Cubs Talk Podcast

***PODCAST WAS RECORDED BEFORE STEVEN MATZ SIGNS WITH THE CARDINALS*** The Cubs are making moves to rebuild the roster and they start with looking for starting pitching. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss possible starting pitching free agents, hall of fame voting, and the philosophies of Jed Hoyer and Rick Hahn as both attempt to build championship rosters in Chicago.

The Cubs and Cardinals rivalry is one of the best in sports. Constantly in battles for supremacy over the NL Central. But how has each organization built playoff-bound teams over the years and is one method more effective than the other? Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch joins Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss the two organizations, the outlook of the NL Central, and the imp...

With the new CBA coming up, some teams and players are making deals before a presumed work stoppage happens with big names like Noah Syndergaard and José Berríos. Should the Cubs also be aggressive? Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the offseason movement so far and if the Cubs should also be aggressive early in free agency or wait out the CBA.

The GM Meetings have been filled with rumors, surprises, and updates. Gordon Wittenmyer live from San Diego joins David Kaplan and Tim Stebbins to discuss all the newest updates from conversations with Super agent Scott Boras, press conferences with Jed Hoyer, and various topics with other national and local beat writers about things involving or impacting the Cubs and their future.

The GM Meetings are here and the rumors and talks are heating up. David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and live from San Diego, Gordon Wittenmyer break down the GM Meetings and what is being said about the free agency of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Craig Kimbrel. Later in the pod, the guys also discuss the upcoming CBA and the chances of a work stoppage.

The Chicago Cubs have a lot of work to do to rebuild the team but what should be o the top of the list and where should they start? The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the top questions the Cubs need to address this offseason, including should they bring back Javy Baez, should Nick Castellanos be on the free-agent radar of the Cubs, how much of a priorit...

On this day in Cubs history, the World Series was won and Cubs fans everywhere rejoiced. Where is that team now and how do fans remember it after 5 years? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the anniversary and how things turned out 5 years later. They also discuss the current World Series and former Cub Jorge Soler's contribution to the Atlanta Braves, they talk about the po...

The Cubs are still in the conversation in the World Series as Dusty Baker makes reference to his Cubs teams. Are Cubs fans still upset about the 2003 Cubs? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss Dusty's 2003 Cubs team and compares that team and his work on that team to the current Astros. Later in the podcast, the guys break down some potential harsh truths about the upcoming co...

The offseason is close as the World Series has begun. Where will former Cubs stars Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, and Anthony Rizzo land? David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the offseason for these prominent former Cubs and what they expect to happen. The crew also discusses the World Series and if they are still going against the Astros for the cheating scandal and they discuss D...

Ryan "The Riot" Theriot knows how to win and what it takes to do so. Theriot joins David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss his journey to the league through the help of longtime scout Jim Crawford, who passed away recently. They also discuss Theriot's experience as a World Series winner, where he envisions the game of baseball going in the future, the Cubs rebuild and trading away their star...

It took Jed a whole year to find his guy but he did. The Cubs and Jed Hoyer officially welcome Carter Hawkins as the new GM, taking over Jed's old job as number 2 in baseball operations. Who is Carter? Was he the best available candidate? What's next for Jed as he fills out his executive roster? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the new hire and will he be a major piece in...

As the MLB playoffs continue, the Cubs are in rebuild mode to get back there. The Cubs Talk crew breaks down the next potential free-agent candidate, Houston Astros star shortstop Carlos Correa. David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer breakdown what would it take to get Correa in the Blue and Red. Later in the pod, Gordon gets a 1-on-1 interview with Correa to discuss his impending free...

Jed Hoyer spoke to the media about the 2021 Cubs season and upcoming offseason. On today's episode of the Cubs Talk Podcast, David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer have the battle of the century as they discuss which path Hoyer and the Cubs should take for an efficient rebuild. Cubs beat reporter Tim Stebbins was on the pod as well but soon melted from the sheer fire of the takes. ENJOY! (2:05) - Shou...

The Cubs season is over and boy, did a lot of things happen. The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the 2021 Cubs and how they will remember them, whether there's a core on this roster to build around, how Jed Hoyer will build this team back up, what's in the farm system, and a lot more. (2:00) - How will fans remember the 2021 Cubs? (9:40) - Will the Cubs...

As the season winds down, the Cubs suffer another stumbling block. 2 players head to the injured list presumably due to COVID. David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss how the Cubs are handling the situation and how will they end the season. Later, the crew breaks down how vaccines mandates may impact the new CBA, and Gordon Wittenmyer sits with a potential Cubs free agent target...

In a jam-packed episode of the Cubs Talk Podcast, David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the shortstop options for the Cubs and how they can replace Javy Baez. They also discuss Jed Hoyer's comments on how the Cubs will treat free agency this year and how they will get back to competing. The crew also discuss Jed's comments on a potential David Ross extension and the overall job...

Jason Heyward suffers a concussion that will sideline him for the remainder of this season. Does Heyward still bring value to the Cubs during a rebuild? Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the injury to Heyward, and break down what his role could be going forward as the Cubs rebuild for the future. Later in the pod, the guys break down the Cubs pitching rotation and what it could look like...

Jon Lester has accomplished a lot in his time in the Show and after getting his 200th win, weirdly enough in a Cardinals uniform, the crew discusses his career and debates if it's enough to get him into the Hall of Fame. Later in the podcast, the guys discuss the Cubs' shortstop depth in the organization and if the position will be settled by next year, and a spirited debate on the Yu Darvish trad...

The Joe Maddon Cubs era was one for the ages, but how should we remember his time in Chicago and that core's legacy? David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Tony Gill discuss Maddon's importance to the Cubs and why he ultimately left if he wanted to stay. The crew also discusses the players on those teams the Cubs parted ways with after Maddon. (2:40) - Joe Maddon returns to Chicago and says he didn't wan...

As the Cubs recoup assets and build the farm system for the future, who is the one guy the organization can build around to get back to World Series contention? Ladies and gentlemen, Brennen Davis might be that guy. David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss Davis' potential and the chance he leads the next Cubs core. Later in the pod, Gordon sits down with Davis to discuss his path...

The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss another potential fit with the Cubs and he just so happens to have already been here, Nick Castellanos. The guys discuss if the Castellanos will opt out of his contract and if he does, will the Cubs be a natural fit for the rising star. Later, the guys discuss the return of Kris Bryant to Wrigley Field and what kind of...

Not a lot of teams are on a roll like the Cubs are right now and Frank Schwindel is leading the way. David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss Schwindel’s hot bat and if he could be a long-term piece for the Cubs. Later in the podcast, the crew discusses the Cubs’ management strategy and which position is the most important to address this offseason. (1:40) - Cubs are the hottest t...

The man that helped bring a World Series to the Cubs might be coming back to running a team. Theo Epstein is being rumored as a possible candidate to run the Mets? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the baseball exec and the validity of this rumor. Later in the pod, the crew discusses the importance of Willson Contreras to the Cubs rebuild and how quickly the Cubs think they...

Cubs Insider Gordon Wittenmyer and Tim Stebbins join host David Kaplan to discuss all the hubbub in New York surrounding Javy Báez's celebration in response to fans booing the Mets. The fallout from Báez's admission, the backlash, the pre-game apology, and the boos directed at Báez during his first at-bat. Then of course the El Mago heroics that won the Mets the game today and turned those boos in...

In a mailbag episode of the Cubs Talk Podcast, David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Maddie Lee answer your questions and concerns about the Cubs' rebuild and future. (2:00) - How will the Cubs' surprise contributors, including Patrick Wisdom and Rafael Ortega, fit into the team's future? (5:45) - Will the Cubs jump-start the rebuild by spending on a couple of top free agents this offseason? (13:00) - W...