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...

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...

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...

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...

Shota Imanaga, Nate Pearson, Porter Hodge, Miguel Amaya and the Cubs combined to make history Wednesday night at Wrigley Field, throwing the 18th no-hitter in team history. Tony Andracki, Andy Martínez and Alex Cohen, who called the no-no, broke it all down on the Cubs Weekly Podcast. The trio shared their favorite moments from the epic game, including some fun anecdotes. Cohen shared his story of being thrust onto the call at the last-minute and what it meant to call a no-hitter on his...

The Cubs pulled off their win of the season - and one of the best wins in the last decade - Wednesday to finish off a sweep of the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki recap the wild week, The Christian Bethancourt Game and explain what it all means for the Cubs in the playoff race. The Cubs are now 16-8 in August and a big reason for that success has been the performance from the bottom of the order. Dansby Swanson, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Miguel Amaya and Bethancourt have...

It was a busy week at Wrigley Field as Héctor Neris was released and Javy Báez made his return to the North Side. What was behind the Neris move and what does that mean for the rest of the bullpen? Does it say anything about the final month-plus of the Cubs season? Are there more moves along those lines coming? Our panel of Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki break it all down on the latest Cubs Weekly Podcast. Plus, Dexter Fowler joins the show to share his favorite memories of Báez while...

The Cubs are making a run at a final National League Wild-Card spot and with a little over 6 weeks left in the 2024 season, we run down why there are legitimate reasons for optimism with the Cubs. On the other hand, are there reasons for pessimism? Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki discuss recent trends with this team and what the series in Cleveland actually means. Plus, Doug Glanville analyzes Pete Crow-Armstrong's rookie seasons and evaluates the Cubs' playoff chances - including whether...

The Cubs wrapped up a successful, 5-2 homestand against the Cardinals and Twins and Tony Andracki and Andy Martínez broke down on the Cubs Weekly Podcast. The duo debate whether the Cubs have one final push for a playoff spot left in them after moving to 6 games back in the Wild Card and 3 games under .500 with about 7 weeks to play. Before Wednesday’s finale against the Twins the Cubs had a 5.9% chance to make the playoffs, per Fangraphs. They breakdown the success of the bottom of the...

The trade deadline came and went with the Cubs making just three moves — trading for Nate Pearson, Isaac Paredes and minor leaguers Ben Cowles and Jack Neely and sending out Mark Leiter Jr., Christopher Morel, Hunter Bigge and three minor-leaguers. Elise Menaker and Andy Martínez broke down the three deals and why the Cubs were relatively quiet this deadline and whether or not the team is punting on 2024. The crew broke down why Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer executed the...

Many around baseball expected the Cubs to be sellers at the 2024 MLB trade deadline but their first 2 moves actually enhanced the big-league roster. From the Christopher Morel for Isaac Paredes deal to acquiring pitcher Nate Pearson, the Cubs have improved their roster for 2024 and also beyond. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki break down the moves, why the Cubs dealt away Morel and how Paredes represents a clear upgrade at third base. Plus, what are the Cubs getting in Paredes and Pearson?

The Cubs are in an interesting position entering the 2024 MLB trade deadline. What should they do?   Joe Girardi, Taylor McGregor, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki discuss all the options in front of the Cubs and how they see things playing out for Jed Hoyer's front office.   Our panel also reacts to Hoyer's public comments about his approach to the deadline, break down the homestand (including a tough series against the Brewers) and weigh in on what players could be traded away from...

Vice president of scouting Dan Kantrovitz joins the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Lance Brozdowski and Tony Andracki about the team's 2024 MLB Draft. From top pick Cam Smith to 2nd-rounder Cole Mathis to some surprises along the way, Kantrovitz explains the Cubs' approach to this year's Draft and how it played out for the organization.  Plus, we look back on past drafts, as Kantrovitz analyzes the careers of former 1st-rounders Matt Shaw and Cade Horton plus other scouting "wins" in the...

Journeyman pitcher Dan Straily joined Lance Brozdowski on the latest Cubs Weekly Podcast. Straily is a veteran pitcher currently pitching for the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate in Iowa. The former Cub was part of several big trades in franchise history - once acquired in the Jeff Samardzija/Addison Russell deal with the Oakland A's and later traded for Dexter Fowler. Straily chats about the place analytics has in baseball today, how he has seen the sport change over this 15-year career and what...

Former Cy Young winner Rick Sutcliffe stopped by the Cubs Weekly Podcast with hosts Tony Andracki and Andy Martínez. The “Red Baron” reflected on Ryne Sandberg’s new statue unveiled at Gallagher Way. Sutcliffe shared stories about his former teammate, including car rides to Wrigley Field and spending time in meetings with Lou Piniella after their playing days ended. The 1979 Rookie of the Year then discussed this year’s team — including what he’s thought of rookie phenom Shota Imanaga and...

Elise Menaker joins Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki on the latest Cubs Weekly Podcast to discuss her career journey to this point and being a part in a historic Cubs broadcast on Marquee.   Plus, why does it feel like every Cubs game is Groundhog Day right now? What does the offense do to get out of this 2-month-long funk?   Our panel analyzes the recent stretch and what to make of this team over halfway into the season.

As the Cubs reach the midpoint in the 2024 season, the Cubs Weekly Podcast tries to answer a critical question — is this who the Cubs are? Andy Martínez and Joe Girardi discuss what the Cubs can do to right the ship. The pair break down some of the Cubs’ offensive woes and how a good stretch can help turn a team. Girardi offers some insight of the benefits and downsides of trying to fire up a team by throwing things or yelling. The duo also discusses Ryne Sandberg’s statue, his legacy in...

The word of the day is "redemption" for the Chicago Cubs. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki break down the Cubs' big series win over the Giants and how they got to that point, including clutch performances from Kyle Hendricks and Dansby Swanson. The offense is showing signs of life, the starting rotation continues to excel but the bullpen has been a pain point, especially lately. Martínez and Andracki analyze where the Cubs go from here with the bullpen, including potential pitchers in the...

On the latest edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki address the biggest issues facing the Chicago Cubs over the last month-plus. When is it time for fans to panic and when does it stop being "too early" to draw conclusions about a team? Our podcast duo drills down on the Cubs' offensive inconsistencies, the bullpen concerns, the collective fielding slump and how all aspects of the game are intertwined. Plus, what are the solutions for the Cubs and can Jed...