Cubs Talk Podcast

NBC Sports Chicago
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Cubs Talk Podcast Podcast

The Cubs Talk Podcast breaks down all things baseball on the North Side. Host Leila Rahimi, James Neveau, and Nate Poppen bring insider perspectives, regular player interviews, and news updates during the team's pursuit of another championship. New episodes release every Wednesday morning.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Guardians' sweep of Cubs, luxury tax questions cloud 2025 outlook for North Sider

    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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    43 min

  2. JUL 31

    Isaac Paredes arrives, Mark Leiter departs amid fascinating trade deadline

    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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    51 min

  3. JUL 26

    Discussing Chicago Cubs trade deadline moves, prospects, and future stars

    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! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    33 min

  4. JUL 17

    Cubs draft analysis and first-half season breakdown

    On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rahimi and Nate Poppen dive into the Cubs' selection of Cam Smith from Florida State with the 14th pick and whether he's truly a third baseman (0:54). They tackle the issue of having too many young bats without a defensive position (4:00) and discuss the Cubs' draft strategy (5:25). Leila argues the importance of drafting players with a set position (6:54). Later, the duo debates their trust in the Jed Hoyer- Carter Hawkins regime (8:40), how Paul Skenes' rise impacts prospect development (12:59), and break down the Cubs' first-half performance (15:04). They also analyze the struggles of Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger (20:30), team stats (23:55), and what moves the Cubs should make at the trade deadline (27:21). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    36 min

  5. JUL 9

    Shota Imanaga the All-Star and Nico Hoerner the trade candidate?

    James Neveau and Leila Rahimi run through a jampacked week in Cubs baseball, starting with Shota Imanaga's selection to the All-Star Game. The duo chats about his incredible rookie season, and shares a surprising comp for Michael Busch's campaign so far. Later, Leila and James discuss the unfortunate injury for Brennen Davis, and react to Colten Brewer breaking his hand after punching a dugout wall, complete with a stroll down memory lane with Sammy Sosa's sneezes and Kerry Wood's hot tub. Finally, the tandem reacts to rumors of potential Cubs trade candidates, and offer a heated response to rumblings that Nico Hoerner could be among those eyed for a move out of Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    45 min

  6. JUL 2

    Cubs put up lackluster performance vs. Brewers, can they pull out of the tailspin they are in?

    Leila Rahimi and James Neveau break down the Cubs' series loss against the Milwaukee Brewers and the sad state of the team as July begins. They discuss the lackluster performances of key players, the team's failed free agent acquisitions and trades heading into the 2024 season, and whether the team can actually pull out of their current tailspin. They get into more upbeat news with injury updates on Javier Assad, Mark Leiter Jr. and others, but then evaluate whether or not the Cubs are the most disappointing team in the National League. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    39 min

  7. JUN 28

    A painful week in San Francisco, and our Cubs’ midseason award winners

    The Cubs Talk podcast takes another look at the struggling North Siders as they drop three-of-four to the Giants and hit the halfway mark of their season. James Neveau and Peter Marzano discuss the shoddy bullpen and the shocking resurgence of Kyle Hendricks before getting into their midseason awards. Shota Imanaga is likely the team’s first-half MVP, but James also offers up a couple of unexpected options. The guys also talk about the disappointing campaigns of Dansby Swanson and Hector Neris, relive their favorite moments of the 2024 season so far, and offer their hottest takes and boldest predictions on what could still unfold over the season’s final 80 games. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    46 min

  8. JUN 21

    Cubs Talk breaks down Kyle Hendricks and Ian Happ’s resurgences, Hector Neris’ status

    For the first time in a month, the Cubs have won a three-game series, and James Neveau, Nate Poppen and Peter Marzano break it all down. Kyle Hendricks’ dramatic improvement in June is showcased, along with Ian Happ’s recent surge in extra-base hits and impactful moments. The guys then discuss swing tweaks made by Dansby Swanson, and evaluate whether Hector Neris should remain as the team’s closer after multiple blown saves. Finally, they pay tribute to the incredible legacy of Willie Mays, and reveal his stunning stats against the Cubs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    45 min
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3.9
out of 5
478 Ratings

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The Cubs Talk Podcast breaks down all things baseball on the North Side. Host Leila Rahimi, James Neveau, and Nate Poppen bring insider perspectives, regular player interviews, and news updates during the team's pursuit of another championship. New episodes release every Wednesday morning.

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