The Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast

Brett and Michael are back for Episode 51 of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast! Hosts Brett Taylor and Michael Cerami dive into a packed week of Spring Training storylines as the Chicago Cubs ramp up toward meaningful games. The biggest on-field conversation? The Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) challenge system. The guys break down how it’s functioning in camp, whether the process feels too slow or overly theatrical, and what it will look like when it’s fully implemented. Is the league striking the right balance between accuracy and pace? And how will broadcasts handle the strike zone graphic once challenges become the norm? 

From there, it’s all about roster maneuvering. The guys walk through the implications of timing those moves, how it impacts depth, and what it signals about early-season expectations. The bench battle is also heating up. How does Matt Shaw fit into the mix as a utility option? Which outfielders have the edge among Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson, and Kevin Alcantara? And what role could Moises Ballesteros carve out as roster spots tighten?

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!

Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Read more Cubs coverage ➡️ bleachernation.com

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Brett and Michael are back for the fiftieth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! Spring Training games are finally here, with the Cubs set to host the White Sox in their Cactus League opener.

But the biggest news of the week came off the field: Tony Clark has suddenly resigned as head of the MLB Players Association. The timing is stunning, coming just ahead of what is expected to be a contentious round of Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. The guys discuss what this leadership shakeup could mean for upcoming talks, revenue sharing debates, and the broader labor landscape in baseball. With Deputy Director Bruce Meyer likely stepping into a larger role, the question becomes whether the union can stay organized during such a critical stretch.

On the Cubs front, the team officially signed rehabbing reliever Shelby Miller and designated infielder Ben Cowles for assignment to clear a 40-man spot. That move sparks discussion about roster timing, waiver calculations, and why the Cubs did not immediately place Justin Steele on the 60-day IL. Is it about optimism for Steele’s timeline, or simply smart roster maneuvering? The guys break it down.

With camp underway and league-wide uncertainty swirling, there’s no shortage of topics—even before the games begin.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!

Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Read more Cubs coverage ➡️ bleachernation.com

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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-ninth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! Cubs camp is officially underway, with pitchers and catchers reporting and the front office holding its opening presser. The guys recap the first day at camp, including Alex Bregman taking Jameson Taillon deep (which absolutely counts as one regular season win), and note that there were no major injury concerns coming out of the initial media availability.
They also react to the news that the Baltimore Orioles signed Chris Bassitt to a one-year deal, potentially closing the book on most remaining free agent starters. But rather than shutting the Cubs out, the move may actually increase the odds that Zac Gallen remains in play. With three current members of the Cubs’ rotation set to hit free agency after the season, the long-term implications of adding another arm are front and center.
The conversation also turns to Matt Shaw’s super-utility role and how he might fit into a roster that suddenly feels deep — particularly in the rotation. For once, the Cubs aren’t scrambling to patch the back end of the staff; instead, they’re navigating something closer to an embarrassment of riches.
A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com
Read more Cubs coverage ➡️ bleachernation.com

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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-eighth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With Pitchers and Catchers reporting next week, activity around the league is starting to pick up—and a trio of notable moves sparks a wide-ranging discussion.
They react to Eugenio Suárez returning to the NL Central after signing with the Cincinnati Reds, the Boston Red Sox giving real money to Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and the Detroit Tigers making a massive splash by signing Framber Valdez.
The Kiner-Falefa deal in particular prompts a deeper conversation. At roughly $6 million plus incentives, it’s more than expected for a utility infielder—and may signal that Boston is less confident in pulling off a major infield trade this spring. That has implications for players like Nico Hoerner or Matt Shaw, and reinforces the Cubs’ decision to hold firm on their trade demands.
They also dig into the Tigers’ signing of Valdez and how it intersects with the ongoing arbitration situation involving Tarik Skubal. Whether Detroit feels confident in its arbitration outcome or is positioning itself for a possible Skubal trade, the move could have downstream effects on the starting pitching market—including the Cubs’ pursuit of top-end arms like Zac Gallen.
And, as always, more offseason talk as the calendar inches closer to Spring Training.
A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com
Read more Cubs coverage ➡️ bleachernation.com
Pre-order Michael Cerami’s children’s book here:
👉 https://amzn.to/3Z0WQQC

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Brett and Michael are back for the forty-seventh episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The show opens with a fun announcement: Michael Cerami wrote a children’s book about Wrigley Field and Cubs fandom, inspired by bringing the next generation into the bleachers. The guys talk about the idea behind the project and what it means to pass down the Cubs experience.
From there, they dive deep into the Cubs’ starting rotation. Have the Cubs done enough to bolster it? They break down every arm, discuss possible Opening Day starter scenarios, and weigh the high-end outcomes against the very real risks—ranging from innings limitations to lengthy injury histories. It’s a thorough look at how strong this rotation could be, and where things could still go sideways.
With Spring Training right around the corner—Pitchers and Catchers report in just two weeks—the guys also discuss the likelihood of more free-agent movement soon, particularly on the pitching front. Jon Heyman continues to link the Cubs to Zac Gallen, alongside the Diamondbacks and Orioles, and Brett and Michael talk through how realistic that fit might be as the market enters its next phase.
A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com
Read more Cubs coverage ➡️ bleachernation.com
Pre-order Michael Cerami’s children’s book here:
👉 https://amzn.to/3Z0WQQC

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.