Cubs Talk Podcast

Ep. 285: Biggest needs this offseason

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, David Kaplan, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss the biggest need this offseason and who they think will manage the team in 2020.01:30 What is the biggest need this offseason02:30 The need for another starter in 202004:00 Putting priority on building the farm system05:30 How do they solve the leadoff hitter problem10:00 Chances Castellanos returns13:00 The need to rebuild the bullpen18:00 Picks for who will be the Cubs manager in 2020

Ep. 284: Joe Girardi talks Cubs and MLB Playoffs

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, David Kaplan talks with Joe Girardi, now working for MLB Network, about the possibility of returning to the dugout, how the Cubs job is perceived around baseball and his thoughts on the Cubs roster.01:00 Girardi on state of managing02:00 What goes into a manager's job off the field?04:00 Can today's players be managed the same way former players were?05:30 On nickname "Binder Joe" and analytics in baseball07:00 On how Cubs job is perceived around baseball08:00 Does Joe lobby for jobs?10:00 Joe's thoughts on the Cubs roster11:00 Joe's World Series pick12:00 On how managing changes in the playoffs13:30 Did he ever dream of standing in Wrigley dugout

Ep. 283: Reacting to Theo Epstein end of season press conference

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Tony Andracki and Kelly Crull react to Theo Epstein's season-ending press conference, and touch on David Ross being a candidate for the manager job, what type of team the next manager will inherit, and if there will be changes on the coaching staff02:00 - "We're starting something anew"03:00 - What Theo is looking for in a new manager05:00 - Theo looking for more team-centric work08:00 - David Ross is a candidate for the manager's job11:00 - What type of team will the next manager inherit13:00 - Are there really any untouchables on the club?16:00 - Did the Cubs fall into a winner's trap18:00 - How will the Cubs address the leadoff spot?22:30 - Cubs struggles to develop a pitcher24:00 - Will there be changes in the coaching staff?

Ep. 282: Tying a bow on the 2019 season and the Joe Maddon era

Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki wrap up an eventful day in St. Louis where the Cubs officially parted ways with manager Joe Maddon, thus ending the most successful five-year run in Cubs franchise history. Crull and Andracki also relay reaction from Cubs players on Maddon’s departure as well as their own takeaways and memories from the Maddon era. Plus, what’s next for the Cubs as they enter an offseason of change?1:00 – The Maddon reaction4:00 – What Maddon meant to these Cubs players6:00 – Maddon let Javy Baez realize his potential as “El Mago”8:00 – Maddon’s life lessons9:00 – Maddon’s message to Kris Bryant10:40 – Maddon’s lasting impact13:45 – What Kelly will remember most about Joe’s time here20:00 – Reality check for this franchise22:00 – Are huge changes coming for the Cubs?24:00 – The futures of core players with this franchise25:30 – Zobrist farewell?28:00 – Strop farewell?30:00 – Appreciate this era of Cubs baseball

Ep. 281: Swept by the Cardinals (and playoff dreams dashed)

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Tony Andracki and Kelly Crull discuss the Cardinals sweep, Yu Darvish taking the loss so hard, and what to look for over the final six games of the year.01:00 - Reaction to being swept by the Cards03:30 - Darvish taking the loss really hard05:30 - This is the Yu Darvish Cubs fans thought they were getting when he signed with the Cubs07:00 - Almora's miscue in the 9th inning of the loss08:00 - It feels like the end of an era12:00 - Is this the end of an era for the Cubs?16:00 - Surprised Rizzo was available on the field for the entire Cardinals series?20:00 - There is no one thing you can look to that didn't work this season22:00 - What do you want to see over the final six games?25:00 - Seeing a cornerstone being helped off the field for a second Sunday in a row29:00 - How much will we see the injured guys on the field?

Ep. 280: Showdown with St. Louis

01:00 Is this the biggest series ever against the Cardinals07:15 Would you have pinch hit for Chatwood in the 8th inning Wednesday10:15 Will Dexter Fowler be a factor in this series?11:30 Are you surprised where the Cubs are at this season?16:00 Is Kris Bryant injury prone or just unlucky?19:00 How many will the Cubs win in this series vs STL?21:00 If there was to be a sweep, which team is more likely to sweep

Ep. 279: Anthony Rizzo injury update

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Anthony Rizzo talks about his ankle sprain, Theo Epstein reacts to the injury and Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan and Tony Andracki discuss how the Cubs will fill the void in the lineup.01:00 - How Rizzo is doing a day after the injury03:30 - Anthony Rizzo discusses his injury06:00 - Will we see Rizzo again in the regular season08:00 - Theo Epstein discusses Rizzo's injury10:00 - Who will play first base in Rizzo's absence?12:00 - Need to continue the offensive surge

Ep. 278: Rizzo hurt as Cubs sweep Pirates

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss the injury to Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs offense coming alive against the Pirates and the playoff chase with 2 weeks left in the season.01:00 How worried are you about Rizzo's injury05:00 Wrigley's reaction to Rizzo's injury08:00 Bryant leads the Cubs offense against the Pirates10:00 Heyward's resurgence after moving out of leadoff spot12:00 Nico Hoerner's looks impressive in first series at Wrigley15:00 How do Cubs stand with 2 weeks left?17:00 Cubs have a chance to make up ground with Cardinals playing Nationals18:30 Brewers staying in race without Yelich

Ep. 277: Theo’s take on his struggling team

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan, David Dejesus, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki react to Theo Epstein's comments about his club, changes in the scouting department and struggles at the leadoff spot.01:30 - Latest odds to win the NL Central after the Yelich injury03:00 - Brewers make up 5 games in the standing in 6 day04:00 - Reaction to Theo's comments on defensive struggles08:00 - How do players change the narrative of the season?10:00 - Was 2016 the outlier year for the Cubs?12:00 - Jason McLeod's new title with the team and a new look in the scouting department16:00 - Struggles at the leadoff spot19:30 - Who is the player who runs the clubhouse?21:00 - Since 2017 did the Cubs believe they could turn it on when they had to?24:00 - Cubs broadcast bumped for "Bachelor in Paradise"27:00 - Darvish bounces back to be their best starting pitcher this season

Ep. 276: Mick Gillispie, voice of the Tennessee Smokies, on Nico Hoerner

00:01:00 Luke, Kelly and Tony talk with Mick Gillispie - play-by-play voice of the Tennessee Smokies - who saw every Double-A game that Nico Hoerner ever played.00:07:00 Mick talks about who Nico Hoerner is as a person and what should make him a successful MLB player. Mick gives a great example of what makes Nico a great leader on the field.00:12:24 Mick talks about Nico's defensive abilities - including playing shortstop, second base and center field.00:15:00 Asked if Hoerner has any glaring weaknesses in his game, Mick says he doesn't see any.00:20:00 Luke, Kelly, Kap and Tony discuss Kris Bryant's knee issues, K.B. getting a cortisone shot, and what it could mean for Bryant as the Cubs 2019 hits the home stretch.00:23:00 Tony talks about the seriousness of the Bryant knee injury - and how much the Cubs need their former MVP down the stretch.00:31:15 The state of the Cubs infield and not putting too much pressure on Nico Hoerner after his MLB debut.