Cubs Talk Podcast

Analyzing Cubs offseason moves, comparing 2020 roster to 2021

The Cubs are having an up and down year so far with a lot of the same players. Was last year's roster better? The Cubs Talk crew of Tim Stebbins, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer breakdown the differences between this year's team and last year, what direction the Cubs seem to be headed toward, and they discuss if Tim Stebbins and Cubs pitcher Zach Davies is the same person.(2:00) - Rough stretch for the Cubs(8:40) - Did the Yu Darvish trade signal to the team and fans that the organization is preparing to rebuild?(13:40) - Was just simply swapping out Yu Darvish for Zach Davies the only issue?(21:00) - Was it a good offseason for the Cubs, all things considered? (Cap flexibility, asset acquisition, etc.)(27:50) - Joc Pederson vs Kyle Schwarber, who is having a better season?

What we learned about the 2021 Cubs in April

The beginning of the Cubs 2021 season has been a roller coaster of highs and lows, but where exactly is this team? Are they still trying to win? Is this a rebuild? Should they start trading core pieces? The Cubs Talk crew of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins review the Cubs’ first month of baseball and decides if the answer is to start the rebuild now, re-sign the core and try again, or is the answer somewhere in the middle.(2:00) - What has been learned about the Cubs so far(8:00) - Is it time to shop Craig Kimbrel?(15:15) - Is there anything to be optimistic about for the Cubs so far?(22:50) - Enter the mind of Jed Hoyer, is he looking to rebuild or retool?(28:00) - What should the Cubs do with Nico Hoerner?

Will Cubs’ offense get going after blowout win over Mets?

The Cubs took the first two games of their series against the New York Mets and the offense scored 16 runs in one game! Will the Cubs' bats get going now?The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the offense's recent success and if it's here to stay. They also discuss if Javy Báez can get hot after hitting a grand slam and if he's playing better than his good friend, Francisco Lindor. Later, the crew previews the upcoming series against the Brewers.(2:15) - Are the bats finally coming alive for the Cubs?(6:40) - Was Javy Baez unprofessional for batting left-handed?(10:00) - Baez vs. Lindor(14:55) - What is going on with new Cubs outfielder Joc Pederson?(17:25) - Cubs-Brewers series preview: Are the Brewers still the favorite to win the division?

Player’s Alliance, New York Mets, and length of MLB games

In a packed episode, the Cubs Talk crew of Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer and David Kaplan discuss the verdict of Derek Chauvin and how the murder of George Floyd led to The Players Alliance, which includes Jason Heyward. The crew also breaks down whether MLB will do anything about the length of games, and preview the Mets-Cubs series.(2:10) - Initial reactions to the Derek Chauvin verdict(4:30) - Jason Heyward speaks on why MLB players started The Players Alliance(6:33) - Will MLB find ways to shorten the length of games?(10:30) - Mets-Cubs series preview(16:40) - Why have Cubs hitters struggled to hit fastballs?

How Cubs offense became historically bad

The Cubs offense is in the sunken place without promise that it will get out (see what I did there) anytime soon. But who is to blame? The players? The coaching staff? The front office? Ownership? The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer break down the continued woes of the offense and who is to blame for it being not just bad but historically bad.(2:00) - Is it surprising how bad this offense is?(7:55) - Has Jed already started thinking tear down and rebuild?(15:10) - Is there pressure on the pitching staff to be perfect since the offense isn't performing?(21:15) - Was ownership and the front office expecting a start like this?(26:00) - Will a team call the Cubs soon to trade for a core player?(34:40) - When will Jed pull the plug on this team?

Struggling Cubs face growing COVID-19 concerns

The Cubs added a fourth player to the COVID-19 related injured list on Tuesday in Matt Duffy, just 24 hours after relievers Jason Adam, Dan Winkler and Brandon Workman landed there.Gordon Wittenmyer, live from Milwaukee, and David Kaplan and Tim Stebbins discuss the Cubs' COVID concerns, where they stand in getting the team vaccinated, and the Cubs scratching Kyle Hendricks shortly before first pitch Tuesday out of an abundance of caution due to him not feeling well. Later in the podcast, the crew breaks down the Cubs' struggling offense.(1:30) - Cubs have added five players to the COVID-19 related IL since Monday(6:00) - Cubs players taking the vaccine while some are hesitant(11:10) - Kyle Hendricks misses Tuesday's start due to not feeling well(16:50) - Trying to explain why the Cubs aren't hitting(19:40) - Will organizations only sell tickets to fans who are vaccinated in the near future?

Cubs’ Jake Arrieta off to good start, but offense is concerning

The Cubs Talk crew discusses Jake Arrieta's second start of the season and the rotation's quality first week. But should fans be worried about the lack of offense, or is it still too early?David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer break down the Cubs' first week, whether it's too early to panic about the offense and if there are early signs of things to come for the remainder of the season.(1:30) - Biggest positive takeaway from the first week of the season(5:00) - Is it too early to worry about the offense?(9:30) - Jake Arrieta looks great so far. Can he keep it up?(15:00) - Biggest concern for the 2021 Cubs(21:20) - Who will have the most leadoff starts this season?

Cubs’ Ian Happ interview on MLB’s upcoming labor negotiations

The 2021 season is underway and baseball is back, but for how long? The players have been noticeably unhappy during recent labor negotiations, so what happens after 2021 — the final season of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement?Gordon Wittenmyer sat with the Cubs' player rep Ian Happ as they break down issues that need to be resolved between the players and owners. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee and Gordon discuss the interview and what they think will happen at the conclusion of the season.(1:25) - Cubs Talk crew on Ian Happ's role as player rep for the Cubs(8:08) - Are the players at fault for signing the current agreement that could lead to a work stoppage?(14:10) - Is a reverse luxury tax an option that could be agreed upon by the players and owners?(20:16) - Ian Happ interview on the CBA and if the players and owners can work out a long-term deal(26:44) - The Cubs talk crew reacts to Happ's thoughts on a potential work stoppage

Overreactions to Cubs’ 5-3 loss to Pirates on Opening Day

The Cubs dropped Game 1 of the 2021 season, losing 5-3 to the Pirates while only managing two hits compared to Pittsburgh's nine. Should Cubs fans be worried? Of course not. Are there things they should keep an eye on? Absolutely!David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins do a postgame breakdown of the loss and discuss what Cubs fans should keep an eye on as the season gets going.(1:30) - Cubs have an embarrassing outing in Game 1(4:25) - Did the cold weather impact the way the Cubs played?(8:25) - Bright spots in the loss to the Pirates(13:10) - Francisco Lindor got PAID! What does it mean for Javy Báez?

Cubs 2021 season preview, bold predictions

Opening Day for the Cubs is this Thursday, and that means it's time to preview the season and make bold predictions. David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, Maddie Lee and Gordon Wittenmyer predict if the Cubs will win the division, if any players will be re-signed, who will have the better season between Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester, and a lot more.(1:44) - How many games will the Cubs win?(10:26) - How many plate appearances will Joc Pederson get against lefties?(16:00) - How many starts will left-handed pitchers make for the Cubs?(22:00) - Who has the better season: Jon Lester or Jake Arrieta?(29:00) - How many Cubs will get an MVP vote?(32:00) - Who will be the first Cub to re-sign with the team?