Cubs Talk Podcast

Cubs convention will feel different this year

Jeff Nelson, Tim Stebbins, and Tony Andracki fill in for host David Kaplan as they discuss how different this year's Cubs convention will be compared to previous year's and how awkward it will be for Kris Bryant and other players who could be traded before the season. They also get into baseball's cheating issue, and Tony Andracki makes a huge announcement.(1:08) - Different feel at Cubs Con(3:10) - Cubs putting Kris Bryant in an awkward spot(4:44) - Anthony Rizzo says he might not be a Cub long term(6:33) - How will Cubs fans show displeasure at Cubs Con(10:24) - What will it take for Sammy Sosa to be accepted by the Cubs(13:54) - Baseball's cheating scandal is spreading(20:07) - Tony Andracki's BIG announcement

Is Kris Bryant wearing a Cubs uniform opening day?

The Cubs are still mulling over trading star Kris Bryant. Host David Kaplan discusses the 50/50 chance that Bryant is traded with editor of Bleacher Nation Brett Taylor. They also get into the Cubs trying to get under the luxury tax, and predictions on how the 2020 season will play out.(1:50) - What are the Cubs doing?(3:20) - 2020 team is worse on paper than the 2019 team(7:40) - Hard to imagine Bryant returning to the Cubs(9:35) - Cubs really care about avoiding the luxury tax (13:10) - Cubs didn't develop enough(14:40) - What if Cubs had done what the Astro's did to win(19:00) - Predictions for the 2020 season

Kris Bryant signs a 1yr deal with the Cubs, now what?

The Cubs avoid arbitration by signing MVP Kris Bryant but now what? NBC Sports Chicago Cubs insider Tony Andracki is joined by Cubs content producer Nate Poppen to discuss what does the this signing mean, is Bryant still going to be traded and if he is, what can they get for him.(1:22) - Cubs sign all 6 players before arbitration(3:56) - What does this mean for Bryant's service time grievance?(5:40) - The Cubs aren't just going to trade him to trade him (Bryant)(8:27) - Not just Bryant but all 6 signees could be traded(12:30) - Some hope that Bryant could still be a Cub(15:58) - Other reasons why the Cubs would trade Bryant

Special guest Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy

Host David Kaplan and Cubs insider for NBC Sports Chicago Tony Andracki are joined by Cubs pitching Tommy Hottovy as they discuss the Cubs current starting rotation, how to build a winning bullpen, and how he struck out NBC Sports Cubs analyst David DeJesus.(1:31) - The Cubs have unfinished business this year(2:35) - Jon Lester at this stage in his career(12:12) - Getting David DeJesus out 3 days in a row(15:02) - Working under David Ross(18:15) - Building a winning bullpen(26:42) - Sign stealing is a cat and mouse game

Kris Bryant trade talks heat up

Host David Kaplan is joined by Jeff Nelson, Nate Poppen, and Tim Stebbins to discuss the only real news the Cubs have been apart of this offseason, how close the Cubs are in trading MVP Kris Bryant.(1:13) - The Cubs have been quiet all offseason(3:53) - After trading Bryant, could Cubs go after Nolan Arenado?(6:00) - Who would you rather have, Bryant or Arenado?(9:25) - Which current Cub would make a great manager?(13:25) - Top 10 memories of the 2019 season

Ep. 310: Special guest former Cub Moisés Alou

Former Cub Moisés Alou joins David Kaplan and Tony Andracki to discuss his time as a Cub and his time in the MLB.(1:53) - Favorite memory in Chicago(2:46) - Game 6 Cubs vs Marlins(4:28) - A lot of weird things that happened in Cubs vs Marlins series(6:19) - Feelings when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016(8:31) - Favorite teammates(9:24) - Facing Kerry in the 20 strikeout game

Ep. 309: Cubs all-decade team is announced

NBC Sports Chicago's all-decade Cubs team is out and the crew goes over the list. With host David Kaplan out, Jeff Nelson, Nate Poppen, and Chris Kamka fills in and discusses the guys who made the team and the guys who just missed out.(1:57) - Starting pitchers(7:21) - Catcher(10:03) - 1st base(12:20) - 2nd base(15:13) - Shortstop(18:13) - 3rd base(21:17) - Utility/bench(23:29) - Outfield(33:58) - Relief/closer

Ep. 308: The Cubs may have to trade Kris Bryant

Host David Kaplan is flying solo to discuss the financial situation the Cubs find themselves in this offseason and more importantly, the very real possibility that they might have to trade their MVP Kris Bryant. David Kaplan explains why in this episode of Cubs Talk.(1:28) - The Cubs in a financial bind(4:56) - Cubs tried to sign extensions with every player they want long term(6:36) - The likelihood Kris Bryant gets traded(7:48) - Replacement options for Kris Bryant(10:45) - There isn't one player that can fix the Cubs problems

Ep. 307: What does accountability mean for David Ross?

Host David Kaplan and Cubs beat reporter Tony Andracki discuss the culture change that new manager David Ross wants to bring to the clubhouse, trade rumors on Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber, and they discuss the fan complaints on lack of spending by the Cubs. (1:57) - Ross wants to bring accountability to the clubhouse(7:51) - Teams that are inquiring about Cubs MVP Kris Bryant(10:04) - Yankees are rumored to want Kyle Schwarber(12:37) - Fans saying the Cubs aren't spending enough

Ep. 306: Are the Cubs starting from scratch?

The crew wraps up the week for the Cubs on the final day of the Winter Meetings in San DiegoDavid Kaplan and Tony Andracki are joined by Jim Callis, MLB.com writer on the pipeline beat to discuss gthe Cubs trying to replenish the farm system that is bare (1:30). They also talk about some potential deals the Cubs get make and the returns by trading catcher Wilson Contreras (7:20), or former MVP Kris Bryant (14:30).