Cubs Talk Podcast

As Cubs spring training continues in Mesa, Arizona, a position battle to look out for is second base. Nico Hoerner is one candidate, but David Bote and Ildemaro Vargas are in the picture as well. Gordon Wittenmyer, live from Mesa, joins David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins to discuss the Cubs' second base picture and whether Hoerner can win the job. Later in the podcast, the crew discusses t...

In Tuesday's spring training report, Gordon Wittenmyer and Maddie Lee discuss the sights and sounds from Mesa, Ariz. in Day 2 of Cubs camp. Gordon and Maddie discuss the big topic of the day — Cubs pitcher Adbert Alzolay — who says he is ready for the opportunity to prove he belongs in the starting rotation. Later, they discuss Ian Happ's start to spring training and his thoughts on Kevin Mather's...

Today is the first installment of the Cubs spring training report, featuring David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Maddie Lee. Anthony Rizzo spoke to the media for the first time since last season, and he had thoughts. The Cubs Talk crew reacts to Rizzo discussing his contract situation, his thoughts on Kevin Mather's incriminating comments about bad-faith industry practices and explains why this C...

With Fernando Tatis Jr. receiving a HUGE extension to remain a Padre up until I become a Padre (producer Tony here), San Diego has a payroll comparable to teams in big markets like Chicago. The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss Tatis' deal and compare it to how the Cubs are managing their budget and roster. Later in the podcast, the crew discus...

Spring training is underway and there are questions about the Cubs' 2021 outlook. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and manager David Ross addressed the media as camp opened to discuss how they view the team, if they are done adding to the roster and if trades could still be on the table for a few core players, most notably former MVP Kris Bryant. The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Gordo...

Jake Arrieta, the last Cubs pitcher to win a playoff game, is coming back to Wrigleyville on a one-year, $6 million dollar deal, NBC Sports Chicago confirmed. The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss Arrieta's return to the Cubs and what he can bring to enhance the starting rotation. The crew also dives into whether the Cubs will add more pitching in free age...

Will Anthony Rizzo have his greatest season ever? Will the Cubs sign another starting pitcher and if so, who will they get? There are still questions around the Cubs as they get ready to start spring training. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer go over their predictions for spring training and discuss what they expect to happen before the regular season starts. The crew...

In the 1986-87 offseason, Andre Dawson made a move that changed baseball, joining the Cubs in free agency after battling collusion. David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer sit down with Dawson to discuss that tough time and how he managed the era of collusion in baseball. They also discuss the importance of the black baseball players and the impact the black athlete has in America and the world. Later...

The Cubs' biggest offseason move was upstaged by the Cardinals, but are there other moves they can make to round out the roster? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss which areas of the roster the Cubs still need to address and how they can do so. Get your shopping lists out and let's see what we can find. (1:38) - The Cubs have young pitchers in the pipeline nearly ready for t...

Spring training is set to start on time in a couple of weeks but there are still uncertainties between the players and owners. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the union rejecting MLB's alternate plan for a delayed 154-game season, potential issues that still lie ahead before Opening Day on April 1, and what the relationship between the players and owners is li...

The Cubs finally made a significant offseason addition by signing outfielder Joc Pederson. According to David Kaplan, the Ricketts family expanded the Cubs' 2021 budget enough for Jed Hoyer to make the move. They're also looking to bring in more pitching and are scouting Jake Arrieta and Jeff Samardzija. Are the Cubs officially announcing they are going for the division? Can they win the division...

Now former Mets GM Jared Porter was recently implicated in a sexual harassment scandal, sending a number of lewd and explicit pictures and text messages to a foreign reporter in 2016 — when he was working in the Cubs front office. The Mets fired Porter soon after ESPN reported the scandal, and the Cubs are conducting an investigation. But is that enough, and why is the sports media environment his...

The Baseball Hall of Fame voting is in, and no one will be elected in the class of 2021 as controversy still surrounds several of the steroid era players, along with Curt Schilling. David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Hall of Fame voter Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the hotly debated topic of who should and shouldn't get into the Hall and the voting process. Later in the podcast, the crew discusses whethe...

The Cubs have a never-ending list of celebrity fans, including TV host and personality Steve Wilkos. Wilkos joins David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss his lifelong fandom of the Cubs. The crew dives into the Cubs' 2021 offseason, the origin of Wilkos' famous bald head look, his favorite Cub players and Cubs moments, and how he was sitting close to Steve Bartman during that infamous playof...

In 2016, Jared Porter — then a member of the Cubs front office — sent a number of unsolicited, explicit text messages to a female reporter. The Mets fired Porter for his actions on Tuesday. The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss Porter's Cubs tenure, how much the Cubs knew about this incident, and the Cubs' investigation into the situation. The crew also dive...

On this emergency Cubs Pod, Jon Lester, one of the greatest free-agent signings in Chicago sports history seemingly goes to finish his career with the Washington Nationals with teammate Kyle Schwarber. But, according to David Kaplan on this podcast, Jon Lester made it clear he wanted to stay a Cub. Did the Cubs not want Jon Lester? Kaplan is joined by Gordon Wittenmyer as they discuss what happene...

Well, that didn't take long. Theo Epstein, the former Cubs president, now sets his sights on larger pursuits, joining MLB as a consultant to the commissioner's office. Epstein will help evaluate potential rule changes to improve the game's entertainment value, which he takes some responsibility for hurting. The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins discuss...

Due to the pandemic, there will be no Cubs Convention this year. But after all the changes the Cubs have made, what would be your one question to the Ricketts family at the annual fan festival? We shot that question to Cubs fans and they responded. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss and try and answer those questions and statements while discussing what impact th...

Without a doubt, the top free agent in baseball this offseason just so happens to also be the most polarizing and interesting in Trevor Bauer. To discuss his free agency and the person that is Trevor Bauer, the Cubs Talk podcast is joined by his agent Rachel Luba. Maddie Lee and Gordon Wittenmyer have a deep and interesting conversation about the state of free agency for not just Bauer, but for th...

Happy New Year, Cubs fans! In the first episode of 2021, the Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins make some bold predictions for the upcoming season. Will the Cubs win the division? Which Cubs will have the breakout year? Which Cubs will perform better than Yu Darvish? Theo freakin' Epstein will save baseball?!! With all the fiery takes this episode produ...

Jed Hoyer on trading Yu Darvish and Wilson Contreras' future After trading Yu Darvish to the Padres, Cubs president Jed Hoyer spoke to the media about the organization's direction. The Cubs Talk team of David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins discuss Hoyer's comments and where they think the Cubs are headed, not only in 2021 but the future — including rumors the Cubs are shop...

In a surprise to everyone but David Kaplan, the Cubs are trading starting pitcher Yu Darvish and catcher Victor Caratini to the San Diego Padres for prospects. Kaplan is joined by the rest of the Cubs Talk crew of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins to discuss and break down the trade. The group discusses if the Cubs are starting a rebuild if the prospects they're getting will be meani...

In a special edition of the Cubs Talk Podcast, the crew of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins discuss what would be on the Cubs' wish for Christmas, some new rules to baseball that might impact the game, and what Cubs fans should expect from new President Jed Hoyer. Later in the podcast, the crew gets into heated debates over the greatest Christmas movies of all time. (2:00) - Cub fan...

Agent Scott Boras represents some of MLB's greatest players, including former MVP Kris Bryant. Boras sits down with Gordon Wittenmyer and Maddie Lee to discuss where Bryant stands with the Cubs in the ongoing conversation about whether he will be with the team long term. Gordon, Maddie, and Boras also discuss the loaded 2021 free-agent class, the financial situation the Cubs find themselves in, an...

In his Winter Meetings media session, David Ross was asked if he believes the Cubs can win right now. Without hesitation, Ross confirmed he thinks this roster can and will compete. Host David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Maddie Lee discuss if the Cubs can retool and win at the same time or if Ross is doing coach speak. The group also discusses Anthony Rizzo's future as a Cub. Later, following ML...