In this episode, I preview the upcoming Regular Season for the 2022 Chicago Cubs. I get into the options for the Starting Rotation, Closer, Home Run Leaders (on the team), and what I would like to see out of the 2022 squad.

Cubs Transactions since the last episode. March 15, 2022Signed RHP Chris Martin to add to the bullpen (1 yr, $2.5M/ 35 y.o.)No, not the lead singer of Coldplay Played with the Atlanta Braves in 2021 March 16, 2022Signed OF Seiya Suzuki (5 yr / $85M)Add in the posting fee, and the deal is pretty close to 100M In 2021 batted: .317/.433/.639 with 38 home runs in 533 plate appearances for the Hiroshima Carp Hit at least 25 HRs in the past six seasons 5x NPB All-Star Signed LHP Steven Brault (TBD) - rotation help/depthWas a MLB deal but shifted to a mL deal due to an injury setback Played with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021 Signed RHP David Robertson (1 yr / $3.5M with up to $1.5M in incentives)Bullpen Vet Coming off TJ surgery in late 2019 Just came back last year with Rays Signed LHP Daniel Norris (1.75 m with 2 mil in incentives)Played with Detroit Tigers + Milwaukee Brewers March 17, 2022Signed RHP Adrian Sampson (NRI/mL deal)Previous Cubs mL brought back into the org Signed IF Jonathan Villar (1 yr. / $6M - club opt for 2023)Played with the NY Mets last season Signed RHP Robert Gsellman (NRI/mL deal)Played with the NY Mets last season Signed RHP Mychel Givens ($3.5MM, and there’s a $1.5MM buyout on a 2023 mutual option. He can make up to $6.25MM in bonuses)Played with the Colorado Rockies + Cincinnati Reds in 2021 Signed LHP Brandon Leibrandt (NRI/mL deal)Played with the Miami Marlins in 2020 and in their farm system in ‘21 March 19, 2022Signed LHP Drew Smyly (1 yr / $5.25M; up to 2.5M in incentives)Previously with the Cubs during his rehab but never pitched for them Played with the defending Champion Atlanta Braves in 2021 Next Episode later this week, I will go over my thoughts on the 2022 Starting Rotation, and who could compete for the Closer role.

Lockout is overOffseason Part 2 - Frenzy yet not so much Spring Training Games Begin on St Patrick's Day with two SS games with the White Sox First move this time around was extending David Ross through 2024 with a club opt for 2025 Cubs Get a SSAndrelton Simmons, 1 yr / $4M .223 BA in 2021 Old Friends Back againJesse Chavez (RHP/RP) - 38 y.o. but had a 2.14 ERA last year with the Braves Robel Garcia (IF) - mL deal w/ST Invite Rumors involving CubsJonathan Villar (2B) Seiya Suzuki (OF)The 27-year-old outfielder slashed .317/.433/.639 with 26 home runs with the Hiroshima Carp last seasonMet with Cubs representatives tonight (Monday, March 14) Freddie Freeman (1B)[Jon Heyman/MLBN] speculates that teams though to be long-shots like the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox and Cubs could now be in the mix. Injury UpdatesAdbert Alzolay - Right shoulder tightness, will begin the season on the IL and it likely won't be a minimal stay Ian Happ - Right Elbow cleanup procedure in February - hopeful to be ready by Opening Day

In this episode, I go over my favorite Cubs players in a Top 10 list. I also start the episode by going over what I did have and what I do have planned for episodes, as it pertains to the MLB Lockout and the 2022 Regular Season. This is just a way to know a little more about me and who I have been a fan of over the years. It is certainly just my opinion, and if you would like to discuss your favorite Cubs players, head over to Northside Baseball's Forum, and join the conversation - or start one of your own! As promised, here is the YouTube link to the Glenallen Hill Rooftop Home Run.

In this episode, I dive into some of the happenings from the Cubs offseason, that was interrupted by the MLB Lockout. Cubs will “be active” in Free Agency per owner, Tom RickettsEmail from Tom on October 15, 2021Then we had all the talk of the offseason gearing towards what was the deadline for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (the CBA), as it was about to expire. As we got closer to the deadline, a flurry of free agent deals were struck, as players wanted to get signed and have that security before MLB locked out the players. The 1-2 weeks leading up to the December 2nd deadline in 2021 unleashed a free agent frenzy like we have not seen in a long time. However, it will be revisited and probably with more intensity once the lockout ends. Front Office Changes Carter Hawkins, new General Manager Cubs Assistant GM Randy Bush Moves To Senior Advisor Role (along with HoF’er Billy Williams) Cubs senior vice president of player personnel Jason McLeod announced as departing the organization [Oct 22]. Cubs Hire Ehsan Bokhari as Assistant General ManagerCoaching Staff Changes Cubs hired Greg Brown as Hitting Coach Cubs hired Daniel Moskos as Assistant Pitching Coach Cubs hired Johnny Washington as Assistant Hitting CoachPlayer Movement Cubs Designate (catchers) Erick Castillo, Tyler Payne For Assignment Cubs Claim LHP Wade Miley Off Waivers From Reds Cubs Acquire OF Harold Ramirez From Guardians Catcher Yan Gomes agreed to a two-year, $13MM deal to join the Chicago Cubs. Cubs signed OF Clint Frazier Cubs signed RHP Marcus StromanStroman received a three-year, $71MM contract with an opt-out after the second season. Cubs signed (back) OF Michael Hermosillo Heading into the offseason, I wasn’t expecting much movement. However, once they signed Marcus Stroman - it piqued my curiosity. Since the Lockout started, there aren’t any Major League transactions possible, but rumors are always floating around, trying to get content out there. There has been talk of Carlos Correa being a thing. Will it happen? Who knows. Is it exciting to think about? Certainly. You would think they would want to replace Javy Baez’s offensive production. We will have to see how the next frenzy period shakes out, once the MLB Lockout is resolved. Will the Cubs be key players? Who knows... but it is certainly interesting to keep an eye on!

On this episode, the Chicago Cubs of 2016 are discussed, as they won it all! I talk about the emotions I felt through that roller coaster of a seven game series. I talk about what a great year 2016 was for me and my family on a personal level, and then I break down what my thoughts were during that crazy Game 7. The short story is told of when I yelled at my wife's grandmother after Dexter Fowler's lead-off home run. There's a public service announcement on why you should not take a phone call during the World Series - especially in Game 7. I also share an anecdote from 670 The Score's Laurence Holmes.

It's the debut episode of The Northside Baseball Podcast! In this episode, I introduce myself a little with my Cubs background. From certain games I remember attending, whether or not it is fun to go by yourself, and various MLB stadiums I have visited. I get into a couple of future episodes to look forward to (such as the 2016 World Series, and how Dusty Baker ruined the team), and talk about how podcasting has worked out better for me rather than blogging. Then I get into the origin story of Northside Baseball's Forum and how it came to be the site it is today.

Welcome to the Northside Baseball Podcast! I am your host, Josh Weiner - otherwise known as Southpaw19 at the Northside Baseball Message Board. This is a baseball podcast focused primarily about the Chicago Cubs. The Northside Baseball Podcast is for Cubs fans interested in casual conversation, and are frustrated by the lack of coverage by national sports media. The Cubs fan who is looking for a community where they can talk about their favorite team. This is a podcast that has a connection to that very community - http://www.northsidebaseball.com/forum/, where you can register an account, an d begin talking about your favorite baseball team on the Northside of Chicago! Episodes will drop weekly, covering Cubs Flashbacks, Top 10 lists, a week-in-review show during the regular season, Cubs news, Cubs trivia, MLB transactions, and more! There will even be bonus episodes when breaking news happens! Then you can head over to the Northside Baseball Message Board for more discussion on these episodes. So while you’re here if you’re so inclined, do me a favor and subscribe to the Northside Baseball Podcast! It will allow you to be notified of all episodes available from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you consume your podcast content. Thank you for listening - and Go Cubs Go!