Cubs Now

The Cubs wrapped up a tough - but successful - road trip in which they went 5-4 against a trio of playoff contenders. Joe Girardi joins Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki to dissect the road trip and how it can be a galvanizing stretch for a group that has been ravaged by injuries lately. What comes next for the Cubs with Seiya Suzuki expected to miss a month? What has been the key behind Christopher...

Ryan Sweeney joins the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki about the team's tough loss in San Diego on Monday and how the group turns the page after such a game.  The panel also chats about encouraging signs from the first couple weeks of the season, including Craig Counsell's impact, Ben Brown's first few outings and Michael Busch's emergence in the lineup. Plus,...

The first week of the 2024 Cubs season is in the books and we've seen the Craig Counsell effect already. Our panel of Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki explain how the new skipper is impacting the team early in the schedule and also analyze the ripple effects of the Justin Steele injury.  Plus, the plan for Ben Brown, the Christopher Morel Experience at third base and Nick Madrigal proving his...

The 2024 MLB season is upon us and it's time for our annual prediction podcast. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki analyze Cubs camp in Arizona and how the Opening Day roster shook out after a bunch of injuries and position battles.   Martínez and Andracki also provide their season predictions for a number of categories, including: -Under-the-radar players to keep an eye on this season -What wil...

Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly stopped by the Cubs Weekly Podcast in Mesa, Ariz. to chat with hosts Elise Menaker and Andy Martínez. Kelly shared how he doesn’t follow Spring Training numbers too closely, focusing on the process rather than the results. He then talks about Seiya Suzuki and how the right fielder can carry over his success from last season and spring into the regular season. Kelly...

Former Cubs catcher Geovany Soto stopped by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat from the 2024 Convention. Soto reflected on his time in Chicago, including playing for a playoff team in 2008. Soto recalled what it was like to catch Carlos Zambrano and some history that he made after catching his no-hitter. He reflected on his post playing career, too and what it was like to participate in Home Run Derb...

Cubs pitcher Jordan Wicks stopped by the Cubs Weekly Podcast this week to chat to hosts Elise Menaker and Andy Martínez. Wicks talked about his debut and what was dubbed “the greatest mound visit in baseball history.” He discussed his journey through pro ball, what adjustments he had to make when he reached the majors and what it’s like to pitch in a pennant race. Later in the podcast, Wicks share...

Former Cubs catcher Jody Davis stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat from the 2024 Convention.  Davis reflects on the 1984 season, what it was like with a firsthad view of Ryne Sandberg on a daily basis and what made Rick Sutcliffe so special during his time in a Cubs uniform. Plus, Davis ranks himself among all-time Cubs catchers and how he was able to flourish both defensively and offens...

Relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. drops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Elise Menaker and Tony Andracki during Spring Training. Leiter explains his initial impressions of new manager Craig Counsell, what he learned during his first full season as a big-league reliever and gets into his family history and how growing up as the son and nephew of big-league pitchers sealed his fate. Later, Menak...

Cody Bellinger is back in the fold with the Cubs, which has major ripple effects up and down the roster. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki weigh in from sunny Arizona with their takeaways from Bellinger's (re)introductory press conference and how his return impacts Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch and the rest of the Cubs lineup. Sportsbooks are giving the Cubs an extra game in the win column with...

Shota Imanaga threw his first live batting practice Wednesday at Cubs camp and stole the show. The Cubs Weekly Podcast recapped the session and the first week of full-squad workouts from Mesa, Ariz. Elise Menaker and Andy Martínez discussed what they’ve seen from camp and what their takeaways have been. The duo breaks down the Cubs latest additions — David Peralta and Dom Smith on minor leagu...

On the day of the Cubs' first official workout for pitchers and catchers, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki discuss the vibe around camp, where nearly every position player has shown up early. It's Craig Counsell's first camp as Cubs manager and he's already making his presence known in Arizona.   As Jed Hoyer, Carter Hawkins and Counsell kicked off the start of spring with a press conference a...

Former Cubs outfielder Brian McRae drops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to reflect on his career, including his 3 seasons in Chicago.   McRae tells stories of his time with the Cubs, how often he keeps up with his former teammates, why the Chicago fans are so special and his approach to the leadoff spot in the lineup.   Plus, McRae explains why he considers himself a Cubs fan and how he deal...

The 1984 Cubs hold a special spot in the hearts of many Cubs fans. The center fielder and lead-off hitter for that team, Bobby Dernier understands and appreciates that. The former Cub caught up with Andy Martínez and Bruce Levine at Cubs Convention to reminisce about the team. Dernier recalled the “Sandberg Game”, which really put the Cubs in the spotlight that season and playing with Sandberg tha...

The Cubs added some reinforcements to the bullpen over the weekend with the reported signings of Hector Neris and Carl Edwards Jr. (on minor league deal). Marquee Sports Network player development analyst Lance Brozdowski stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki about what Neris and Edwards bring to this team.  With the pair of pitchers in the fold, the po...

Iconic Cubs third baseman and newest member of the Cubs Hall of Fame Aramis Ramírez stops by the podcast. He explains what it means to be inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame and how he found out about the honor right before he was introduced to the crowd at the 2024 Cubs Convention. Ramírez also reflects on his career with the Cubs, including the franchise-altering trade that brought him to Chicag...

2016 World Series MVP Ben Zobrist drops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki about a wide array of topics, including being back at Cubs Convention and interacting with fans. Zobrist tells the story about his free agency journey to the Cubs, what Joe Maddon meant to him as both a player and a person and how the team dealt with the organization's World Series droug...

Cubs Convention wrapped up over the weekend and there was one name talked about more than any others … Cody Bellinger. The Cubs Weekly Podcast crew recaps the Bellinger love that happened at Cubs Convention. Then, Tony Andracki, Andy Martínez and Tim Stebbins discussed whether Bellinger would return and what impact he would have on the roster. The trio breaks down some of the moves that did actual...

Bruce Levine stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Tony Andracki about Shōta Imanaga and how the Japanese southpaw could fit in Chicago. Also, what's the latest on the Cody Bellinger market? Are things trending in a positive direction for a potential reunion with the Cubs? Plus, what other moves could Jed Hoyer make this offseason? Levine and Andracki also preview the 2024 Cubs Convention,...

Former Cubs reliever Justin Grimm joins the podcast, chatting with Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki about what he's been up to lately and his journey in baseball. Grimm reflects on his career, which included 263 appearances over 5 years with the Cubs. He tells stories from the epic 2015-16 Cubs seasons, shares the moment he knew the team was going to win it all, what it was like playing for Joe Mad...

Recapping the year that was on the Cubs Weekly Podcast as Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki discuss the best moments and interviews.   Snippets include:   -Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon reading funny Tweets -Former Cubs reliever Pedro Strop on the time he homered off Anthony Rizzo -Miguel Montero on the 9th and 10th inning of Game 7 -Ted Lilly's favorite Ryan Dempster story -Mike Fontenot c...

The Cubs have been extremely quiet this offseason so we examine the fit for a pair of intriguing free agents: Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki explain why Chapman might not make the most sense for the Cubs in the long-term, even though he would be a big upgrade in the near future. A big part of that is because of what the Cubs have in house to cover third base - bot...

In the days since Shohei Ohtani landed a $700 million deal with the Dodgers, we've learned a lot about the contract and how it impacts the rest of the offseason. That includes ripple effects on the Cubs' winter. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki analyze the Plan B for Jed Hoyer's front office, including how the trade market is materializing and why Ohtani's quirky contract means some bad news for th...

The 2023 MLB Winter Meetings are over and it was a quiet week for the Cubs - and for the Shohei Ohtani market. The game's greatest player remains unsigned but there was some drama that followed him around throughout the week in Nashville. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki have you covered on the latest Cubs Weekly Podcast, breaking down all the MLB news and notes. As time goes on, it looks more and...

Rumors were swirling around at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn. and the Cubs Weekly Podcast helps sort through what was fact and fiction. Host Andy Martínez and Marquee Sports Network contributor Bruce Levine discuss where the Cubs stand in the race for superstar Shohei Ohtani. The pair then discuss where Christopher Morel stands in trade talks and who the Cubs are targeting in that...