Best of 2024 Ep. 2: Aramis Ramírez, Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto

MLB’s offseason kicked off in earnest this week with the annual General Managers Meetings at the Conrad at Resorts World in Las Vegas. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins convened with the rest of their counterparts from across the league this week for meetings, breakout sessions and plenty more. Taylor McGregor and Andy Martínez were in Las Vegas to recap the event and get a grasp for what the Cubs hope to accomplish during this pivotal offseason. The pair share their biggest takeaways, the Cubs’ plans for the offseason and share some fun from Scott Boras’ press conference. Plus, the pair provide updates on Drew Smyly, Willson Contreras, Kyle Hendricks and much more.

10 Marras 202218min

Chicago native and Cubs radio analyst Ron Coomer stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to revisit Game 7 of the 2016 World Series with Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki.Six years after the greatest game in Cubs franchise history, the trio discusses the biggest takeaways from that magical night in Cleveland and relive the emotional roller coaster.Plus, hear what Coomer did during the rain delay, how he celebrated the Cubs' championship and why he wears his World Series ring so often.

2 Marras 202237min

Cubs vice president/director of pitching and assistant GM Craig Breslow joins the Cubs Weekly Podcast to explain to hosts Tony Andracki and Andy Martinez exactly what his job entails on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis.Breslow also provides a peek behind the curtain as to how the organization's pitching infrastructure has grown in the last few years and what they still hope to accomplish in coming seasons.Plus, how does Kyle Hendricks return to form and who are some other names in the organization to keep an eye out for in 2023 and beyond?

28 Loka 202236min

Our Cubs Weekly panel of Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki answer reader questions ahead of a pivotal offseason. From best free agent fits to offseason predictions, we attempt to answer every question fired our way - including some fun off-the-wall queries.00:56 - Who are some Cubs players that you think will break out next season?03:47 - Was Jar Jar secretly a dark lord of the Sith (the true ‘phantom menace’ within an abandoned storyline)?04:48 - Which Cub had the best ULRAG of the year?06:05 - If you could design a Cubs + Star Wars promo/gameday giveaway what would it be?07:02 - Favorite Cubs moment of the 2022 season09:15 - Using the 2022 Cubs final home game lineup, match each player with their Star Wars character.15:37 - Will the Cubs try to get top free agents?16:40 - Thoughts on the upcoming offseason18:46 - Prediction for next season's record20:05 - Do you think the Cubs will make the 2023 postseason?21:13 - Do you foresee Morel retaining the multi-tool function next year or getting locked in at one spot?24:05 - 2016 Cubs as MCU characters26:55 - What's the 1B situation next year looking like? Would adding a 36-year-old player (like Jose Abreu) with positional limitations be wise?29:24 - Why not extend Willson Contreras?31:50 - Will the Cubs sign a FA SS or could they trade for one? Is Nico staying at SS or moving back to 2B?33:58 - What are your projections for CF, SS, 1B, 2B, 3B starters in '23? FA's, prospects, names?37:22 - Who is the Cubs' future?39:24 - Favorite dance?40:33 - If made available, would the Cubs be in on Rafael Devers or Mike Trout?

20 Loka 202246min

Bruce Levine, Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki dissect Jed Hoyer's end-of-season press conference and provide the main takeaways from the Cubs president of baseball operation's hour-long session with media.Plus, the podcast panel provides predictions for the Cubs offseason, including the biggest areas of need on the roster and a bold prediction for the winter.The trio also reflects on the 2022 season with the best moments, most important on-field developments, biggest surprises, MVPs, Cy Youngs, etc.

12 Loka 202249min

Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki attempt to answer a slew of questions surrounding the Cubs pitching staff entering the offseason and looking ahead to 2023.What are reasonable expectations for Kyle Hendricks next year? Where do Hayden Wesneski, Keegan Thompson, Javier Assad, Adbert Alzolay and Adrian Sampson fit into the pitching staff next year?Plus, what are the most important storylines to watch over the final week-plus of the regular season?

27 Syys 202225min

Carlos Peña drops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to explain what his Hispanic heritage means to him and what it was like coming up through the minor leagues as a Hispanic ballplayer.Plus, Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki evaluate what role Zach McKinstry and Michael Hermosillo might have on the 2023 Cubs after a recent stretch of solid play.Martinez also details his unique find in the story of Alfonso Rivas and Javier Assad, who grew up playing Little League together in Tijuana and are now teammates once again in Chicago.00:55 - What does the future hold for Zach McKinstry and Michael Hermosillo with Cubs?12:29 - How the Assad/Rivas story came about16:26 - Andy goes 1-on-1 with Carlos Peña

20 Syys 202239min

Triple-A Iowa broadcaster Alex Cohen joins Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki on the Cubs Weekly Podcast. The trio discusses the upcoming MLB rule changes - like larger bases and pitch clock - that have been at the Triple-A level all season.Plus, updates on players like Adbert Alzolay, Alexander Canario, Brennen Davis and how Caleb Kilian has fared since his cup of coffee in the big leagues.Cohen also breaks down Matt Mervis' monster season, what he saw from a trio of pitchers (Hayden Wesneski, Brandon Hughes, Javier Assad) before they migrated to Chicago and provides several under-the-radar players to keep an eye on.TOPICS:01:12 - Impressions of pitch clock and bigger bases in the minors04:12 - Hayden Wesneski's time in Triple-A and adjustment to MLB06:42 - Caleb Kilian's up-and-down 2022 campaign11:02 - Summing up Brennen Davis' return to Triple-A so far13:07 - Brandon Hughes, Javier Assad and the Cubs pitching development18:25 - Alexander Canario update20:56 - Matt Mervis' breakout season26:05 - Adbert Alzolay's rehab outings28:32 - Under-the-radar players to keep an eye on

13 Syys 202230min