Cubs Talk Podcast

For a different perspective on the lockout, the crew grabs Ryan McGuffey from the White Sox Talk Podcast to discuss the ongoing lockout. Guff joins David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins to break down what can change in negotiations to get the season started, what could baseball lose if the lockout continues, and a lot more.

Former player and MLB Network analyst Dan Plesac joins David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss the MLB lockout and what needs to be done in the next week for the season to start on time. Later in the pod, Dan talks about his time as a Cub and what his thoughts were after the Cubs won the World Series. (3:00) - Comparing the strike of 1994 and this year's lockout (10:00) - Owners wanted to lo...

Time is clicking for the owners and players and with them meeting only 15 minutes at a time once a week, it doesn't look promising. Spring Training is already delayed, but is the season at risk? David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer provide updates and discuss the CBA meetings and if things stay the same, are we headed to another shortened season or will the season be canceled entirely...

The MLB lockout continues as the normal offseason activities get moved back. We talked with Eugene Freedman on what the players' side of this is on an early edition of the pod, now we discuss the owners' side with lawyer and professor of labor at the University of Depaul, Gerry Golden. Gerry joins Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer to break down why the owners chose to lockout out the players, wha...

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the league will make a counterproposal to the players union in a scheduled labor negotiation Saturday. How important is it for the offer to assure progress in labor negotiations? Tim Stebbins, David Kaplan, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss Manfred's comments and if they made things worse or better for an agreement to be made.

The MLB lockout is going on with hopes that the season will start on time in the balance. On today's pod, union expert, lawyer, and baseball labor writer Eugene Freedman joins Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer to provide a detailed breakdown of what the players union is seeking in the new CBA, how will future negotiations go, and more. (4:00) - What does it mean when the owners lock out the playe...

As it stands today the Cubs are slowly creeping up the farm system rankings if you haven't noticed as the influx of young talent continues to grow. Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer are joined by VP of Player Personnel for the Cubs Matt Dorey to discuss the changes that the Cubs have enacted and the players that are leading the charge for the new era of Cubs baseball. (2:00) - Dorey discusses the...

The lockout continues and but the owners and players have come to the table a few times. What are they discussing and are they getting close to an agreement? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss and provide updates to what's going on at the negotiating table. They also discuss worst-case scenarios for the upcoming season and how far each side is willing to go to get what they...

The last chance for the biggest names in the steroid era to get in the Hall of Fame on the writer's ballot is officially over without letting Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Roger Clemens in. Will they ever get in? Will the BBWAA ever change the way they vote? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss and debate the steroid era players and if they will ever get in. They also discuss I...

As of right now, there is no season, but once the players and owners come to an agreement the boys in blue will be back at Wrigley but will the pandemic still impact the way the players, media, and fans interact? Dr. Robert Citronberg of Aurora Advocate Health joins David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss the impact the pandemic will have on the season, the changes that will happen since las...

Well, this certainly puts a wet blanket on things. Superstar shortstop Carlos Correa just signed with super-agent Scott Boras and I can hear the collective sigh of all Cuba fans. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss what does this mean for the Cubs and if they still have a chance at signing him. Later in the pod, the guys take more of your fan questions. (2:00) - Good, bad, or...

It was less than an hour and they left the table. The players and owners are still nowhere close to coming to an agreement and there is a real possibility the season can be delayed again. Will fans still stick around with the same energy? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the latest updates to the CBA and dive into the issues that are keeping the two sides apart. Later, the...

In an emergency edition of the Cubs Talk podcast, David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer are joined by Cubs legend and World Series winner, Jon Lester as he discusses his retirement from baseball, his 16-year career in the big leagues, his career as a Cub and how he became a Cub, stories about his Cubs career, and a lot more! Congrats Jon and thank you for the memories.

Cubs fans you got to take over the podcasts with questions and you delivered. David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer answer your questions about the Cubs and baseball including, should there be an MLB draft anymore, Cubs shortstop options, can Theo Epstein be an NFL executive, will the Bears play at Wrigley, will the Cubs make the playoffs before the White Sox win the World Series and a...

Former Cub first baseman Anthony Rizzo was traded to the Cubs from the San Diego Padres 10 years ago January 6th, 2012 for pitcher Andrew Cashner and outfielder Kyung-Min Na, and you can guess who won that trade. David Kaplan, Tima Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss how impactful that trade was, where are the Cubs now, and Rizzo's legacy as a Cub. (2:20) - What do you remember about Anthony R...

The Cubs Talk pod is back for the new year and to start, David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the top 7 questions about the Cubs during this offseason lockout. They discuss what would they want during the lockout if they were an MLB owner, when will the lockout end, will David Ross sign an extension, and a lot more. (1:50) - What MLB team would you buy and how would you approa...

The Cubs are in the midst of a rebuild/retool so during this lockout we are catching you up on prospects in the organization that could be key players when it's winning time for the Cubs. The next prospect you should know about is outfielder Jordan Nwogu. Jordan joins David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss his unique story about how he got into baseball, his thoughts on the other prospects...

For those who don't know, this week marks the 1yr anniversary of the Cubs trading pitcher Yu Darvish to the San Diego Padres, thus starting the rebuild. One of the pieces that came back to the Cubs in the deal was outfielder Owen Caissie and so far he has shown some potential, but can he be a key piece moving forward for the organization? David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the young prospe...

The Cubs talk crew is back to answer more of your questions including if the Cubs are ready to spend money on free agents or will they be conservative? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the Cubs offseason spending, they answer questions about the lockout, other potential offseason moves, and a lot more. (2:20) - How will the pandemic impact the broadcast team this year, and...

It's mailbag time! In this episode, the crew of David Kaplan and Tim Stebbins takes your questions and listen to your comments on the Cubs as the lockout continues. The guys take questions on free-agent spending, will they find another starting pitcher, have there been changes in the way the Cubs do things since Theo left, the long-term plan for the Cubs at third base, and a LOT more! (2:10) - Wil...

Cubs fans, meet Kristen Call! A rising star in baseball and someone you should know and pay attention to. Kristen was named the General Manager of the Cubs class-A affiliate, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans this month making her one of the only woman executives in baseball. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer and Tim Stebbins discuss with Kristin, her career so far, how she got into baseball, her philosophi...

Although the lockout is underway, the Cubs are still in the rumor mill. According to some reports, the Cubs may be open to a Kris Bryant return in free agency. But are there any facts to this? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the Bryant rumors and if there could be a return for the former MVP. Later in the pod, the guys also discuss what the players and owners are looking...

Another great Cub has gotten into the Hall of Fame. Legendary scout and coach Buck O'Neil joins the pantheon of baseball greats and it's time to do a deep dive into the pioneer of Cubs baseball. Bob Kendrick of the Negro League Baseball Museum joins David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins to discuss who Buck was and why he deserved to go into the Hall. Bob details which players were impa...

Hey Chicago what do you say the Cubs signed a guy today! Jed Hoyer pulls it off at the buzzer signing big time pitcher Marcus Stroman right before the lockout began. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the signing and what else could be on the Cubs radar after an agreement with the players and owners gets done.

As of right now there is no splash move the Cubs have made as big contracts and deals get done before the work stoppage begins in baseball. Why haven't the Cubs made any big moves after proclaiming they were ready to spend? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the lack of big time moves for the Cubs and will they be more aggressive after a new CBA is finalized. They guys also...