Behind the Yellow Line: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

Spring training continues on, and the injuries with it. Updates on which Cubs players are dealing with which issues, including a significant injury to prospect Caleb Kilian, as well as the first round of roster cuts, and fWAR over/under for the middle infield. Also, another delayed Boras client finds his way to a team, and MLB fans get to enjoy a new set of stadium renderings.

Cody Bellinger has returned to the Cubs in free agency, and the crew breaks down the contract, the money, the roster implications, and the vibes. Other notes from the first week of spring training, WAR over/under for Cubs outfielders Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Mike Tauchman, new insight on the issues with MLB's jerseys, and more.

The first Cubs spring training camp under the auspices of Craig Counsell has begun. The crew breaks down what to watch for this spring, including the addition of new reliever Héctor Neris. Notable players represented by one agent have yet to sign, including some pertinent to the Cubs. Is ownership solely to blame for their continued free agency? Also, the team on the South Side wants a boatload of public money for a new ballpark - should they get it?

All three hosts are present for the first time in 2024! After glowing reviews of the Shōta Imanaga signing in the previous edition, could there be greater causes for concern as well? Also, news to come out of Cubs Convention, as two franchise legends are announced as inductees to the team Hall of Fame, and one free agent name dominates the discussion throughout the weekend.

Randall and Jeremy break the holiday hiatus to discuss the soon-to-be newest member of the Cubs, Japanese left-handed pitcher Shōta Imanaga. We have you covered on the contract details, the scouting report, his fit in the rotation, and more. And with Imanaga in the fold, where does the front office go from here at this late date in the offseason?

Craig Counsell is introduced as the newest manager of the Cubs: what stood out from his introduction, and has it moved the needle at all for the pod's stalwart hater? Elsewhere, the Cubs add three minor league prospects to the 40-man roster, and make their moves at the non-tender deadline. Around the league, the MLB awards are announced, an All-Star Game is awarded, and the Oakland Athletics move one step closer to relocation.

Randall and Jeremy convene to discuss the day's shocking and unexpected news, as the Cubs hire Craig Counsell as their newest manager, and subsequently part ways with former manager David Ross. How did it come about? What does it imply for the offseason ahead? Will Randall get over it?

Cody Bellinger completes his comeback season, an old friend returns to the coaching staff, a front office member stays put, and other Cubs doings as the World Series concludes in favor of the Texas Rangers, and the pre-2024 offseason is set to begin in earnest. Also: whose problem is the decline in World Series television ratings, and is the postseason presentation in need of some fixes?

The offseason has yet to truly begin, but already rumors are afoot as to whom the Cubs might extend and whom the Cubs might target in free agency. Key front office member Craig Breslow has already departed, while another member of the front office might follow, and a member of the coaching staff may do the same. Elsewhere, the World Series matchup is set - who are you taking between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers?

The crew breaks down the Cubs news of the moment, including changes to the coaching staff, and a possible offseason pursuit of a slugging first baseman? Also, recapping MLB's Wild Card Round and League Division, with upsets, drama, surprises, and everything else you could need. The League Championship Series matchups are set and the predictions have been made, and looking back at Cubs postseason history from mid-Octobers of years past.

Randall and Jeremy attempt to pick up the pieces and eulogize the 2023 Cubs following a brutal September collapse, while looking ahead to the postseason and the imminent best-of-three Wild Card round.

The crew returns from gathering at a wedding as the Cubs win two more series, first in Pittsburgh, followed by a massive series win against the Brewers at Wrigley. Top pitching prospect Jordan Wicks impresses in his debut against the Pirates, while Justin Steele and Kyle Hendricks follow suit against the Brewers. Find out who is on their way up for expanded September rosters, who might yet still be on their way, and the aftermath of the waiver bomb dropped on MLB by the Los Angeles Angels earlier in the week.

A week after a thrilling walk-off win against the White Sox, the Cubs continue their trek through the bottom of the AL Central. But a make-or-break week looms to close out August and begin September. Where will the Cubs stand when the dust settles? Discussing the starting rotation woes of Drew Smyly and Marcus Stroman, and the struggle to return to consistency for Jameson Taillon. Also: who will be added when rosters expand on September 1, and will there - should there - be any roster surprises before then?

Despite a terrible showing in Queens, the Cubs are in their best August position in years. The crew breaks down the addition of Jeimer Candelario, issues with Drew Smyly and the rest of the rotation, and praiseworthy performances from the bullpen, while looking ahead to the matchup in Toronto. A great showing for the Cubs on the updated MLB Pipeline prospect rankings, massive dysfunction on the South Side of town, and the @CubsWeather forecast for Toronto.

Ronan returns from his transatlantic jaunt and the whole crew reunites to break down a 5-game winning streak against the Cardinals and White Sox. The Cubs have played well enough (fingers crossed) to potentially add - who should they be targeting? Also, the final Cubs draft pick puts ink to paper, Marquee launches their DTC service, trade season is underway, including a White Sox fan favorite on his way out of town, and a hellacious @CubsWeather forecast for St. Louis.

Randall and Jeremy reconvene to discuss the All-Star break and the Cubs out of the gate into the second half. Do the Cubs have it in them to make a sustained run at the division, and if it all goes south one last time, who of ownership, the front office, and the manager are to blame the most? Also, a look at the Cubs' 2023 draft and 2024 schedule, and the @CubsWeather forecast for the four-game Cardinals series at Wrigley.

The Cubs hurtle towards the All-Star break with a wild series split in Milwaukee and a series-opening gem by Jameson Taillon in the Bronx. What can this team do to buy at the deadline instead of sell for the third straight year? Who of Stroman, Bellinger, or even Hendricks could be on the trade block if things go south? Also, the Cubs have three All-Stars chosen but only one participating, a draft preview ahead of Sunday's MLB Draft as the Cubs prepare to select at no. 13 overall, and @CubsWeather for the remainder of the series in New York, and All-Star Week.

Fresh off a split in the London Series, the Cubs come home to promptly be swept by the Phillies via a rough turn in the rotation as the march to the All-Star break looms large in a season-defining stretch. The Cubs are sending two representatives to the Futures Game and introducing a direct streaming service, MLB records its 24th ever perfect game, and the @CubsWeather forecast for the upcoming series vs. Cleveland and at Milwaukee.

The Cubs head across the Atlantic to London, fresh off another sweep of the Pirates, and the crew has you covered. A resurgent Kyle Hendricks is helping the Cubs and their rotation though a hot stretch ahead of the two-game London Series. As the Cubs gear up for the summer stretch, does Christopher Morel need a defensive home? Also, the Reds refuse to lose a game, stymying the Cubs' efforts to gain in the division, and the @CubsWeather forecast for London.

The Cubs are finally back from a 10-game west coast trip, just in time to take 2 out of 3 from the visiting first place Pirates - what now? Kyle Hendricks pitched a gem in San Francisco, Marcus Stroman wants a contract extension, Cody Bellinger is close to returning, and is Ben Brown nearing a call-up? Also, a look in hindsight at our desired offseason targets, and Athletics fans stage a protest in Oakland, plus the @CubsWeather forecast for the weekend Orioles series at Wrigley.