Locked On Cubs - Daily Podcast On The Chicago Cubs

From a strong off season to managing to player development and beyond, there is no excuse for the Cubs not to compete for a playoff spot in 2023. NLCS teams Phillies and Padres are good examples of this as well. Plus: Grading Chris Morel, reviewing a recent scouting report on Matt Mervis, and more. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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. Rhone The Commuter Shirt can get you through any work day and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON to save 20% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam and Matt highlight the best and worst MOMENTS of the 2022 season for the Cubs. Plus: Fan feedback with comments and questions from listeners, catching up on the MLB playoffs, and more. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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. Rhone The Commuter Shirt can get you through any work day and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON to save 20% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs bid farewell to three core players at the 2021 trade deadline -- Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo -- and also waved goodbye to Kyle Schwarber after the 2020 season. These four players were crucial to the team's success, but after a great run in 2015-17 there were plenty of ups and downs. Sam and Matt explain why the Cubs were correct to move on while also grading the 2022 campaign for each player with their new team. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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. Rhone The Commuter Shirt can get you through any work day and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON to save 20% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The performance by the Cubs in the first part of the schedule in 2022 proved to be detrimental as they put themselves in a hole. When they recovered and even at times excelled in the second half, it was too late in terms of overall wins and losses. What went wrong, especially so early? Plus: Grading pitcher Keegan Thompson, Cubs decrease ticket prices for 2023, and many laughs along the way. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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. Rhone The Commuter Shirt can get you through any work day and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON to save 20% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seiya Suzuki is next up on the grading list as we continue to review the 2022 season. Suzuki experienced highs and lows, but could a strong 2023 be in store for the Japanese outfielder? Plus: Assessing Brandon Drury as a free agent target, Boog Sciambi will call the World Series for ESPN Radio next year, and more. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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. Rhone The Commuter Shirt can get you through any work day and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON to save 20% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam and Matt discuss their free agent wish list for this off season and who is or is not realistic for the Cubs. Plus: The second player grade is starting pitcher Justin Steele, who produced an impressive 2022 campaign. And what is the market for Willson Contreras this off season, what are the odds he accepts the $19.6 million qualifying offer? Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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. Rhone The Commuter Shirt can get you through any work day and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON to save 20% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over the weekend 670 The Score's Bruce Levine reported the Cubs are showing interest in first baseman Jose Abreu, who spent the last nine seasons with the White Sox. Should the Cubs pursue Abreu? If so, what does it indicate about the team's plan to contend in 2023? Plus: Recapping the postseason so far, including what it means for the North Siders moving forward. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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. Rhone The Commuter Shirt can get you through any work day and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON to save 20% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs need to add offensively this off-season and the shortstop market is the place for it as Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, and Xander Bogaerts are all free agents. What are the pros and cons of each of these players? Who is the best fit for the Cubs? Who leads Sam and Matt's power rankings on who they want to sign with the North Siders? What type of contract will this group get? Plus: Best and worst of the week. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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. Rhone The Commuter Shirt can get you through any work day and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON to save 20% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There have now been two full seasons of Cubs games airing exclusively on Marquee Sports Network. How is Marquee doing? What makes it different from previous broadcasts? Why are fans not warming up to Boog Sciambi? Sam and Matt break down all things Cubs on the TV side. Plus: Ian Happ produced a solid 2022 campaign and is the first player graded. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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. Rhone The Commuter Shirt can get you through any work day and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON to save 20% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts released a letter to fans on Tuesday. Sam and Matt break it all down, including Ricketts' note on the plan to "substantially supplement" the roster for 2023. Plus: Home attendance down to their lowest levels in a while, the possibility of pitcher Drew Smyly returning, and more. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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. Rhone The Commuter Shirt can get you through any work day and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON to save 20% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cubs president Jed Hoyer held an end-of-season press conference on Monday and addressed multiple topics surrounding the North Siders. Hoyer emphasized his excitement about the second half success in 2022 and building on it for 2023, including having the ability to spend on new players who make sense to add to the mix. Plus: Checking in on the MLB playoffs, Sam and Matt recap their trip to Champaign, and more. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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. Rhone The Commuter Shirt can get you through any work day and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON to save 20% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam and Matt reveal their rankings for best and worst game for the Cubs in 2022. Plus: Lots of fan feedback with comments and questions from listeners, and previewing the playoffs by keeping track of ex-Cubs players. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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 crushed the Reds 15-2 in the final game of the regular season on Wednesday. Plus, radio play-by-player Pat Hughes is nominated for the Frick Award for a spot in the baseball hall of fame. Not only should Hughes get in, but this year Steve Stone is also nominated, making the decision even clearer. Also, Iowa is at Illinois in college football this Saturday. Sam and Matt reveal a fun announcement regarding that matchup. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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

Willson Contreras may be playing in his final game with the Cubs this week, but he already checked in on possibly signing with the St. Louis Cardinals for 2023. Whether Contreras returns to the Cubs or not, Sam is DONE with all the discussion. And Matt doesn't like that the catcher could be in Cardinals colors. Plus: Cubs continue to wrap up the season against the Reds, and more. Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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

Hayden Wesneski made this final start of the season Monday as the Cubs fell 3-0 to the Reds, and he was up against Reds pitching prospect Hunter Greene. Plus: Nelson Velazquez hitting well lately but his role is unknown for 2023, and could Cubs third base coach Willie Harris be en route to the South Side? Hit the feedback zone by sending us a text: 312-834-4634 Follow us on Twitter: @LockedOnCubs | @matt_cozzi | @SamOlbur 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