Cubs Now

Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon joined host Andy Martínez on the Cubs Weekly Podcast from the Nike Performance Center in Mesa, Ariz. The righty caught up with Martínez to chat about his offseason and how he prepared for a season that starts earlier than normal because of the Tokyo Series in Japan. Then, Taillon shares how he followed the Cubs’ busy offseason and how much he followed the rumor mill in...

Spring training is heating up for the Cubs, with games beginning this week and the Cubs Weekly Podcast breaks it all down. Hosts Andy Martínez and Cole Wright discuss the team’s newest addition, Justin Turner, and what he brings to the team. The duo discusses his role and where he’ll fit on this roster.   Then, Wright and Martínez assess some of the other additions by Jed Hoyer and the Cubs f...

Alex Bregman will not be joining the Cubs, and the Cubs Weekly Podcast discussed the ramifications. After a few weeks of speculation, the All-Star third baseman reportedly agreed to a 4-year deal with the Red Sox. That paves a path for Matt Shaw to be the team’s everyday third baseman and host Elise Menaker and Andy Martínez broke down the trickle effects. Martínez discussed how the Cubs reacted t...

Andre Dawson has one of the most unique — and significant — arrivals in Cubs history. The Hall of Fame outfielder stopped by the Cubs Weekly Podcast during Cubs Convention and recapped signing his famous “blank contract” with the Cubs. “The Hawk” joined host Andy Martínez to tell the backstory of that, why he left Montréal and why he felt Chicago was the place for him to be. Dawson recalls his 198...

Kevin Alcántara was sitting in his room in Arizona in late September, waiting to go back home to the Dominican Republic when he got the call of a lifetime from assistant general manager Jared Banner telling him he was going to the big leagues. The Cubs top prospect recalled that special day and much more on a prospect-heavy podcast that features both him and infielder James Triantos. Alcántara joi...

The Cubs have been busy in the latter stages of the MLB offseason, including recent moves to acquire veteran reliever Ryan Pressly and infielder Jon Berti. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki analyze all the latest Cubs roster moves and explain how Pressly’s addition impacts the rest of the bullpen. Plus, the podcast duo assesses the Cubs offseason as a whole as Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins have worke...

In many ways, returning to Cubs Convention was just what Ryne Sandberg needed. As a guest on the Cubs Weekly Podcast, the Hall of Famer and Cubs legend shared what it was like to return to the annual fan fest and see the love and support from the fans. Sandberg joined host Andy Martínez, providing an update on his health after announcing late last year that the cancer he had fought in 2024 had ret...

Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki has whittled his teams down and the Cubs are reportedly not on it. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki break down what it means for the Cubs and what comes next. Plus, the Cubs were busy late in December and early in January, adding the likes of Vidal Bruján, Colin Rea, Caleb Thielbar and Matt Festa to the team while parting ways with Matt Mervis, Miles Mastrobuoni and M...

Former Cubs pitcher Steve Cishek was a special guest on the latest edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast. Cishek joined Andy Martínez and talked about his time in Chicago, his career as a whole and what he’s up to now. Cishek shared what it was like to play for manager Joe Maddon in his tenure with the Cubs. Later in the pod, Cishek shares an epic story about reliever Pedro Strop during the 2018 play...

Former Cubs catcher Michael Barrett was a special guest on the latest edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast. Barrett joined Andy Martínez to discuss his post-playing career and what he’s up to now. He discussed his tenure with the Cubs, what it was like joining a team with playoff aspirations and what it was like to play for manager Dusty Baker. Later in the pod, Barrett discusses the infamous b...

On final episode of the Cubs Weekly Podcast: Best of 2024, we revisit conversations with Cubs legends Bobby Dernier, Rick Sutcliffe and Jody Davis of the 1984 team who reached the NLCS 40 years ago. On the 40th anniversary of that epic season, the trio reflects back on what made that team so special and shared their best Ryne Sandberg stories.

On this edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast: Best of 2024, we revisit conversations with Cubs legends of the early 2000's. Aramis Ramírez explains what it meant to be inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame and how he found out about the honor, and Derrek Lee reflects back on his monumental MVP caliber 2005 season. Plus, former catcher Geovany Soto recalled what it was like to catch Carlos Zambrano and...

Thursday afternoon marked a big step in the relationship between Sammy Sosa and the Cubs. The former slugger issued an apology to the organization and then, later, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts issued his own statement, welcoming him back to Chicago and inviting him to Cubs Convention next month. The Cubs Weekly Podcast recapped the whirlwind day that seemingly brought the icon closer to a return to...

The Cubs continued their offseason momentum by trading away Cody Bellinger Tuesday afternoon. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki react to the deal with the Yankees and break down what the Cubs got in return. Plus plenty more questions to answer: -What comes next for the Cubs? -How do they handle the third base position now and where does prospect Matt Shaw fit in? -What were initial impressions of Ky...

The Cubs have pulled off a blockbuster trade. Friday afternoon, the team acquired 2022 World Series champion and 3-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros for infielder Isaac Paredes, right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski and infield prospect Cam Smith. The Cubs Weekly Podcast broke down the seismic trade in an emergency edition of the podcast. Tony Andracki and Andy Martínez s...

The Winter Meetings wrapped up this week and they were a busy one for the Cubs. Andy Martínez was joined by both Bruce Levine and MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian on this week’s edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast. In the first half of the pod, Levine and Martínez discuss some of the trade rumors surround the team, Craig Counsell’s new coaching staff and the addition of catcher Carson Kelly to the roster....

The Cubs made their first big move of the offseason this week, picking up starter Matthew Boyd on a 2-year deal. The lefty is coming off a successful end to 2024 with Cleveland but is less than two years removed from Tommy John surgery. What does his addition mean to the team? Tony Andracki and Andy Martínez break down Boyd and the effects it has on the rest of the Cubs pitching plans this offseas...

On this edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast: Best of 2024, we revisit conversations surrounding the 2016 World Series championship. Ben Zobrist discusses his career and that incredible fall while former reliever Justin Grimm explains the moment he realized the Cubs were a team of destiny. Plus, former outfielder Brian McRae details how he and a bunch of his ex-Cubs teammates still have a group chat...

The offseason has really kicked off in earnest this week and the Cubs Weekly Podcast broke it all down. Tuesday was the last day to protect players from the Rule 5 draft, and the Cubs added two prospects to their 40-man roster, Owen Caissie and Ben Cowles. Then, on Wednesday, the team acquired righty reliever Eli Morgan for outfield prospect Alfonsin Rosario and designated Patrick Wisdom for assig...

Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki answer a variety of fan-submitted questions in the latest mailbag edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast. Questions include: -What free agent pitcher will the Cubs realistically pursue and acquire? -Are the Cubs going to pursue Roki Sasaki? -Who is the No. 1 free agent the Cubs are eyeing this winter? -Who are the Cubs looking to sign at catcher? -Are Matt Shaw and Owen...

The 2024 GM Meetings wrapped up Thursday morning in San Antonio and they were rather eventful. Andy Martínez and Bruce Levine summarized the events of the week on the latest edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast. The biggest news came on Wednesday, when longtime Cubs legend Kyle Hendricks signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels. The duo recalled his tenure in Chicago, what he meant to the...

Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki rank the Top 10 building blocks on the Cubs roster entering 2025 as Jed Hoyer and Co. work to get the team back into the playoffs after a 4-year drought. The duo explains why Pete Crow-Armstrong tops the list and why Justin Steele ranks above Shota Imanaga. Plus, some intriguing young players make surprise appearances in the Top 10 while key veterans find themselves...

On the latest edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki debate a quintet of hot button issues surrounding this team. Topics include the bullpen, the offense, the rotation, the catching spot and whether or not the Cubs are set up to make the playoffs in 2025. Plus, Martínez and Andracki pick their 2024 Cubs Awards, including: -MVP -Cy Young -Rookie of the Year -Best Moment...

Taylor McGregor, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki make their picks for the top storylines of the 2024 Cubs season and what it means moving forward for this franchise. Selections include: -The development of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch -The roller coaster nature of the Cubs offense -Another season of May/June swoon -Shota Imanaga's incredible rookie campaign -The volatility of the Cubs bul...

Jed Hoyer held his end-of-season press conference this week and our panel of Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki broke down the key takeaways from his 43-minute long session with Chicago media. What stood out most from Hoyer's comments? How has the team reacted to another season without a playoff appearance? Plus, we discuss the Cody Bellinger Conundrum, the coaching staff changes and Kyle Hendricks'...