Ep. 180: What does Manny Machado to the Padres mean for the Cubs?

Luke, Kap and Chris Kamka react to the Manny Machado deal and the impact it has on the National League and the Cubs. Javy Baez talks about hustling and being accountable, and possible contract extension numbers for Baez and Kris Bryant are discussed.

00:00 - Welcome - Manny Machado signing and what it means for the National League. How many legitimate contenders are there in the N.L. with Bryce Harper likely to sign with a N.L. team as well?

2:20 - Are we really surprised Machado got his $300 million dollars? What we have learned from the Machado saga? Family did not matter. Location did not matter. Position did not matter. It was all about the money.

5:08 - What does this deal do to the "collusion" argument? Brad Brach's quotes about getting the same exact contract offer from multiple teams is discussed.

7:00 - Where does the Cubs / White Sox rivalry stand now that the Sox did not sign Machado?

7:54 - Javy Baez talks about being held accountable and how last season the team lacked that type of leadership and accountability at times.

9:45 - Chris Kamka delivers some clutch Cubs "hustle" stats.

11:20 - Kap says he talked to Jon Lester in Arizona, and that Lester knows the Cubs front office wants him to be more of a vocal leader in 2019. But Lester knows there are inherent difficulties for pitchers to try to motivate every-day players.

12:17 - MLB Network's list of the top shortstops in baseball is out. Where does Baez come in on that list?

13:15 - Machado gets $300 million - so what does that mean for guys like Kris Bryant and Javy Baez?

18:44 - Kap talks about the feeling among the players at Cubs camp. He says players are pissed off about the early exit and that some of the experts are picking them to lose more games than they win in 2019.

20:00 - When the Crosstown series rolls around, what are some realistic expectations for a pair of former Cubs prospects: Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease?