This is Not a Rebuild

Three of the four co-hosts convene to lament the Cubs letting key free-agent targets get away, to wonder what they can do to salvage things, to chat about the World Cup, and to do the usual end-of-show nonsense.

The fearsome foursome bids adieu to Willson Contreras, ponders his future in St. Louis, breaks down the additions of Cody Bellinger and Jameson Taillon, and tries to make sense of what options remain for the Cubs at the close of the Winter Meetings.

Hot Chicago Cubs Hot Stove chat on the very last night of November. The guys briefly bemoan the fact that José Abreu will not be a Cub, kick around J.D. Martinez and other old dudes who might yet step into the void, and do the easiest Random Cub yet—for one of their number. It’s Episode 7 and the rebuild is nigh!

The guys kick around the tidbits of baseball news that broke through during a slow week, then bring you an original radio play featuring four famous stars of field, stage, and screen, before the usual nonsense winds things down. Don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and subscribe to catch our episodes as the hot stove heats up.

The guys banter about the onset of full-blown free agency, what the Cubs will do at catcher, what DJ will do if they trade Ian Happ, what Matt will do if they don’t sign Carlos Correa, what Todd will call Dansby Swanson if they sign him, and whether Tom will enter Wrigley at all if they don’t make an effort this winter. Then it’s Random Cub of the Week, Fochs Tax Facts (Crypto Crash Edition!), The...

Reunited and unconstrained by any particular agenda, the Rebuilders talk about Rick Reuschel, how you can most easily see the differences between the game a generation ago and that of today, what baseball looks like in a repurposed Berlin airport, and why an early signing or two could soon kickstart the Cubs’ offseason. Plus, the Random Cub of the Week, a tax break that probably is too good to be...

One man down, the podcast soldiers on, with talk of Ian Happ, fielding metrics, The Anagram Man, an intriguing Cubs trade target, Matt Mervis and his budding legend, the random Cub of the week, and professional tips from real professionals.

The guys break down the Cubs’ in-house rotation options, try to gauge the degree to which they might improve that group for 2023, and how they’d line up the existing crew right now. Then they talk about Pat Hughes and Steve Stone; Harry Caray’s inimitable style; why you need to talk to your tax pro about upcoming rules changes regarding bonus pay; the proper length of a lawn; the Perry brothers; a...

In the first episode of this little experiment, we veer well off topic, but talk a lot of Cubs baseball.