Off The Ivy: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

The Milwaukee Brewers are champions after taking down the Tampa Bay Rays in five games. While Milwaukee celebrates a championship, the Chicago Cubs are left watching their division rivals reach the top of baseball. The gap between these two organizations feels bigger than ever, and it's time to ask some serious questions about the direction of the Cubs.TIMESTAMPS0:00 Brewers win World Series21:37 The difference between Pat Murphy and Craig Counsell27:50 Seiya Suzuki qualifying offer, Sonny Gray, Cubs catchers36:48 Cubs offseason ahead and the risk factorThe Cubs haven't finished ahead of the Brewers in the NL Central since the 2017 season ended. That's years of Milwaukee consistently finding ways to develop talent, build a winning culture, and compete at a high level while Chicago continues searching for answers.Craig Counsell came to Chicago with a reputation as one of baseball's best managers after years of success in Milwaukee. But so far, he hasn't produced the same results with the Cubs that Pat Murphy has delivered with the Brewers. How much of that comes down to managerial decisions, and how much falls on the front office, roster construction, player development, and ownership?In this episode, we're breaking down what separates these two organizations and what it will take for the Cubs to close the gap and other Cubs news and notes.312 SPORTS PRO SHOP: https://bit.ly/4e7bqyvGo to https://312sports.com/Kern today to nominate a deserving veteran, active-duty military member, or surviving military spouse in Lake County, IL to win a BRAND-NEW FURNACEMake sure to subscribe to...✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀✅ Jason Goff UnscriptedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With a much-anticipated MLB lockout looming, how will Jed Hoyer approach the offseason, and will the Cubs look to make their biggest moves before a potential work stoppage?TIMESTAMPS0:00 Brewers one win away from first World Series18:50 Jed Hoyer's offseason approach33:50 Tommy Hottovy and John Mallee return to coaching staff47:20 John Schriffen officially out as White sox broadcasterThe Cubs have navigated this situation before. In 2021, Chicago signed Marcus Stroman before the lockout began, then made a major splash by signing Seiya Suzuki in the spring after the lockout ended. Could we see a similar strategy this time around? Will Hoyer be aggressive early, or will Cubs fans have to wait for the market to reopen?We also discuss the Cubs' decision to retain Tommy Hottovy and John Mallee on the coaching staff and what that means.And with the World Series near it's end, we have to ask: How must Craig Counsell be feeling watching the Brewers compete for the championship? What can the Cubs learn from watching baseball's biggest stage, and how close are they to building a team capable of getting there themselves?312 SPORTS PRO SHOP: https://bit.ly/4e7bqyvGo to https://312sports.com/Kern today to nominate a deserving veteran, active-duty military member, or surviving military spouse in Lake County, IL to win a BRAND-NEW FURNACEMake sure to subscribe to...✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀✅ Jason Goff UnscriptedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Chicago Cubs’ reported pursuit of left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers was real and we’re breaking down the fallout from the deal that reportedly never happened after new information has emerged online. We dive into why the trade reportedly fell apart, with pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins’ medicals emerging as the main reason the deal didn’t get across the finish line.0:00 World Series Preview7:28 Why the Reid Detmers trade to the Cubs didn't happen18:50 Breakdown of Michael Busch's struggles in 202633:24 Why Cubs should sign Japanese pitcher Kaima TairaWe’re also taking a closer look at Michael Busch’s disappointing 2026 season. After high expectations, what went wrong for the Cubs first baseman? We break down the potential reasons behind his struggles and discuss what Busch needs to improve heading into 2027 to bounce back and become a more consistent force in Chicago’s lineup.Finally, we discuss why the Cubs should be in on Japanese pitcher Kaima Taira. Could he be an intriguing option to strengthen the pitching staff? We explore why Chicago should consider pursuing him and what adding another arm could mean for the Cubs’ rotation and overall pitching depth.312 SPORTS PRO SHOP: https://bit.ly/4e7bqyvMake sure to subscribe to...✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀✅ Jason Goff UnscriptedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The World Series matchup is officially set, and it’s a perfect opportunity to examine what the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers have done to build successful organizations without relying on the biggest payrolls in baseball. We break down why this series matters beyond the championship, focusing on how both teams excel at scouting, developing talent, and building sustainable contenders. What can the Chicago Cubs take from the way these organizations operate?TIMESTAMPS0:00 Brewers and Rays advance to World Series5:00 MLB's latest CBA proposal16:09 Freddy Peralta's impressive stint with Rays continues21:14 Cubs poach Steve Miller from Rays to lead International Scouting Dept25:21 Teruaki Sato could be an option for Cubs31:10 Dansby Swanson's contract value Speaking of the Rays, we also discuss the Cubs hiring Steve Miller to oversee the International Scouting Department with hopes to improve their international free agency (IFA) efforts and why this is such an important move for the organization’s future. With international scouting and player development playing a massive role in building a championship-caliber roster, can the Cubs improve their ability to identify and sign the next generation of impact talent?Plus, we look at two potential Japanese players the Cubs could target and discuss how they might fit into the organization’s plans this offseason.Later in the show, we revisit the 2022 offseason and evaluate the value Dansby Swanson has brought to the Cubs compared to Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, and Carlos Correa. All four were available as free agents that winter, but how does Swanson’s production, defense, and overall impact stack up against the other star shortstops? Did the Cubs make the right decision?312 SPORTS PRO SHOP: https://bit.ly/4e7bqyvMake sure to subscribe to...✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀✅ Jason Goff UnscriptedAll links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Chicago Cubs have some important questions to answer this offseason, and one of the biggest is how to get this roster younger, more athletic, and better positioned for the future. We break down the Cubs' roster construction and take a closer look at where the players who contributed this season came from.0:00 Brewers go up 3-0 on the Dodgers in NLCS15:03 Cubs roster breakdown in how players were acquired30:31 Cubs catchers and how they implement Owen Ayers in 202738:26 Freddy Peralta's free agency & the salary cap MLB desperately wantsHow many players were drafted and developed by the Cubs organization? How many were acquired through free agency? And how many came to Chicago through international free agency or trades? We examine the breakdown and what it reveals about the Cubs' ability to develop talent, build from within, and supplement the roster with outside acquisitions. What needs to change for the Cubs to build a younger, more sustainable contender?Later in the podcast, we dive into the latest article from ESPN's Jeff Passan about MLB owners' unwavering push for a salary cap, regardless of who wins the World Series. With small-market teams making noise in October, why are owners still determined to implement a cap-and-floor system? We discuss what this fight means for the future of baseball, the players, and the possibility of a labor stoppage.Plus, what should Cubs fans expect from the front office this offseason? Join the conversation as we examine the Cubs' future and the growing battle over the economics of Major League Baseball.312 SPORTS PRO SHOP: https://bit.ly/4e7bqyvMake sure to subscribe to...✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀✅ Jason Goff UnscriptedAll links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.