Come one, come all to see a fierce bout of competitors. In one corner, David Kaplan. A man whose takes have scorched the earth. And in the other corner, a beat writer's beat writer, Gordon Wittenmyer. The two duke it out on if ultimately was it the right decision for the Cubs to let go of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javy Baez. Let the debate BEGIN! (3:00) - Looking at the seasons Bryant, Baez, and Rizzo are having now, did the Cubs make the right decision? (10:30) - Did the former core produ...
May 25, 2022•24 min•Ep. 595
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer speaks to the media to discuss the season so far. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins react to the comments made by the Cubs executive. They react to Jed's updated news on Cubs prospect Ed Howard, Jed's comments on the future of Willson Contreras, and a lot more. (1:45) - Jed Hoyer gives update on Ed Howard (6:20) - Will Jed trade Willson Contreras? (10:35) - Are the Cubs starting to figure it out? (15:46) - Will the Cubs trade Stroma...
May 20, 2022•21 min•Ep. 594
The Cubs have a couple of new faces and they certainly made their presence known. Christopher Morel and Brandon Hughes help the Cubs pick up a 7-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer break down the Cubs' two newest players and what they see going forward from them. They also discuss the future of red hot Willson Contreras and the injury to Cubs prospect Ed Howard. (2:00) - 2 surprising debut's for the Cubs (12:00) - Brandon Hughes might have had the story of th...
May 18, 2022•38 min•Ep. 593
It sucks when your team is in a rebuild. Can it go faster? David Kaplan has a plan that will get the Cubs back to being competitive but could it work? Kap, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the current state of the Cubs and debate is Kap's plan should be the direction the Cubs go in to get the Northsiders back in contention for the division and a World Series. (1:30) - Recapping the recent Cubs games (4:00) - Kap saves the Cubs (14:40) - Will getting 2 star players fix the Cubs?...
May 13, 2022•31 min•Ep. 592
The Cubs are in a transition phase and looking to see how they will compete and who they will compete with going forward. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss who are the core players on this team, will they be kept or traded, and once the core is decided, how soon with fans be expecting them to compete for the division and for a World Series. (2:00) - Will the Cubs win 70 games this year? (4:30) - Who are the core players for this team? (14:00) - How soon are the Cubs expec...
May 11, 2022•29 min•Ep. 591
The Cubs have hit a slump after dropping the series vs the White Sox. Can they get it right before playing the World Series favorite Los Angels Dodgers? Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the slump of the Cubs and Seiya Suzuki and what they need to address to fix their issues. The guys also discuss Craig Kimbrel coming back with the Dodgers. (1:40) - Cubs continue downward stretch after loss to the White Sox (7:00) - Seiya Suzuki struggles (15:00) - Should fans be worried about Kyle Hend...
May 06, 2022•32 min•Ep. 590
The annual tradition of Cubs vs White Sox began this week with both teams having similar records to begin the season. Where are both teams trending? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the two Chicago squads and review the trades between them, and debate if the Cubs will regret losing Dylan Cease even more than Eloy Jimenez. Later, they also discuss the possible trade scenarios for Ian Happ and Willson Contreras. (1:50) - Where are the two teams trending so far this season?...
May 04, 2022•29 min•Ep. 589
David Kaplan has long said that Theo Epstein and the Cubs made an offer to Kris Bryant to have him stay, but Kris hasn't confirmed this. On this pod, Kap and Gordon discuss the ending to Kris Bryant's career as a Cub and if something could have been done to keep him. Later in the pod, Gordon Wittenmyer does an exclusive 1-on-1 with Kris Bryant about why he chose the Rockies, how his career ended in Chicago and could something have been done to keep him here.
Apr 27, 2022•32 min•Ep. 588
The Cubs are struggling right now but star rookie Seiya Suzuki is growing in popularity with the Northside fans. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss Suzuki's recent play and how he's gaining popularity among Cub fans. The crew also breaks down the team's recent struggles, what they think Jed Hoyer will do with the roster this year, and if they think Willson Contreras will be traded. (3:12) - Seiya Suzuki is the most popular Cub this season (8:10) - Cubs are trying to find t...
Apr 23, 2022•26 min•Ep. 587
The Cubs are still above .500 and look like a real solid team, can they keep it up, and if they can, will they be better than we all expected? David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the current play of the Cubs and will they surpass expectations, and do they have enough in the entire organization to be a winner in the next couple of years. They also discuss the possibility that the Cubs can add another Japanese prospect in star pitching talent Rōki Sasaki.
Apr 20, 2022•25 min•Ep. 586
Jackie Robinson Day in baseball is an important day in baseball. It's when every team around the league wears the number 42 to honor the courage of Jackie Robinson in helping to break the color barrier in baseball. Gordon Wittenmyer sits down with Cubs' third base coach Willie Harris to discuss growing up in the same town of Cairo, Georgia, the importance of Jackie Robinson and Jackie Robinson day, and the impact Jackie had on the game.
Apr 15, 2022•18 min•Ep. 585
Let's not get ahead of ourselves but the Cubs are tied for the division lead and look good. And as a nice bonus, Seiya Suzuki is already making history with his performance. He is now the only MLB player with eight-plus RBIs and four-plus walks in his first four career games since RBIs became an official stat in 1920. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the hot start and Suzuki's history-making start.
Apr 13, 2022•22 min•Ep. 584
Go Cubs GO! The Cubs pick up the first win of the season in fun fashion. Can they keep it up? David Kaplan and Tim Stebbins break down the win including the play of ace pitcher Kyle Hendricks, the play of rookie Seiya Suzuki, and what to expect in the series vs the Brewers. Later in the pod, Kap discusses New York Yankee slugger Aaron Judge as a potential target for the Cubs if they are willing to give him a $300 million dollar deal.
Apr 08, 2022•27 min•Ep. 583
David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the 2022 Cubs season and predict what the Cubs will do, will any Cub win awards, and who will be the breakout player for the Cubs this year. The guys break all this down and more! (2:00) - Will this team be better than people expect? (10:00) - Who will be the breakout player for the Cubs? (15:24) - What will be the starting lineup for the Cubs? (21:44) - Will Suzuki will rookie of the year?
Apr 06, 2022•30 min•Ep. 582
As the Cubs get ready for the season next week, it's predicting time. How well do you think the Cubs will play this year? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the upcoming season and if the Cubs can win 80 games this year. Later in the podcast, Gordon Wittenmyer interviews a Cubs prospect with potential, Pete Crow-Armstrong on expectations and his famous family.
Apr 01, 2022•33 min•Ep. 581
Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss and break down the Cubs roster and what's left to do before the season starts including, who starts day one, who will make the expanded roster, will core players be traded, what direction are the team going in this year and a lot more!
Mar 30, 2022•36 min•Ep. 580
Cubs' Clint Frazier sat down with NBC Sports Chicago's Gordon Wittenmyer and revealed he played through lingering concussion symptoms last year after suffering his second career concussion.
Mar 25, 2022•20 min•Ep. 579
David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the Cubs' introduction of Seiya Suzuki and dive into the contract details of the newest Cub and the newest Minnesota Twin Carlos Correa. They also break down the new MLB rules that will be implemented this season and the bobblehead schedule was released with no promotion materials showing Willson Contreras, Jason Heyward, or Kyle Hendricks. Are they preparing to move on? (2:00) - Breaking down the Seiya Suzuki signing (8:35) - Carlos Corr...
Mar 23, 2022•34 min•Ep. 578
During the lockout, players had to wait for what their futures will be, but some took their futures into their own hands. Matt Szczur did just that and retired after 5 years in the league. Matt joins Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss why he chose retirement, what he plans to do post leaving the game he loves, and his passion for art.
Mar 18, 2022•22 min•Ep. 577
Now that baseball is back the free agents are signing their deals and the Cubs get a big one. 27 year old Seiya Suzuki signs with the Cubs for the next 5 years and we have all the details. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins break down the signing and what it means for the Cubs. Also, the crew discusses the former core of the Cubs signing deals for other teams. Kris Bryant signs with the Colorado Rockies, Anthony Rizzo signs with the New York Yankees, and Kyle Schwarber with the Ph...
Mar 17, 2022•20 min•Ep. 576
Now that the season is set to go, the Cubs need to address some issues with the roster. Who should they go after? What positions need to be filled on the main roster? And the big question, is this another rebuilding season or can they go big for the division? David Kaplan returns with Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss the upcoming season and Jed Hoyer's vision for this season. (2:04) -Cubs are projected for 70 wins this season, will they be better than that? (7:40) - Should the Cubs ...
Mar 16, 2022•37 min•Ep. 575
It's finally here! Baseball is back after the owners and players union agree to a deal now the Cubs can start making moves. Gordon Wittenmyer and Tim Stebbins react to the news, including the terms of the new labor deal, what they mean for the Cubs, and what's next for the Cubs with the season right around the corner. (2:20) - Reaction to MLB lockout being officially over (10:25) - What will the Cubs look like with the DH for the first time ever (16:20) - New arbitration rules allow more money t...
Mar 11, 2022•34 min•Ep. 574
The baseball lockout is hurting the players and fans, but there hasn't been more real-life impact than Wrigleyville, where dozens of businesses rely on the baseball season for most of their annual revenues. Gordon Wittenmyer talks with Sluggers bar, Murphy's Bleachers, Nisei Lounge, and Obvious Shirts to discuss how the lockout has impacted their business.
Mar 09, 2022•28 min•Ep. 573
As the Cubs rebuild for the next era of winning, a key component is developing talent that will contribute to winning baseball in-house, and the person overseeing that for the Cubs is Jared Banner. Jared joins Davis Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss his philosophy on growing talent, the specifics of finding and coaching a young pitcher and hitter, and where he sees the Cubs in the next couple of seasons.
Mar 04, 2022•30 min•Ep. 572
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced after a back and forth between the players and owners over the weekend and into Tuesday that an agreement has not yet been made and the first two series of the season will be canceled. Are they close? Will more games be canceled? How will this impact the fans? David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss the canceled games and where the owners and players stand at this point in negotiations. (2:00) - First reactions to Rob Manfred canceling regular...
Mar 02, 2022•28 min•Ep. 571
For a different perspective on the lockout, the crew grabs Ryan McGuffey from the White Sox Talk Podcast to discuss the ongoing lockout. Guff joins David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins to break down what can change in negotiations to get the season started, what could baseball lose if the lockout continues, and a lot more.
Feb 25, 2022•24 min•Ep. 570
Former player and MLB Network analyst Dan Plesac joins David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss the MLB lockout and what needs to be done in the next week for the season to start on time. Later in the pod, Dan talks about his time as a Cub and what his thoughts were after the Cubs won the World Series. (3:00) - Comparing the strike of 1994 and this year's lockout (10:00) - Owners wanted to lockout the players before the players had a chance to strike (19:00) - How can baseball be fixed? (26...
Feb 23, 2022•33 min•Ep. 569
Time is clicking for the owners and players and with them meeting only 15 minutes at a time once a week, it doesn't look promising. Spring Training is already delayed, but is the season at risk? David Kaplan, Tim Stebbins, and Gordon Wittenmyer provide updates and discuss the CBA meetings and if things stay the same, are we headed to another shortened season or will the season be canceled entirely? The guys also talk about the breaking news in the Tyler Skags case, and also they rank the best Cu...
Feb 18, 2022•31 min•Ep. 568
The MLB lockout continues as the normal offseason activities get moved back. We talked with Eugene Freedman on what the players' side of this is on an early edition of the pod, now we discuss the owners' side with lawyer and professor of labor at the University of Depaul, Gerry Golden. Gerry joins Tim Stebbins and Gordon Wittenmyer to break down why the owners chose to lockout out the players, what does it mean to lock out labor, and what will end the lockout. (2:40) - How does a lockout work fo...
Feb 16, 2022•29 min•Ep. 567
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the league will make a counterproposal to the players union in a scheduled labor negotiation Saturday. How important is it for the offer to assure progress in labor negotiations? Tim Stebbins, David Kaplan, and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss Manfred's comments and if they made things worse or better for an agreement to be made.
Feb 11, 2022•29 min•Ep. 566
