Cubs Talk Podcast

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Jed Hoyer on trading Yu Darvish and Wilson Contreras’ future Jan 01, 2021

Show notes

Jed Hoyer on trading Yu Darvish and Wilson Contreras' future

After trading Yu Darvish to the Padres, Cubs president Jed Hoyer spoke to the media about the organization's direction. The Cubs Talk team of David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins discuss Hoyer's comments and where they think the Cubs are headed, not only in 2021 but the future — including rumors the Cubs are shopping catcher Wilson Contreras. Later in the podcast, the crew answers your questions and concerns about the Cubs in our mailbag segment to open up the new year.

(1:40) - Takeaways from Jed Hoyer's press conference

(6:45) -Are the Cubs still trying to win the division after trading Darvish?

(12:06) - The Cubs are trying to trim payroll

(18:55) - Will players regret not taking extensions?

(25:10) - Fan question: Did the Cubs trade Darvish for a potential star?

(31:00) - When will the Cubs hire a new GM?

(36:20) - Can the Cubs move Jason Heyward's contract?

EMERGENCY POD: Cubs trade Yu Darvish!? Dec 28, 2020

Show notes

In a surprise to everyone but David Kaplan, the Cubs are trading starting pitcher Yu Darvish and catcher Victor Caratini to the San Diego Padres for prospects. Kaplan is joined by the rest of the Cubs Talk crew of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins to discuss and break down the trade. The group discusses if the Cubs are starting a rebuild if the prospects they're getting will be meaningful players and who could be the next Cub traded.

(1:58) - Gordon Wittenmyer: "The Cubs are tanking!"

(6:21) - No one knows for sure if Darvish can repeat what he did last season

(12:05) - Will the Cubs admit to fans that they are tanking?

(17:35) - How is one of the most popular teams in the sport not spending money to win?

(25:30) - Who is the next Cub to be traded?

A Christmas list for Cubs fans Dec 25, 2020

Show notes

In a special edition of the Cubs Talk Podcast, the crew of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins discuss what would be on the Cubs' wish for Christmas, some new rules to baseball that might impact the game, and what Cubs fans should expect from new President Jed Hoyer. Later in the podcast, the crew gets into heated debates over the greatest Christmas movies of all time.

(2:00) - Cub fans Christmas wishes

(6:40) - Wishing for Cubs to have a better financial situation

(12:15) -Wish lists for new rules in baseball

(17:20) - What would baseball look like if it banned the shift

(24:40) - Heated debates of best Christmas movies

A sit down with agent Scott Boras Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

Agent Scott Boras represents some of MLB's greatest players, including former MVP Kris Bryant. Boras sits down with Gordon Wittenmyer and Maddie Lee to discuss where Bryant stands with the Cubs in the ongoing conversation about whether he will be with the team long term. Gordon, Maddie, and Boras also discuss the loaded 2021 free-agent class, the financial situation the Cubs find themselves in, and what could be a very contentious CBA between the players and owners.

(2:20) - Where does Kris Bryant measure up against other top players in baseball today and HOF 3rd baseman Chipper Jones

(7:03) - Will Bryant finish the 2021 season with the Cubs?

(11:40) - Did all the criticism over 2020 get to Bryant?

(14:32) - How a loaded 2021 free-agent class might affect a player & if they might accept an extension

(18:50) - Economics surrounding the Cubs this offseason

(28:55) - Budget cuts in teams front office and how they affect the game

(33:30) - State of the CBA negotiations between the owners and players

(41:00) - Update on free agent Jake Arrieta

David Ross believes the Cubs can win and MLB recognizes the Negro Leagues Dec 18, 2020

Show notes

In his Winter Meetings media session, David Ross was asked if he believes the Cubs can win right now. Without hesitation, Ross confirmed he thinks this roster can and will compete. Host David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Maddie Lee discuss if the Cubs can retool and win at the same time or if Ross is doing coach speak. The group also discusses Anthony Rizzo's future as a Cub.

Later, following MLB reclassifying the Negro Leagues a major league, Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, joins the podcast. Kendrick discusses his hesitant reaction to the news and what this means for the history of the Negro Leagues.

(2:50) - Does David Ross truly believe he can win with this roster?

(6:30) - Does being in a down division help the Cubs believe they can still win?

(13:39) - With Anthony Rizzo in the final year of his contract, will the Cubs extend him?

(17:55) - Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro League Baseball Museum, joins Gordon Wittenmyer and Maddie Lee

(19:00) - Kendrick discusses his reaction to the news and its significance

(29:30) - Minnie Minoso was the Latino Jackie Robinson

(36:15) - The Pirates and the Cleveland Indians could have had Black players but all declined

Scott Boras on Kris Bryant’s future as a Cub Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

In his annual December meeting with the media, baseball super-agent Scott Boras discussed the state of baseball and his clients, including Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant — who is seemingly the subject of trade talks every day. Host David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins discuss Boras' comments on Bryant and the new regime led by Jed Hoyer in ways that only Boras can. Later in the podcast, the crew discusses the still uncertain 2021 MLB schedule and if the Cubs are looking to make any more moves this offseason.

(2:20) - Impressions of super-agent Scott Boras' meeting with the media

(5:20) - Is the path to keeping Kris Bryant brighter than before?

(12:10) - Are the Cubs looking to make any moves?

(19:00) - How do agents look at teams' "poor" financial situations this year?

(27:10) - Where do the Cubs go from here?

(33:28) - Scott Boras' thoughts on the finances of MLB teams

2020 Winter Meetings: Jed Hoyer’s vision for the Cubs Dec 10, 2020

Show notes

Jed Hoyer, the new Cubs president of baseball operations, makes his first appearance on the Cubs Talk Podcast in his new role. David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss his vision for the Cubs, the search for his GM, what he thinks of his roster, and if the Cubs are in a rebuild. The crew also discusses how the Cubs are operating in a pandemic and how will the league adjust when the season starts up again.

(1:24) - Balancing the long-term future and the good chance this roster can win the division this year

(7:00) - How did the Cubs prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the organization this season?

(11:00) - How will the Cubs continue to develop players and more specifically pitching going forward?

(13:08) - Are the Cubs going to be competitive this year?

(15:50) - Will the Cubs have to take a step back to get back to the World Series?

(18:30) - Have teams inquired about Yu Darvish and Kyle Hendricks?

(23:30) - When will the search for a GM start?

2020 Winter Meetings: Epic trade stories and meeting new coach Willie Harris Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

On the third day of the Winter Meetings, the Cubs still have been quiet. So, the Cubs talk crew of David Kaplan, Maddie Lee, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss and relive some of the trades or almost trades of Cubs past, including details on how Nomar Garciaparra became a Cub, and how the Cubs dealt Milton Bradley. Later in the podcast, the crew interviews new Cubs third base coach Willie Harris, discussing his playing career with the White Sox and what he plans to bring to the Cubs.

(1:30) - A lot of movement this Winter Meetings by the league

(4:35) - The story of how the Cubs traded Milton Bradley

(9:03) - How Mike Piazza almost became a Cub

(14:44) - Was Kris Bryant actually offered an extension?

(20:18) - New Cubs third base coach Willie Harris joins the podcast

(24:06) - Harris discusses his relationship with David Ross

(26:40) - Harris interviewed to be the manager of the White Sox before Tony La Russa got the job

2020 Winter Meetings: Kevin Youkilis breaks down the Cubs Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

On Day 2 of the Winter Meetings, Jed Hoyer and the Cubs remain quiet and haven't made any moves so far. Host David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer and Maddie Lee discuss the NL Central not being competitive this season and how that could benefit the Cubs in making the 2021 playoffs. Later, Kevin Youkilis joins the pod and breaks down the Cubs. The group discusses the differences in today's game, Kevin's thoughts on Theo Epstein admitting he was part of the problem in "boring" baseball and how Jed can be successful as the new president of baseball operations.

(1:07) - Will the NL Central be competitive in 2021?

(5:16) - Can the Cubs win the division while worried about the payroll?

(9:29) - Kevin Youkilis interview

(14:18) - Youkilis' thoughts on Theo Epstein admitting he was part of the problem in baseball

(19:30) - Will the game change back to emphasizing small ball?

(22:30) - What is the difference between Theo and Jed?

(26:20) - What kind of hitters do the Cubs need?

2020 Winter Meetings Pod: Cubs VP of player development Matt Dorey Dec 07, 2020

Show notes

The 2020 Winter Meetings have begun and everyday this week, the Cubs Talk Podcast will be dropping an episode to keep fans up to date on the Cubs. The Cubs Talk crew of David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer and Maddie Lee discuss what the Cubs are looking to do during the Winter meetings and this offseason, and how they Cubs' farm system looks. Later in the podcast, the crew talks with Matt Dorey, the Cubs VP of player development, about if any of the Cubs prospects could be on the move, how the current system is trying to develop talent and how can they improve the lack of pitching depth in the organization.

(1:30) - The Winter Meetings are underway. Where should Jed Hoyer start this year?

(5:00) - How can the Cubs build like the Dodgers?

(8:21) - Matt Dorey joins the podcast

(13:20) - How healthy is the Cubs farm system?

(17:30) - How are the Cubs developing pitching?

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