Cubs Talk Podcast

Cubs introduce Carter Hawkins as general manager

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 making another championship roster.(2:20) - Impressions of Carter Hawkins(7:20) - Will Hawkins fix the issues of drafting and development? (15:00) - Did Jed Hoyer conduct a diverse interviewing process?(21:50) - Now that the GM is hired, what's next for Jed Hoyer?(26:00) - Biggest need for the Cubs this offseason

Will the Cubs shoot their shot at Carlos Correa, Correa interview

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 agency.(2:50) - Should Carlos Correa be a big target for the Cubs?(10:00) - How will Correa fit on the Cubs(19:00) - Will Correa be worth the money if given a 10yr contract?(37:00) - Gordon Wittenmyer's interview with Carlos Correa on his free agency(41:30) - Correa on what will he be looking at in free agency

Kap vs. Wittenmyer in the battle of Jed Hoyer’s Cubs rebuild

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) - Should Jed Hoyer take a more aggressive approach to free agency than he's letting on?(6:40) - Round 1: Can the Cubs take anything from how the Giants and Rays built their rosters?(10:50) - Round 2: Is it disappointing that the Cubs have to rebuild again?(16:48) - Round 3: How much money should the Cubs spend in the offseason?(30:02) - Final Round: Does it make sense for the Cubs to spend if they won't win next year?(34:56) - Ode to Tim Stebbins

Analyzing 2021 Cubs season and what’s next this offseason

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 compete in 2022? 2023?(24:20) - Will Cubs fans watch the team during a rebuild?(33:00) - Which player that came up this year will be a starter next year?

Cubs face another COVID scare, Marcus Stroman interview

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 Marcus Stroman as they discuss his free agency and fi the Cubs are on his radar.(2:30) - Patrick Wisdom and Austin Romine head to the injured list(8:00) - Will COVID vaccine mandates impact MLB negotiations with its players?(15:00) - How will vaccine status impact free agency this year?(23:20) - Marcus Stroman interview. How will he approach free agency?

Jed Hoyer’s offseason plan and the Javy Baez interview

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 Ross has done this year in a rebuilding season for the Cubs, and in the second half of the podcast, Javy Baez sits down with Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss his free agency and his tenure with the Cubs.(2:40) - Jed Hoyer says the Cubs will spend aggressively but smartly in free agency(9:30) - What will be the Cubs payroll for the 2022 offseason(16:40) - Jed Hoyer plans to keep David Ross for the foreseeable future(25:10) - Javy Baez interview(29:20) - Javy on how he will approach free agency(36:20) - Javy discusses using the "thumbs down" gesture toward Mets fans

Jason Heyward out for the season, Cubs pitching rotation of the future

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 in the future.(2:44) - Jason Heyward is likely out for the remainder of the season(9:10) - Will Jason Heyward be on the roster and if he is, what is his role with the organization?(18:00) - Will Kyle Hendricks be a part of the pitching rotation in the near future and if so, who will be the number 2?(28:10) - The future of bullpens in baseball

Jon Lester’s Hall of Fame candidacy after 200th win

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 trade that you're not going to want to miss.(2:10) - Is Jon Lester a Hall of Famer, and if he is, will he go in as a Cub?(8:10) - What are the comparisons for Jon Lester?(22:10) - Will the Cubs be ok at shortstop in the future?(28:10) - How will the Yu Darvish trade be looked at in the future?

Joe Maddon didn’t want to leave Cubs, could things have been different?

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 want to leave the Cubs(10:00) - How should the Joe Maddon Cubs era be remembered?(19:00) - Is it disappointing the Cubs didn't win more World Series after 2016?(27:00) - Should players test free agency or should they take whatever extension the team gives them?

Brennen Davis interview on leading Cubs’ next core

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 to the big leagues, the growing expectations on him, and if he is ready to be the key piece for the organization.(3:10) - Is Davis ready to lead the new Cubs core?(9:10) - Will Davis be ready for the big leagues by Opening Day 2022?(17:00) - Gordon Wittenmyer goes 1-on-1 with Brennen Davis(25:00) - Davis on being a basketball player until going all-in on baseball his senior year of high school(31:00) - Davis on constantly getting better in a short amount of time