Monday Morning Cubs Show

Carl + Mahoney
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A show every Monday morning about the Chicago Cubs from Carl and Mahoney.

  1. 5D AGO

    The Bears Christmas Miracle + Bah Humbug Tommy Ricketts

    December in Chicago can hold two truths at once: a city buzzing from a Bears stunner and a fan base staring down a quiet Cubs winter. We lean into both. We start with that late-game chaos at Soldier Field, then shift into the meat of the show: why Tyler Austin makes sense as a low-cost, right-handed complement at first base, what it means for Michael Busch’s at-bats vs lefties, and how smart platoons can quietly add real wins. If you’re wondering whether this front office is telegraphing its budget more than its ambition, you’re not alone—we talk through the signals, the strategy, and the gap between headlines and value. PCA’s everywhere right now: at games, in the community, and in the city’s imagination. We dig into why his presence matters beyond highlights and why an early extension isn’t just numbers—it’s identity. That ties into a bigger theme: you can’t fake cohesion. We look at bullpen churn, development bets, and the calculus of avoiding big money on volatile arms. Along the way, we pull back the curtain on spending tiers, the Ricketts family narrative, and what it means when the Cubs are “in” on a free agent that isn’t top shelf. We also zoom out to the league. Wilson Contreras to Boston makes a lot of baseball sense—his intensity fits that park and that crowd—while reports of Cardinals dysfunction track with what we’re seeing on the field. The takeaway: context matters, culture matters, and the Cubs can still outplay a subdued winter if they nail roles, defense, and communication. If you’re craving unvarnished Cubs talk with a holiday heartbeat, hit play. Then tell us where you stand: spend big now or trust the slow build? Subscribe, share with a fellow fan, and drop a quick five-star review to help other diehards find the show. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    1h 17m

  2. DEC 15

    The Official Christmas Wish List for the 2026 Cubs

    The headlines are quiet, the takes are not. We sift through a sleepy winter meetings and unpack what actually matters for the Cubs in 2026: how bullpen culture gets built on purpose, why Michael Busch facing lefties changes the roster map, and where ownership should place this team in MLB’s payroll tiers. No fluff, no empty rumor-chasing—just a clean look at the levers that create real wins. I walk through the logic of targeting veteran relievers like Hobie Milner and Phil Maton to set standards, routines, and trust for the younger arms who will rotate through the pen. We talk about the under-the-radar front office move to retain a key pitching-development voice and why moves like that can add more value than a mid-December headline signing. Then we zoom in on Busch’s full-time role: if he holds his own vs lefties, the Cubs don’t need a platoon body eating cash and a roster spot, which frees resources for swing-and-miss relief or a legitimate rotation upgrade. From there, we get bolder. A six-man rotation could be a competitive advantage across 162, protecting health, pushing starters deeper, and keeping leverage arms fresher. We open runway for bats like Mo Baller and Owen Caissie to get real plate appearances, and we consider the temperature of a Pete Crow-Armstrong extension before the discourse swallows the room. It all ladders up to one standard: 90 wins should be the floor. If Wrigley sells a premium experience, the baseball budget should live in that second tier beneath the Dodgers and Mets, with consistent, targeted spending that shows up in October. If you’re ready to trade empty noise for practical steps that raise the Cubs’ ceiling, this one’s for you. Tap play, share it with the diehards in your group chat, and if you’re loving the show, drop a five-star review—then tell us: what’s your top wish for the 2026 Cubs? Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    1h 4m

  3. DEC 8

    Preparing For Winter Meetings: Transmission Trouble + Marquee Network Cuts

    A cold Chicago morning has a way of stripping things down to what matters, and that’s exactly how we tackle the Cubs. We open with the realities shaping the offseason: Wrigley’s wind, a pitching staff that leans contact, and a front office balancing ambition with budget. From there, we connect the dots between Marquee Network’s cost-cutting and the baseball moves fans actually care about, making a clear case for investing in swing-and-miss arms over splashy names that drain resources without moving the win column. We dig into targets and timelines, explaining why Michael King’s profile fits the Cubs’ needs and how a creative approach—six-man rotation or multi-inning roles—could protect workloads for Cade Horton, Justin Steele, and the rest of the staff. The goal is simple: add a pitcher who forces hitters on their heels, not another arm that invites aggression. On the position side, we argue for value over vanity: keeping Matt Shaw’s upside and cost control beats chasing an expensive third baseman for a marginal upgrade. That surplus value can fund a deeper bullpen and the kind of frontline pitching that swings a series. Along the way, we talk about the business backdrop the team can’t ignore. Marquee was supposed to be a revenue edge; instead, underperforming subscriptions and off-season content are forcing hard choices. That doesn’t mean waving the white flag; it means choosing the moves that yield the most wins per dollar. We even vent about the Hall of Fame’s selective morality—Jeff Kent in, Bonds and Clemens out—and how that shapes fan sentiment around “big names” versus actual on-field impact. If you’re ready for a grounded plan to get back atop the NL Central—more strikeouts, smarter usage, and value that compounds—this one’s for you. Subscribe, drop a 5-star review, and tell us: would you trade for an ace or spend in free agency? Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    53 min

  4. DEC 2

    Building The Bullpen And Trading Smart - Let's Be Realistic

    Hope is not a plan, and payroll isn’t a magic wand. We dig into a clear, realistic path for the Cubs to win the Central: stack a fearless bullpen, trade for a rotation stabilizer, and sharpen platoons that punish left-handed pitching. Instead of chasing tier-one free agents, we map out how to convert close games into wins and use our prospect capital where it matters most. We start by unpacking the spending gap fans feel when comparing Chicago to the Braves and Blue Jays, and why public-company transparency makes those clubs look aggressive while the Cubs operate conservatively. That contrast sets the stakes for smarter roster building. From there, we focus on leverage—how two or three veteran relievers with command, chase, and playoff temperament can change the math of a 162-game season. Phil Maton signals a shift; adding two more proven arms could turn a soft spot into a signature strength. Then we turn the wheel to starting pitching. Joe Ryan sits atop the trade board for makeup, stuff, and control, with alternatives like Pablo López and Sandy Alcantara offering different cost curves. We weigh prospect packages, define who’s truly untouchable, and explain why a trade can deliver more innings per dollar than free agency. On the position-player side, we outline a simple, high-impact adjustment: pair Michael Busch with a right-handed bat that crushes lefties, tighten run prevention behind Swanson and Hoerner, and let the bullpen protect narrow leads. This is an offseason blueprint built for the team the Cubs are right now—cost-aware, prospect-rich, and closer to contention than the headlines suggest. If you’re ready to move beyond rumor-season daydreams and into the moves that actually swing standings, you’ll feel right at home here. Tap play, then tell us: would you spend on a closer, trade for a starter, or add a RH bat first? If you enjoy the show, hit follow, drop a five-star review, and share it with a fellow Cubs fan who’s ready for a smarter winter. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    1h 3m

  5. NOV 24

    Thanksgiving Special: Welcome Phil Maton, Shota Stays & 9 Things To Be Thankful For

    A 90-win team is good. A 94-win team that breathes in October is built. That’s where we take the Cubs: away from splash-chasing and toward a durable run-prevention machine that travels, plays in the wind, and punishes mistakes. We start with the hard truths about the Ricketts family’s spending posture, the real payroll buffer under the tax, and how that shapes every move this winter without handcuffing the deadline. Shota Imanaga accepting the qualifying offer is the hinge that swings the plan open. One year at a higher AAV gives Jed maximum flexibility and gives Shota a sharpened incentive to dominate. We break down why that alignment matters if labor clouds linger and why a focused, chip-on-shoulder Imanaga can anchor a rotation built on health management and targeted whiff. Then we scout Phil Maton’s fit: vertical curve, sneaky cutter, hidden arm action, and the hilarious side effect of making big leaguers bark at their bats. At Wrigley, that shape plays even better. Add one more strikeout starter, two trustworthy relievers, and the bullpen stops being a nightly coin flip. We also map the cleanest offensive tweak—first base platoon help versus lefties—without stealing runway from Matt Shaw, Owen Caissie, and the young core. Defense remains a weapon. Counsell’s rest patterns will save bullets for September. And yes, leadership matters: Dansby’s detail and tone pull the dugout forward when games get heavy. Stack these edges and the Central looks winnable while the Dodgers become beatable in a short series. If you care about how the Cubs actually win more games—in this park, with this manager, under this budget—this breakdown gives you the blueprint and the why behind it. Subscribe, share with a fellow Cubs fan, and leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify to help the show grow. What’s the one move you’d make first? Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    1h 7m

  6. NOV 17

    Setting Expectations For A Very Weird Cubs Winter

    Expect a strange winter on the North Side. We unpack why the Cubs’ path runs through pitching, controlled contracts, and a defense-first identity while the 2027 labor storm gathers on the horizon. With only Dansby Swanson guaranteed through that window and uncertainty around caps, floors, and tax dynamics, Jed and Carter look far more likely to trade for a top-three starter than drop half a billion on a right fielder. That’s not timid; it’s portfolio management in a volatile market. We break down the fork in the road at DH and right field—Seiya Suzuki plus low-cost internal options like Moisés Ballesteros and Owen Caissie versus a megadeal that would throttle flexibility for a decade. Then we tilt to the rubber, where one dependable arm with control can stabilize Justin Steele, Cade Horton, and Jamison Taillon, and where the bullpen can be rebuilt with proven Cubs magic: one-year reclamations that turn stalled arms into multi-year paydays. Pair that with a team Gold Glove defense and you’re preventing runs at an elite level before spending a dime on slug. Player arcs matter. Matt Shaw looks primed for a leap. Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and Ian Happ feel bankable. Michael Busch needs either real reps versus lefties or a no-doubt right-handed partner who mashes them—clarity now, not in August. PCA’s glove is already special; modest gains in swing decisions unlock real value. We also tackle the Shota Imanaga qualifying-offer clock and why process there could echo in future international recruiting. Stick around as we riff on Wrigley hosting football, the Bears’ late-game surge with Caleb Williams, and five sharp differences between London and Chicago—from spotless pub bathrooms and tap-to-pay culture to architecture that feels like walking through a film set. Subscribe, drop a five-star review on Spotify or Apple, and share this one with a Cubs fan who loves smart roster talk. What’s your move: trade for a controllable starter or pay for power in right? Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    1h 1m

  7. NOV 10

    Cubs Offseason Reality Check (from London)

    One voice, one hotel room in London, and a clear-eyed look at what’s really driving the Cubs’ offseason. Carl breaks down why Kyle Tucker won’t be wearing Cubbie blue next year, not because he isn’t a fit, but because ownership’s debt load still dictates how aggressive Chicago can be when it matters most. From the GM meetings in Las Vegas to the realities of qualifying offers, draft compensation, and international bonus pools, we connect the dots on how strategy and spending collide. We dig into the Shōta Imanaga contract maze: the declined three-year path, the turned-down two-year option, and a one-year QO that forces a pride-versus-payday decision. What the Cubs choose says a lot to future Japanese stars about how this front office values relationships and risk. If Shōta walks, Chicago gets a compensatory pick; if he stays, they’re paying more for a pitcher they might not fully trust. Either way, the message to the market matters. With free agency tangled in penalties and a thin class, we map the realistic path forward: bold trades. The GM meetings are where those deals start, where GMs quietly gauge who’s ready to move prospects or swap controllable arms for impact bats. Along the way, we rally around Pete Crow-Armstrong after a Platinum Glove snub that screams perception gap, and we spotlight Cade Horton’s trajectory toward frontline status if health cooperates. This is a call for clarity and conviction—either inject new cash or risk drifting into clever-but-capped territory while rivals buy certainty. If you’re ready for a smart, unfiltered offseason blueprint, hit play, share it with a fellow fan who needs the context, and leave a review with the trade you’d make first. Subscribe so you don’t miss the next deep dive. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    33 min

  8. NOV 3

    3 Gold Glove Winners + Why The Dodgers Aren’t Ruining Baseball

    A thrilling baseball year ends, and we’re fired up about where Chicago goes next. We kick things off by saluting three Cubs Gold Gloves—Pete Crow-Armstrong, Nico Horner, and Ian Happ—and why these awards actually matter for roster building, contract value, and a defense-first identity that plays in October. From there, we relive a chaotic, edge-of-the-seat World Series and tackle the hottest take in the sport: the Dodgers aren’t ruining baseball. They develop as well as they spend, and that’s the blueprint every serious team should follow. We dig into what Los Angeles did right, why the Blue Jays’ payroll undercuts the “small guy vs. big guy” narrative, and how Yamamoto’s fearless workload became a postseason lesson in value. Then we bring it home to the Cubs: how to approach starting pitching without overpaying for risk, why relievers are best found through development and rebound bets, and how to keep the defense elite while adding more on-base and late-inning swing-and-miss. We also talk about Ian Happ’s underrated consistency, the importance of durability, and which arguments about awards actually hold water. Between segments, we share a burst of life: London plans (type G plugs, bum bags, pub crawls), EPL ticket gymnastics, and a quick Goose tour recap. It’s baseball-first with just enough culture and humor to keep your commute moving. If you care about the Cubs’ next step—and want a clear-eyed plan for getting there—this one’s for you. Enjoy the show? Tap follow, drop a five-star rating, and share it with a friend who still thinks payroll is the villain. Your reviews keep the mics hot and the takes sharper. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    50 min
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5
out of 5
133 Ratings

About

A show every Monday morning about the Chicago Cubs from Carl and Mahoney.

Information

  • Creator
    Carl + Mahoney
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Monday Morning Cubs Show
  • Show Website
    Monday Morning Cubs Show

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