Cubs Weekly

The offseason has really kicked off in earnest this week and the Cubs Weekly Podcast broke it all down. Tuesday was the last day to protect players from the Rule 5 draft, and the Cubs added two prospects to their 40-man roster, Owen Caissie and Ben Cowles. Then, on Wednesday, the team acquired righty reliever Eli Morgan for outfield prospect Alfonsin Rosario and designated Patrick Wisdom for assignment.

Tony Andracki and Andy Martínez discussed all the roster moves, including why they parted ways with reliever Adbert Alzolay and outfielder Brennen Davis. The duo then answers some questions from fans about potential trades and future statues at Wrigley Field.

In the second half of the podcast, Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong joins Cole Wright to discuss his 2024 campaign, his offseason and much more.

Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki answer a variety of fan-submitted questions in the latest mailbag edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast.

Questions include:

-What free agent pitcher will the Cubs realistically pursue and acquire?

-Are the Cubs going to pursue Roki Sasaki?

-Who is the No. 1 free agent the Cubs are eyeing this winter?

-Who are the Cubs looking to sign at catcher?

-Are Matt Shaw and Owen Caissie trade pieces?

-When will we see a 2016 Cubs documentary?

-Are the Cubs contenders in 2025?

-What is the weirdest fan interaction of your career?

The 2024 GM Meetings wrapped up Thursday morning in San Antonio and they were rather eventful. Andy Martínez and Bruce Levine summarized the events of the week on the latest edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast. The biggest news came on Wednesday, when longtime Cubs legend Kyle Hendricks signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels. The duo recalled his tenure in Chicago, what he meant to the team and how he’ll fit with the Angels.

Levine and Martínez share their thoughts on the return of Cody Bellinger, what it means to the Cubs and how they try and improve their offense moving forward. They discuss the Cubs pursuits in the starting pitching market and the latest on Nico Hoerner and Ben Brown’s injuries. The pair share their lasting takeaway from the Meetings including one player that caught their attention this week.

Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki rank the Top 10 building blocks on the Cubs roster entering 2025 as Jed Hoyer and Co. work to get the team back into the playoffs after a 4-year drought.

The duo explains why Pete Crow-Armstrong tops the list and why Justin Steele ranks above Shota Imanaga. Plus, some intriguing young players make surprise appearances in the Top 10 while key veterans find themselves in the "Honorable Mentions" category.

Plus, Martínez and Andracki analyze the Nico Hoerner injury news and how that could permeate through the Cubs offseason.

On the latest edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki debate a quintet of hot button issues surrounding this team. Topics include the bullpen, the offense, the rotation, the catching spot and whether or not the Cubs are set up to make the playoffs in 2025.

Plus, Martínez and Andracki pick their 2024 Cubs Awards, including:

-MVP

-Cy Young

-Rookie of the Year

-Best Moment

-Most important on-field development

-Most impactful roster move

-Biggest surprise

Taylor McGregor, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki make their picks for the top storylines of the 2024 Cubs season and what it means moving forward for this franchise.

Selections include:

-The development of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch

-The roller coaster nature of the Cubs offense

-Another season of May/June swoon

-Shota Imanaga's incredible rookie campaign

-The volatility of the Cubs bullpen

-The rise - and fall - of young pitching

-Kyle Hendricks' emotional send-off

Jed Hoyer held his end-of-season press conference this week and our panel of Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki broke down the key takeaways from his 43-minute long session with Chicago media.

What stood out most from Hoyer's comments? How has the team reacted to another season without a playoff appearance?

Plus, we discuss the Cody Bellinger Conundrum, the coaching staff changes and Kyle Hendricks' emotional send-off.

Frank Schwindel stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to share what he's been up to the last 2 years since he left Chicago and how his baseball career has panned out.

Schwindel reflects back on his incredible run in the final 2 months of the 2021 season, when he batted .342 and led the majors in hits. What clicked in that moment to put together such an amazing stretch? How much fun was that season and what was it like replacing a Cubs legend in Anthony Rizzo?

Plus, Schwindel explains interactions with Cubs fans - both then and now - while sharing some of his favorite moments during his time in Chicago.

Meanwhile, Tony Andracki and Andy Martínez discuss how the Cubs first base position has evolved since Schwindel's tenure.

The Cubs' playoff hopes have dwindled and we turn our attention to other pressing matters surrounding this team over the final 10 games.

Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki provide their initial thoughts on why the Cubs came up short this year and explain why Isaac Paredes, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Cody Bellinger are the key players to watch down the stretch.

Plus, what does the future hold for Kyle Hendricks? Why was it so important for Justin Steele to come back from the IL and pitch with such little time remaining on the schedule?

All that and more on the latest Cubs Weekly Podcast.

Cubs icon Derrek Lee was in town at Wrigley Field recently and stopped by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Tony Andracki.

They covered a wide array of topics, including:

-Favorite memories of the newest Cubs Hall of Famers: Kerry Wood and Aramis Ramírez

-What he's been up to in retirement

-Reflecting back on playing at Wrigley and in front of Cubs fans

-The monumental MVP caliber 2005 season

-Playing for Dusty Baker and Lou Piniella

-The 2007-08 playoff runs

-His emotions during the 2016 World Series