Cubs Talk Podcast

In his annual December meeting with the media, baseball super-agent Scott Boras discussed the state of baseball and his clients, including Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant — who is seemingly the subject of trade talks every day. Host David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins discuss Boras' comments on Bryant and the new regime led by Jed Hoyer in ways that only Boras can. Later i...

Jed Hoyer, the new Cubs president of baseball operations, makes his first appearance on the Cubs Talk Podcast in his new role. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss his vision for the Cubs, the search for his GM, what he thinks of his roster, and if the Cubs are in a rebuild. The crew also discusses how the Cubs are operating in a pandemic and how will the league adjust when the...

On the third day of the Winter Meetings, the Cubs still have been quiet. So, the Cubs talk crew of David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss and relive some of the trades or almost trades of Cubs past, including details on how Nomar Garciaparra became a Cub, and how the Cubs dealt Milton Bradley. Later in the podcast, the crew interviews new Cubs third base coach Willie Harris, discu...

On Day 2 of the Winter Meetings, Jed Hoyer and the Cubs remain quiet and haven't made any moves so far. Host David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer and Maddie Lee discuss the NL Central not being competitive this season and how that could benefit the Cubs in making the 2021 playoffs. Later, Kevin Youkilis joins the pod and breaks down the Cubs. The group discusses the differences in today's game, Kevin's...

The 2020 Winter Meetings have begun and everyday this week, the Cubs Talk Podcast will be dropping an episode to keep fans up to date on the Cubs. The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer and Maddie Lee discuss what the Cubs are looking to do during the Winter meetings and this offseason, and how they Cubs' farm system looks. Later in the podcast, the crew talks with Matt Dorey, the C...

It's always tough to say goodbye but the Cubs made several non-tender decisions, including Albert Almora Jr. and Kyle Schwarber, while tendering Kris Bryant, among others. With Almora being the sixth overall pick and Schwarber the fourth overall in their respective drafts, were they busts for the Cubs? David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss both players' careers and what being non-tendered cou...

The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Maddie Lee and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss who Jed Hoyer should look at to hire as his GM now that he has been promoted. But, did the Cubs miss out on Kim Ng after possibly knowing Theo Epstein was on his way out? The crew debates the missed opportunity and if Ng was on their radar. Later in the podcast the crew discusses the upcoming tender date (not Tinder) as t...

The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Maddie Lee and Gordon Wittenmyer are joined by veteran MLB executive for the White Sox, Dodgers, Cubs and others, Dan Evans. With his many years of experience, Evans provides great insight into what new Cubs president of baseball ops Jed Hoyer will be up against and what fans should look for. The group also discusses the Marlins hiring Kim Ng as GM, her connecti...

Jed Hoyer is now the Cubs president of baseball operations and is leading them into a new era. What is his vision for the team? How will he conduct his GM search? Does he think this Cubs team can win? Host David Kaplan and the Cubs content team of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee and Tim Stebbins discuss the new era of Cubs baseball and what they expect of Hoyer. Later in the pod, the crew discusses...

With Theo Epstein gone, it's time to look at the future of the Cubs and the direction they will be going. David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss where new Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer should lead the team and if there is a chance the Cubs can win the World Series next season. The crew also gets into Wrigley Field being named a national landmark and what that could mean for t...

Theo Epstein has officially stepped down as Cubs president of baseball operations and will be succeeded by general manager Jed Hoyer. The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee and Tim Stebbins discuss Epstein's resignation, what led to Theo ultimately stepping down, and what his legacy in Chicago will look like. (1:30) - How surprising is Theo's resignation? (6:26) - Tom Ri...

On this edition of the Cubs Talk Podcast, Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy joins David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss his recovery from COVID-19, what a typical day is like for him, what turned Yu Darvish’s fortunes around in Chicago and how Darvish broke out a pitch against the White Sox he hadn’t thrown in three years. Later in the podcast, Hottovy explains how Craig Kimbrel turned his...

On this edition of the Cubs Talk Podcast, David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer and Tim Stebbins discuss the NL Manager of the Year award voting, the job David Ross did in 2020, and Gordon discusses the criteria he used to cast his vote in the NL Cy Young Award race. (1:30) - David Ross finishes third in NL Manager of the Year voting (8:00) - What Ross had to overcome in 2020 to be successful (12:45) -...

On this edition of the Cubs Talk Podcast, David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer talk to former Cub Mark Prior about winning the World Series as the Dodgers pitching coach, his relationship with Dusty Baker, how he got into coaching and watching the 2016 Cubs win the championship. (1:30) - On clinching the World Series (4:00) - On clinching a playoff spot with the Cubs in 2003 (6:00) - On not being ar...

The Cubs are in uncertain times this offseason and fans have questions. The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee and Tim Stebbins answer Cubs fans' questions about the roster, the impact the pandemic has had on the club financially and which player/players they think will be traded. (2:50) - Will there be coaching changes on David Ross' staff? (8:16) - Will players take le...

Host David Kaplan is joined by Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins as they discuss the White Sox hiring longtime Cubs managerial rival Tony La Russa and if he will add fuel to the Cubs-White Sox rivalry fire. Later in the pod, the crew discusses how MLB should handle the aftermath of Justin Turner's positive COVID-19 test result and what precautions the league should put in place in th...

Host David Kaplan is joined by NBCS Chicago's entire Cubs content team of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins, as they give their bold predictions for what they think the Cubs will do this offseason. The crew debates if/when Kris Bryant will be traded, will Theo Epstein move on with one year left on his contract, if the Cubs will empty the cupboard and trade everyone, and if the Cubs w...

The Cubs have made a lot of organizational layoffs due to the pandemic, reaching as far as baseball operations. With a smaller staff, how will they proceed with building the on-field product? Host David Kaplan and Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the layoffs and their impact on how the Cubs offseason. They also discuss potential free agents the Cubs should look at including Trevor Bauer, and...

At the height of the Cubs' run under Theo Epstein, they were the model organization and were the standard for other teams to follow. Now, the Cubs are searching for stability to the roster and organization and need a model to replicate to get them back on track. Which path should they take? David Kaplan is joined by Gordon Wittenmyer and Tim Stebbins to discuss which team in the World Series the C...

One of the issues the Cubs need to address is the lack of depth in the farm system, but what do they already have there? Host David Kaplan and Maddie Lee discuss the Cubs' minor league system. Is there any talent that will be on the major league team in the future or is the cupboard bare and needing to be replenished completely? Later on in the pod, Kap and Maddie discuss which current Cubs player...

In his first year as manager, David Ross led the Cubs to a division title and a playoff spot, but could he have done better? David Kaplan and Cubs beat reporter Maddie Lee discuss how well Ross performed in his first year managing and where he can improve. Later on, Kap and Maddie dissect the Cubs roster and rank how well each player did. (1:32) - What letter grade would Ross get for his first sea...

It seems like the run may be over for the Cubs as we currently know them as they begin to restructure the front office and soon the roster. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss moves the Cubs made so far and front office restructuring that could come in the future. Later in the pod, the crew discusses new rules implemented by MLB for the shortened season and debate which ones th...

Theo Epstein spoke to the media on Monday and has made it clear that the Cubs are still going to try to win, but changes are coming to the roster and possibly the front office. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the important offseason for the Cubs, what may lie ahead for their championship core, and who might be gone before next year. (3:20) - Massive changes may be coming to...

The 2020 season is over for the Cubs after a Game 2 loss and sweep to the Marlins. Will Theo Epstein and Cubs ownership commence major changes to the core roster? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the series loss and what they expect to happen to the core roster in the offseason. (1:47) - First takeaways from the series loss (7:56) - Will the Cubs try and compete next year...

The Cubs lost Game 1 of their three-game series with the Miami Marlins and now face a must-win Game 2 in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. David Kaplan is joined by Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins as they discuss the loss, the Cubs’ lack of offense and what's next for Game 2. (1:22) - Biggest takeaway from Game 1 (7:30) - Stunned that the Cubs bats didn't show up in Game 1?...