueblood, DJ Fochs, Tom Nurse, and Todd Trueblood get together for the latest episode of This is Not a Rebuild. We digest and process the news of Bobby Witt Jr. signing an 11-year deal with the Royals, break down the impact on the NL Central of Corbin Burnes being traded from the Brewers to the Orioles, and loudly tap our feet. We're all waiting, Jed. Do something. Dooo something.

In the absence of further moves, though, the gang does also try to parse the new projections up at Baseball Prospectus and elsewhere, which don't look kindly on the Cubs. They distinguish between such projection systems and the betting markets, which label the Cubs as favorites to win the NL Central in the probabilistic expectation that they'll sign one or more of the top remaining free agents.

After closing out Cubs talk with some spitballing about the potential forms improving the roster from here might take, the pod closes with a bit or errata (not erotica; we deeply regret the error) and some local basketball talk. Which locality? You'll have to listen to find out!

Here's the full audio of the pod, via Spotify:

And here it is on Apple Podcasts:

Cody Bellinger can't stay a free agent forever... can he? You'll hear our answer to that within, too. Enjoy.

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