Who will take the NEXT STEP for the Chicago Cubs in 2025?

[@justinnoceda2115]

Love the way you guys change the topic every show its impressive such a long off-season and you haven't missed a beat

[@JohnDePewIII-tn6ui]

Really enjoying your show today!

[@brotherhiram5682]

I predict PCA will be a super star this year. He's loosened up. He has the skills.

[@AllThingsMLB]

I would love to see him hit 20+ homers with a 260+ average

[@justinnoceda2115]

One thing you guys didnt touch on i think counsell needs to take a step foward on his decision making from the 7th inning on this season we have to cut way down on the blow leads/saves this year its a must!!!

[@cmanayf4354]

Cool show guys! Looking for a big year for PCA!

[@rogerdodger723]

Justin Steele said in an interview a few weeks ago that Imanaga has two more pitches in his arsenal that were not used that much in 2024. He is not worried about Shota so neither am I. As far as offense, just give me 90 mph exit velocity over the infield for a base hit more often with runners in scoring position.

[@jpbaskin]

Thanks guys

[@cubstock]

Good episode

[@kevinbaker4836]

Please god just get us a closer and slide everyone else down a notch.

[@Phil-jp3kg]

Excellent episode today's guys!!!!!!!!!

[@fbales]

Great show! I’ve been wanting to hear this discussion.

[@DavidRoberg-v8b]

Swanson will be fine , HE’s a GAMER!

[@ncampbell315]

After hearing Swanson had to get work done on his abdomen I had a good feeling he’ll play better next year too. Same with Nico needing surgery. That’s partially why I want Shaw to be like an infield platoon next year. Give Swanson and Hoerner some time off during the year. Shaw can play 2nd, 3rd, and SS to figure out where he looks the most comfortable defensively while he figures out how his bat will be in the big league.

[@marcusg1021]

You think Dansby ? You mean you hope Dansby. Because I don't see it. At the plate, he's gonna be just about the same. Probably a hair better, but I'm not betting on him taking off and being alot better. I will bet that Seiya will be alot better and have a monster year 🤜🤛

[@AllThingsMLB]

I'm high on Swanson for the 2025 season. I am a bit worried about the bullpen right now because we don't have a lot of sure things at the back end right now. I don't feel comfortable with Nate Pearson being high leverage... his advanced numbers aren't great at all

[@TheLearningCatalystCoach]

Agree... Pearson is always susceptible to a huge HR

[@johnlenon8872]

totally spot on show today. Agree. Swanson is the guy who has to hit and to be fair, with an inflamed knee early and core surgery later.... he was grinding. He will hit this year and so will Nico. Amaya seemed to realize that high leg kicks are stupid. Javy still has not figured that out. Catching position with Amaya and Carrson Kelly will be improved. Hits coming from the slot for sure. Then throw in PCA. I'd have Swanson hitting 5th, Shaw 6th and Nico 7th and PCA 8th. The Cubs have Shaw and Tucker in the lineup. The team is going to rake. One starter and one closer....and this is a 90-to-94-win team.

[@johnfo3924]

I’m bullish on Swanson, Hoerner this year. Both had offseason surgeries, clearly hurt last year. Elite defense, good base running and just gotta be above average hitters. I do think Seiya has a jump too with Tucker next to him in the lineup. Can we add a legit #2 SP please??

[@TheLearningCatalystCoach]

Fair and for the money, Swanson HAS to be a 20-25 HR guy minimum, not just base hits.

[@t2rmartin]

It all comes down to dansby, he's supposed to be the guy, worried if he has it in him

[@BarryJowers]

MLB Network has Justin Steele taking a huge step forward this year and winning the NL Cy Young award

[@DavidRoberg-v8b]

Ben Brown!!!!!

[@DavidRoberg-v8b]

Michael Busch!!!

[@czrad8125]

Love u guys but to me the next signing is the make or break A closer a big bat to complement Tucker The emergence of both Shaw and PCA. Im pulling for Dansby

[@ReckerMasta]

Imo Cubs basically need one of their young players (Shaw PCA Busch) to become a 5 WAR player if they want to comfortably win the division. You know what you’re gonna get from the vets, have to hope one of the younger guys steps up in a massive way

[@DavidRoberg-v8b]

Porter Hodge!!!

[@ChiCubs13]

I have high hopes on Swanson. I hope he returns to his 2022 form

[@laylowe7528]

Dansby MUST take a step forward!!! He’s already a good leader…but if he’s good offensively, he’ll be an even better leader!!

[@DavidRoberg-v8b]

These young guns NEED TO PRODUCE!

[@jeffhytoff003]

I don’t like the computer either Sam! Go Seiya 😜

[@Robert-ek5ee]

Can Rizzo be signed at a low enough number to make sense and get his personality and leadership back to the Cubs in some capacity?

[@liveanddieinchicagoliveand7074]

Kyle tucker isn't enough to win the division.Cubs still need bullpen help and another star bat,and good starter

[@fbales]

I respectfully disagree. I do think (hope) our young starters (PCA, Busch, Hoerner, Shaw) will be better enough to enable us to win the division.

[@AllThingsMLB]

@@fbales Plus you have to think of it as Bellinger + Paredes vs Tucker + Shaw/backup. Tucker is worth double Belli and Paredes was never going to hit well in Wrigley Field. Their lineup improved a lot now they need to address the rotation and pen

[@Croberts4159]

1000% agree this team is really relying on AAA players to play at a major league level immediately it's a joke

[@johnfo3924]

Michael Busch is really where I’m bearish…just don’t have enough power from the 1B position. I think pitchers will start figuring him out; high inside fastballs

[@sni6941]

Don’t forget Tucker’s impact in the line up, when Cody was good in 2023, the whole lineup became dangerous. And Tucker is better than Cody in 2023

[@mnight7633]

PCA is the guy who needs to take the biggest step forward because he’s got the highest ceiling. It would be criminal to run this team out with the bullpen right now. Absolutely criminal

[@johnfo3924]

Expecting someone to have 300 batting average in 2025 is pretty insane… Nico needs 280 avg and get on base around 333…will be noticeably different

[@TheLearningCatalystCoach]

If they Keep Nico...getting him to .280 and PCA to.260-70, those guys can both steal 30+ bases (PCA has a 50 SB capability). Two guys on base like that is dangerous and very lacking from last few years.

[@tmk128]

I want to know why you think Swanson will have a better season , you predicted , I want to know the reasoning behind what you think will happen . Great show thank you Matt & Sam

[@johnfo3924]

A lot of agreement with Sam on this show today

[@born2run995]

also Tucker will not post the same numbers he had at Houston, he doesn't have anyone near Alvarez and Bregman behind him and Altuve in front of him.

[@michaelplowman8674]

3 team trade. Cubs send Nico to Boston and send Horton, Alcantara, Wicks, and Birdsell to Minnesota. Boston sends Arias and Sandlin to Minny. Cubs get Lopez and Duran. Boston gets upgrade to 2B, where they were last in 2B OPS for their #4 and #8 prospects. Minny gets 3 2024 top 100 prospects along with one MLB ready arm and 2 other pitching prospects. Cubs get a TOR RHSP and the closer they need for the next 3 years each. Minny saves about 20M, Cubs spend about 7M, Boston spend about 11M Cubs then sign Bregman for 3B (27ish AAV) and use the final 6M for bench bats.

[@VegasLoungeAct]

The division is not the goal. That's thinking small. Dodgers and Yankees never go into a season saying they want to win the division. They go into it saying they want to win the World Series.

[@theclownservatarian6410]

Listening to you guys, don’t see how this team gets 80 wins.

[@resmarted]

PCA Busch

[@berniebarron6442]

PCA!!!!

[@dave-pm9bu]

I like Dansby but ĥitting 7th and a 185million contract do not go together. Hes gotta hit a little better.

[@James-sd5mf]

You guys dream alot ,I predict Cubs from 79 to 82 wins 2nd,or 3rd .Milwaukee 1,Cincy2nd or 3rd hate to disappoint you our players are what they are half of them not very good have a nice day.😅

[@TheCreepedPig]

Go cubs

[@tomslick2058]

Dreamers. Cubs ain't catching Brewers .Horner was hurt. He had surgery.

[@batonbe1]

bullish on wicks!!! why? brown was impressive of what I saw last yr,no mention of Boyd

[@RodneyHennings]

Don't they have a hitting coach on the Cubs!!??🤔

[@Mark-ph5nh]

Dansby Heyward!!!!😂😂😂 Go Cubs you cheap team as always year after year😂😂😂. Same lineup and bullpen, Belli replaced with Tucker…. Little better hitter but not expecting much from the last year result

[@anthonypascente9331]

To be honest. Cubs did absolutely nothing to get them better than last year. No closer and no 3B. Acquired Tucker but traded Bellinger. That's worth 2 games.

[@brianchappell4054]

I don't know how you can say that with getting Tucker and revamping the bullpen.

[@anthonypascente9331]

@brianchappell4054 because we lost a good player in Bellinger 1. And 2. We lost 20 something games because of not having a closer. Our Bullpen did great in the last 2 months of the season. So what did the Cubs gain? Bellinger for Tucker basically. Tad upgrade

[@SangreEsRaro]

Anything below

[@lukebonnell3605]

i don’t believe in busch

[@brianchappell4054]

Ah your a Bud guy - I get it.

[@plus790]

I appreciate the content, but can we retire the hacky and tired "morning show DJ" soundboard drops?

[@bradleys4783]

Just get Nico on base and the rest will follow....

[@Golden_OG]

p r o j e c t i o n s

[@rebth1st]

Anything below