Brett and Michael are back for the fiftieth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! Spring Training games are finally here, with the Cubs set to host the White Sox in their Cactus League opener.

But the biggest news of the week came off the field: Tony Clark has suddenly resigned as head of the MLB Players Association. The timing is stunning, coming just ahead of what is expected to be a contentious round of Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. The guys discuss what this leadership shakeup could mean for upcoming talks, revenue sharing debates, and the broader labor landscape in baseball. With Deputy Director Bruce Meyer likely stepping into a larger role, the question becomes whether the union can stay organized during such a critical stretch.

On the Cubs front, the team officially signed rehabbing reliever Shelby Miller and designated infielder Ben Cowles for assignment to clear a 40-man spot. That move sparks discussion about roster timing, waiver calculations, and why the Cubs did not immediately place Justin Steele on the 60-day IL. Is it about optimism for Steele’s timeline, or simply smart roster maneuvering? The guys break it down.

With camp underway and league-wide uncertainty swirling, there’s no shortage of topics—even before the games begin.

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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-ninth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! Cubs camp is officially underway, with pitchers and catchers reporting and the front office holding its opening presser. The guys recap the first day at camp, including Alex Bregman taking Jameson Taillon deep (which absolutely counts as one regular season win), and note that there were no major injury concerns coming out of the initial media availability.

They also react to the news that the Baltimore Orioles signed Chris Bassitt to a one-year deal, potentially closing the book on most remaining free agent starters. But rather than shutting the Cubs out, the move may actually increase the odds that Zac Gallen remains in play. With three current members of the Cubs’ rotation set to hit free agency after the season, the long-term implications of adding another arm are front and center.

The conversation also turns to Matt Shaw’s super-utility role and how he might fit into a roster that suddenly feels deep — particularly in the rotation. For once, the Cubs aren’t scrambling to patch the back end of the staff; instead, they’re navigating something closer to an embarrassment of riches.

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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-eighth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With Pitchers and Catchers reporting next week, activity around the league is starting to pick up—and a trio of notable moves sparks a wide-ranging discussion.

They react to Eugenio Suárez returning to the NL Central after signing with the Cincinnati Reds, the Boston Red Sox giving real money to Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and the Detroit Tigers making a massive splash by signing Framber Valdez.

The Kiner-Falefa deal in particular prompts a deeper conversation. At roughly $6 million plus incentives, it’s more than expected for a utility infielder—and may signal that Boston is less confident in pulling off a major infield trade this spring. That has implications for players like Nico Hoerner or Matt Shaw, and reinforces the Cubs’ decision to hold firm on their trade demands.

They also dig into the Tigers’ signing of Valdez and how it intersects with the ongoing arbitration situation involving Tarik Skubal. Whether Detroit feels confident in its arbitration outcome or is positioning itself for a possible Skubal trade, the move could have downstream effects on the starting pitching market—including the Cubs’ pursuit of top-end arms like Zac Gallen.

And, as always, more offseason talk as the calendar inches closer to Spring Training.

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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-seventh episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The show opens with a fun announcement: Michael Cerami wrote a children’s book about Wrigley Field and Cubs fandom, inspired by bringing the next generation into the bleachers. The guys talk about the idea behind the project and what it means to pass down the Cubs experience.

From there, they dive deep into the Cubs’ starting rotation. Have the Cubs done enough to bolster it? They break down every arm, discuss possible Opening Day starter scenarios, and weigh the high-end outcomes against the very real risks—ranging from innings limitations to lengthy injury histories. It’s a thorough look at how strong this rotation could be, and where things could still go sideways.

With Spring Training right around the corner—Pitchers and Catchers report in just two weeks—the guys also discuss the likelihood of more free-agent movement soon, particularly on the pitching front. Jon Heyman continues to link the Cubs to Zac Gallen, alongside the Diamondbacks and Orioles, and Brett and Michael talk through how realistic that fit might be as the market enters its next phase.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
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Pre-order Michael Cerami’s children’s book here:
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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-sixth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! After a quick look back at the flurry of moves from the past couple of weeks, the guys zoom out to examine how the broader league landscape is taking shape—and what it means for the Cubs.

They discuss a busy stretch for the New York Mets, who have aggressively retooled their roster with multiple high-upside additions. While the Mets look formidable on paper, the guys debate whether the moves truly raise their floor or simply introduce more volatility—especially with Luis Robert Jr., whom they describe as a complete roll of the dice.

Attention then shifts to the Milwaukee Brewers, who completed a notable trade sending Freddy Peralta to New York. On one hand, the deal could make the NL Central more navigable for the Cubs in the short term. On the other, the Brewers’ long-term outlook remains strong, reinforcing their reputation as baseball’s ultimate “devil magic” organization.

Finally, the guys talk about how a busy January could jump-start the rest of the market—particularly for relievers—and whether the Cubs could still be involved in pitching talks as the offseason continues.

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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-fifth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law), and it’s been a very busy week.

The Cubs finally made their biggest move of the offseason—and one of the biggest in franchise history—signing third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal. With deferrals lowering the luxury tax hit, the Cubs pushed decisively into their contention window, adding a true middle-of-the-order presence and locking down third base. The guys discuss why the timing made sense, what it says about ownership and the front office, and how Bregman’s arrival reshapes the roster—most notably pushing Matt Shaw into a super-utility role that could benefit both the lineup and Shaw’s long-term development.

They also react to the other major news of the week: Kyle Tucker officially signing with the Dodgers. Once viewed as a potential long-term cornerstone after an MVP-caliber first half, Tucker’s Cubs tenure unraveled amid injuries, inconsistency, and a quiet finish. Brett and Michael reflect on how quickly the narrative shifted, why an extension never materialized, and what his departure means now that the Cubs have pivoted aggressively toward winning in the immediate future.

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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-fourth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law), returning after a brief holiday break. While the Cubs were mostly quiet during that stretch, the calm didn’t last long.

Right before recording, the Cubs finally made their long-anticipated move for a controllable starting pitcher, acquiring Edward Cabrera from the Marlins in a deal first reported by Bleacher Nation’s own Michael Cerami. The trade sends top prospect Owen Caissie to Miami, along with Cristian Hernández and Edgardo De Leon, as the Cubs land a high-upside arm for the front of the rotation.

The guys break down what Cabrera brings to the table, the obvious upside, and the real risks tied to health and performance. They also discuss how this move reshapes the roster—particularly in the outfield—and whether it could reopen the door to free agency, including the possibility of a Cody Bellinger reunion.

It’s a wide-ranging conversation about timing, roster construction, and what this trade signals about how aggressively the Cubs plan to move from here.

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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-third episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With the offseason rolling along, the guys check in on the latest Cubs news, rumors, and roster questions as the front office continues shaping the team for 2026.

They discuss where things stand across the roster, what types of moves still feel likely in the coming weeks, and how the Cubs may be approaching the rest of the winter.

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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-second episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! It’s been a quiet Winter Meetings, but the Cubs have made another meaningful addition to the bullpen.

They break down Chicago’s signing of lefty Hoby Milner, a move that felt inevitable after last offseason’s near-miss. Milner profiles as an ideal fit for the middle innings, and paired with Phil Maton, represents a strong start to the Cubs’ bullpen rebuild.

The guys also talk about how quickly the closer market has dried up, with many top names already off the board, and what that means for the Cubs’ remaining relief plans.

Plus, the Alex Bregman rumor cycle continues—this time with word that Scott Boras has opened discussions with the Mariners—which naturally leads to more speculation about how the third-base market may shape up.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!

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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-first episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With the Winter Meetings a week away, the guys cover the latest Cubs news and rumors as the offseason slowly begins to take shape.

They talk about the Cubs’ minor league deal with infielder Scott Kingery, how it fits the team’s low-risk depth-building approach, and where things stand with potential extensions—particularly Pete Crow-Armstrong’s after his uneven rookie season.

The guys also discuss Kyle Tucker’s meeting with the Blue Jays, why the Cubs aren’t expected to be involved in those talks, and the expectation that bullpen additions are still coming soon.

Finally, they break down reports that the Cubs were in on Dylan Cease before backing out as the bidding passed $200 million, and what that says about the front office’s willingness to spend. Despite missing out, the Cubs appear poised to pursue other high-end arms such as Framber Valdez, Tatsuya Imai, Ranger Suárez, Michael King, and Zac Gallen as the market develops.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!

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