Cubs Talk Podcast

Will Cubs be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline?

The Cubs have started the west coast road trip stumbling out the gate, can they recover, and how will they fare against former Cub Yu Darvish? David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer break down the Cub road trip and discuss has Jed Hoyer made his decision yet on if this team is worth going all-in on, or will he start the rebuild at the trade deadline.(1:30) - Cubs vs Sox Nike City Edition uniforms(3:40) - Does Jed Hoyer have a good idea on if the Cubs will be buyers or sellers?(13:40) - If a potential World Series contender calls for Craig Kimbrel, do you trade him?(20:40) - Should Cub fans be upset that Jed Hoyer traded Yu Darvish before the season started?

Can Cubs head west and win on a season defining road trip?

In a "West" themed episode, Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer breakdown the upcoming west coast road trip the Cubs will be on, and will the Cubs be able to be above .500 and make a strong statement to management that they are ready to make another push to the playoffs before the trade deadline. Later in the podcast, sticking with the theme of the West, Tim and Gordon are joined by umpire Joe West as they discuss Joe breaking the all-time games umped record and get his opinion on replacing umpires with Robo umps and more.(2:10) - The upcoming month will define the Cubs' season and may decide what Jed Hoyer does at the deadline(9:00) - If the Cubs win their next couple of games on the road, they can put pressure on Jed Hoyer(17:00) - Cubs winning despite injury issues(24:00) - Joe West joins the podcast to discuss his career and breaking the all-time games umped(28:26) - Will the future of baseball be Robo umps?

Marc ”Silvy” Silverman on the first-place Cubs

Marc Silverman is one of Chicago's great sports radio hosts and an all-around great guy who is a lifelong Cubs fan. Silvy joins his friend and ESPN radio teammate, David Kaplan, as they discuss where their Cubs fandom began and their favorite players in Cubs history. They also break down the first-place Cubs and their expectations for them the remainder of this season.(2:50) - Silvy on battling cancer during a pandemic and how the Cubs played a big role during that time(7:10) - Favorite Cubs players growing up(14:20) - The Cubs are in first place but they are still in an uncertain space as an organization(21:30) - With the way Kris Bryant is playing, should the Cubs go back to the table and try to re-sign him?(28:50) - Is Cubs management happy the Cubs are winning, or were they looking forward to trading off assets before the deadline?

MLB’s dirty little secret and the Cubs continued push for first place

The hottest topic in baseball right now is Cardinals manager Mike Shildt going on a rant on MLB's dirty little secret on how pitchers are using foreign substances to increase spin rate. David Kaplan and Tim Stebbins discuss Shildt's rant and if there's validity to his argument. Later in the podcast, the crew discusses the Cubs' push for 1st place in the NL Central division and how injuries are impacting the Cubs this year.(1:45) - Mike Shildt's viral rant of pitchers using foreign substances to impact the game(12:00) - Cubs still pushing to overtake the Cardinals in the NL Central division(16:00) - Cubs can't afford to lose anyone else to injury especially Anthony Rizzo(23:00) - Will injuries impact the trade deadline this year?

Cubs inch closer to first place in NL Central

The Cubs are currently in second place in the NL Central but are inching closer and closer to first after winning a weekend series vs. the rival Cardinals. Will they be able to get to the top of the division? David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the recent series win and break down what's working for the Cubs. Later in the pod, the crew discusses Wilson Contreras' play and if he's willing to stay with the Cubs if they start a rebuild.(2:10) - There's a path where the Cubs could be leading in the division soon(8:40) - Are the Cubs looking to trade pieces away before the deadline?(13:20) - Is Willson Contreras part of the Cubs' long-term plans?(20:30) - Why aren't Cubs players getting vaccinated and will it be an issue with the organization?(26:00) - Chances the Cubs can win this division

How Cubs’ trade deadline decisions might be made by Cardinals

The Cubs play the Cardinals 13 times over the next several weeks, and those games might play a huge part in influencing the team's approach to the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer and Tim Stebbins discuss how those Cardinals series could impact the Cubs' core. They also discuss the COVID-19 vaccine protocols in MLB and how it's negatively impacting the Cubs off of Jed Hoyer's own admission. And the team peaks south on the red line to discuss the White Sox drama with Tony La Russa, Yermin Mercedes and what Cubs manager David Ross thinks about it all.

Dr. Robert Citronberg on new CDC guidelines impacting Cub fans

With the new updated safety protocol by the CDC, the Cubs will increase capacity and have other changes. To break down the new guidelines and discuss how they will impact Cub fans at Wrigley, Dr. Robert Citronberg joins David Kaplan and Maddie Lee to explain the details of what's next and what fans should expect at Wrigley Field. David Kaplan and Maddie Lee also discuss the return of Kyle Schwarber and Jon Lester to Chicago as the Cubs set to play the Washington Nationals.(1:30) - More fans are welcomed to Wrigley(3:30) - Kyle Schwarber and Jon Lester return to Chicago(7:35) - Dr. Robert Citronberg joins the podcast(12:35) - Details about how the vaccine works to help people from contracting and spreading COVID-19(17:20) - What does it mean when someone gets COVID after getting the vaccine?

More fans coming to Wrigley to see Cubs hit, potentially

In breaking news, the city of Chicago and state of Illinois approved the Cubs to expand fan capacity to 60 percent.David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the change, the impact the new money will have on the team, and if there will be a plan to reach 100 percent capacity before the season ends. Later, the group debates why the Cubs can't hit with runners in scoring position and if this trend will last.(1:50) - Mayor Lori Lightfoot has opened up fan capacity to 60 percent. Is this too big of a jump?(8:55) - Rules and ways other teams are opening their stadiums to fans(10:45) - Cubs can't seem to bring runners in scoring position home. What's going on with the bats?(16:40) - Will the Cubs' philosophy change where instead of building around position players, they start building with young pitching?(23:10) - With the trade deadline inching closer, when will the Cubs begin trading players?

Cubs’ Andrew Chafin, the most interesting pitcher in the world

The mustache. The swagger. The farm. Andrew Chafin is a character you didn't know you wanted more of. On this episode of the Cubs Talk Podcast, Chafin joins David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer as they discuss his style, his cars, and his interests outside of baseball. The crew also discusses his love of pancakes without syrup, his DIY YouTube page, and how he approaches pitching in the analytics era of baseball.(2:15) - You don't mess with Andrew Chafin(7:30) - Chafin on becoming a fan favorite and his YouTube page(12:50) - Chafin is not here for all your numbers. He just wants to pitch(17:10) - #Boatlife(22:40) - Chafin's favorite type of movie is old Westerns, because of course

Would Cubs consider trading Kris Bryant to White Sox?

Kris Bryant is swinging a hot bat and playing as good as ever, but the Cubs are near the bottom of the NL Central. They could get quite a return if they decide to trade him, but would they do another trade with the White Sox. who are in desperate need of an outfielder due to injuries?David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer break down the Cubs' position and if they are considering moving Bryant or if there's still hopes of reaching an extension.(1:46) - Why has Kris Bryant been so good to start the season?(6:00) - If Bryant winds up on the trade market, will the Sox be in contention to get him?(10:15) - What would the Cubs want if they traded Bryant to the White Sox?(14:40) - Cubs already started their rebuild when they moved Yu Darvish. Why should they delay moving Bryant?