Jason Hammel enjoyed being back at Cubs Convention earlier this year. The former Chicago Cubs pitcher shared what he’s been up to and recapped his time at the annual fanfest on the latest addition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast, chatting with host Andy Martínez.

The pair discussed Hammel’s 13-year big-league career, one that began in Tampa Bay with manager Joe Maddon. Hammel discussed his decision to sign with the Cubs ahead of the 2014 season, after they had lost 96 games the year prior. He discussed his relationship with the front office, the transparency they had and what it was like to be traded at the deadline that year, on the same day he pitched six innings of two-run ball for the Cubs.

Later in the podcast, Hammel shares why he re-signed with the Cubs that following winter. He shares stories about the 2015 team and the World Series winning 2016 team, too. Hammel described the atmosphere of pitching in the playoffs at Wrigley Field, what it was like to finally win the World Series and what he does now with his World Series ring. 

It's that time of year - another Cubs season is upon us!

Our Cubs Weekly Podcast panel of Elise Menaker, Lance Brozdowski, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki preview the 2025 season with picks and predictions, including:

-Tokyo takeaways

-What series on the 2025 Cubs schedule are you circling?

-Who will be the Cubs' MVP in 2025?

-Who will be the Cubs' Cy Young?

-2025 Cubs breakout player

-Prospects that could make an impact in the majors

-Under-the-radar players to keep an eye on

-Bold predictions for the 2025 Cubs season

-Bold predictions for the 2025 MLB season

-How many wins do the Cubs finish with in 2025?

Catch all that and more on a special extended edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast.

The Cubs and their 31-man roster are in Japan. The biggest news of that group is that top prospect Matt Shaw is with the team and will presumptively be the team’s Opening Day starter at the hot corner. The Cubs Weekly Podcast analyzes Shaw’s inclusion on the travel squad to Japan and why the organization decided to include him on the team. Hosts Tony Andracki and Andy Martínez discuss the benefits of rostering him and what it could mean moving forward.

Andracki and Martínez then look at one of the key names who didn’t make the traveling squad — reliever Keegan Thompson. The duo breaks down why he was left off and whether this spells the end of his tenure as a Cub.

In the spirit of March Madness, Andracki and Martínez look at the roster with a college hoops lens: who were the last four players in? They discuss why the team included Jordan Wicks, Brad Keller, Ben Brown and Daniel Palencia on the 31-man list and where they might fit in.

Before the podcast wraps up, the duo looks at one of the surprise stories of camp — Rule 5 Draft pick Gage Workman, how he worked his way onto the Opening Day roster and what he brings to this roster. 

The Cubs are less than a week before jetting across the Pacific Ocean for Japan for the 2025 Tokyo Series — and there’s plenty of questions before that plane hits the air. The Cubs Weekly Podcast looked at some of those queries and how the Cubs might try and tackle them. Tops among them is the status of top prospect Matt Shaw and his potential status for Opening Day against the Dodgers.

Hosts Tony Andracki and Andy Martínez looked at Shaw’s status for the series and what course the Cubs might take if he isn’t ready. The duo also discussed some of the unique roster intricacies that the Cubs will face for the two-game set and why some big-name players might make the trip but won’t be on the active roster.

Later in the pod, the pair look at the Cubs’ bench situation and where a quartet of intriguing players — Jon Berti, Vidal Bruján, Gage Workman and Nicky Lopez could fit on the roster. Then, Andracki and Martínez discuss the Cubs starting pitching setup post-Japan — who should start the domestic opener against the Diamondbacks when they return? The duo weighs the benefits of restarting the rotation or picking up with their number three starter against the Diamondbacks.

Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon joined host Andy Martínez on the Cubs Weekly Podcast from the Nike Performance Center in Mesa, Ariz. The righty caught up with Martínez to chat about his offseason and how he prepared for a season that starts earlier than normal because of the Tokyo Series in Japan. Then, Taillon shares how he followed the Cubs’ busy offseason and how much he followed the rumor mill in the winter.

Later in the pod, Taillon talks about his 2024 season and what he learned about himself in turning in one of his best years. Taillon discusses his role in helping young pitchers and offering mentorship to them. He talks about the Cubs’ goals for 2025 and their desire to be playing in October.

Before the podcast ends, Taillon offers a peak behind the curtain about the team’s hotly contested video game contests on team flights and the surprising player that is one of the best in those in-air competitions.  

Spring training is heating up for the Cubs, with games beginning this week and the Cubs Weekly Podcast breaks it all down. Hosts Andy Martínez and Cole Wright discuss the team’s newest addition, Justin Turner, and what he brings to the team. The duo discusses his role and where he’ll fit on this roster.

Then, Wright and Martínez assess some of the other additions by Jed Hoyer and the Cubs front office — many of which where players that have plenty of playoff and World Series experience in the past. Later in the podcast, the two discuss Shota Imanaga being the Cubs’ Opening Day starter when they open the season next month in Japan. They break down the impact that the two starting pitchers — Imanaga for the Cubs and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers will have on the game of baseball and in that baseball-mad country.

The pair wrap up the pod by giving their observations from camp — how concerned fans should be about Matt Shaw and what their early impressions of Kyle Tucker have been.

Alex Bregman will not be joining the Cubs, and the Cubs Weekly Podcast discussed the ramifications. After a few weeks of speculation, the All-Star third baseman reportedly agreed to a 4-year deal with the Red Sox. That paves a path for Matt Shaw to be the team’s everyday third baseman and host Elise Menaker and Andy Martínez broke down the trickle effects. Martínez discussed how the Cubs reacted to the news of Bregman’s deal with Boston and Menaker examined how Shaw could help the team and improve while in the big leagues. The duo also shared some thoughts from camp as full squad workouts get set to begin.

Later in the podcast, Menaker is joined by Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya. Amaya discusses his offseason, what he focused on to lose weight and build more muscle. Then Amaya, recaps his 2024 campaign, the swing adjustment he made and he hopes to learn from new teammate Carson Kelly. Before they wrapped up, Amaya shares his excitement for Japan and what he’s looking forward to on the opening series next month. 

Andre Dawson has one of the most unique — and significant — arrivals in Cubs history. The Hall of Fame outfielder stopped by the Cubs Weekly Podcast during Cubs Convention and recapped signing his famous “blank contract” with the Cubs. “The Hawk” joined host Andy Martínez to tell the backstory of that, why he left Montréal and why he felt Chicago was the place for him to be.

Dawson recalls his 1987 MVP season and the role that fans played in spurring him on that season. He also shares stories of the 1989 team that made the playoffs and had fans optimistic about a World Series run. Dawson shares his memories of the 2016 World Series and what made him so superstitious during Game 7.

The 21-year big leaguer also talked Ryne Sandberg, what it was like playing for Don Zimmer, the one major league game he had the chance to manage and much more.

Kevin Alcántara was sitting in his room in Arizona in late September, waiting to go back home to the Dominican Republic when he got the call of a lifetime from assistant general manager Jared Banner telling him he was going to the big leagues. The Cubs top prospect recalled that special day and much more on a prospect-heavy podcast that features both him and infielder James Triantos. Alcántara joined host Andy Martínez at Cubs Convention to discuss that special day and what it was like to become a major leaguer. 

Then, Alcántara discussed the difficult adjustment of going to the United States for the first time and having to learn a new language, culture and the adjustments that come with that. He discusses the friendships he’s made with other top 100 prospects in the Cubs organization, including Matt Shaw, Triantos and Owen Caissie. 

Later in the podcast, another top-100 prospect Triantos discusses his time in the Cubs system and what it’s like to be a part of such a talent-laden group. He shares his thoughts on some of the most underrated and underlooked prospects the Cubs have, too. 

Alcántara and Triantos have both been in the organization long enough to have seen it rise from one of the game’s weakest to one of the best. They detail what it’s like having seen that and what the players down on the farm share in common as they strive to try and reach Wrigley Field.

The Cubs have been busy in the latter stages of the MLB offseason, including recent moves to acquire veteran reliever Ryan Pressly and infielder Jon Berti.

Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki analyze all the latest Cubs roster moves and explain how Pressly’s addition impacts the rest of the bullpen. Plus, the podcast duo assesses the Cubs offseason as a whole as Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins have worked to build a playoff team for 2025.

In the second half of the episode, Cubs Hall of Famer Shawon Dunston joins the podcast. Dunston touches on a variety of topics from Ryne Sandberg to Sammy Sosa to Cubs fans and how they embraced him during his time in Chicago.