Cubs Talk Podcast

The Cubs have a lot of decisions to make to ensure fans have a playoff-contending team, including who will make up the everyday infield. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the Cubs' infield options and what could be coming in the future. Later in the pod, the crew discusses the current Cubs roster and who could be part of the group in 2022 and beyond. (1:40) - Wi...

The Cubs are in a wait-and-see mode with their rebuild, which hinges on what the next Collective Bargaining Agreement looks like. Tim Stebbins, Gordon Wittenmyer, and David Kaplan break down what the road looks like for the Cubs' rebuild as CBA negotiations get underway. Later in the pod, the crew discusses Jake Arrieta being picked up by the Padres and his first start for San Diego. (2:00) - Earl...

David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss topics surrounding the Cubs' rebuild. The crew discusses the recent lengthy losing streak, how the Yu Darvish trade will be remembered, whether the Cubs have a solid rotation for the future, if the Cubs will spend this offseason, what to do with Jason Heyward, and a lot more. (1:50) - Cubs continue to struggle. Was it supposed to be this bad...

The Cubs released Jake Arrieta after a rough few months, leaving only Jason Heyward, Kyle Hendricks, and Willson Contreras from the 2016 championship team. Gordon Wittenmyer and David Kaplan discuss the move and why the Cubs chose to do it now, and what Arrieta's second stint with the team means for his Cubs legacy. (1:55) - Cubs release Jake Arrieta after an awful outing and awkward exchange with...

It's been about 2 weeks since the trade deadline that sparked the rebuild for the Cubs and fans are still coping with the moves. Kris Bryant was one of those moves so Gordon Wittenmyer went to go see Kris to get his take on the way everything was handled and to get some answers right from the source. Kris talks about his feelings about being traded, if there's a possibility that he could return, d...

With a new-look Cubs team on the field, there has been time for everyone involved to speak on a franchise-changing trade deadline. Jed Hoyer and Anthony Rizzo both discussed the Cubs' lack of extensions with their former All-Star core. The Cubs Talk crew of Tim Stebbins, Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee and David Kaplan discuss the Hoyer and Rizzo's comments. The crew also discusses what's next for t...

The rebuild has started and now it's time to get introduced to the new Cubs. Former MLB executive Kevin Goldstein from Fangraphs joins David Kaplan and Maddie Lee to discuss the pieces that the Cubs got back from trading Bryant, Rizzo, Kimbrel, and Baez. Did the Cubs get enough? Will the Cubs be back into contention soon? Kevin and the Cubs Talk crew break it all down on this episode of the Cubs T...

The end of an era. As the trade deadline approached, Jed Hoyer officially ended the current Cubs era by trading Kris Bryant to the San Francisco Giants, Javy Baez to the New York Mets, and Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins break down a crazy day of trades for the Cubs and discuss what's next for the organization, and discuss the end of an...

The Chicago Cubs have traded its franchise leader Anthony Rizzo to the New York Yankees, shocking fans. Coming to the Cubs are prospects Alexander Vizcaino, a right-handed pitcher, and outfielder Kevin Alcantara. David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer react to the trade, discuss Rizzo's legacy with the Cubs, and predict other potential trades that could go down before Friday's 3pm deadline.

The trade deadline is Friday and as I (producer Tony Gill) write this description, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javy Báez are with the Cubs, but Andrew Chafin was dealt to the Oakland A's. Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, Tim Stebbins, and David Kaplan discuss the uncertainty around the Cubs with the deadline around the corner. The crew also discusses Báez's EPIC walk-off celebration vs. the Reds...

Trevor Williams and Cory Hahn met in travel ball. They roomed together on a trip to Georgia, where Hahn said he had to stop Williams from microwaving nachos in a metal pan. Since then, their friendship has deepened, evolved, and made a broader impact. Williams is now a Cubs pitcher, Hahn is the Diamondbacks coordinator of pro scouting. Together, they’re co-founders of Project 34, a nonprofit that...

The trade deadline is only nine days away and the rumors aren't stopping. In the latest of never ending Cubs talk, is Javy Baez looking for $200 million from the Cubs in a contract extension? David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer debate if that is Baez's asking price. The crew also breaks down Kris Bryant-Mets rumors, Anthony Rizzo rumors, and more. YOU GET A RUMOR! YOU GET A RUMOR! YO...

Joc Pederson is now an Atlanta Brave as the Cubs trade the 1yr player to the Atlanta Braves for minor league first baseman Bryce Ball. Does this trade signal things to come? Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer do an emergency reaction to the trade after recording the podcast earlier before the trade went down. Later in the podcast, David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Tim, and Gordon discuss possible trade sc...

Does Willson have a point? The All-star catcher did not hold back when discussing the lackluster first half of the season and the effort he saw from his teammates. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Maddie Lee discuss and react to Contreras' comments as well as the comments made by manager David Ross and the rest of the Cubs players. The crew also discuss the possibility that Kris Bryant will be...

The Cubs are in a middle of a crossroad and the fans are waiting on which direction the franchise is headed. If you were in charge of the Cubs, what would be your plan? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tony Gill discuss and debate where they would take the Cubs and explain to fans how things will get back to -- let's say it together -- "sustained success!" (2:00) - How would you sell the next...

The Cubs find themselves in the abyss as the losing continues in a bad stretch for them. Can they find a way out or is it time for Jed Hoyer to move on from this roster? David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the current losing streak and what, if anything, can they do to get out of it. The crew also debates how big of a rebuild are the Cubs looking at and can it be...

The Cubs have slipped to six games back in the NL Central and things look bleak. Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta is struggling to put together solid outings. Is it time to remove him from the rotation? David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss Arrieta and what the Cubs should do. The crew also discusses the increase in offense around the game since MLB cracked down on "st...

David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the current state of the Cubs at the end of a tough June schedule. Is the season over? The crew also discusses if there is a plan to keep and re-sign any of the current Cubs up for contracts this offseason. Later, they discuss the differences between the Cubs' and Dodgers' competitive windows, as well as Clayton Kershaw's thoughts on the to...

Wilson Inoa was a Cubs prospect with great potential to make the show, but one injury changed the course of his life, and now he's part of the team in a different way as the Cubs lead groundskeeper in Mesa, Arizona. Not every prospect's path to a big-league field looks the same. This is Wilson Inoa's strange, twisting, and inspiring road less traveled.

The Cubs' next 6 games are against the defending champs and against a division rival. How will they fair? David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins break down the upcoming road trip and what they expect from the Cubs. Also in the podcast, the crew discusses the recent play of Jake Arietta and Jason Heyward and if it's good enough for them to play regularly, should the Cubs trad...

Cubs manager David Ross benched shortstop Javy Báez for a baserunning mistake vs. Cleveland. Was the benching Ross' attempt to send a message to the team? David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Maddie Lee discuss the Báez benching, the Cubs' struggling offense, whether the Cubs will re-sign Baez, and more. (1:30) - Reactions to the Báez benching (7:00) - The Cubs lead MLB in outs on th...

On this Father's day, the Cubs Talk podcast releases a very special and heartfelt episode featuring Ian Happ. NBCS Chicago Cubs beat writer Maddie Lee is joined by Ian Happ as he discusses the impact his late father, Keith Happ, had on him including the positive outlook and use of positive mental health strategies. Happ lost his father to brain cancer in 2015 at the age of 58, but Happ continues t...

David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer break down Jacob deGrom's start against the Cubs and debate if he is the best at his craft in sports right now. Later, the crew discusses the importance of beating playoff-caliber teams in the regular season and describes the feeling around the Cubs only a few weeks away from the trade deadline. (2:00) - Is Jacob deGrom better at his craft than any...

MLB is stepping up measures and plans to suspend pitchers for using substances to get more control of the ball. How will this impact baseball? David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the newly enforced rule and if Cubs pitchers are using it and how will this impact the Cubs specifically. (1:40) - Pitchers who violate ‘sticky stuff’ rules will face 10-game suspensions,...

After struggling in the beginning, the Cubs capped off their West Coast road trip by beating Yu Darvish to secure a series win over the World Series-contending Padres. Now the Cubs look to take advantage of a banged-up Cardinals team in their upcoming series. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee and Tim Stebbins discuss the road trip and the Padres series, also previewing the Cardinals seri...