Brett, Sahadev and Patrick react to the Cubs shocking move to hire Craig Counsell and let David Ross go. Was it the right move? Does it change expectations for 2024? Plus, Craig Breslow is heading to Boston to run the Red Sox baseball operations. What does that mean for Cubs player development and the future of Jed Hoyer's front office? Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jed Hoyer held his end of season media session this week. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick share their thoughts on the hour-long chat. What are the chances that the team really tries to bring back Cody Bellinger? Will David Ross enter 2024 on the hot seat? What will be the club's overall plan to get better for next season. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After series split in Cincinnati, Justin Steele gets the Cubs back on track, shutting down the Giants. The guys talk about Steele's emergence and also get into some September roster management questions facing David Ross and company. Where is Alexander Canario? Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know in Gladiator when Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus holds his thumb to the side before indicating thumbs up or thumbs down? We're kinda stuck at that spot on a lot of Cubs position players at the moment. Brett and Sahadev explain on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

But seriously, folks, wasn't it nice to see a hitter who likely isn't a superstar but could still be a long-term contributor for the Cubs come up and contribute immediately? The team will need more of that if they're going to stay away from another bridge year in 2023. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick get into all that on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're about six weeks into the 2022 MLB season, and Willson Contreras is far and away the most productive catcher in the league. Will the Cubs extend him? Will he get traded? And what does the front office's decision-making regarding its star catcher tell us about the team now and in the immediate future? The guys break it down on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trio leaps into the show by discussing the discourse surrounding the deadened balls. Are random Twitter stats more anecdotal and don't paint a full picture? Chicago has experienced its fair share of bumps and bruises this season, both figurative and literally. Could the Cubs tap prospects for their Majors' debut to fill the shoes of those injured, and is there harm in doing so? Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s officially sinking in, 2022 is going to be a long season on the North Side. Brett, Sahadev & Patrick dig into the Cubs’ weekend dismantling courtesy of the Dodgers, how the organization’s missteps have led to their current state, the importance of turning money into wins by 2023, and more.  Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After dropping two games to the Sox to start the week, the Cubs will have to wait until at least 2023 to get their hands on the Crosstown Cup. If you can recover from that, Cubs fans, you should listen to the latest episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April was a month of learning about the Cubs, potentially with a heaping side of confirmation that does not bode well for the team's competitiveness the rest of the way. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick dig into that on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs' bullpen is really good again. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick give everyone involved a whole bunch of kudos on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When, if ever, will the Cubs move on from Jason Heyward this season? It's a question the team may have to answer very soon, as the guys detail on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marcus Stroman and Patrick Wisdom are teaching us once again about the danger of reading too much into early season results. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick discuss that, as well as junk in Keegan Thompson's trunk, on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs took two of three from the Brewers to close the gap in the NL Central. The guys talk about that and the importance of Kyle Hendricks on this year's roster. They also have a positive update on Marcus Stroman's mysterious injury and more. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So is the Cubs offense legitimately good? It certainly has been over the first nine games of the season. That's the jumping-off point for the discussion on this episode of Onto Waveland. The guys also get into what they'll be watching when the Cubs take on the Rays and Pirates this week, moves in the organization, and old NBA posters. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett, Sahadev and Patrick discuss a disappointing couple of days in Pittsburgh and the weekend ahead in Colorado on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs opened the season by taking two of three from the Brewers, handling themselves quite well against Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick discuss Kyle Hendricks' Opening Day start, initial impressions of Seiya Suzuki, and more on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, Opening Day is here! What does success look like for the 2022 Cubs? What are we excited to watch this year? Brett, Sahadev and Patrick preview the season on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willson Contreras is the longest-tenured player in the Cubs organization. Will that tenure extend beyond the 2022 season? Brett Taylor and Patrick Mooney dig into that on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs have been quite active since the end of the lockout, winning the Seiya Suzuki sweepstakes, signing nearly 10 pitchers, and adding a couple of infielders in Andrelton Simmons and Jonathan Villar. Taken together, those moves give us a great indication of not only the Cubs' plans for 2022, but also for the next few seasons to come. Brett Taylor, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break it all down on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lockout continues but the owners and players actually spoke! Brett, Sahadev and Patrick discuss that along with the The Athletic's Cubs reader poll results and some prospect talk. The content you need to get through another locked out week of winter.   Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We can say this for the Cubs thus far this offseason: They pretty much made the most of the time afforded them before the lockout. Marcus Stroman grabbed the headlines, with good reason, but the Cubs made strong supporting moves by bringing in Wade Miley. Yan Gomes and Clint Frazier, as well. On this episode of Onto Waveland, the guys discuss the Stroman and Gomes moves, and what they could signal for the Cubs the rest of the offseason. You know, once the owners see fit to end the lockout and all that. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sahadev and Patrick are fresh back from California, where last week's MLB GM meetings took place. They're joined by Brett for a new episode of Onto Waveland, where the guys check in on, you guessed it, the GM meetings. What did Sahadev and Patrick learn and observe while they were out there, and where do the Cubs likely go at this point in the offseason? In addition to the micro plans for the Cubs, the guys take a macro look at the sport, with the December 1 expiration of the collective bargaining agreement looming over everything. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs have made plenty of front office news this offseason, and most of it has focused, understandably, on new GM Carter Hawkins. One long-time front office members left the team, however, while another transitioned into an advisory role. Their absence will be felt across the organization. On this episode of Onto Waveland, Brett, Sahadev and Patrick discuss the legacies of Randy Bush and Jason McLeod. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs hold the National League's 2nd Wild Card spot, but with the Brewers visiting Wrigley this week there's an opportunity to make a run a the Central crown. Milwaukee comes to town as the hottest team in baseball riding an eight-game win streak. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Cubs GM Carter Hawkins had his introductory press conference with Chicago media on Monday. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick get into the weeds of the presser on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs season may be over, but there's still plenty for Brett, Sahadev and Patrick to get into on Onto Waveland. On this episode, the guys discuss the ridiculousness of legislating fandom, the drama in the White Sox-Astros series brought on by former Cub Ryan Tepera, and the Rays falling short after a 100-win season. Then, they dive into Sahadev's and Patrick's Athletic subscriber chat from earlier this week, focusing on the fanbase's ongoing obsession with Nick Castellanos. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jed Hoyer spoke with Chicago media on Thursday, wrapping up the 2020 season and looking to the future. The latter is a whole lot more interesting, as the Cubs prepare for what has to be an active offseason considering all the holes on the roster heading into 2021. Brett and Patrick discuss Hoyer's comments and what they signal for the next few months on this episode of Onto Waveland. The Cubs almost certainly won't be players for the Carlos Correa level of free agents, but could they be dipping into the next tier? Or did Hoyer's comments likely preclude that, as well? And if they did, what does that mean for this team over the next couple seasons? Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If someone told Cubs fans before the 2021 season that they'd end the year at 71-91, many, if not most, would have said, "Yeah, I could see that." The way the Cubs got to 71-91, however, was more than a little surprising. They were in first place in the middle of June! They traded three of the most beloved players in franchise history in a 12-hour span! They used an MLB record 69 players! It was not your typical ride to 20 games under .500, even if the ending point made sense. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick look back on the season that was on this episode of Onto Waveland. They also discuss the MLB postseason, making some predictions for what will happen over the next month. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett and Sahadev discuss how the current pieces will fit on the 2022 roster with an active offseason of changes on tap. With an ‘active’ and ‘smart’ approach in free agency, who actually lands with the Cubs this winter? How will the Cubs prioritize position players during the offseason given the holdovers on the roster? How does Nico Hoerner fit into the plans in 2022 and beyond? Brett and Sahadev discuss that, and a lot more, on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs end the season with six of their final nine games coming against the Cardinals. At one point this year, it looked like these games could matter to the Cubs. At another, it looked like they wouldn't mean anything to either team. And now, it's looking like they'll serve as a playoff tuneup for the Cardinals. Does that spark any reflections for the Cubs? Such as...what if they signed Jon Lester instead of Jake Arrieta this offseason? Brett, Sahadev and Patrick discuss that, and a lot more, on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lost in the shuffle of this off-the-cliff season for this era of Cubs baseball has been what will go down as the worst year of Kyle Hendricks' career. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick dig into that on this episode of Onto Waveland. The guys also discuss Rowan Wick's role for the future, and Brett forces everyone to remember a two-year anniversary no one was particularly interested in reliving. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you believe that the Phillies haven't had a winning record in a decade? Even with all the talent they've had in that window, they haven't been above .500 since winning 102 games in 2011. In an alternate universe, the Cubs could be this year where the Phillies are, hanging around the fringes of the playoff race with a talented, but seemingly underperforming, core. Would that be satisfying? Brett, Sahadev and Patrick discuss on this episode of Onto Waveland. The guys also dig into the uniqueness of Frank Schwindel's breakout. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Giants became the first team to clinch a postseason berth just days after sweeping the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Kris Bryant's return to the only MLB stadium he knew as home until a couple months ago. The timing was poignant because it highlighted a question that might influence the Cubs' offseason: Could the 2022 Cubs make like the 2021 Giants? Brett and Patrick get into that, as well as the idea that the business side of the organization needs the team to be a contender next year, on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A pre-show hot mic caught Sahadev Sharma professing his love for former MVP candidate Ian Happ. With Onto Waveland rocked by scandal, how will Sahadev, Brett Taylor and Patrick Mooney respond? Hey, who says a losing season can't be fun?!? The guys do indeed discuss Happ's recent hot streak, Jason Heyward's role in 2022, and more on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett, Patrick and Sahadev discuss another series victory that could have been a sweep. They also push back on the criticism that David Ross is getting from the Cubs fanbase arguing that he's doing his best to keep a taxed bullpen fresh for the home stretch of the season. That leads to an overall discussion on the club's pitching fatigue. They wrap things up by talking about Shohei Ohtani's UCL injury and what it means for his upcoming free agency and how it relates to the Cubs chances of a one-year deal. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Frank Schwindel the best player in the majors this year? If you embrace some incredibly arbitrary endpoints, you can make a deeply flawed case that he is! In all seriousness, Schwindel has been a major bright spot in what has been a fun run of baseball for the Cubs after the gloom and doom of one month ago. On this episode of Onto Waveland, Brett, Sahadev and Patrick find the joys of a winning streak in an uncompetitive season, highlighted by Schwindel's heroics over the last week and change. They also answer a couple of reader emails. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So, hey, Justin Steele and Adbert Alzolay did a neat little 1-2 dance against the Twins on Wednesday. Did we see the blueprint for what both of them can be going forward? Brett, Sahadev and Patrick discuss on this episode of Onto Waveland. The guys also take a look at first base for the Cubs in 2022. Is Rookie of the Month Frank Schwindel going to get the chance to be the primary guy over there, assuming Patrick Wisdom is holding down third base? It seems possible, at least right now. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Javy Báez ruffled some feathers in New York after he explained the menaning of the Mets new thumbs down celebration. That aside, it's hard to see him remaining with the Mets next season. So could he find his way back to the Cubs? It certainly seems possible. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick discuss the thumbs down nonsense, a possible reunion between Javy and the Cubs, and the pros and cons of a Báez/Patrick Wisdom left side of the infield on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the Cubs on-field storylines actually worth following the rest of this season is the performance of the outfielders. In theory, there may not be a 2022 full-timer on the roster. Can Ian Happ salvage his future with the team? Can anyone with a newfound presence after the trade deadline assert himself and take advantage of the playing time he's being afforded? Brett, Sahadev and Patrick break that down on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This offseason could feature the greatest class of free agent shortstops ever...but the Cubs already have Nico Hoerner and Nick Madrigal. So what, right? Right. On this episode of Onto Waveland, Brett, Sahadev and Patrick discuss why the Cubs absolutely should be players in the middle infield this offseason, no matter who's already on the roster. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Taylor and Patrick Mooney start the show by wishing Jake Arrieta well in his new home in San Diego. Then they dig into the future of the club. The model that led to the 2016 World Series Championship is not going to work this time around. How can the Cubs front office put together a competitive team fast after July's fire sale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you renovate your business's century-old place of work, reaping untold financial rewards for yourself in the process, there's really only one thing you can do: build a plaque patting yourself on the back. That's exactly what the Ricketts family will do this week, an exercise in self-congratulation that is equal parts tone deaf and off-putting. Oh, and hey, the Cubs are on a 12-game losing streak. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick dive into the absurdity of it all on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs' post-deadline identity was laid bare in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Brewers, during which they were outscored 37-9. While the poor performance is to be expected given where the roster stands, it should not be accepted as a long-term reality. On this episode of Onto Waveland, Sahadev and Patrick detail how and why this offseason should—and must—be different than the last one during which the franchise was in a similar position. They also discuss the end of Jake Arrieta's Cubs tenure. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the histories of the post-deadline 2021 Cubs are written, they will not focus on the core-dismantling trades, or wallow in what-could-have-been longints, or traffic in Frank Schwindel jokes (don't hold us to that last one). They will, instead, highlight that August 2021 is when the Cubs became Willson Contreras' team. And if that's the case, then it's reasonable to expect him to get an extension sooner rather than later. Brett and Patrick discuss Contreras' newfound outsize role on this episode of Onto Waveland, and the idea of Miguel Amaya being his backup in 2022. They also get into the White Sox series from last weekend and the potential monetary effects the new CBA could have on the Cubs' spending. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After shipping out the heart and soul of the team that broke the Cubs 108-year World Series drought, the team's front office has presented one clear message: This is not a full rebuild. So if that's the case, the Cubs are going to have to spend some money this winter, right? Brett, Sahadev and Patrick dig into that on this episode of Onto Waveland. They also discuss the freedom that Jed Hoyer should enjoy in free agency with a roster that's more flexible than it has been in almost a decade. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs prepare for life without Marcus Stroman. Brett, Sahadev and Patrick weigh in on the situation and try to fill in the gaps of what happened. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Rizzo is a Yankee. Javier Báez is a Met. Kris Bryant is a Giant. A new era of Cubs baseball has officially begun. On this episode of Onto Waveland, Brett and Patrick reflect on a trade deadline that set a new course forward for the franchise. They consider how the team arrived at this point, the trade returns for each of their former stars, and how the MLB-ready pieces, such as Nick Madrigal, will fit in 2022 and beyond. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seeing the breakup of the core of players responsible for the best ever era in Cubs baseball isn't a surprise, given where the franchise stands at the 2021 trade deadline. Watching Anthony Rizzo to be the first to go, however, came as a shock to many, if not most, and drove home just how much change could be on the horizon. Rizzo, the face of the turnaround that eventually broke the most famed championship drought in sports, was sacrosanct to many Cubs fans. Now, he's a Yankee, and it's certain that more players fans have come to love over the last decade or so will follow him out the door. Brett and Sahadev discuss that reality, the Rizzo trade, what comes next, and what Cubs fans can look forward to over the next few months on this episode of Onto Waveland. Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thrilling end to the Cubs win over the Reds last night. The fun rivalry between the Cubs and the Reds. Entertaining action between Javier Baez and Amir Garrett. Is it time for the Cubs to move on from certain players on the roster?  Brett, Sahadev and Patrick also discuss the trade deadline. How it was logistically necessary for the Cubs to move Andrew Chaffin. The Cubs offense in need of a shake up. And the Cubs maximizing their pitching talent.  Follow Brett on Twitter: @BleacherNation Follow Sahadev on Twitter: @sahadevsharma Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJ_Mooney Email us: wavelandathletic@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices