Cubs Talk Podcast

The Cubs Talk podcast takes a look at the 2024 season, evaluating the biggest successes, including the development of Michael Busch and the emergence of Shota Imanaga, and the biggest failures as the team once again misses the playoffs. The crew then evaluates the road ahead for 2025, with free agency and the trade market both serving as avenues for a team with postseason aspirations. Finally, the group says its farewells to NBC Sports Chicago and to the fans who made the network special.

It's been quite the ride for the Chicago Cubs this week, and James Neveau and Leila Rahimi break it all down on Cubs Talk. Shota Imanaga and the Cubs combine for a no-hitter, but did Craig Counsell make the right call in pulling him, and just how amazing has the hurler's season been? Leila and James then discuss the return of Anthony Rizzo to Wrigley Field, asking whether the decision to trade him in 2021 was the right one and whether he belongs on the Cubs' Mount Rushmore. Finally, they talk about a huge showdown against the Dodgers, and evaluate the Cubs' chances of a late-season playoff push

The Chicago Cubs are fresh off a sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians, leaving Leila Rahimi and James Neveau to ask where things stand with a quarter of the season remaining. The duo chat about missed opportunities in Cleveland, how moral victories at this stage of the year have lost meaning, and whether there is any hope at all of the Cubs getting together a late-season surge. Leila and James then break down comments made by Jed Hoyer about the Cubs potentially exceeding the luxury tax this year, and whether it will have an impact on Jed Hoyer and company opening the pocketbook for the 2025 season. Finally, they talk about a proposed MLB rule to mandate minimum innings pitched for starters, and send well-wishes to Ryne Sandberg as the Cubs legend announces he's cancer free.

In a post-trade deadline edition of the Cubs Talk podcast, Leila Rahimi and James Neveau break down all the moves the Cubs made in the leadup to deadline. Isaac Paredes arrives on the North Side of Chicago, but is the upgrade worth the cost the Cubs gave up in losing Christopher Morel? And do Paredes' statistics paint a stark picture of what he can achieve in Wrigleyville? Later, the duo discusses Mark Leiter Jr. and whether the Cubs made the right choice in acquiring a pair of prospects from the Yankees. Finally, did the Cubs err in not trading Jameson Taillon or Hector Neris? Leila and James evaluate that decision as Jed Hoyer's regime moves forward from the deadline.

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, host James Neveau is joined by Greg Huss, host of the Cubs on Deck Podcast and co-founder of NorthsideBound.com, to dive deep into the Cubs' strategy and future. They discuss potential trade deadline moves (1:55), emphasizing that any decisions need to keep next year’s competition in mind. Greg breaks down why Pete Crow-Armstrong has struggled this season (4:15) and debates whether the Cubs handled his development properly (7:18). The duo highlights the positives in the Cubs farm system (10:00), noting that the team could soon have seven top 100 prospects in Triple-A (12:18). They explore if the Cubs are funneling all their top talent to Triple-A (13:04) and the power potential of Alfonsin Rosario (21:00). Finally, they provide a detailed breakdown of the Cubs' first-round pick, Cam Smith (29:21). Don't miss this in-depth look at the Cubs' current and future plans!