The Setup Man: Chicago Cubs Podcast

Foul Territory (a popular MLB podcast) put Tom Ricketts and Jed Hoyer on blast for bowing out of the Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes sweepstakes in the first week of free agency. And I was happy to hear it!

Check out this video for a deeper perspective and insight you may not know.

Foul Territory's Entire Video:   

 • Giants reduce spending, Cubs out on J...  

Watch - Cubs compared to Dodgers:   

 • How far is the Cubs Organization from...  

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After another disappointing 83-win season, the Cubs feel like they are in a hopeless battle to improve an impacted lineup in order to truly compete for a playoff spot.

But are they really that far away from being a playoff team and potentially a World Series contender? I compared some key stats from the Cubs to the 2024 Champion Dodgers to try and answer these questions.

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Go to www.setupman.net and subscribe to our mailing list to become a part of Setup Man Nation and so you never miss a show! We also do free giveaways for those who are on our list!

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Would you do this trade? Watch as I:

-Evaluate a proposed trade

-Laugh at a goofy trade

-Make a trade proposal to the Yankees

Help me make next week's proposed trade. Email me: [email protected]

Here's another Cubs mock trade:   

 • Trade Proposal: Nico Hoerner to Angel...  

Get a 15% discount to Obvious Shirts. Go to obviousshirts.com and use code "setupman15"

Go to www.setupman.net and subscribe to our mailing list to become a part of Setup Man Nation and so you never miss a show! We also do free giveaways for those who are on our list!

Check us out on social media:

Instagram: https://bit.ly/setupmaninsta

Twitter: https://bit.ly/setupmantwitter

Porter Hodge was not expected to contribute to the Cubs bullpen in any significant way in the 2024 season. But the Rookie went on to have a 1.88 ERA and was the lockdown closer by the end of the season. He joins me to discuss how he was able to do that.

Watch my interview with Cubs Assistant Pitching Coach Daniel Moskos:   

 • Cubs Pitching Coaches do THIS Better ...  

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Go to www.setupman.net and subscribe to our mailing list to become a part of Setup Man Nation and so you never miss a show! We also do free giveaways for those who are on our list!

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Content in this Video:

0:00 - Intro

1:55 - Porter's Hobbies

5:31 - Growing up in Utah

7:55 - Draft vs. College

10:49 - Smokies Championship

11:33 - All-Star AA Roster

13:20 - MLB Debut v. Braves

17:05 - Leaning on Veterans

18:50 - Nate Pearson

19:40 - What Clicked?

22:40 - Demotion to Minors

24:04 - Closer Role

26:35 - Miguel Amaya

27:54 - Panic Attack?

29:35 - 2025 Goals

32:15 - Wrigley Pitcher's Park?

34:40 - Splitter Usage

36:25 - 27th Out - Rapid Fire

Cody Bellinger's surprise opt-in decision leaves the Cubs with some handcuffs (both in payroll and roster flexibility). What does the payroll now look like and where can Jed make some moves?

Watch - Top Free Agents Available: https://youtu.be/Wxyu-TmDJoI

Get a 15% discount to Obvious Shirts. Go to obviousshirts.com and use code "setupman15"

Go to www.setupman.net and subscribe to our mailing list to become a part of Setup Man Nation and so you never miss a show! We also do free giveaways for those who are on our list!

Check us out on social media:

Instagram: https://bit.ly/setupmaninsta

Twitter: https://bit.ly/setupmantwitter

Would you do this trade? Nico to the Angels for Logan O'Hoppe... What trades do you want to see the Cubs explore this offseason?

Get a 15% discount to Obvious Shirts. Go to obviousshirts.com and use code "setupman15"

Go to www.setupman.net and subscribe to our mailing list to become a part of Setup Man Nation and so you never miss a show! We also do free giveaways for those who are on our list!

Check us out on social media:

Instagram: https://bit.ly/setupmaninsta

Twitter: https://bit.ly/setupmantwitter

Daniel Moskos and Tommy Hottovy are 2 of the best at developing pitchers internally. Despite a season filled with difficulties and injuries, the Cubs were still able to lean on unexpected heroes on the staff.

In the bullpen, it was: Porter Hodge, Tyson Miller, Jorge Lopez, and Nate Pearson. In the starting staff, fairly unexpected superb seasons from Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon kept this team in the playoff conversation.

I sat down with Daniel Moskos to discuss how the Cubs are so good at developing pitchers internally.

Get a 15% discount to Obvious Shirts. Go to obviousshirts.com and use code "setupman15"

Go to www.setupman.net and subscribe to our mailing list to become a part of Setup Man Nation and so you never miss a show! We also do free giveaways for those who are on our list!

Check us out on social media:

Instagram: https://bit.ly/setupmaninsta

Twitter: https://bit.ly/setupmantwitter

Content in this Video:

0:00 - Intro

0:31 - Ejection Explanation

2:35 - Wesneski Funny Story

5:17 - Moskos vs. Hottovy Roles

9:07 - Pitcher Recruiting Process

12:43 - Shota Imanaga Changes

15:55 - Improving Struggling Arms

23:53 - Kyle Hendricks Stories

30:47 - Corbin Burnes

Much of the Cubs' offseason goals will lean on the fate of Cody Bellinger. Will he opt in to play in Chicago in 2025, or opt out? And what should Cubs fans be rooting for him to decide?

Get a 15% discount to Obvious Shirts. Go to obviousshirts.com and use code "setupman15"

Go to www.setupman.net and subscribe to our mailing list to become a part of Setup Man Nation and so you never miss a show! We also do free giveaways for those who are on our list!

Check us out on social media:

Instagram: https://bit.ly/setupmaninsta

Twitter: https://bit.ly/setupmantwitter

There are so many former Cubs to root for in the Yankees lineup, but, it's still the Yankees! But can you really root for the Dodgers?

Get a 15% discount to Obvious Shirts. Go to obviousshirts.com and use code "setupman15"

Go to www.setupman.net and subscribe to our mailing list to become a part of Setup Man Nation and so you never miss a show! We also do free giveaways for those who are on our list!

Check us out on social media:

Instagram: https://bit.ly/setupmaninsta

Twitter: https://bit.ly/setupmantwitter

How far away are the Cubs from playoff contention for 2025? There are lots of questions on this team. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Patrick Mooney's Full Article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5857...

Get a 15% discount to Obvious Shirts. Go to obviousshirts.com and use code "setupman15"

Go to www.setupman.net and subscribe to our mailing list to become a part of Setup Man Nation and so you never miss a show! We also do free giveaways for those who are on our list!

Check us out on social media:

Instagram: https://bit.ly/setupmaninsta

Twitter: https://bit.ly/setupmantwitter

Content:

0:00 - Dodgers Mets Gm 6

2:35 - New Podcast Idea

5:20 - Cubs Compared to Dodgers

8:03 - Patrick Mooney's Article

13:07 - Cubs Needs

16:55 - Final 4 Teams' Starpower

19:58 - Cubs 2025 Questions

22:40 - 3 Key Needs