Cubs Talk Podcast

A surprisingly disappointing off-season for the Cubs

Pitchers and catchers have reported and the realization that the Cubs won't make any needed moves until Kris Bryant is traded is starting to become reality. Host David Kaplan is joined by Outside the Ivy Cubs postgame show and Bleacher Nation's Luis Medina to discuss the quiet off-season and what to expect in the 2020 season.(1:40) - Surprisingly disappointed at the Cubs this off-season(4:00) - Cubs won't give Bryant the extension he's looking for(8:00) - Can this core if left unchanged win another championship?(13:25) - Joe Maddon vs Theo Epstein, war of words

The Cubs REFUSE to go into the luxury tax this year

Host David Kaplan is live from the auto show with 670 the Score host David Haugh to discuss Kris Bryant's future as a Cub, still no acquisitions made by the Cubs, and the Cubs refusal to enter this season in the luxury tax.(1:36) - Is Kris Bryant a Cub opening day?(4:07) - Cubs have added 0 impact talent(8:10) - Starting lineup for the Cubs right now(11:35) - Cubs will not go into the luxury tax(14:00) - Cubs need to get rid of Jose Quintana

Black History Month: The impact of the black athlete in Baseball

NBCS Chicago is celebrating Black History Month with special episodes to discuss the impact of the black athlete in sports. To start the series Laurence Holmes interviews former Cub, now baseball analyst Doug Glanville as they discuss his experience in baseball, and the change that black athletes have brought in baseball.(0:53) - The legacy of black history and sports(5:47) - Should an athlete speak on social issues?(10:00) - Doug Glanville on his parents weren't comfortable with him playing baseball(14:20) - The diversity of baseball(17:00) - Black interest in baseball(23:00) - Current black baseball players still dealing with issues

Why does PECOTA hate the Cubs?

Host David Kaplan is joined by Cubs content producer for NBCS Chicago Jeff Nelson, and White Sox content producer Ryan McGuffey as they discuss the PECOTA projections for the 2020 Cubs and who would make the ALL-CHICAGO team from the Cubs and Sox.(1:35) - PECOTA projections for the Cubs pitching staff(4:20) - Position players PECOTA projections/How teams view Kris Bryant(6:45) - Start of the ALL-CHICAGO team(11:03) - Debate on if the Cubs loss the Quintana trade(14:18) - Cubs didn't grow any pitcher this entire time(16:00) - What does the PECOTA projections mean?

Have the Cubs and Cubs fans overvalued Kris Bryant?

Host David Kaplan provides clarity on the reason why Kris Bryant hasn't been traded yet. Along with NBCS Chicago's Cubs content producer Jeff Nelson, Kaplan explains what he's hearing from sources around the league about Kris Bryant, and what he's been told about what happened with the Joe Maddon/Cubs breakup after last season.(2:54) - Kaplan discusses how the league views Kris Bryant from sources(7:23) - Cubs fans will compare potential Bryant trade to when the Bulls traded Jimmy Butler(10:28) - Cubs didn't let Joe Maddon go, Joe Maddon didn't want to come back(14:42) - Cub fans found out that winning 1 wasn't enough(16:32) - Cubs need help in other areas of the team

Should the Cubs swap Bryant for Arenado right now?

Host David Kaplan is joined by the Denver Posts' Rockies beat writer, Patrick Saunders to discuss the rumor and possibility that the Cubs would swap out Rockies star Nolan Arenado, for Kris Bryant. You can follow Patrick on Twitter @psaundersdp.(1:14) - Do the Rockies have the Kris Bryant trade on the table?(3:10) - Who is the better player, Kris Bryant or Nolan Arenado?(4:49) - How is Nolan Arenado in the locker room?(6:00) - Arenado's home/road splits concerns are overblown(7:50) - Prediction on what happens to Arenado this season

The Kris Bryant grievance is finally decided!

The Kris Bryant grievance has been decided and the Cubs win out. Or do they? NBC Sports Cubs content producers Jeff Nelson and Nate Poppen are with host of Baseball Night in Chicago's Leila Rahimi to discuss what does finally getting an answer to this means for Kris Bryant and the Cubs.(1:23) - Reaction to Kris Bryant losing his grievance case(4:45) - Does Bryant finally get traded for Arenado now?(10:04) - Cubs need to save money(12:26) - Should Cubs trade for prospects instead?(15:00) - Should Cubs package Bryant with another player to create more space?(18:12) - The NL Central is still a 3 team race

Nick Castellanos leaves and the Cubs tough off-season continues

The long off-season for the Cubs continues as they haven't made any significant moves so far and have watched players from last year's roster move on. Host David Kaplan is joined by NBC Sports Chicago producers Jeff Nelson and Nate Poppen as they discuss the lack luster off-season, expectations fans should have, Kaplan gives an exclusive update on the Kris Bryant grievance and the chances that the NL adopts the designated hitter.(1:21) - Cubs have done nothing but watch players leave this off-season(5:49) - The current roster is still pretty good(8:55) - Kaplan gives exclusive update on Kris Bryant grievance(11:12) - The Cubs still have a chance to win the division(13:56) - What should Cubs fans expect this season(16:12) - How does the designated hitter in the NL in 2021 effect the Cubs?

Is Kris Bryant the new Curt Flood?

This has been the offseason of Kris Bryant rumors and with his grievance still unresolved Cubs fans can only speculate what will happen to the MVP. Is Kris Bryant trying to change the system like Curt Flood did? Host David Kaplan is joined by ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers to discuss Bryant's future as a Cub, and the lackluster offseason the Cubs have had.(1:50) - Why the Cubs have not made any moves so far(3:32) - Is Kris Bryant the new Curt Flood?(6:26) - Cubs need upgrades, specifically in the bullpen(9:10) - Will the Cubs make a big move before the season starts?(11:30) - Does Javy Baez get the big extension? (14:45) - Will the Cubs get to 86 wins this year?

It’s time for a culture change for the Cubs

After the Cubs Convention, fans left still uncertain about the team headed into the 2020 season. Host David Kaplan and Cubs writer for NBC Sports Chicago Tim Stebbins discuss what they took from Cubs Con, the culture change that is coming to the organization, and a realistic possibility that the Cubs are looking into disgruntled star Nolan Arenado.(1:18) - Takeaway from Cubs Con(3:34) - Culture change for the Cubs is coming(6:37) - Nothing happens before Kris Bryant's grievance(9:42) - Good possibility the Cubs try and get Nolan Arenado