Best of the Cubs: Pitching reinforcements arrive at trade deadline
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
When we get that chance now to talk to Craig Council right here on The Score with Spiegel and Holmes. Craig, what's up, man? How are you? Hey, guys. How are you? We're great. We're excited about the possibilities for this roster and this team from here on out. I imagine you are looking forward to working on some stuff in terms of the new guys and their roles. Maybe that's what you were doing just now in team meetings. You got a lot on your plate in a different way all of a sudden.
Yeah, no, we got, you know, we should have some guys showing up today at some point for the first time. And so that's great. And yeah, we got we're going to obviously rearrange some things with the with the rotation. We'll figure that out and then just get to know a bunch of guys that are going to be, you know, hopefully big contributors moving forward here.
What are you looking forward to figuring out in terms of some of those new pitchers? Because a guy like Clay Holmes has done a lot of different roles. You know, you've got a lot of guys who can do a lot of different things. So what are you looking forward to figuring out with these guys?
Well, I mean, Clay's going to start, you know, and obviously Kevin Gosman's going to start. So I think maybe how it affects other people is probably the bigger thing to focus on right now. And that's what we're going to have to do. But I think the reasoning behind this and the purpose behind this is to be very covered as we move forward because we know the likelihood is that things happen in the last 55 games here.
I'm fascinated by this from a logistical standpoint, Craig. Can you walk us through some of the rules and how big of a deal this is organizationally? Because you do have guys coming in from different cities that you're trying to figure out who are the guys that you have available from night to night. What are the challenges here from an organizational standpoint in the immediacy of the trade deadline?
Yeah, it's like when you trade for somebody, you have to immediately put them on the 40-man roster, but obviously they have time to report. Generally, I think you have contractually 72 hours, but your life changed. You get traded, your life changes, so you give the guy some time to... Just life changes, you know, pack up, bring their family with them, things like that. So my understanding is that most, actually, Clay Holmes is already here. Tyrone Taylor's here today. He's playing today.
How did Craig Counsell describe integrating new pitchers Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes into the Cubs' rotation?
He'll be in the lineup. I think Kevin's on his way here. And so we got a bunch of guys showing up for the first time. And then, you know, when they report, then you have to activate them.
So Tyrone Taylor, who you've got experiences with, good times with Tyrone? Is your personal experience, you know, does that help you with the comfort level with bringing a player back like that?
Yeah, I mean, Tyrone's really, you know, just, I think, kind of a... that adds a lot to what this team needs. I mean, he's a right-handed bat. He's a very good athlete, can play center field, plays outfield at a high level, good base runner. So you can use him in those situations. So he just, I think he fits a lot from things that this team can use as finishing pieces, and I think Tyrone covers a lot of those things. Obviously, I have a lot of experience with him. Trust him. He can hit a home run against a left-handed pitcher. He's been really hot lately. Hopefully that carries over here to Chicago, but he's been on a good run here.
Yeah, you mentioned last night with a smile that it might be a Pete night off if you could convince him. Is that what it is?
No, no, no. Tyrone's playing left field tonight.
Got it. And is that a bigger conversation you've had to have with Ian, or is it just sort of a moment where Ian gets a little of a break in that way?
Well, yeah. I mean, Ian struggled against left-handed pitching. So, you know, I think with the addition of Tyrone, there's going to be some spots where, yeah, Ian is not going to play maybe the first half of a game. Yeah. And I think right now we've got to get Ian going against left-handed pitching.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–2:42
2
How did Craig Counsell describe integrating new pitchers Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes into the Cubs' rotation?
2:42–9:11
3
What logistical challenges did Counsell explain about activating trade deadline additions?
9:11–14:33
4
How will Tyrone Taylor’s arrival affect lineup decisions and Ian Happ’s playing time?
14:33–21:21
5
Why did the front office decide to be aggressive at the trade deadline according to Counsell?
21:21–50:44
Speakers
10 identifiedMore from Rahimi & Grote Show
Full Show — September 14, 2026
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Anthony Herron shares observations from Bears' win over Panthers (Hour 2)
5 On It & reviewing the Bears' stressful moments from Sunday (Hour 3)
Dan Wiederer: Bears' floor has been elevated — and we can't even see the ceiling (Hour 4)
Transition with Spiegel & Holmes