Opening week of Spring Training continues, and in this episode we catch up with Kyle Schwarber, who scoffs at the PECOTA projections that have the Cubs finishing last in the NL Central (1:15). Then, Tyler Chatwood addresses his 2018 struggles head-on and details what he's done to improve this offseason (8:20). Finally, our Cubs insider Tony Andracki calls in from Mesa and discusses the addition of Xavier Cedeno, Adbert Alzolay's status and much more (14:30).
Feb 14, 2019•23 min•Ep. 175
Yu Darvish speaks about how he's feeling and why he's in a much better spot mentally as he enters his 2nd season in Chicago (:45). Then, Willson Contreras discusses his offseason training and the current state of affairs in his native Venezuela (5:55). We then hear from Jason Heyward, who adamantly supports the Cubs' approach in bringing the entire core group of players back (12:00). Finally, Jon Lester explains how his approach will change as he enters his 14th big league season (18:00).
Feb 14, 2019•31 min•Ep. 174
Baseball is finally back! Luke Stuckmeyer takes you out to Mesa, where Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Joe Maddon addressed the media Tuesday to officially kick off Spring Training. The trio cover a wide range of topics, including Joe's new slogan for 2019 (:45), the latest update on Addison Russell's situation (5:30), why the free agent market has been so slow (15:30), Theo's reaction to the Joe Ricketts emails (21:30), how Maddon will change his approach this season (29:45), and what to expect out...
Feb 13, 2019•49 min•Ep. 173
Luke Stuckmeyer is joined by Stats Coordinator Chris Kamka and Cubs producer Eric Strobel to discuss this year's pessimistic PECOTA projections for the Cubs from Baseball Prospectus (:35), the much-improved NL Central's impact on the projections (6:00), and react to the news that the DH will not be coming to the NL anytime soon (9:40). Then, Kelly Crull sits down for an exclusive interview with Javy Baez, who discusses how he can improve on an MVP-caliber 2018 season and why the Cubs are happy t...
Feb 09, 2019•23 min•Ep. 172
On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, Tony Andracki and Vinnie Duber discuss possible rules changes in baseball and how they would affect the Cubs. Plus, we go 1-on-1 with Kyle Hendricks. 01:00Possibility of the DH coming to the NL and how it would affect the Cubs 02:30The pitcher hitting a homer is one of the most exciting things in the game 03:45Is Kyle Schwarber automatically the DH for the Cubs? 05:00Possible rule change requiring pitcher to face three batters 08:30Chances of a 2...
Feb 06, 2019•30 min•Ep. 171
In honor of Ernie Banks' birthday this week, Luke Stuckmeyer and Tony Andracki play a game of "Let's Play Two" by picking the two free agents that would have been best fits for the Cubs (:30), the two best teams in the National League besides the Cubs (3:15), the two best shortstops in baseball (4:45), and much more. Then, Kelly Crull sits down with Cubs starter Cole Hamels, who discusses his upcoming first full season on the North Side and how the Cubs rotation can be dominant in 2019 (13:15)....
Feb 01, 2019•24 min•Ep. 170
It's freezing in Chicago, but never fear... baseball is right around the corner, and we caught up with a couple Cubs before they report to Mesa in a couple weeks. First, Ben Zobrist talks about how last season is actually a good sign for this core group of players, and details his improved process at the plate (1:30). Then, Kyle Schwarber joins the show to discuss how the end of last season added fuel to the Cubs' motivational fire, why new hitting coach Anthony Iapoce should fit right in with t...
Jan 30, 2019•24 min•Ep. 169
Luke Stuckmeyer and David Kaplan discuss Maddon entering the final year of his contract, plus Kelly Crull goes one on one with Maddon. 00:30 - Is this Maddon's final season with the Cubs? 03:00 - Does it matter to the players if Maddon is in his last year of his contract? 04:00 - Javy Baez' comments on having a set lineup 05:30 - Possible other managerial opening in baseball next offseason 06:50 - What could be the biggest impact story this season with Maddon 09:00 - Joe tells us about his offse...
Jan 24, 2019•20 min•Ep. 168
On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast we join Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan and Kelly Crull to discuss the outcome of the Cubs convention and Cubs trolling. 01:30 Has Kris Bryant calling St. Louis "boring" been blown out of proportion?? 04:00 Cardinals fans weigh in on Bryant's comments 09:00 Are Bryant's comments worse than Joakim Noah calling out Cleveland? 11:30 Joe Maddon made comments about the Cardinals ordering a hit on them after a couple hit batters 12:30 Lee Elia's infamous rant about Cubs f...
Jan 22, 2019•22 min•Ep. 167
On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast we join David Kaplan and Kelly Crull at the Chicago Cubs Convention for interviews with Joe Maddon, Theo Epstein, Kris Bryant and many more.
Jan 20, 2019•38 min•Ep. 166
Jan 19, 2019•21 min•Ep. 165
On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss the biggest storylines for the Cubs heading into the 2019 season 01:00 - Predictions for the rest of the 2019 off-season 03:00 - Are the Cubs falling behind in the NL Central? 06:30 - The need for a veteran catcher to play behind Willson Contreras 08:00 - Lack of long-term contracts being handed out this off-season 10:30 - Will Kyle Schwarber reach his potential? 14:45 - What will David Bote's r...
Jan 15, 2019•31 min•Ep. 164
The TV voice of the Cubs, Len Kasper, stops by the CubsTalk Podcast before the Cubs Convention kicks off. Kasper discusses the outlook for 2019, and picks his "breakout" candidate on the Cubs offense. Len also answers some listener questions at the end of the podcast. 00:00:13 Some of the best Len Kasper play-by-play calls from the Cubs 2018 season. 00:01:36 Len talks about his excitement for the 2019 season, and the difficulty the team will face in an improved National League Central. 00:02:35 ...
Jan 11, 2019•19 min•Ep. 163
00:29 - Ryne talks about looking forward to the 2019 season. 01:29 - Sandberg on what changed for him as a player after his MVP season in 1984. 02:53 - Ryne talks about lineup consistency and how much the game has changed for players on a day-by-day basis since he was a player. 05:21 - Sandberg on being the highest paid player in baseball back in 1992, and how it affected his approach to the game. 07:01 - Ryne talks about Lee Smith being inducted to the Hall of Fame, some favorite memories of pl...
Jan 10, 2019•25 min•Ep. 162
On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer and David Kaplan are joined by USA Today baseball columnist Bob Nightengale 00:45Does Bob stand by prediction of Bryce Harper going to the Phillies 01:30Is a 7-year deal enough to land Harper of Manny Machado? 03:00Are the Cubs the sleeper team in the Harper sweepstakes? 05:00Are the Cubs still considered an elite team in the National League 06:45Which team has made the most moves during this offseason? 07:30Does Troy Tulowitzki going to the Yanke...
Jan 02, 2019•15 min•Ep. 161
In the second part of Joe Maddon’s winter meetings media session, the Cubs skipper outlines his philosophy concerning the ideal mix of veteran leadership in his clubhouse (:45), and also discusses how Kyle Schwarber (3:35) and Willson Contreras (10:25) can each unlock their potential in the upcoming 2019 season. Finally, Joe reveals his secret to connecting with today’s players (12:45)
Dec 28, 2018•16 min•Ep. 160
Cubs manager Joe Maddon held court at the winter meetings earlier this month in Las Vegas and covered a wide variety of topics. In part one of two, Joe talks about the bad taste in his mouth after last season’s quick playoff exit (:35), how his managing style will change next season (3:00) and why he’s not worried about entering the final year of his contract without an extension (10:35).
Dec 26, 2018•17 min•Ep. 159
Luke Stuckmeyer and Kelly Crull take one last look back at the 2018 season that was, and start by giving their one-word description of last year (:30), before going through all the weather problems and Yu Darvish’s struggles in the spring (2:15), some walk-off fun over the summer (8:00), and the disappointing finish as the calendar turned to fall (17:20).
Dec 21, 2018•28 min•Ep. 158
On this episode of the CubsTalk podcast, we catch up with new Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy in Las Vegas (1:00). Hottovy discusses his relationships with the current Cubs staff, his biggest challenge in 2019, and his quick transition from playing to coaching. Later, Luke Stuckmeyer speaks with former Cub and 2016 World Series Champion Matt Szczur, whose painting of the final out from the 2016 World Series is catching eyes all over the internet (15:50). Szczur also details his role in helping...
Dec 19, 2018•27 min•Ep. 157
When nothing happens in Vegas, it stays in Vegas. Luke, Kap and Tony talk about the Cubs lack of moves during the Winter Meetings In this episode of The Cubs Talk Podcast with Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan and Tony Andracki: 00:10 - What happen in Vegas stays in Vegas and this year that means nothing. Luke, Kap & Tony talk Cubs lack of moves at Winter Meetings. 00:50 - Where the heck is all the money? This was supposed to be a wide-open window - we step on the accelerator. 01:25 - Cubs keep ...
Dec 15, 2018•18 min•Ep. 156
Tony Andracki goes 1-on-1 with manager Joe Maddon at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. The Cubs manager touches on his efforts to put art back into the game, his biggest challenge in 2019, the Cubs' sense of urgency and his thoughts about Matt Nagy and the Bears (:30). Plus, we catch up with Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, who discusses internal team leadership, whether or not the Cubs are close to a deal, and how Maddon is changing up his coaching style (5:45).
Dec 12, 2018•13 min•Ep. 155
On the latest edition of the Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan and Pro Football Weekly's (and lifelong Cub fan) Hub Arkush discuss the similarities of the Cubs' 2015 team to the 2018 Bears. :45 Memories of their first Cubs game 3:30 Discussions with Bears Chairman George McCaskey about being a Cubs fan 4:15 Similarities between 2015 Cubs and 2018 Bears 5:45 Bringing in Joe Maddon vs Matt Nagy 8:00 Trades for Jake Arrieta and Khalil Mack 10:30 Rookies becoming stars: Bryant & S...
Dec 07, 2018•22 min•Ep. 154
On the latest CubsTalk Podcast, country music artist Brett Eldredge joins Luke Stuckmeyer and Kelly Crull to talk about his Glow LIVE tour coming to Chicago and his love for the Chicago Cubs. 0:58 - Brett on Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting ceremony on November 28th 2:19 - GLOW Live in Chicago December 5th at the Chicago Theatre 3:17 - What gets Brett in the Christmas spirit 4:16 - How 'Wanna be that Song' music video at Wrigley Field came about 6:03 - Brett's relationship with former and curren...
Dec 05, 2018•19 min•Ep. 153
On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer and David Kaplan are joined by former Cub and current MLB Network Analyst Mark DeRosa. 01:08 - What does Mark see from this Cubs roster 02:30 - How difficult is it for a player to have to play multiple positions at the big league level? 06:10 - Is having too much talent an issue for Joe Maddon in terms of getting everyone playing time? 11:30 - Which Kris Bryant will show up in 2019? 13:30 - Is he surprised Joe Maddon is heading into the final year...
Nov 30, 2018•22 min•Ep. 152
Luke Stuckmeyer is joined by David Kaplan and Tony Andracki to discuss all the latest Cubs news, including what the Madison Bumgarner trade rumors mean for the North Siders (:40), whether you’d rather have Josh Donaldson or Cole Hamels for one year at a similar price (5:00), the potential for a new hierarchy in the National League (7:30), the loss of Jesse Chavez from the bullpen (9:30), and the latest update on the Addison Russell situation (12:30).
Nov 28, 2018•17 min•Ep. 151
In this Thanksgiving-themed episode of the CubsTalk podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan, and Tony Andracki discuss what they're most thankful for relating to the Cubs (1:00), with responses ranging from the upgrades at Wrigley Field to the hiring of Theo Epstein and Joe Maddon. Then, in a nod to Black Friday, our panel debates the best deals the Cubs have ever made (7:10), including trades for Sammy Sosa, Ryne Sandberg, Jake Arrieta, and more. Plus, Kap tells us how Harry Caray came to be the...
Nov 21, 2018•17 min•Ep. 150
David Kaplan and Luke Stuckmeyer are joined by former Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry. In part 2, Hendry looks back at his favorite move he made as Cubs GM, on getting a World Series ring from the Cubs, and what future Hall of Famer Hendry was convinced could have been a Cub. 01:00 - How much pressure is put on a team after signing a big money free agent 02:30 - Why didn't it click with Kosuke Fukudome 04:00 - What was his favorite move he made as GM of the Cubs? 05:30 - What is the Winter Meeti...
Nov 19, 2018•18 min•Ep. 149
David Kaplan and Luke Stuckmeyer are joined by former Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry. In part 1, Hendry looks back at some of the players he drafted during his time with the Cubs and getting a deal done with Theo Epstein at the trade deadline in 2004. 00:45 - What he does now for the Yankees 02:30 - How involved is a GM with drafting a player 04:30 - Looking back at the drafting of Javier Baez 05:45 - What made Javier Baez so appealing as a draft pick 09:00 - Josh Donaldson moving to 3rd base a...
Nov 16, 2018•21 min•Ep. 148
Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan and Tony Andracki break down the Kris Bryant trade rumors.. 01:00 - How much truth is there to the "Will Kris Bryant be traded" story? 04:25 - Is there any package a team could offer that would give the Cubs what they value Kris Bryant at? 05:35 - Who is the most untouchable player on the Cubs roster? 08:55 - Will Kris Bryant be in Chicago long enough to wear a Cubs hat if he makes it to Cooperstown? -- 12:00 - Is Nolan Aranado a match in a possible trade for Bryant...
Nov 14, 2018•21 min•Ep. 147
Luke Stuckmeyer, Kelly Crull and David Kaplan react to Scott Boras opening up the Bryce Harper sweepstakes, and debate whether Harper would be a fit for the Cubs at this point. Then, “the distinguished Canadian hurler,” aka former Cub Ryan Dempster, joins the pod to discuss a wide variety of topics, including Yu Darvish, the role of pitching coaches, and John Lackey’s retirement party. 1:15 – Scott Boras’ comments on Bryce Harper from the GM meetings 3:00 – If you were a player, would you want B...
Nov 09, 2018•20 min•Ep. 146
