Cubs Talk Podcast

On a special episode of the Cubs Talk podcast, James Neveau and Peter Marzano discuss the return of Cody Bellinger. The duo chats about the structure of the deal, what it tells us about Jed Hoyer's negotiating and spending habits, and how they feel the process played out. The guys also get into what impacts it could have on the team's roster, including on the futures of Matt Mervis, Pete Crow-Arms...

On a new Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rahimi, James Neveau and Peter Marzano discuss and break down Cubs owner Tom Ricketts' media availability. They discuss the most glaring statements made by Ricketts (1:15), react to his comments about Cody Bellinger's free agency situation (8:54), and discuss the Cubs' lack of spending on free agents (13:45). They also discuss which players they are watching in sp...

Cubs Spring Training is set to begin and to get you prepped and ready the Cubs Talk crew is joined by NBC 5 Sports anchor Mike Berman from Scottsdale, Arizona. The crew discusses new manager Craig Counsell's impact on the team so far (1:00), how will he manage the bullpen (10:16) and the young players like Pete Crow-Armstrong (13:40). They also dive into if the Cubs are missing Cody Bellinger and...

In today's Cubs Talk podcast, James Neveau and Peter Marzano discuss Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA projections for the 2024 Cubs. Do they buy the Cubs as an 80-win team, and are they really second-best behind the Cardinals in the National League Central? Should Shota Imanaga and Hector Neris give them more of a boost? They discuss those questions, and also evaluate whether it's time to throw a bag o...

On this episode of the Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rahimi, Nate Poppen and Peter Marzano discuss the most recent free agent signings and what it means for the Chicago Cubs. They break down Rhys Hoskins signing with the Brewers (:30). They also lament the Cubs missing out on relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (10:00) and why they DFA’d Codi Heuer (15:48). Later, they examine the latest news about the Ha...

On a post-convention edition of the Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rahimi, Peter Marzano and James Neveau welcome Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times to talk about the North Siders. Cody Bellinger's future is first up to bat, with Shota Imanaga's pitch arsenal and potential adjustments to big league life next up. The group discusses the ongoing trade flirtations between the Guardians and Cubs over Emman...

On a special "THEY FINALLY DID A THING" edition of Cubs Talk, Leila Rahimi, James Neveau and Nate Poppen break down the reported signing of Shōta Imanaga (00:33). They examine how his pitch arsenal could play in the big leagues and if they have any concerns before wrapping up with a quick chat about how his contract could allow the Cubs additional flexibility in free agency. Later, they discuss th...

It may be 2024, but things are feeling an awful lot like 2023 for the Cubs, as Leila Rahimi, James Neveau and Peter Marzano talk about the lack of action on the free-agent market for the North Siders. The trio talks about some minor league pitching signings, including Colten Brewer, but also discusses what avenues the Cubs still have to potentially add impact pieces. They also look at pitching coa...

On this episode of the Cubs Talk podcast, Leila Rahimi, James Neveau and Peter Marzano discuss the Cubs' continued quiet offseason. With the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees adding outfielders, are the Cubs the best fit for Cody Bellinger, and how much could his contract cost? The trio also discusses other avenues for the Cubs' free agency plans and whether the team could still strike in the...

Cubs fans are understandably feeling a bit Scrooge-like this holiday season, with the team biding their time before making any sort of freea gent moves. Leila Rahimi, Peter Marzano, Nate Poppen and James Neveau discuss the team's quiet offseason and discuss whether they're making a mistake in not being more aggressive in negotiating with players like Cody Bellinger or Matt Chapman. Later, the quar...

In this episode of the Cubs Talk Podcast, James Neveau, Peter Marzano and Nate Poppen react to Shohei Ohtani landing with the Dodgers. Are the Dodgers the team to beat in the National League? What should the Cubs' priorities be after missing out on the superstar? Is a reunion with Cody Bellinger now a priority, or should they transition to other options at first base? Finally, should they be in th...

On a new Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rahimi and James Neveau break down the news, or lack thereof, from baseball's winter meetings. With Shohei Ohtani still making a decision, the Cubs seemingly out on Juan Soto and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and still inquiring about Tyler Glasnow, there is plenty of uncertainty on the North Side, and the duo tries to make sense of an uneventful week.

In a special Cubs Talk podcast, James Neveau and Peter Marzano kick their feet up by the fire and recap their favorite moments from the 2023 season. Christopher Morel's walkoff against the White Sox, Ian Happ's defensive heroics against the Brewers, and Mike Tauchman's incredible catch against the Cardinals all get the memory lane treatment, but which one came out on top? We share our top moments,...

Leila Rahimi, Nate Poppen and James Neveau have your full preview of baseball's Winter Meetings. The trio discusses the latest news connecting Shohei Ohtani to the Cubs and whether they think the biggest free agent in baseball history could actually call the North Side home (1:31). Later, they discuss other potential options for the Cubs, including reports that the team has explored trades for Tyl...

On this episode of the Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rahimi and Peter Marzano recap Craig Counsell’s introductory press conference. They also discuss Craig Counsell finishing second in the NL Manager of the Year voting and how he can impact the Cubs in 2024. They also talk about who they think are the best managers in the MLB. Later, they discuss James Triantos winning Arizona Fall League Player of the...

On this episode of the Cubs Talk podcast, Leila Rahimi, James Neveau and Nate Poppen offer their thoughts on Craig Counsell, and what it tells us about the Cubs (1:21). They also discuss Jed Hoyer's ruthless approach and what the future holds for David Ross (8:59). The trio gets into salty comments made by Brewers owner Mark Attanasio about Counsell's exit to Chicago (20:15), and finally, they eac...

On an emergency edition of the Cubs Talk podcast, James Neveau and Peter Marzano react to the Cubs' hiring of Craig Counsell as their new manager. They discuss what it means for the franchise, as well as whether the Cubs did right by David Ross in firing him. Leila Rahimi discusses the move with MLB Network's Dan Plesac, and finally, James and Peter discuss what could come next for the North Sider...

On this episode of the Cubs Talk podcast, Leila Rahimi and James Neveau discuss the return of former hitting coach John Mallee. The duo also discusses upcoming free agency, and how the team should approach their spending when it comes to Jeimer Candelario and others. Cody Bellinger's NL Comeback Player of the Year Award is dissected, and the two finally discuss the most likely scenarios we could s...

On this episode of the Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rahimi, James Neveau, Nate Poppen and Peter Marzano discuss the MLB playoffs and a pair of Game 7's in the LCS (1:26). They then transition to Cubs news, with Kyle Hendricks negotiating an extension with the team (10:51), and whether the Cubs should explore other options as they evaluate their finances for free agency (19:10). Finally, they discuss h...

On this episode of the Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rahimi, Peter Marzano and Nate Poppen discuss the Cubs' Gold Glove nominations (1:16). They also talk about Cubs' Assistant General Manager/Vice President and Director of Pitching Craig Breslow interviewing for the Red Sox General Manager position (13:40). How big of an impact has Breslow had on the Cubs' current pitching staff? Later, they talk abou...

In the latest edition of the Cubs Talk Podcast, James Neveau, Peter Marzano and Nate Poppen discuss the nine Cubs players eligible for arbitration. While Justin Steele will naturally be back, what about Patrick Wisdom, Nick Madrigal, Mark Leiter and more? Later, the guys discuss the MLB playoffs, and which teams have impressed and which have disappointed them in October.

In today's Cubs Talk podcast, the crew discusses the team's late season collapse. They also react to Jed Hoyer's comments on David Ross and Cody Bellinger, and ponder reports linking Pete Alonso and the Cubs. 1:30 - Cubs end of season collapse and missing the playoffs 21:42 - The crew reacts to Jed Hoyer's end of season comments on David Ross, Cody Bellinger and the team this year 36:45 - Cubs wil...

In this episode of the Cubs Talk podcast, Leila Rahimi, James Neveau and Peter Marzano break down the final week of the 2023 season for the Cubs. Can they reach the playoffs? Who will help get them there? Who would be the ideal opponent for a wild card matchup? Those topics and much more as we enter the most important week of the season.

The Cubs have lost 8 of their last 10 games, including their most recent three-game series loss to the Diamondback. On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rehimi and James Neveau break down what went wrong during that series. Later, they debate if they think the Cubs can save their season and make it to the playoffs. Finally, they discuss David Ross' job security and what will happen if the Cubs d...

In a jam-packed Cubs Talk, we examine the Cubs' playoff chances with 15 games left, Justin Steele's chances at a Cy Young Award, and the debut of Pete Crow-Armstrong. The group also discusses speculation of Carter Hawkins and a leadership role with the Red Sox.