Cubs Talk Podcast

Cubs look for starting pitching in free agency

***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.

Building a World Series contender, Cubs vs Cards w/ Derrick Goold

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 important facts about the business of baseball that fans should know this offseason.

How will early free agent signings impact Cubs offseason

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.

Surprises, news, rumors, and notes from the GM Meetings

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.

GM Meetings get going, what is the chatter about ex Cubs in free agency

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.

Burning Cubs questions as MLB offseason begins

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 priority should the Cubs make Willson Contreras as he enters his final year under his deal, and a lot more.(3:55) - Should the Cubs keep Ian Happ or Non-tender him?(9:40) - Should the Cubs go after Nick Castellanos?(17:15) - How big of a priority is re-signing Willson Contreras?(32:55) - Is there a chance Javy Baez can come back to the Cubs?(38:05) - Will the Cubs sign any free agents before December 2nd?

5 years ago today the Cubs won the World Series

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 possibility of no Winter Meetings this year and discuss what they remember from Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.(3:50) - Where is the 2016 team now(8:30) - Is it hard to root for any team in the 2021 World Series?(12:30) - Jorge Soler remembers his time as a Cubs and compares the Braves to the Cubs(19:20) - Will there be baseball winter meetings this year?(27:10) - What do you remember from Game 7 in 2016?

Dusty Baker remember’s the 2003 Cubs, How will CBA impact Cubs

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 contract negotiations between the players and owners that could eventually lead to a work stoppage and how that would impact the Cubs offseason.(1:50) - Does Dusty's 2003 Cubs still sting Cub fans?(6:17) - Comparing the 2003 Cubs to the 2021 Astros(10:12) - CBA contract negotiations, will there be a delay to spring training?(15:27) - What do the owners want vs what do the players want in the new CBA(22:00) - Will the ability to trade drafts picks be added to the new CBA?

What’s next for Cubs’ former core, Dusty Baker in World Series

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 Dusty Baker's return to the World Series and what it means for his legacy.

Ryan Theriot on loss of revered scout Jim Crawford, Cubs rebuild

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 stars.(2:00) - Catching up with Ryan Theriot(8:00) - Theriot discusses his relationship with Anthony Rizzo and how Rizzo's tenure with the Cubs ended(15:15) - What it's like winning a World Series(20:00) - What is the future of baseball and its use of analytics?(30:20) - Remembering baseball scout Jim "Crawdaddy" Crawford(36:10) - How good were the 2008 Cubs?