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Shota Imanaga threw his first live batting practice Wednesday at Cubs camp and stole the show. The Cubs Weekly Podcast recapped the session and the first week of full-squad workouts from Mesa, Ariz. Elise Menaker and Andy Martínez discussed what they’ve seen from camp and what their takeaways have been. The duo breaks down the Cubs latest additions — David Peralta and Dom Smith on minor league deals and what their signing means for the roster and for a potential Cody Bellinger return. Menaker and Martínez discuss some of the roster questions the Cubs are facing, including their center fielder and fourth outfielder, Christopher Morel at third base and more.

On the day of the Cubs' first official workout for pitchers and catchers, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki discuss the vibe around camp, where nearly every position player has shown up early. It's Craig Counsell's first camp as Cubs manager and he's already making his presence known in Arizona.   As Jed Hoyer, Carter Hawkins and Counsell kicked off the start of spring with a press conference and players began to meet with the media, one name continues to surface: Cody Bellinger. What is the update on Bellinger's situation and how are the Cubs pivoting as he remains a free agent?   Hoyer left the door open for potentially more additions to the roster but the Cubs are also banking on internal improvements. Who are some players that could take the next step in 2024? Plus, are external projections for win totals for the Cubs accurate?

Former Cubs outfielder Brian McRae drops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to reflect on his career, including his 3 seasons in Chicago.   McRae tells stories of his time with the Cubs, how often he keeps up with his former teammates, why the Chicago fans are so special and his approach to the leadoff spot in the lineup.   Plus, McRae explains why he considers himself a Cubs fan and how he dealt with the emotions and stress watching the 2016 team bring home the World Series trophy.

The 1984 Cubs hold a special spot in the hearts of many Cubs fans. The center fielder and lead-off hitter for that team, Bobby Dernier understands and appreciates that. The former Cub caught up with Andy Martínez and Bruce Levine at Cubs Convention to reminisce about the team. Dernier recalled the “Sandberg Game”, which really put the Cubs in the spotlight that season and playing with Sandberg that season. The righty shared stories of that team, including having Rick Sutcliffe, who he had played with in high school, join the Cubs midway through that season. Later in the podcast, Dernier discusses how crucial a leadoff hitter is for a team and how much he enjoyed watching Dexter Fowler in 2016 in that role and Mike Tauchman in 2023. Then, he shares his 2016 story — where he was when the Cubs finally won it all and what his emotions were.

The Cubs added some reinforcements to the bullpen over the weekend with the reported signings of Hector Neris and Carl Edwards Jr. (on minor league deal). Marquee Sports Network player development analyst Lance Brozdowski stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki about what Neris and Edwards bring to this team.  With the pair of pitchers in the fold, the podcast panel analyzes how the Cubs bullpen has come together this winter. Plus, what are their overall feelings on the Cubs' offseason after the latest relief additions? There's some optimism on a reunion with Cody Bellinger and the trio explains why a Matt Chapman signing might not be in the cards for the Cubs.  Brozdowski also provides his thoughts on the Cubs farm system drawing national acclaim and what to expect from Michael Busch in Chicago.

Iconic Cubs third baseman and newest member of the Cubs Hall of Fame Aramis Ramírez stops by the podcast. He explains what it means to be inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame and how he found out about the honor right before he was introduced to the crowd at the 2024 Cubs Convention. Ramírez also reflects on his career with the Cubs, including the franchise-altering trade that brought him to Chicago alongside Kenny Lofton. 2003 ranks as one of the most interesting years in Cubs history and Ramírez shares his perspective of that season, including the playoffs and the aftermath. Plus, Ramírez shares his favorite moments in a Cubs uniform, describes what it's like to hit a walk-off home run and explains what made Derrek Lee such a great teammate. Ramírez also details his last career game, which ironically came against the Cubs in the 2015 playoffs.

2016 World Series MVP Ben Zobrist drops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki about a wide array of topics, including being back at Cubs Convention and interacting with fans. Zobrist tells the story about his free agency journey to the Cubs, what Joe Maddon meant to him as both a player and a person and how the team dealt with the organization's World Series drought. Of course, there was plenty of Game 7 talk, as Zobrist broke down his championship-winning hit and what he remembers about those epic moments that will echo throughout eternity for the Cubs franchise. The 14-year MLB veteran also reflected back on some of the highlights of his playing days, including the unique way he ended his career.

Cubs Convention wrapped up over the weekend and there was one name talked about more than any others … Cody Bellinger. The Cubs Weekly Podcast crew recaps the Bellinger love that happened at Cubs Convention. Then, Tony Andracki, Andy Martínez and Tim Stebbins discussed whether Bellinger would return and what impact he would have on the roster. The trio breaks down some of the moves that did actually go down over the weekend — the signing of pitcher Shōta Imanaga and the trade for Michael Busch and reliever Yency Almonte. They discuss how Imanaga fits on the roster and what that means for the Cubs rotation going forward. Andracki, Martínez and Stebbins also discuss Christopher Morel — who missed out on Cubs Convention because of visa issues — and his role on the team and Pete Crow-Armstrong and where he’ll start the 2024 season.

Bruce Levine stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Tony Andracki about Shōta Imanaga and how the Japanese southpaw could fit in Chicago. Also, what's the latest on the Cody Bellinger market? Are things trending in a positive direction for a potential reunion with the Cubs? Plus, what other moves could Jed Hoyer make this offseason? Levine and Andracki also preview the 2024 Cubs Convention, including the people they're most interested in hearing from and the panels they can't wait to watch.

Former Cubs reliever Justin Grimm joins the podcast, chatting with Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki about what he's been up to lately and his journey in baseball. Grimm reflects on his career, which included 263 appearances over 5 years with the Cubs. He tells stories from the epic 2015-16 Cubs seasons, shares the moment he knew the team was going to win it all, what it was like playing for Joe Maddon and much more. Grimm also reveals his favorite teammates and why Anthony Rizzo meant so much to him personally.

Recapping the year that was on the Cubs Weekly Podcast as Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki discuss the best moments and interviews.   Snippets include:   -Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon reading funny Tweets -Former Cubs reliever Pedro Strop on the time he homered off Anthony Rizzo -Miguel Montero on the 9th and 10th inning of Game 7 -Ted Lilly's favorite Ryan Dempster story -Mike Fontenot chronicles Aramis Ramírez's epic walk-off in 2007 -Kyle Farnsworth shares his perspective on viral fight with Paul Wilson -Adbert Alzolay's mentality out of Cubs bullpen -Dexter Fowler on playing for both sides of the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry -VP of scouting Dan Kantrovitz on the Cubs' 1st round pick Matt Shaw -Thomas Ian Nicholas (aka Henry Rowengartner) describes filming "Rookie of the Year" at Wrigley Field -Carlos Peña analyzes Seiya Suzuki's hot end to the season -Bruce Levine and Andy Martínez explain why the Cubs made the switch to Craig Counsell as manager -Jon "Boog" Sciambi on his favorite part of the job

The Cubs have been extremely quiet this offseason so we examine the fit for a pair of intriguing free agents: Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki explain why Chapman might not make the most sense for the Cubs in the long-term, even though he would be a big upgrade in the near future. A big part of that is because of what the Cubs have in house to cover third base - both already in the major leagues and coming up through the farm system. The panel also debates where Mike Tauchman fits on the 2024 Cubs as well as how a pair of active teams this offseason (Diamondbacks, Pirates) affect the Cubs moving forward. Plus, we look back at the Top 10 Cubs games of the 2023 season, which air on Marquee Sports Network each night from Dec. 22-31.