Cubs Talk Podcast

Jed Hoyer, Anthony Rizzo have war of words after trade deadline

With a new-look Cubs team on the field, there has been time for everyone involved to speak on a franchise-changing trade deadline. Jed Hoyer and Anthony Rizzo both discussed the Cubs' lack of extensions with their former All-Star core. The Cubs Talk crew of Tim Stebbins, Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee and David Kaplan discuss the Hoyer and Rizzo's comments. The crew also discusses what's next for the starting rotation the rest of this season, the chances any of the former core players will come back as free agents, and a lot more.(2:00) - Takeaways from the war of words between Jed Hoyer and Anthony Rizzo(8:40) - Should Cubs fans be excited about the starting rotation long term?(15:40) - Were the Cubs successful at the trade deadline?(23:30) - Could the Cubs go get a big time shortstop in the offseason?

Breaking down who the Cubs got in return after the trade deadline

The rebuild has started and now it's time to get introduced to the new Cubs. Former MLB executive Kevin Goldstein from Fangraphs joins David Kaplan and Maddie Lee to discuss the pieces that the Cubs got back from trading Bryant, Rizzo, Kimbrel, and Baez. Did the Cubs get enough? Will the Cubs be back into contention soon? Kevin and the Cubs Talk crew break it all down on this episode of the Cubs Talk podcast.(1:38) - Breaking down the Kris Bryant trade and what the Cubs got in Alexander Canario and Caleb Kilian(4:40) - Goldstein surprised that the Cubs got prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong for Javy Baez(8:05) - Cubs recieved Alexander Vizcaíno and outfielder Kevin Alcántara for Anthony Rizzo(11:40) - Cubs got a great deal for Craig Kimbrel from the White Sox(18:30) - How fast can the Cubs turn this around after all the trades?

Cubs trade Bryant, Baez, and Kimbrel before the trade deadline

The end of an era. As the trade deadline approached, Jed Hoyer officially ended the current Cubs era by trading Kris Bryant to the San Francisco Giants, Javy Baez to the New York Mets, and Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins break down a crazy day of trades for the Cubs and discuss what's next for the organization, and discuss the end of an era for the 2016 World champion Cubs team.

Cubs trade Anthony Rizzo to the Yankees

The Chicago Cubs have traded its franchise leader Anthony Rizzo to the New York Yankees, shocking fans. Coming to the Cubs are prospects Alexander Vizcaino, a right-handed pitcher, and outfielder Kevin Alcantara. David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer react to the trade, discuss Rizzo's legacy with the Cubs, and predict other potential trades that could go down before Friday's 3pm deadline.

Bold predictions as MLB trade talks heat up

The trade deadline is Friday and as I (producer Tony Gill) write this description, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javy Báez are with the Cubs, but Andrew Chafin was dealt to the Oakland A's. Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, Tim Stebbins, and David Kaplan discuss the uncertainty around the Cubs with the deadline around the corner. The crew also discusses Báez's EPIC walk-off celebration vs. the Reds, trade scenarios for Craig Kimbrel, and a lot more.(1:40) - How many Cubs will get traded before the deadline?(9:00) - Discussion on which Cubs will stay and which will get traded(17:00) - Will Javy Báez get punished for the EPIC-NESS of his walk-off celebration?(24:10) - Which team makes sense for Craig Kimbrel?

Project 34: How a friendship evolved into a movement

Trevor Williams and Cory Hahn met in travel ball. They roomed together on a trip to Georgia, where Hahn said he had to stop Williams from microwaving nachos in a metal pan. Since then, their friendship has deepened, evolved, and made a broader impact. Williams is now a Cubs pitcher, Hahn is the Diamondbacks coordinator of pro scouting. Together, they’re co-founders of Project 34, a nonprofit that supports individuals living with spinal cord injuries.

Is Javy Báez seeking $200 million, other Cubs rumors

The trade deadline is only nine days away and the rumors aren't stopping. In the latest of never ending Cubs talk, is Javy Baez looking for $200 million from the Cubs in a contract extension?David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer debate if that is Baez's asking price. The crew also breaks down Kris Bryant-Mets rumors, Anthony Rizzo rumors, and more. YOU GET A RUMOR! YOU GET A RUMOR! YOU GET A RUMOR TOO!(2:00) - Is Javy Baez looking for $200 million in an extension?(8:50) - Is Anthony Rizzo worth keeping?(12:50) - How aggressive will the Mets owner be to win a World Series this year?(22:20) - Are the Cubs actually trying to re-sign their players?

Have Cubs started the rebuild with Joc Pederson trade to the Atlanta Braves?

Joc Pederson is now an Atlanta Brave as the Cubs trade the 1yr player to the Atlanta Braves for minor league first baseman Bryce Ball. Does this trade signal things to come? Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer do an emergency reaction to the trade after recording the podcast earlier before the trade went down. Later in the podcast, David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Tim, and Gordon discuss possible trade scenarios with the White Sox and the hall of fame candidacy of Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel.(0:18) - Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer react to Joc Pederson being traded to the Atlanta Braves(8:08) - Why did the Cubs sign Pederson if they were going to trade him anyway?(15:00) - Will this signal the start of the rebuild and will fans miss the core that won a World Series?(21:58) - Regularly scheduled Cubs Talk podcast with David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Tim, and Gordon

Willson Contreras calls out teammates on effort

Does Willson have a point? The All-star catcher did not hold back when discussing the lackluster first half of the season and the effort he saw from his teammates. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Maddie Lee discuss and react to Contreras' comments as well as the comments made by manager David Ross and the rest of the Cubs players. The crew also discuss the possibility that Kris Bryant will be traded and how Kris is dealing with that possibility, the anniversary of the José Quintana trade, and a lot more.(5:06) - After the Cubs lose to the Cardinals before the break, Willson Contreras calls out his teammates(10:18) - Are the Cubs ready to make a move to shake up the roster?(14:35) - Kris Bryant seems to be accepting the possibility that he will be traded(19:10) - 4yrs ago, the Cubs made the trade for pitcher José Quintana from the White Sox(24:00) - All-star snubs

If you were in charge of Cubs, what would be your plan

The Cubs are in a middle of a crossroad and the fans are waiting on which direction the franchise is headed. If you were in charge of the Cubs, what would be your plan? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tony Gill discuss and debate where they would take the Cubs and explain to fans how things will get back to -- let's say it together -- "sustained success!"(2:00) - How would you sell the next phase of Cubs baseball to the fans?(9:55) - Will fans have an issue with a rebuild if the Ricketts choose to do so?(15:00) - Did the Cubs spend the money properly or did the Cubs just make bad decisions on players?(20:00) - Why couldn't Theo Epstein build a more sustainable team?(27:00) - Can the Cubs be fixed by a rebuild, investing more money into the big league roster, or is the answer trying to do both?