Analyzing Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki's rocky August

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 Okt 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 Okt 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 Sep 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 Sep 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 Sep 202230min

Hayden Wesneski turned in one of the most dominant MLB debuts in Cubs recent history but his pitching may not have been the most impressive part of his evening. Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki explain on the latest Cubs Weekly Podcast and chat about Wesneski's role for the rest of the season and in 2023. Plus, the duo discusses Wade Miley's return, next steps for Justin Steele, Keegan Thompson and Adbert Alzolay and Ben Zobrist's future role. Martinez and Andracki also break down the likelihood Franmil Reyes and Rafael Ortega play major roles on the 2023 Cubs.00:46 - Tony and Andy get stumped on this week's trivia question03:34 - Hayden Wesneski's dominant debut: What stood out most?08:10 - Taylor McGregor goes 1-on-1 with Wesneski after the game10:13 - What's next for Wesneski?14:52 - Will we see Steele and Thompson pitch again this season? When might Contreras be back?18:53 - Ben Zobrist potentially having an expanded role with the organization?21:32 - What does the future hold for Franmil Reyes and Rafael Ortega with Cubs?

7 Sep 202229min

We're at the point in the season where the Cubs are using the final few weeks to evaluate younger players. Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki break it down on the latest Cubs Weekly Podcast, including Jeremiah Estrada and Brendon Little making their MLB debuts this week in Toronto.Plus, why Cubs veterans believe the team is on the right track and how they can help young pitchers like Justin Steele and Keegan Thompson as they navigate their first full big league campaign.The panel also discusses the narrative surrounding Nick Madrigal and the team's top two draft picks from last month (Cade Horton and Jackson Ferris) stop by the Marquee Sports Network studio.

31 Aug 202238min

Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki dissect the Cubs' pitching staff with the addition of several young arms. How is the bullpen shaking out? What does the 2023 rotation look like?Plus, Lance Brozdowski chats with Brennen Davis on his injury recovery while Martinez and Andracki provide a slew of other prospect updates. The duo also discusses the importance of winning over the final six weeks of the season and what it could mean for this franchise moving forward.00:16 - The plan for Kyle Hendricks04:32 - Young pitchers proving their worth in Chicago10:00 - Has Adrian Sampson carved out a role on the 2023 pitching staff?12:42 - Analyzing Steele's breakout17:30 - Brennen Davis 1-on-1 with Lance Brozdowski23:06 - What are the next steps for Davis?25:24 - Other prospect updates (Alexander Canario, Miguel Amaya, Jordan Wicks)32:13 - How important is it for the Cubs to playing winning baseball down the stretch?

24 Aug 202238min