Chicago Cubs Central Podcast

Host Mike Jones breaks down a shocking move out of Wrigley Field — the Chicago Cubs have rejected their team option to extend Shota Imanaga, and in response, Imanaga has declined his $15 million player option! 😱

What does this mean for the Cubs’ rotation heading into 2026?
Could Imanaga be testing the free-agent market for a bigger payday — or is Chicago planning a new long-term deal?

⚾️ In this episode:

• 🔍 Full breakdown of Imanaga’s 2025 season stats (13-7, 3.29 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 172 K)

• 💰 What declining the option means for both sides financially

• 🧩 How this move affects the Cubs’ rotation plans for 2026

• 👀 Possible replacements or free-agent targets

• 💭 Could Shota Imanaga still return to Chicago on a new deal?

📣 The Big Question:
Did the Cubs make the right call — or will they regret letting their star lefty walk?

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments!
And don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications for all your Cubs news and offseason updates.

#ChicagoCubs #ShotaImanaga #CubsCentral #MLBNews #GoCubsGo #CubsRumors #CubsPodcast #WrigleyField

The catcher conversation in Chicago is HEATING UP! 🔥

With Carson Kelly playing some of his best baseball behind the plate — batting .249 with 17 HR and 50 RBI — has he locked down the Cubs’ starting catcher role for good? 🤔

Meanwhile, Miguel Amaya’s future is in question after another injury setback. The young backstop showed promise (.281 AVG, .348 wOBA), but durability remains the big question mark. Can the Cubs trust him long-term, or is he trade bait now that Kelly’s proving his worth?

⚾️ Episode Highlights:

• 📊 Stats Breakdown: Amaya’s development vs. Kelly’s consistency

• 🩹 Injury Watch: Is Amaya’s health costing him his roster spot?

• 💰 Contract Outlook: How Kelly’s 2-year deal impacts the Cubs’ catching plans

• 🔍 Free Agent Catcher Market (2025 Winter):
  We scout potential names like Danny Jansen, Kyle Higashioka, Yasmani Grandal, and Jacob Stallings — could the Cubs make a move?

💥 Plus: We ask the big question — If Kelly keeps producing, is Miguel Amaya now expendable?

Drop your takes in the comments ⬇️
Would YOU trade Amaya, keep him, or look for another catcher this winter?

🎧 Subscribe to Chicago Cubs Central for all things Cubs — from Wrigley rumors to roster breakdowns, we’ve got the North Side covered every week!

#ChicagoCubs #CubsCentral #GoCubsGo #MiguelAmaya #CarsonKelly #MLBNews #CubsBaseball #CubsPodcast #WrigleyField

The Cubs are stacking hardware AND scouting big names — and we’ve got all the inside talk right here!

🔥 Michael King Declines His Option!
Could the Chicago Cubs make a move for the former Padres ace? We break down his 2025 stats (3.44 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 9.8 K/9), his 2026 contract projections, and why he might be a perfect fit in Wrigley’s rotation.

🥇 DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE IN CHICAGO!
Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, and Nico Hoerner all bring home Gold Gloves, showing the Cubs’ defense is elite.

• PCA: +24 OAA — tied for MLB’s best!

• Happ: 4 straight Gold Gloves, 1 error all year!

• Hoerner: +17 DRS, proving he’s the backbone at second!

But here’s the question... 👀 Should there have been even MORE Gold Gloves on this team? We break it down and debate who got snubbed.

📊 Plus:

• 2026 Cubs roster projections

• Free-agent fits & what a King deal could look like

• Why Chicago might be one arm away from true contention

💬 Sound off in the comments:
Would you sign Michael King? And who else deserved a Gold Glove?

🎧 Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and stay locked in to Chicago Cubs Central — where we break down every pitch, every play, and every possibility.

#ChicagoCubs #CubsCentral #GoCubsGo #MichaelKing #WrigleyField #GoldGlove #PCA #IanHapp #NicoHoerner #MLBNews #CubsPodcast

The Chicago Cubs tried FOUR different closers in 2025… and none of them stuck. 👀 Now, with 2026 approaching fast, the biggest question in Wrigleyville is simple:

👉 Who should take over the 9th inning?

In today’s episode, Mike breaks down every option on the table:

✅ Is Daniel Palencia ready to claim the role after a breakout year?
✅ Could Brad Keller or Porter Hodge be internal solutions?
✅ Or should the Cubs spend BIG on a proven closer like Edwin Díaz or Robert Suárez in free agency?

We take a deep dive into recent performances, bullpen issues, and each pitcher's ability to deliver when it matters most. Then it’s YOUR turn — Cubs fans sound off:

⚡️ Who do YOU trust with the final three outs?
Palencia? Keller? Hodge? Or a free-agent star?

Drop your answer in the comments and LET’S TALK CLOSERS! 💬👇

🚨 Chicago Cubs Central — Offseason ALERT! 🚨
The Cubs are rumored to be eyeing elite Japanese starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai — and today we break down why he could become Chicago’s next rotation star! 🇯🇵🔥

✅ We break down his dominant 2025 NPB stats
✅ His pitch mix & velocity (FAST!)
✅ How he fits next to Justin Steele & the Cubs rotation
✅ His age & risk coming to MLB
✅ And most importantly… 💰
👉 How much should the Cubs offer to land him?
👉 Would YOU give him 5 years? 6 years? Over $100M?

Imai throws GAS, has nasty swing-and-miss stuff, and could be the ace we’ve been waiting for. But with big-market teams also hunting pitching…will Chicago step up and PAY?

👇 Cubs fans! Drop your vote in the comments:
Would you sign Tatsuya Imai?
A) Absolutely — Bring him to Wrigley!
B) Only if the price is right
C) Pass — focus on other arms

If you love Cubs content — LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE ✅ & TURN ON 🔔 NOTIFICATIONS so you never miss a breakdown!

#GoCubsGo ⚪🔵

Nico Hoerner just delivered a HUGE 2025 season for the Chicago Cubs — but with a contract year coming in 2026, should the Cubs think about trading him while his value is at its PEAK? 👀

In today’s episode of Chicago Cubs Central, we break down:
✅ Nico Hoerner’s full 2025 stats 📊
✅ How his 2025 compares to past seasons
✅ What kind of contract he could demand next
✅ The pros & cons of trading him now
✅ How a potential deal could reshape the Cubs future

Is Nico a CORE PIECE or a PRIME TRADE CHIP? YOU decide!
👇 COMMENT BELOW 👇
Should the Cubs KEEP or TRADE Nico Hoerner?

💬 Join the conversation — Cubs fans everywhere need to weigh in!

🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more Cubs news, trade rumors, and offseason breakdowns!

#ChicagoCubs #NicoHoerner #CubsNews #MLBTradeRumors #GoCubsGo #CubsCentral #CubsOffseason #KeepOrTrade #WrigleyField #MLB2025

In this episode of Chicago Cubs Central, Mike Jones dives into the breakout season of Michael Busch for Chicago. After his 2024 rookie campaign, Busch stepped up big time in 2025 — but now the question is: What’s next for the Cubs’ rising slugger?

📊 Segments include:

• A look back at Busch’s 2024 stats (.248 AVG, 21 HR) and what rookie-growing-pains still showed.

• A full breakdown of his 2025 surge: .261 AVG, 34 HR, 90 RBIs, with elite hard-hit and barrel rates.

• Analysis of how Busch fits into the Cubs’ core alongside Tucker, Suzuki, and more — and whether he’s locked in for the long haul.

• What Busch needs to prove in 2026 to become a true franchise cornerstone.

💬 We Want to Hear From YOU:
Do you believe Michael Busch is the guy for the next decade in Chicago? Drop your thoughts below on his future role and what stat would convince you he’s locked in!

📢 Don’t forget to hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications for more Cubs updates and deep dives here on Chicago Cubs Central!

#ChicagoCubs #MichaelBusch #CubsBaseball #GoCubsGo #MLB2025 #CubsNation #CubsCarGo #FutureStar #CubsHighlights #CubsFuture

The season is over and NOW the pressure is on! Jed Hoyer, Craig Counsell, and Carter Hawkins have some HUGE choices to make as the Chicago Cubs enter a defining offseason. ⚾🔥

In today’s episode, Mike breaks down every major Cubs free agent — including Kyle Tucker, Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar, Taylor Rogers, Michael Soroka, and Ryan Brasier — and dives into the tough question:
👉 Who deserves to stay on the North Side, and who should the Cubs let walk?

We cover ✅
✅ Which players fit the future championship window
✅ Why the bullpen could look drastically different in 2026
✅ How big-money decisions could shape the Tucker storyline
✅ What these moves reveal about the Cubs’ plan moving forward

This offseason could change EVERYTHING for the Cubs — and fans deserve answers. 👀

💬 Sound off in the comments:
Which free agent would YOU keep and why? Should the Cubs spend big… or look ahead to the youth movement?

If you love Cubs baseball — smash that LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE, and stay locked in right here on Chicago Cubs Central for nonstop offseason coverage! 💙🐻⬇️

#Cubs #ChicagoCubs #CubsNews #MLBOffseason #KyleTucker #JedHoyer #CraigCounsell #FlyTheW #GoCubsGo

In today’s episode, Mike dives into a HUGE pitching target the Cubs could go after this offseason — Dylan Cease! 👀⚾️

We break down his 2025 performance with the Padres, including his elite strikeout numbers, contract situation, and why the Cubs are one of the most intriguing landing spots for the former Cubs prospect. Could a reunion finally happen at Wrigley Field? 👀🐻

💰 What kind of contract should the Cubs offer?
Would you give Cease a long-term deal worth over $100M?
Or roll the dice on a shorter, “prove-it” contract?
We want YOUR take! ⬇️

Plus — how does Cease fit into a future Cubs rotation?
Do the Cubs need a frontline strikeout machine to compete with the Dodgers, Braves & Brewers? 🤔💭

📌 Topics in this episode:
✅ Dylan Cease 2025 stats & performance
✅ How he fits Chicago’s pitching needs
✅ Pros & cons of signing him
✅ Best contract structure for the Cubs
✅ Fan debate: Pay up or pass?

💬 DROP YOUR COMMENTS:
Would YOU sign Dylan Cease? If yes — how many years $$ would you offer?

📣 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & hit the 🔔 so you never miss an update from Cubs Central — your home for nonstop Cubs talk all year long!

Go Cubs Go! 💙🐻⚾️

#ChicagoCubs #CubsCentral #DylanCease #MLBNews #CubsRumors #GoCubsGo #MLBFreeAgency #WrigleyField #PitchingTargets #CubsNation

🎙️ Cubs Big Moves & Rookie Spotlight! | Cubs Central
In this power-packed episode, Mike dives into two major storylines shaking up the Cubs’ future:

🔹 Trade Radar Hot! The Cubs have emerged as potential suitors for ace Shane Bieber — the World Series-playing pitcher with a 2025 stat line of 4-2, 3.57 ERA, 37 Ks, 1.02 WHIP. ESPN.com+1 We explore how Bieber could fit Chicago’s rotation, the risk/reward equation, and whether the Cubs should pull the trigger.

🔹 Rookie of the Year Alert! The Cubs’ own Cade Horton is riding high with a 2025 stat line of 11-4, 2.67 ERA, 97 Ks. ESPN.com+1 Meanwhile, Drake Baldwin of the Braves is making waves with .274 AVG, 19 HR, 80 RBIs, .810 OPS. ESPN.com+1 Can Horton beat out Baldwin for the NL Rookie of the Year? We break it down.

From blockbuster trade talk to rookie races, this episode covers it all. Roll up and stay tuned!

#ChicagoCubs #CubsRumors #ShaneBieber #CubsTrade #CadeHorton #RookieOfTheYear #DrakeBaldwin #MLB2025 #CubsNation #GoCubsGo #BaseballTalk