Locked On Cubs - Daily Podcast On The Chicago Cubs

It's a simple question with potentially frustrating answers: What are the Chicago Cubs doing? As Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson remain on the free agent market, Sam and Matt wonder if the Cubs will actually pay the price for one of these players and whether or not they are operating like a small market team. Plus: Kodai Senga to Mets for only 5 years and much more. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shortstops Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson are still on the board in free agency, and the Cubs need to step up and sign one of them. We explain why the Cubs must take advantage despite the price, the role of Tom Ricketts and Jed Hoyer in this process, and more. Plus: Best and worst of the week. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Updating the latest in the free agent and trade markets, including reports of the Cubs remaining IN on Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson, and Xander Bogaerts. We explain WHY the Cubs MUST sign one of these players and much more. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs make their first big signing of the off-season, locking up OF/1B Cody Bellinger to a 1-year deal. We explain why Bellinger is a nice fit for the Cubs and who it impacts on the current roster. Plus: Keeping an eye on who the Cubs could sign next, and taking comments and questions from listeners. Game on! Note 1: This was recorded live at 9 p.m. CST Tuesday. For continued live coverage, please join us on YouTube after each free agent signing or trade and subscribe as we make the push to 2,000 subscribers: https://www.youtube.com/c/LockedOnCubs Note 2: Apologies for any audio issues. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The hot stove is so warm we recorded not once but twice! In the first re-recording in show history, we break down the latest Cubs rumors, including reports the Cubs might sign both shortstops Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson as well as trading for catcher Sean Murphy. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The hot stove is heating up as the Cubs were closely linked to two shortstops over the weekend, with Xander Bogaerts described as a "top priority" and "active interest" in Dansby Swanson. Are the Cubs trying to set the market and be the first team to sign a shortstop? How excited would you be if they sign either Bogaerts or Swanson? Plus: Opening up the mailbag with comments and questions from listeners. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spending is starting to happen around MLB. Sam and Matt break down the free agent deals so far for the middle tier starting pitchers and what it means for the Cubs. Plus: The Winter Meetings begin Sunday and it is action time for Jed Hoyer, and best and worst of the week. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jose Abreu is signing with the Houston Astros. Abreu was a target for the Cubs, and with him off the board, what do the Cubs do via free agency or trade at the 1B/DH position? Sam and Matt discuss all the implications, options, and more -- including why the Cubs should now feel additional pressure to add a big name free agent. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs need a center fielder and Michael Conforto needs a team to make his comeback with. Could Conforto be an option for the North Siders on a 1-year prove it deal? Does Conforto even make sense for the Cubs, especially defensively? Plus: Implications of Mike Clevinger going to the White Sox and "how much would it take?" as Sam asks Matt two personal questions and one Cubs question. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs have never written a contract over 200 million dollars. As the free agent shortstop market continues to take shape, will that change this winter? Plus: Sam and Matt explain what they are thankful for -- including the great listeners to this show! -- and best and worst of the week. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs are reportedly in on many starting pitchers in the free agent market. The names range from upper tier to middle tier and beyond, but are the North Siders more focused on the middle tier this off season? Sam and Matt explain why the Cubs have to explore adding names from multiple tiers of talent. Plus: "Did you know?" from the 2010 Draft and reviewing the 2023 Hall of Fame ballot. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For our 100th episode we open up the mailbag with comments and questions from listeners, including the first ever voicemail played on the show. Topics range from possible trades to free agent targets to opening day starters to Ian Happ extension and more. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Awards season is upon us so we dish out the Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year for the Cubs. One of the selections sticks out more than the other. Plus: "Did you know?" the Cubs drafted a future Cy Young winner in the 2003 draft, and best and worst of the week. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to The Athletic, the Cubs are considering adding a free agent catcher and have discussed Omar Narvaez and Christian Vazquez. As the Cubs weigh their options, is catching a priority this off season or should they stick with Yan Gomes and P.J. Higgins to open the 2023 season? Plus: "0 to 100" and recapping who the Cubs protected for the Rule 5 Draft and who might be picked by another team. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs acquired IF/OF Miles Mastrobuoni from the Rays on Tuesday as the North Siders make a move on the margins. Who is Mastrobuoni and how can he contribute in 2023? Plus: Cubs president Jed Hoyer with a massive winter ahead for him. Is this a make or break off season for Hoyer? What grade would you give Hoyer for the 2022 season? Also, news of Anthony Rizzo's return to the Yankees breaks LIVE on the air. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! SimpliSafe With Fast Protect™️ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, 24/7 monitoring agents capture evidence to accurately verify a threat for faster police response. There’s No Safe Like SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafe.com/LockedOnMLB to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices