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).

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).

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 of Yu Darvish this season (41:15).

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 to stick with their core roster this season (16:30).

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 26-man roster

10:30Where does the Cubs starting rotation stack up against the rest of MLB if healthy?

13:00Who is the ace of the Cubs staff?

15:20How many games will Montgomery and Chatwood start this year?

17:30Kyle Hendricks on what he learned after how last season ended

19:00Kyle on how he improved in the second half of last season

22:00Hendricks on offseason moves

26:00Where does Kyle see himself in his career arc

28:00Does Kyle know the last time he threw a wild pitch?

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).

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 this group, and much more (15:15).

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 offseason travels

12:00 - Joe on keeping the core together

13:45 - Joe on how he processed last season

15:00 - What does production over talent mean to Joe

18:00 - Maddon's theme for 2019

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 fans in the 1983 season

13:00 What was their favorite sports rants

15:40 Ozzie Guillen trolls the Cubs

17:30 Marty Brennaman goes off on Cubs fans

19:20 Everyone in the division seems to hate the Cubs

20:21 Do you believe A.J. Pierzynski when he said he would never sign with the Cubs?

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.