Cubs Talk Podcast

Does the Tony La Russa hiring heat up the Cubs/Sox rivalry?

Host David Kaplan is joined by Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins as they discuss the White Sox hiring longtime Cubs managerial rival Tony La Russa and if he will add fuel to the Cubs-White Sox rivalry fire. Later in the pod, the crew discusses how MLB should handle the aftermath of Justin Turner's positive COVID-19 test result and what precautions the league should put in place in the future. Plus, should analytics be reevaluated after the Rays' move to pull pitcher Blake Snell in the World Series backfired?(1:30) - What does the La Russa hiring mean for the Cubs?(9:26) - Does the old school managing style work in today's game? Is David Ross old school?(14:32) - Should the Rays have pulled Blake Snell?(25:10) - Has analytics hurt baseball?(34:20) - Justin Turner's positive COVID test

Bold offseason Cubs predictions

Host David Kaplan is joined by NBCS Chicago's entire Cubs content team of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins, as they give their bold predictions for what they think the Cubs will do this offseason. The crew debates if/when Kris Bryant will be traded, will Theo Epstein move on with one year left on his contract, if the Cubs will empty the cupboard and trade everyone, and if the Cubs will start over by trading everyone but Javy Báez and sign Francisco Lindor next winter. You don't want to miss out on these heated debates.(1:36) - Will Theo Epstein be the president of the Cubs in January?(9:50) - Will any of the core players be back to start next season?(18:05) - Will the Cubs move on from Kyle Schwarber?(27:30) - Is there a chance the Cubs move enough money to sign Francisco Lindor?(35:00) - How will the Cubs find pitching?

How will the pandemic cuts impact the Cubs offseason

The Cubs have made a lot of organizational layoffs due to the pandemic, reaching as far as baseball operations. With a smaller staff, how will they proceed with building the on-field product? Host David Kaplan and Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the layoffs and their impact on how the Cubs offseason. They also discuss potential free agents the Cubs should look at including Trevor Bauer, and a review of the farm system of the Cubs.(1:18) - Cubs layoffs continued into baseball operations(8:10) - Times are tough for the Cubs right now(14:40) - How many teams are prepared to spend in free agency?(20:25) - If Jed Hoyer takes over, will he be forced to make cuts and not spend in free agency?(27:00) - Could Trevor Bauer work with the Cubs?

Should the Cubs be more like the Dodgers or Rays?

At the height of the Cubs' run under Theo Epstein, they were the model organization and were the standard for other teams to follow. Now, the Cubs are searching for stability to the roster and organization and need a model to replicate to get them back on track. Which path should they take? David Kaplan is joined by Gordon Wittenmyer and Tim Stebbins to discuss which team in the World Series the Cubs should replicate to get them back to prominence: the big-spending Dodgers, or the analytical and methodical Rays? (1:25) - Which style of rebuilding should the Cubs choose? (5:39) - How can the Rays develop pitching so well? (10:06) - Is the next shoe to drop Theo Epstein and the Cubs parting ways? (15:10) - What does the 2021 Cubs rotation look like? (19:10) - Did Theo succeed or fail as Cubs president? (33:00) - Kaplan predicts the Cubs will make a major move by Christmas

What do the Cubs have in the farm system?

One of the issues the Cubs need to address is the lack of depth in the farm system, but what do they already have there?Host David Kaplan and Maddie Lee discuss the Cubs' minor league system. Is there any talent that will be on the major league team in the future or is the cupboard bare and needing to be replenished completely?Later on in the pod, Kap and Maddie discuss which current Cubs player should be moved to gain assets and when they think they will be traded.(1:20) - The lack of homegrown pitching since Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer took over(6:10) - Will Adbert Alzolay be a key contributor for the Cubs?(11:50) - Going through the Cubs farm system(16:10) - Will the Cubs be able to find steals during the Winter Meetings?

How well did David Ross manage the Cubs in his first season

In his first year as manager, David Ross led the Cubs to a division title and a playoff spot, but could he have done better? David Kaplan and Cubs beat reporter Maddie Lee discuss how well Ross performed in his first year managing and where he can improve. Later on, Kap and Maddie dissect the Cubs roster and rank how well each player did. (1:32) - What letter grade would Ross get for his first season? (8:50) - The Cubs bullpen rankings (15:46) - Is Wilson Contreras a better offensive player than what we saw this year? (21:38) - What is the deal with Kyle Schwarber? (30:18) - What will the Cubs do at second base going into next year?

Changes in Cubs front office and more could be on the way

It seems like the run may be over for the Cubs as we currently know them as they begin to restructure the front office and soon the roster. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss moves the Cubs made so far and front office restructuring that could come in the future. Later in the pod, the crew discusses new rules implemented by MLB for the shortened season and debate which ones they would like to see stay and which ones they would love to see go.(1:28) - Cubs start making front office moves(9:00) - Which MLB rules should stay and which rules should go for 2021?(15:07) - Will fans be allowed in the stands by next season?(19:50) - When will Theo Epstein's future be determined and when will the roster changes start?

Theo Epstein says the Cubs will retool not rebuild

Theo Epstein spoke to the media on Monday and has made it clear that the Cubs are still going to try to win, but changes are coming to the roster and possibly the front office. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the important offseason for the Cubs, what may lie ahead for their championship core, and who might be gone before next year.(3:20) - Massive changes may be coming to the Cubs(10:23) - Theo doesn't want to be hereafter his contract is up(18:30) - Goal for next year is to win but also plan for the future(27:00) - Will the Cubs trade Darvish or Hendricks for young prospects?(34:10) What should the Cubs' plan be headed into next year?

Cubs get swept in the playoffs, is change coming soon?

The 2020 season is over for the Cubs after a Game 2 loss and sweep to the Marlins. Will Theo Epstein and Cubs ownership commence major changes to the core roster? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the series loss and what they expect to happen to the core roster in the offseason.(1:47) - First takeaways from the series loss(7:56) - Will the Cubs try and compete next year or rebuild?(14:45) - David Kaplan believes that major changes are coming to the Cubs this offseason(21:10) - Will Cubs fans accept another rebuild?

Cubs on the verge of playoff elimination

The Cubs lost Game 1 of their three-game series with the Miami Marlins and now face a must-win Game 2 in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. David Kaplan is joined by Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins as they discuss the loss, the Cubs’ lack of offense and what's next for Game 2. (1:22) - Biggest takeaway from Game 1 (7:30) - Stunned that the Cubs bats didn't show up in Game 1? (11:30) - Who is more important to Game 2, Yu Darvish or "Bryzzo"? (17:20) - How confident should Cubs fans be in Darvish? (21:35) - Should the amount of playoff teams go down after this season?