With Nico Hoerner officially locked in on a contract extension, the Cubs are doubling down on one of their most reliable, underrated stars. But what does this move really mean for the direction of the franchise?

In this episode, Cody and Dan break down what we know about the extension and why it matters more than you might think.

They cover:

• Why Nico Hoerner is so valuable to this team
• What this deal says about the Cubs’ long-term plan
• How this impacts the infield and roster construction
• What it could mean for future signings and prospects

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The Chicago Cubs kicked off Opening Day with high hopes, but things didn’t go as planned as they dropped a tough 10-4 loss to the Nationals to start the season. Matthew Boyd mowed down the Nationals lineup for the first time through the order, but fell apart in the 4th inning and the Cubs offense never recovered.

But it’s not all bad news for Cubs fans 👀

In a major breaking news update, the Cubs are reportedly working on an extension for Nico Hoerner — a key piece of their infield and one of the team’s most consistent players. Locking him in long-term would be a huge move for the future of the franchise and a sign that the front office is committed to building a competitive core.

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Welcome to Off The Ivy with Dan Bernstein, Cody Delmendo and Matt Abbatacola.

Get ready for baseball season with a full Chicago Cubs preview on Off The Ivy! In this episode, Dan Bernstein and Cody Delmendo break down everything you need to know heading into the new year—key roster moves, breakout candidates, pitching questions, and what it’ll take for the Cubs to contend.

Will the young core take the next step? Can the rotation hold up over a full season? And how does Chicago stack up in a competitive NL Central? Dan and Cody dive deep with sharp analysis, bold predictions, and plenty of insight for die-hard Cubs fans and casual listeners alike.

Presented by 312 Sports.

https://312sports.com/

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When it comes to Chicago Cubs talk, nothing is off-limits. Off The Ivy - A Chicago Cubs Podcast brings together Dan Bernstein, Matt Abbatacola, and Cody Delmendo for a daily dive into everything happening on the North Side.

From breaking down games with analytical precision to capturing the emotion of a 162-game season, the crew will deliver the perfect mix of expertise, perspective, and real fan energy. Whether it’s what’s happening at Wrigley, inside the clubhouse, or across the league, nothing will be off-limits.

Off The Ivy is a daily podcast that lives and breathes Cubs baseball while never losing sight of the bigger picture. Smart, honest, and always plugged in, this is where the Cubs conversation will start.

New episodes drop every day. Coming soon.

Presented by 312 Sports.

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Craig Counsell updated fans and media outlets recently that Seiya Suzuki is dealing with a PCL injury, raising questions about his availability and impact moving forward. In this episode, Cody and Blake discuss that what it might mean for Suzuki and his team in the coming weeks.We also shift gears to one of the most electrifying moments in recent baseball history — the World Baseball Classic final. From clutch performances to unforgettable drama, we recap how the championship game unfolded and why it left such a lasting impression on fans around the world.We also share some news about the future of the podcast.
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Seiya Suzuki is dealing with a knee injury sustained from playing in the World Baseball Classic for Japan and just as the 2026 regular season is getting underway, it could have a real impact on the Chicago Cubs’ lineup. In this episode, Cody and Blake break down what happened, how serious the injury might be, and what it means for the Cubs’ offense in the early part of the season.Suzuki has been a key middle-of-the-order bat for Chicago, providing power, on-base ability, and protection for the rest of the lineup. If he misses time, the Cubs may have to reshuffle their batting order and rely more heavily on players like Matt Shaw, Moises Ballesteros, Dylan Carlson and Michael Conforto to fill the offensive gap.

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Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong put on a show for Team USA with two massive home runs against Italy national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic. Even though the United States ultimately fell 8–6, PCA nearly sparked an incredible comeback and finished the night with two homers and four RBIs, including a late blast that cut the deficit to just two runs in the ninth inning. The performance has Cubs fans buzzing. Now the big question: Is this a sign of what’s coming for the Cubs in 2026? If PCA is adding even more power to his game while maintaining his speed and defense, the ceiling for Chicago’s young star could be even higher.Also, did Mark DeRosa really not know the WBC rules? We discuss that and notable spring performances to this point with less than 20 days left before Opening Day.

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The Chicago Cubs are making their presence felt on the international stage as multiple players from the organization have shined so far in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Leading the way for Team USA are Cubs stars Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alex Bregman, bringing a mix of elite defense, power hitting, and pitching to one of the tournament favorites. Crow-Armstrong’s speed and defensive range in the outfield and Bregman’s veteran leadership and clutch bat have all contributed to the excitement surrounding Team USA’s roster. Seiya Suzuki had a multi-homer game for Japan and Javier Assad pitched three scoreless innings for Mexico over the weekend.In regular Cubs news, Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks will begin the season on the Injured List. The team also announced roster cuts.Cody and Blake will end the show with a Cubs mailbag from questions from the Wrigleyville Forever Discord.WATCH/LISTEN TO WRIGLEYVILLE FOREVER: https://linktr.ee/Wrigleyville.Forever

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ESPN just released its Top 100 MLB Players list, and the Cubs landed SIX players on it — a huge sign that the talent on the North Side is getting national recognition. From superstar power to elite defense and rising young stars, this roster is loaded.In this episode, Cody and Blake break down:⚾ Which 6 Cubs players made ESPN’s Top 100📊 Where each player ranked on the list🔥 Why these players are so important to the Cubs’ success this season👀 Which Cubs could climb even higher next year AND which Cubs could find themselves on the list in 2027.Is this the most talented Cubs roster since 2016? And does this kind of recognition mean a deep playoff run is coming to Wrigleyville?Cody and Blake also discuss the World Baseball Classic beginning for Team USA this weekend, and Alex Bregman's hot start in exhibition play could be a signal for the Cubs entering the regular season. Could Edward Cabrera and Moises Ballesteros be a duo after his performance behind the plate in Cabrera's start and we close the show with some mailbag questions from the Sickos in the discord channel.

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Justin Steele finally got the update he's been waiting for. He's been officially cleared by doctors to resume baseball activities for the 2026 season.After working through his recovery process with patience and determination, the Cubs’ ace is now back to throwing and ramping up toward a full return. This is a huge step forward not only for Steele, but for the entire Cubs starting rotation.Justin Steele has been a cornerstone for the Chicago Cubs, bringing intensity, consistency, and leadership every time he takes the mound. His clearance signals that rehab has progressed smoothly and that he’s on track to build strength and pitch count in the coming weeks.In this episode, Cody and Blake discuss his next steps and how much of a bonus he could be for the Cubs rotation in 2026.They also discuss certain Cubs who have stuck out this spring, like Shota Imanaga's increased fastball velocity, Ben Brown's new sinker, Edward Cabrera's potential under Tommy Hottovy, and more.

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