With Jake Arrieta inking a three-year deal worth $75 million, should the Cubs have tried for that same contract for the 2015 NL Cy Young Winner? Or are the Cubs still in a perfect spot with the Yu Darvish deal? Plus, who will be the Cubs’ 2018 MVP and what will the exact Opening Day lineup look like?
Just three weeks away from opening and Jake Arrieta needs a home. Who’s the leader in the clubhouse to sign the former Cubs CY Young Award winner? Jon Graff, Chris Kamka and Kelly Crull are weighing the odds for Arrieta’s potential landing spot with the help of Bovada’s Head Oddsmaker Pat Morrow. (Courtesy of Bovada.lv) Who will Jake Arietta sign his next MLB contract with? Milwaukee Brewers 7/4 Washington Nationals 5/2 San Diego Padres 11/4 Philadelphia Phillies 9/2 Minnesota Twins 8/1...
How will Joe Maddon find enough playing time for everybody in the Cubs lineup in 2018? With Ian Happ doing his best to force the issue, does that mean Jason Heyward could find himself on the bench more often? David Kaplan, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss the Cubs’ roster puzzle – from the lineup to the bullpen to the potential for a six-man starting rotation. Plus, the crew gives its take on where and when Jake Arrieta finally signs with a team.
The Cubs super rotation has been set and Jon Lester receives the honor of starting opening day. David Kaplan and Kelly Crull discuss if the Cubs starting 5 is not only the best in franchise history, but the best in baseball right now. Plus after watching Joe Maddon’s crew up close and personal for 2 weeks in Mesa, Kelly discusses the refreshed focus and hunger the Cubs are displaying on a daily basis
Spring training baseball games are up around the bend, but before boys of summer get into organized action Kelly Crull sat down with 2 of the team’s new coaches Chili Davis and Jim Hickey. Vinnie Duber joined Kelly to discuss these baseball conversations including the memorable first words of Kyle Schwarber to Chili Davis, “I don’t suck!”
Jon Lester has arrived at Cubs camp, and he’s pleased with the new-look rotation full of potential aces. Kelly Crull and Vinnie Duber discuss the 5-man unit, and where Mike Montgomery fits into the Cubs’ plans. Plus, Kelly and Vinnie talk Jason Heyward and Kyle Schwarber, along with the continuing free agent stalemate surrounding Jake Arrieta.
Day 2 is in the books and Cubs players continue to react to the acquisition of Yu Darvish. Kelly Crull and Jesse Rogers discuss the Yu Darvish effect and the fact that teammates and coaches believe the best of Darvish is yet to come. Plus the odd-man out in the starting rotation Mike Montgomery deals with losing his opportunity to be a regular member of the Starting 5.
A brand new era is underway for the Chicago Cubs after introducing Yu Darvish the new ace of their staff. Kelly Crull, Jesse Rogers, and David Kaplan give their instant reaction to the newly signed 6-year contract. Kelly and Jesse take a deep dive into the financials that help ink the Cubs new strikeout machine, and The Kapman talks about the massive chip that Darvish has on his shoulder after his subpar World Series performance.
“There Yu go Cub Fans!” that’s what Jim Deshaies tweeted after learning the Cubs agreed to a deal with Yu Darvish. The NBC Sports Chicago Cubs color analyst joins David Kaplan and Jon Graff to discuss the major move made by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. JD also discusses his top storylines for the Cubs entering spring training including who will be the Cubs everyday centerfielder. Plus in our entertaining lighting round, Jim talks about who will start opening day, who will be the team MVP, and if ...
Who are the Top 5 Cubs players of your lifetime? David Kaplan, Kelly Crull, Tony Andracki and Jon Graff provide their lists, with names like Sammy Sosa, Mark Grace, Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg and Ernie Banks cracking the list. How would this list look 20 years in the future? The panel also tries to predict the Top 5 Cubs of all-time if the list were being made in 2038.
Frederic - aka the Cubs' Director of Morale (DOM) - takes part in the first edition of #BattleKap, debating David Kaplan on all things Cubs, from Jason Heyward to Jake Arrieta to Yu Darvish to Kyle Schwarber.
With the Hall of Fame taking the baseball world by storm, the trio of David Kaplan, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss who might be the next Cubs player to enter the game's most prestigious club.
Another week has gone by and still no flurry of signings in Major League Baseball. The Cubs have added some catching depth, but beyond that, their roster appears set until the top three pitchers on the market – Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish and Alex Cobb – finally reach an agreement with a team. But will that happen before spring training? And are the Cubs guaranteed to get one of those top starters? David Kaplan, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki weigh in on the latest CubsTalk Podcast, while also deliv...
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers stops by the CubsTalk Podcast to chat with Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki about his new book on Joe Maddon. The trio also debate whether Maddon’s tactics get stale and how the new coaching staff will affect the season. Plus, who should hit leadoff? Fans are all in on Albert Almora Jr., but that might not be the best option. And whose side do you take in the Willson Contreras-Yadier Molina tiff?
The NBCS Chicago Cubs team of Kelly Crull, Tony Andracki, Jon Graff, Matt Buckman and Scott Changnon rattle off their main takeaways from the weekend’s Cubs Convention, including the funniest moments and how the players engaged with fans and each other throughout the three days at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. Plus, which players – besides Kyle Schwarber – made the most of the offseason and primed for a breakout in 2018? The crew gives their take, with options including Albert Almora Jr., Ian Happ...
Did the Cubs really offer Jake Arrieta $110 million? Is Alex Cobb truly searching for an $80 million deal? Are the Miami Marlins out of their minds with what they want for Christian Yelich? David Kaplan, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss these rumors and more from the coldest offseason in recent memory. The trio also chat about baseball's luxury tax and who will cave first - the owners or the agents/players.
Is the slow-moving market playing right into the Cubs' favor? Should the Cubs extend themselves and give Jake Arrieta an extra year on a contract just to keep him from going to a rival? Should Javy Baez and Addison Russell switch positions for the 2018 season? A panel of David Kaplan, Tony Andracki, Scott Changnon, Nate Poppen and Eric Strobel discuss those topics and more on the latest CubsTalk Podcast.
Jon Graff, Eric Strobel and Luke Stuckmeyer are joined by Len Kasper to wrap up 2017. The voice of the Cubs discusses the lukewarm Hot Stove, the Cubs’ pitching additions, the mental fortitude of Kyle Schwarber, and whether the recent World Series triumphs on the North Side and in Houston will impact the current White Sox rebuild. Plus, Len has a deep cut for his favorite moment of 2017 and also gives us his lightning-round predictions for the 2018 season.
Cubs broadcaster Jim Deshaies stops by the CubsTalk Podcast to break down the Cubs’ pitching moves this offseason and why he believes the starting rotation will feature five guys who could all wind up as the ace of the staff in 2018. Plus, Deshaies chats with Kelly Crull, Tony Andracki and Jon Graff about being reunited with one of his former minor-league teammates with the Cubs and how he dodged an emotional bullet during the World Series this fall.
Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss the impact of the Marlins' trades and daydream on how Christian Yelich would be a perfect fit atop the Cubs order if Miami ever decided to move him. Plus, where do the Cubs stand with free agent pitchers and is a Wade Davis return still possible? Crull also chats 1-on-1 with MLB super-agent Scott Boras about Jake Arrieta's value and how to navigate a slow-moving free agent market.
Tony Andracki and Kelly Crull break down where Brandon Morrow and Drew Smyly fit in the Cubs' pitching plans while Kyle Schwarber craziness reaches new heights. Peter Gammons and Bob Nightengale weigh Schwarber’s trade value and how likely it may be that the Cubs could secure a Chris Archer, Gerrit Cole or Michael Fulmer this winter. Nightengale also explains how Brandon Morrow could fill an Andrew Miller-esque role for the Cubs. Plus, Cubs manager Joe Maddon stops by the CubsTalk Podcast to cha...
MLB Network’s Dan Plesac stops by the CubsTalk Podcast to discuss Kyle Schwarber’s trade value, how the Cubs can solve their pitching deficiencies and why Wade Davis should still be on their radar even after the soon-to-be-official signing of Brandon Morrow. Plus, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki break down why they are now even more convinced Schwarber won’t be traded, how far the Cubs got in Giancarlo Stanton talks, why Kyle Hendricks was part of the Shohei Ohtani recruiting package and how the 2...
David Kaplan and Eric Strobel are joined by Tampa Bay Times beat writer Marc Topkin to discuss potential Cubs pitching targets Alex Cobb and Chris Archer. Topkin also reveals why new Cubs pitching coach Jim Hickey is known as a sorcerer within baseball circles. Plus, Kap and Eric break down the Cubs’ pursuit of coveted Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani, and debate whether the Cubs have a better shot at landing him than many might think. In addition, Kelly Crull is joined by John Harper of the New Yo...
USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale stops by the CubsTalk Podcast with David Kaplan and Tony Andracki to discuss the Cubs’ chances at landing Theo Epstein’s White Whale: Shohei Ohtani. Would the 23-year-old Japanese phenom fit on a National League team? Plus, Nightengale hands out MLB comparisons for Ohtani, including a former Cub icon in terms of the young lefty’s bat.
In the latest CubsTalk Podcast, Kelly Crull and David Kaplan look ahead to Thanksgiving and discuss the official coaching hires for the Cubs. They also talk about where the Cubs go from here with Jake Arrieta and Wade Davis, whether Alex Cobb could factor into the rotation plans and Kap goes off on the 11:30 a.m. Opening Day start time.
GM Jed Hoyer stops by the CubsTalk Podcast to chat about the Cubs coaching staff, offseason trade rumors and why this is such a big winter for the future of the franchise after 2017 left a bad taste in everybody's mouths at Wrigley Field. Plus, is John Lackey a good fit for the Cubs' 2018 starting rotation and should we forget about that Jason Heyward-to-the-Giants buzz?
What are the realistic chances David Ross or Ozzie Guillen becomes the Cubs’ next bench coach? What would it take to get Chris Archer pitching in a Cubs uniform? Can the Cubs actually trade Jason Heyward’s full contract this winter and get pitching in return? Is the door shut on Jake Arrieta returning to Chicago? The NBC Sports Chicago crew tackles these questions, with David Kaplan, Kelly Crull, Patrick Mooney, Jeff Nelson and Tony Andracki giving their take on what has already been a weird off...
With Joe Girardi out of a job in New York, could he ever manager again in Chicago? And how does his availability affect Cubs bench coach Davey Martinez in his bid for a manager gig somewhere? Do these Cubs coaching changes reflect more heavily on Joe Maddon moving forward? Is Bryce Harper coming to the Cubs in two years or is he just a big flirt? Who are the Cubs most likely to trade of their young position players? Patrick Mooney, Jeff Nelson and Tony Andracki attempt to answer all these questi...
Kelly Crull, Patrick Mooney and Tony Andracki close the book on the 2017 Cubs season following Theo Epstein’s press conference, looking back at what will go down as the craziest calendar year in Cubs history from last November through the team’s loss in the NLCS this October. Moving forward, where do guys like Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr., Justin Wilson and Mike Montgomery fit? Will the Cubs re-sign Wade Davis or go after another proven closer? And how worried should fans be about the offen...
Patrick Mooney and Tony Andracki analyze the Cubs' sub-optimal position in the NLCS, down two games to none to the Dodgers with a lack of offense and a struggling bullpen. Plus, what was Joe Maddon thinking with his lineup and bullpen decisions in the first two games of the series? And what is really going with Wade Davis?
