Chicago Cubs Central Podcast

The Cubs Can't Afford to Bench Matt Shaw

🔥⚾ LET SHAW COOK! ⚾🔥 Matt Shaw is back, and he's making a statement! In this episode of Chicago Cubs Central, Mike breaks down Matt Shaw's impressive return to the Cubs lineup and explains why the young infielder has earned more opportunities moving forward. After battling through adversity and working his way back, Shaw is showing exactly why the Cubs were so high on him as one of the organization's top prospects. Could Matt Shaw be one of the keys to turning this season around? Mike dives into: 🔥 Matt Shaw's 2026 season stats 🔥 His impact since returning to the lineup 🔥 Why the Cubs need his bat in the lineup consistently 🔥 The energy and athleticism he brings to the roster 🔥 How Shaw fits into the Cubs' future plans 🔥 Why benching him now would be a mistake 🔥 Craig Counsell's options moving forward The Cubs have struggled to find consistency throughout much of the season, but Matt Shaw's emergence could provide a much-needed spark. Is he ready for an everyday role? Has he done enough to lock down a permanent spot in the lineup? Join the conversation and let us know what you think! 👇 COMMENT BELOW 👇 Should Matt Shaw be an everyday player for the Chicago Cubs? How high is his ceiling? What position should he play long-term? 👍 Like this video if you believe Matt Shaw deserves more playing time! 🔔 Subscribe to Chicago Cubs Central for daily Cubs news, trade rumors, prospect updates, game reactions, and in-depth analysis all season long! #ChicagoCubs #CubsCentral #MattShaw #LetsGoCubs #CubsNation #MLB #Baseball #CubsProspects #CraigCounsell #MLBNews #ChicagoSports #CubsBaseball #MLBRumors #NorthSiders #CubsTalk #BaseballNews #FutureStar #CubsFans #MattShawHighlights #LetsShawCook

Cubs identify perfect trade partner!

SHOULD THE CUBS GO ALL IN?  The Chicago Cubs have hit a rough stretch, and with the trade deadline approaching, the question is simple: Is it time for Jed Hoyer to make a blockbuster move? In today’s episode of Chicago Cubs Central, we break down why San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb could be the PERFECT trade target to stabilize the Cubs’ rotation and give Chicago the frontline starter they’ve desperately needed. But why stop there? We also discuss why contact-hitting machine Luis Arraez may be the missing piece for a Cubs offense that has been too inconsistent and too reliant on the long ball. Could these two stars be exactly what the Cubs need to make a serious playoff push?  In this episode:  Why Logan Webb fits perfectly in the Cubs rotation  How Webb would help solve the bullpen issues  Why Luis Arraez’s bat changes the entire lineup  Potential trade packages Jed Hoyer could offer  Whether the Cubs should go ALL IN for 2026  What happens if Chicago stands pat at the deadline With stars like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, and Nico Hoerner already in place, are the Cubs just one blockbuster away from becoming true World Series contenders? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!   Would YOU trade top prospects for Logan Webb and Luis Arraez?  Subscribe to Chicago Cubs Central for daily Cubs news, trade rumors, analysis, and live reactions! #ChicagoCubs #Cubs #MLB #LoganWebb #LuisArraez #JedHoyer #MLBTradeRumors #CubsNation #WrigleyField #ChicagoSports #Baseball #MLBTradeDeadline #CubsCentral #PeteCrowArmstrong

🚨 3 Cubs Players Holding This Team Back

The Chicago Cubs are in trouble… and it’s time to have an honest conversation. In this episode of Chicago Cubs Central, we break down the THREE players who are holding the Cubs back during their recent struggles. While the bullpen has received much of the blame, the reality is that several key veterans have failed to produce when the team has needed them most. We take a deep dive into Alex Bregman’s disappointing season, Dansby Swanson’s offensive inconsistencies, and Ian Happ’s struggles at the plate. What has gone wrong? What do these players need to do to get back on track? And what could happen to the Cubs’ playoff hopes if they don’t figure it out soon? We’ll analyze the numbers, discuss recent comments from the players and coaching staff, and examine whether these struggles are temporary or signs of a bigger problem for the Cubs moving forward.  Are the Cubs still contenders?  Which player is under the most pressure?  Can this team turn things around before it’s too late? Join the conversation and let us know in the comments: Which Cubs player needs to step up the most right now?  Subscribe to Chicago Cubs Central for Cubs news, trade rumors, game reactions, analysis, and everything Cubs baseball! #ChicagoCubs #Cubs #ChicagoCubsCentral #MLB #CubsNation #WrigleyField #AlexBregman #DansbySwanson #IanHapp #PeteCrowArmstrong #CubsBaseball #MLBNews #BaseballPodcast #CubsTalk #LetsGoCubs

🚨 BEST CUBS PITCHER?!

In this episode of Chicago Cubs Central, Mike makes the case that Ben Brown deserves serious consideration for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game! While much of the attention has been focused on the Cubs' recent struggles, Ben Brown has quietly emerged as one of the most dominant and important pitchers on the roster. After entering the season with questions surrounding his role, Brown has answered every challenge with elite performances on the mound. His ERA has ranked among the best in baseball, he's been piling up strikeouts, and he's helped stabilize a Cubs pitching staff that has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout the season. Mike breaks down: 🔥 Ben Brown's incredible 2026 numbers 🔥 How he compares to other National League All-Star candidates 🔥 Why his breakout season has been overlooked nationally 🔥 The adjustments that transformed his career 🔥 Whether he has become the Cubs' true ace 🔥 Why Cubs fans should be talking about Ben Brown more Has Ben Brown done enough to earn an All-Star selection? Or is he one of the biggest snubs in baseball right now? Join the discussion and let us know your thoughts in the comments! 👇 COMMENT BELOW 👇 Should Ben Brown be an MLB All-Star in 2026? 👍 Like the video if you believe Ben Brown deserves more recognition! 🔔 Subscribe to Chicago Cubs Central for daily Cubs news, analysis, trade rumors, prospect updates, and game reactions! #ChicagoCubs #CubsCentral #BenBrown #MLBAllStar #AllStarGame #Cubs #MLB #Baseball #Chicago #LetsGoCubs #CubsNation #BenBrownAllStar #MLBPitching #NLAllStar #CubsNews #BaseballTalk #MLB2026 #ChicagoSports #CubsPodcast #MikeJones

The Decision that will DEFINE this season!!!

The future of the Chicago Cubs may be decided over the next few weeks. With the trade deadline approaching and the Cubs sitting at a crossroads, President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer faces the most important decision of his tenure: Does he push all his chips to the center of the table and make aggressive trades to help the Cubs win right now? Or does he sacrifice some of today's success to build a stronger championship contender for the future? In this thought-provoking episode of Chicago Cubs Central, Mike dives deep into the massive dilemma facing the Cubs front office and explores the paths that could shape the franchise for years to come. ⚾ Should the Cubs trade top prospects to acquire impact players? ⚾ Is this current roster good enough to justify going all-in? ⚾ Can the Cubs realistically compete for a World Series in 2026? ⚾ Which prospects could be on the trade block? ⚾ What positions must the Cubs address before the deadline? ⚾ Should Jed Hoyer prioritize the future over the present? ⚾ What will ownership demand from the front office? ⚾ Could this deadline define Jed Hoyer's legacy in Chicago? For years, Cubs fans have been told to trust the process, trust the farm system, and trust the long-term vision. But there comes a point when prospects have to become major league talent—or be used to acquire it. The Cubs have one of the most intriguing farm systems in baseball, but they also have a major league roster with clear holes that need immediate attention. The question is simple: Do you protect the future? Or do you chase a championship opportunity right now? Mike breaks down both sides of the argument and gives his prediction on what Jed Hoyer is most likely to do as the deadline draws closer. 🔥 Is this Cubs team one big trade away from becoming a true contender? 🔥 Should Jed Hoyer trade prospects for proven stars? 🔥 Or would sacrificing the future be a massive mistake? Let your voice be heard in the comments! Who would you trade? Who would you keep? And what should Jed Hoyer do? 🔔 Subscribe to Chicago Cubs Central for daily Cubs news, Cubs trade rumors, Cubs prospects, Cubs roster analysis, Cubs game reactions, MLB trade deadline coverage, and everything happening around the Chicago Cubs. #ChicagoCubs #Cubs #JedHoyer #CubsTradeRumors #MLBTradeDeadline #CubsProspects #CubsNews #MLB #Baseball #WrigleyField #ChicagoCubsCentral #CubsBaseball #MLBRumors #TradeDeadline