Cubs Talk Podcast

Patrick Mooney, Jeff Nelson, Nate Poppen and Tony Andracki weigh in on the Willson Contreras injury and what the next steps are for a Cubs team still searching for its identity and consistency. But there is reason for optimism for the Cubs moving forward, with or without Contreras. Plus, Brian Duensing joins the podcast to discuss bullpen shenanigans, rain-delay dance-offs and life as an under-the...

In the latest the edition of the Cubs Talk Podcast Scott Changnon and Jeff Nelson talk about the potential impact of Justin Wilson and Alex Avila on the Northside. Patrick Mooney sits down with Diamondbacks Pregame and Postgame host Mike Ferrin to discuss Arizona's "Plan" in search of a title. Plus, a look back at the best of Carlos Zambrano on Cubs Postgame Live with David Kaplan and David DeJesu...

Patrick Mooney, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki break down the top Cubs storylines of a wacky week, including Kris Bryant's first (and maybe only) career ejection, and a "heated conversation" in the dugout between Anthony Rizzo and John Lackey in Tuesday night's game. Is the pressure wearing on Bryant? Is there a concern over the Rizzo-Lackey interaction? Plus, what is there to make of the Cubs trad...

Double-A Tennessee broadcaster Mick Gillespie joins the podcast to chat with Patrick Mooney about what prospects the Cubs have left in the farm system and how Dillon Maples could make an impact on the big league club as soon as this year. Cardinals beat writer Derrick Goold also stops by to chat with Mooney about the landscape of the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry and previewing the weekend series at Wrig...

The CSNChicago.com team breaks down the Cubs-White Sox shocking blockbuster trade that sent Jose Quintana to Chicago’s North Side. Tony Andracki and Vinnie Duber react to the deal, plus hear analysis from Insiders Patrick Mooney and Dan Hayes as well as Yahoo’s Jeff Passan and an explanation from the man himself – Theo Epstein – on why the Cubs went all-in on Quintana and gave up the Cubs’ top two...

Cubs coach Mike Borzello joins the CubsTalk Podcast with Patrick Mooney, providing a fresh perspective on the Cubs as a “dynasty” given Borzello was a staffer on the New York Yankees in the late ‘90s as they won four World Series from 1996-2000. Borzello also compares Kris Bryant to Derek Jeter and takes a big-picture view on the 2017 Cubs season. Elsewhere, Jeff Nelson, Scott Changnon and Tony An...

As the All-Star Break approaches, the Cubs recalled Kyle Schwarber to the big leagues Thursday. Hear from Schwarber, Theo Epstein and Joe Maddon on the move, plus listen to Patrick Mooney and Tony Andracki break down the return of Schwarbombs and where the left-handed slugger fits in the Cubs lineup. Plus, do the Cubs need a consistent leadoff hitter and will they ever find one this season? And wh...

Cubs Insider Patrick Mooney is joined by Nationals Insider Mark Zuckerman and talks about the type of person Bryce Harper is and why the superstar slugger is perfectly suited for markets like Chicago, New York or Boston. Zuckerman has covered Harper since his inception into Major League Baseball and knows it won’t just be about the money. CSNChicago’s Tony Andracki and Jeff Nelson also break down...

Tony Andracki, Scott Changnon and Jeff Nelson react in real time to the breaking news that Kyle Schwarber was demoted to the minor leagues. Plus, the trio play around with expansion drafts and who the most indispensable players on the Cubs are. Patrick Mooney also goes 1-on-1 with Cubs swingman southpaw Mike Montgomery about the lanky lefty’s role and how he got here.

Chicago Sun-Times Cubs Insider Gordon Wittenmyer joins CSNChicago.com’s Patrick Mooney for a “Riding in Cabs with Beat Writers” segment in New York as the two discuss Joe Maddon’s rise to one of the top voices in the game of baseball and how the Cubs offense will play out over the next three-and-a-half months of the 2017 season. Kelly Crull, Scott Changnon and Tony Andracki also break down the Cub...

Director of amateur scouting Matt Dorey takes Patrick Mooney inside the Cubs draft room ahead of the MLB event next week and how the organization can help supplement their stable of young hitters or add those elusive pitching prospects. Plus, take a look back at how the recent Cubs first-rounders - Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant, Albert Almora Jr. and Javy Baez - have impacted the team of l...

On a special edition of the CubsTalk Podcast, producers Scott Changnon and Jon Graff take you behind the scenes of "Field of Dreams Come True," the story of 9-year-old Kolt Kyler and his family as they turned a viral moment of joy into a once in a lifetime experience at Wrigley Field. Scott and Jon discuss how the feature came about, their favorite parts of the day and how they determined how to e...

Former catcher and current Cubs mental skills coordinator John Baker (@manbearwolf on Twitter) joins Patrick Mooney to discuss Baker's role with the defending world champs and how the psychological aspect of the game impacts the play on the field. Mooney, Tony Andracki and Scott Changnon also dissect the Cubs' 0-6 West Coast trip, what Joe Maddon can do for his team right now and how Dexter Fowler...

NBC Sports Bay Area Giants Insider Alex Pavlovic joins Patrick Mooney on the CubsTalk Podcast to explain the World Series hangover, how last year's playoff loss lingered in San Francisco, Johnny Cueto's quirks, the legend of Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija's ups and downs. Plus, Kelly Crull, Jeff Nelson and Tony Andracki break down the Cubs’ defensive struggles this year compared to a histor...

Cubs senior vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod sits down with Patrick Mooney to discuss the upcoming MLB Draft as well as top prospects Ian Happ - who is having a big first week in the majors - and pitcher Dylan Cease. McLeod also discusses how the Wrigley Field renovations are impacting the team and where the Cubs as a franchise go from here.

Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins pops by the CubsTalk Podcast to chat about his experience watching the 2016 championship team and the emotions he felt as the Cubs finally shed the “Lovable Losers” label and ended a 108-year World Series drought. Patrick Mooney and Tony Andracki also break down the sense of panic and frustration filtering through the Cubs fanbase and why that’s a kneejerk react...

Kelly Crull, Patrick Mooney, Jeff Nelson and Tony Andracki break down the first month of the Cubs’ 2017 season, examining the struggles of the starting rotation – particularly Brett Anderson – and the offense, including Kyle Schwarber in the leadoff spot. The crew also takes a closer look at the success of the bullpen with a pair of eye-popping stats. Plus, why does Joe Maddon love Jon Jay so much...

Mick Gillispie - the broadcaster for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies as well as the Cubs' spring training broadcaster - joins Tony Andracki to break down some of the organization's top prospects, analyzing the beginning of the 2017 season for guys Ian Happ, Duane Underwood, Eloy Jimenez, Chesny Young, Victor Caratini and Trevor Clifton. Mick also explains the wackiest game in Smokies history, how a...

Addison Russell joins the CubsTalk Podcast to talk about his offensive potential, how the league has shifted to hitting the ball in the air and bat flips' place in the game. Anthony Rizzo also sounds off to the Chicago media on PEDs while Tony Andracki and Scott Changnon break down how Starling Marte's 80-game suspension will impact the NL Central. Plus, Tony and Scott discuss the sense of panic t...

David DeJesus, Jeff Nelson and Scott Changnon join Tony Andracki to break down the Cubs’ championship celebrations this week at Wrigley Field. Plus, DeJesus breaks down how the new outfield and bullpens (or lack thereof) will play at “The Friendly Confines.” Tony also sits down with Andre Dawson to gauge the Hall of Famer’s reaction to the Cubs winning it all last fall. Then, Kelly Crull chats wit...

Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki are joined by Patrick Mooney from St. Louis as they break down the opening two games of the 2017 regular season and how Albert Almora has stamped his name into the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry with a ridiculous catch to preserve the Cubs’ first victory. Plus, how weird was it seeing Dexter Fowler in Cardinal red? And Kelly has another story that will add to the legend of Ky...

Tony Andracki is joined by diehard Cubs fans Scott Changnon and Jeff Nelson and the trio discuss the best ways for fans to enjoy the 2017 season as well as managing expectations and use of that "dynasty" word. Plus, listen to Kyle Schwarber explain what he feels like he has to prove this season and the three CSN producers go in-depth on the Legend of Schwarber, the dude with supreme confidence who...

This CSN Original Production chronicles and unveils new tales of the journey that was Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. A game that saw the Chicago Cubs ending "the curse" and winning their first title in 108 years.

Kelly Crull sits down with CSN executive producers Ryan McGuffey and Sarah Lauch, the creators of ‘Reign Men: The Story Behind Game 7 of the 2016 World Series,” which premieres March 27 at 9:30 p.m. on CSN. McGuffey and Lauch share their experience making the 52-minute documentary as they sifted through hours of sound from the likes of Joe Maddon, Theo Epstein, Jason Heyward, Anthony Rizzo and mor...

Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki break down the Cubs’ roster crunch as well as the evolution of the bullpen from last year to this season, including where Justin Grimm fits in the big picture. Plus, hear from Grimm and Wade Davis on their expectations on the season and what are scouts seeing from Jason Heyward? Of course, David Ross was also a topic of conversation as the lifelong backup catcher is e...