Chicago Cubs Central Podcast

In this episode, Mike Jones breaks down a wild week of Cubs rumors and near-miss moves that could reshape the entire 2026 roster. The Chicago Cubs are officially in trade talks with the Washington Nationals for MacKenzie Gore, one of the most electric young left-handers in baseball. Will Chicago finally land the controllable starter they’ve been searching for?

Plus — the Cubs reportedly met with Pete Alonso about a potential deal before he ultimately chose the Baltimore Orioles. How close were the Cubs to actually landing the Polar Bear?

And finally… Devin Williams is OFF the table. Chicago refused to match the $51 million price tag for the dominant closer. Was that a smart long-term play or a costly mistake?

With missed opportunities piling up and the rotation still incomplete… WHO will the Cubs sign next? Mike gives his picks, predictions, and what moves MUST happen next.

👉 SUBSCRIBE for more Cubs news, rumors, and breakdowns!

#ChicagoCubs #CubsNews #CubsRumors #MLBTrades #MacKenzieGore #PeteAlonso #DevinWilliams #CubsCentral #MikeJones #MLBOffseason #GoCubsGo #BaseballNews

In this episode, Mike Jones dives into Day 2 of the MLB Winter Meetings as Craig Counsell steps up to the mic and drops some major bombshells. We break down his comments on Michael Busch no longer being limited to right-handed pitching, and what this means for the Cubs’ 2025 lineup versatility.

We also explore how Matt Shaw is shaping the Cubs’ future plans — especially how his role in 2026 may extend well beyond third base. Plus, an update on Justin Steele’s injury timeline, what the Cubs expect moving forward, and how this impacts the rotation.

From roster strategy to development plans and surprise takeaways from Counsell’s presser — we’ve got it all covered. Tap in and stay informed on every move the Cubs are making this winter!

#ChicagoCubs #CubsCentral #WinterMeetings #MLBNews #CraigCounsell #MichaelBusch #MattShaw #JustinSteele #CubsBaseball #MLBUpdates #CubsNation #GoCubsGo #CubsRumors #BaseballTalk #MLB2025

🔥 CHICAGO CUBS CENTRAL – DAY 1 WINTER MEETINGS BREAKDOWN! 🔥
In this must-watch episode, Mike dives into Day 1 of the MLB Winter Meetings, where the Chicago Cubs are already making noise and exploring multiple high-impact moves.

💣 Cubs Showing Interest in BIG Names
Chicago is reportedly connected to several potential upgrades — including Kyle Schwarber, Eugenio Suárez, and superstar free agent Alex Bregman. Could one of these bats land at Wrigley?

🧢 Jed Hoyer Speaks on the 3B Conundrum
Jed addresses one of the biggest questions of the offseason: Who plays third base in 2025?
He gives major insight into the Cubs’ thinking — including his confidence in top prospect Matt Shaw.

⚾ Winter Meetings Heat Up
From trade talks to free-agent chatter, Mike breaks down everything the Cubs are doing behind the scenes as they look to reshape the roster.

🔥 Big decisions are coming — will the Cubs strike fast or wait for the right moment?

👍 LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for daily Cubs coverage, rumors, and Winter Meetings updates!

#ChicagoCubs #CubsCentral #MLBWinterMeetings #CubsRumors #KyleSchwarber #EugenioSuarez #AlexBregman #JedHoyer #MattShaw #MLBRumors #CubsNews #GoCubsGo #ChicagoSports #BaseballTalk #MLBOffseason

🔥 CHICAGO CUBS CENTRAL – WINTER MEETINGS BREAKING NEWS! 🔥
In this episode of Chicago Cubs Central, Mike Jones kicks off the Cubs Winter Meetings and welcomes fans to the annual offseason madness! With the front office hunting for upgrades, the big question is simple:

Will the Cubs land a superstar?

🏆 Alex Bregman Rumors Heating Up
Could Chicago make a massive splash and bring in one of the top hitters on the market?

💣 Kyle Schwarber Reunion?!
Is a return to Wrigley Field actually possible for Schwarbs? Mike breaks down the latest buzz.

🤝 Trade Talk With the Miami Marlins
With pitching a top priority, we explore whether the Cubs could strike a deal with Miami for rotation or bullpen help.

⚾ Starting Pitching & Bullpen Needs
From frontline starters to late-inning weapons, what moves MUST the Cubs make this week?

💬 What will the Cubs get done during the Winter Meetings?
Mike gives his predictions, analysis, and insight on what fans should expect as the action unfolds.

👍 LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more breaking Cubs news, offseason rumors, and analysis all winter long!

#ChicagoCubs #CubsCentral #MLBWinterMeetings #CubsRumors #AlexBregman #KyleSchwarber #CubsNews #MLBRumors #CubsBaseball #GoCubsGo #ChicagoSports #MLBOffseason #BaseballTalk #MikeJones #CubsUpdates

Can the Chicago Cubs finally build a championship-caliber rotation in 2026? In this episode of Chicago Cubs Central, we break down Bruce Levine’s surprising pick for the Cubs’ next rotation addition — Tatsuya Imai, the NPB star who dominated in 2025 and is now linked to Chicago as a potential top-of-the-rotation upgrade.

We also dive into the projected 2026 rotation of Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga, and now possibly Imai. Can the Cubs win with this group? Is Imai truly the missing piece to push this team over the edge and into World Series contention?

We break down every pitcher’s 2025 stats, 2026 projections, strengths, risks, and what this group needs to become the best rotation in the NL Central.

If you’re a die-hard Cubs fan or love MLB rumors, projections, and offseason strategy, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop your predictions in the comments!

#Cubs #ChicagoCubs #CubsNews #MLB #MLBRumors #CubsRumors #CubsRotation #TatsuyaImai #CadeHorton #MatthewBoyd #JamesonTaillon #ShotaImanaga #BruceLevine #Cubs2026 #CubsOffseason #GoCubsGo #Baseball #MLB2026 #CubTogether

🔥 Can the Chicago Cubs win the World Series in 2026 with Lance Brozdowski's dream bullpen? On this episode of Chicago Cubs Central, we break down pitching analyst Lance Brozdowski’s 2026 bullpen wish list and analyze whether it's built to win in the National League Central and beyond.

🚨 Brozdowski’s 2026 Cubs Bullpen Vision:

• 🔒 Closer: Pete Fairbanks

• 🧰 Set-Up Man: Phil Maton

• 🕖 7th-Inning Arm: Ryne Stanek

• 👈 Top Lefty: Returning Caleb Thielbar

• ⚡ Relief Ace / Fireman: Daniel Palencia (Cubs' future bullpen ace)

We’ll look at each pitcher’s 2024 trends to build realistic 2025 stat projections and ask the BIG question Cubs fans want answered:

❓ Can the Chicago Cubs win with this bullpen core in 2026?
✅ High-leverage dominance?
📉 Walk issues in the middle innings?
🧠 Does Chicago need more depth or is this enough to win it all?

🎙️ Join us as we talk:
✔ Bullpen roles & leverage structure
✔ Strikeout upside vs control risk
✔ Left-handed matchup value
✔ Playoff bullpen viability
✔ What missing pieces the Cubs could still target

If you love breakdowns on Cubs pitching, bullpen strategy, MLB relief arms, and future roster building, you're in the right place!

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop your bullpen takes in the comments!

#ChicagoCubs #CubsBullpen #Cubs2026 #LanceBrozdowski #MLBBullpen #CubsReliefPitching #PeteFairbanks #PhilMaton #RyneStanek #CalebThielbar #DanielPalencia #NL Central #CubsYouTube #BaseballBullpen

Welcome back to Chicago Cubs Central! In today’s episode we break down a bold offseason prediction from Marquee Sports Network host and analyst Cole Wright, who recently predicted the Chicago Cubs could reunite with star slugger Cody Bellinger and also sign veteran 3rd baseman Eugenio Suárez this offseason.

We dive into how adding both power bats could reshape the Cubs’ lineup at Wrigley Field, including their home-run potential, handedness balance, positional fit, and overall offensive identity. Could the Cubs add 50–80+ combined home runs by signing Bellinger (LH power, CF/1B flexibility) and Suárez (RH pop, middle-of-order run production)? We break down the fit.

We also discuss what these two might COST in free agency — including contract length, AAV projections, and offseason market value. Then, we turn it over to YOU Cubs fans for a big fan question:

💬 If the Chicago Cubs got BOTH Cody Bellinger and Eugenio Suárez signed during the Winter Meetings — would you call it a SUCCESSFUL offseason? Drop your answers in the comments and vote in our community poll!

🎯 Topics covered today:
⚾ Cole Wright’s offseason Cubs prediction
⚾ Cody Bellinger Yankees 2025 performance & Cubs fit
⚾ Eugenio Suárez Seattle Mariners 2025 impact & Cubs target profile
⚾ Free agency costs, contract projections & market expectations
⚾ Fan reaction poll & offseason grading

Join the conversation, rep your Cubs pride, and let’s talk offseason baseball! Don’t forget to LIKE, subscribe, and hit notifications for more Cubs updates and analysis right here on Chicago Cubs Central.

#ChicagoCubs #MLBOffseason #CodyBellinger #EugenioSuárez #WinterMeetings #HotStove #WrigleyField #MarqueeSportsNetwork #ColeWright #LineupTalk #CubsBaseball #NorthSide #GoCubsGo

🎙️ On today’s episode of Cubs Central, we break down one of the most underrated arms on the North Side — Brad Keller. After a career revival with the Chicago Cubs in 2025, the big question is: Should the Cubs want to bring Keller back for 2026? And if they do… is he more valuable in the bullpen, or can he trust the process and return as a starter?

We dive deep into his career path with the
Kansas City Royals, his resurgence in high-leverage relief appearances for the
Chicago Cubs, and how his arsenal stacks up under Statcast analytics from
Baseball Savant.

🔥 Topics we cover
✔ Career starter vs reliever performance
✔ What role suits him best moving forward?
✔ Which teams could pursue Keller in MLB free agency?
✔ Market value insights from MLB Trade Rumors
✔ Does the Keller experience fit the current competitive window for the
National League Central?

Could Keller be the next success story of a pitcher reinvented like a Wade Davis or become a key multi-inning bullpen weapon? We explore it all.

⚾ If you love deep baseball breakdowns about the Cubs, pitchers, analytics, and offseason strategy — you’re in the right place.

🔥 Could the Chicago Cubs swing a blockbuster trade for Byron Buxton from the Minnesota Twins? In today’s episode of Chicago Cibs Central, we break down Buxton’s career-defining 2025 season, highlight how healthy and dominant he was compared to past injury-shortened years, and explore what it would realistically take for the Cubs to land one of baseball’s most electrifying players.

📊 We analyze:
✅ Buxton’s 2025 offensive explosion (35+ HR power, elite speed, near-career-best WAR)
✅ His improved durability vs previous seasons where he missed significant time
✅ The Twins potential rebuild plans involving arms like Joe Ryan and Pablo López
✅ The tough question: Would Chicago trade top prospect Owen Caissie for Buxton?

⚾ Buxton brings:
💥 MVP-level upside
🏃‍♂️ Game-changing speed
🧤 Gold-Glove defense in center
📈 Middle-of-the-order firepower the Cubs’ offense desperately needs

But the cost would be massive — and risky. We talk realistic trade packages, prospect value, contract considerations, and fan reaction from Cubs Nation.

🎙️ If you're a Cubs fan who loves trade rumors, prospect debate, or legit MLB analysis — this episode is for you.

👇 Join the conversation:
Would YOU trade Owen Caissie for Byron Buxton?
Drop your dream trade package below! ⬇️

#ChicagoCubs #ByronBuxton #MinnesotaTwins #MLBTradeRumors #CubsNews #CubsNation #CubsProspects #JoeRyan #PabloLopez #BlockbusterTrade #MLB2025 #ChicagoCibsCentral

In this episode of Chicago Cubs Central, we break down one of the biggest MLB free-agency bombshells — the Toronto Blue Jays signing Dylan Cease to a massive 7-year, $210M contract ($30M AAV), and what it means for the future of the starting pitcher market.

We also dive into how this deal sets the tone for other big-name free agent arms, and why the Chicago Cubs’ front-office philosophy — especially their unwillingness to defer cash in contracts — could hurt them in competitive bidding this offseason.

We analyze:
✅ How the Cease contract resets the value of top-tier pitchers
✅ What this means for upcoming free agents like Burnes, Fried, Snell, and more
✅ How deferrals are shaping MLB spending (and who is using them)
✅ Why the Cubs’ stance, led by ownership and baseball ops, could cost them star talent
✅ Quotes and confirmation based on Cubs insider reporting from management

Featuring discussion on the philosophies of:

• Tom Ricketts

• Jed Hoyer

• Carter Hawkins

📌 Are the Cubs playing free agency too safely?
💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
👍 Like & subscribe for more Chicago Cubs news, market analysis, trades, rumors, prospects, and payroll breakdowns!

#ChicagoCubsCentral #MLBFreeAgency #DylanCease #PitcherMarketReset #CubsNews #CubsRumors #MLBHotStove #CubsFreeAgency #Wrigleyville #NorthSideBaseball