5 On It & Meghan Montemurro talks Cade Horton's season-ending injury (Hour 3)
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The third hour of the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show dives into the fallout from Cade Horton's season-ending elbow injury, with Cubs beat writer Megan Montemuro joining the conversation to assess the impact on the team's outlook. Hosts discuss how Horton’s absence affects the Cubs' playoff aspirations, emphasizing that while the regular season may remain competitive due to strong offensive metrics and depth in pitching, the loss of a top-tier starter like Horton is a significant blow for October baseball. They also examine the broader implications of roster management, including the Cubs' evolving lineup strategies, bullpen volatility, and the importance of player development during rebuilding phases. The discussion transitions to the Bulls' front office dynamics, where Michael Reinsdorf’s candid press conference sparks debate over the team’s long-term strategy—particularly whether they are truly committed to a 'process' approach involving draft capital accumulation, even if it means short-term losing. The hosts critique the disconnect between ownership rhetoric and on-court performance, questioning whether current leadership, including Billy Donovan, is aligned with a sustainable rebuild. The episode closes with a reflection on how teams like the Thunder and 76ers have leveraged draft assets to rebuild, underscoring the tension between immediate competitiveness and long-term franchise building.
Cade Horton’s season-ending injury is a major blow to the Cubs' playoff rotation, though the team’s strong offense and pitching depth may still allow them to contend in the NL Central.
The Cubs' offensive metrics—especially hard-hit rate and walk totals—suggest long-term confidence in the lineup, even if early results have been inconsistent.
The Bulls’ front office strategy appears misaligned: ownership claims to value sustainability and draft capital, but leadership may not be fully committed to a rebuild.
A successful rebuild requires not just draft picks, but a culture that embraces development over short-term wins, as seen in the Thunder’s model with players like Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Teams must balance immediate competitiveness with long-term planning—especially when key players like Horton or Boyd are lost to injury.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Five On It: Bulls' Reinsdorf Press Conference & GM Search
The hosts kick off with 'Five On It,' discussing Michael Reinsdorf’s candid press conference, particularly his unfiltered comments about former executives and his stance on team building. They debate whether the Bulls are truly committed to a rebuild and whether top candidates like Bob Myers or Masai Ujiri would be willing to join given their current roles.
Cade Horton’s Injury & Cubs’ Revised Outlook
“If you look at the teams that can make those really deep runs, a lot of times it starts with pitching.”
Lineup Strategy, Bullpen Concerns & Player Development
“The fact that they didn't completely bury themselves because of pretty good starting pitching and overall solid defense...”
Bulls’ Rebuild Dilemma: Tanking, Leadership & Process
“You can just have a roster that's just not good enough to win. That's how the process works.”
The Role of Draft Capital & Deadline Trades
The episode concludes with a deep dive into how draft picks and trade assets fuel long-term success. The hosts stress that first-round picks matter most, and that teams should use their cap space to acquire tradeable assets that accelerate young player development.
“You can just have a roster that's just not good enough to win. That's how the process works.”
“If you look at the teams that can make those really deep runs, a lot of times it starts with pitching.”
“The whole point is, he developed while the team was losing so he could become the MVP he is now.”
Hosts
Guest
Cade Horton
person
Michael Reinsdorf
person
Billy Donovan
person
Megan Montemuro
person
Craig Council
person
Bob Myers
person
Javier Assad
person
Matthew Boyd
person
Shane Smith
person
Hunter Harvey
person
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