What does the Cubs signing Tyler Austin mean for Jonathon Long? It’s not a huge deal but it’s not nothing. It’s a smart signing by the Cubs but now with three 1B on the roster ahead of Long (Busch, Bally, Austin), I’m just not sure where he fits in.

The day Chris Clarke arrived in the Myrtle Beach Pelicans clubhouse, the team was 20-35. From that point forward, they posted an absurd record of 48-25 and took the 2nd half division crown. On how the minor league vet inspired a complete culture shift ⬇️ outofthevines.com/2025/12/18/p...

By midsummer in Myrtle Beach, losses had piled up piled up for the Pelicans. Frustrations simmered and the team seemed stuck in neutral. Then Chris Clarke walked into the clubhouse. ⬇️ outofthevines.com/2025/12/18/p...

By midsummer in Myrtle Beach, losses had piled up piled up for the Pelicans. Frustrations simmered and the team seemed stuck in neutral. Then Chris Clarke walked into the clubhouse. ⬇️ outofthevines.com/2025/12/18/p...

Pitching prospects that could help the Chicago Cubs in 2026 as relievers: LHP Riley Martin RHP Nick Hull RHP Grant Kipp

There’s been weirdly more prospect news over the past few weeks than what we typically see in December in past years

Catching you up on the last week of Cubs prospect news and notes including the results of the Rule 5 Draft, expectations for Jaxon Wiggins, hope for minor league Statcast data, and a new IFA signing. ⬇️ outofthevines.com/2025/12/17/m...

Former Cubs prospect Riley Thompson is headed back to the NC Dinos of the KBO. Thompson was terrific in 2025, posting a 17-7 record with a 3.45 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 30 starts. He struck out 11 batters per 9 while only walking 3 per 9.

Nice to have Thielbar back. He was consistently effective throughout the season outside a couple hiccups. Older, so chance for a rapid decline, but showed no real warning signs last year.

No new podcast episode this week but if you’re looking for Cubs prospect content, be sure to check out Brendan Miller and I from our live stream this weekend. Plenty of prospect chatter over there! www.youtube.com/live/H8i10Ne...

You: I love Bears head coach Ben Johnson Me: I love Cubs prospect Ben Johnson

A look at what Cubs minor leaguers finished atop the organization in a variety of hitting statistics for the 2025 season. ⬇️ outofthevines.com/2025/12/15/c...

A look at what Cubs minor leaguers finished atop the organization in a variety of hitting statistics for the 2025 season. ⬇️ outofthevines.com/2025/12/15/c...

I find hilarious the scenario where people claim pitcher fastball velocity is read differently now than 20+ years ago and that 99 MPH now is actually 92 MPH. My favorite part? That implies Kyle Hendricks throws the same velo as a slightly above-average Midwest high schooler.

Not to be overly dramatic, but I think the Cubs retaining Zombro and promoting him to this role could impact the Cubs organization in a major way for years to come.

Some guys in their 30s spend their Saturday nights going bar hopping. Others stay in to watch football with their buddies. Some spend quality time with their family. Brendan and I hop on YouTube to talk Chicago Cubs baseball. 7pm CT tonight ⬇️ www.youtube.com/live/H8i10Ne...

The Cubs have released Burl Carraway and Wil Jensen Carraway was a 2nd round pick in 2020 that signed for $1.05M, suffering multiple setbacks during his time in the org. Jensen was a MiLB Rule 5 Draft pick last year The org roster has been updated ⬇️ outofthevines.com/organization...

In just over 24 hours, @brendan_cubs and I will be talking ball on a live stream. Give us topics to talk about, either here in the comments or when you join us on YouTube! 📺: www.youtube.com/live/H8i10Ne...

A topic I think about OFTEN but now have a perfect example to point to: Athletes that get more attention because they have unique names Roch Cholowsky is VERY good at baseball and warrants a 1st overall pick, but are we talking about him more because his name isn’t Kyle Jones?

This offseason, @JeffPassan has handed out 6 “BREAKING” tweets to announce player transactions. The moves that have warranted the caps lock: Josh Naylor to SEA Semien & Nimmo trade Kyle Schwarber to PHI Pete Alonso to BAL Robert Suarez to ATL Maikel García extension with KC

Cubs really, really should go get Bo Bichette

I have no signing to report but I’ll betcha the Pirates were “involved”

A look at what Cubs minor leaguers finished atop the organization in a variety of statistics for the 2025 season. ⬇️ outofthevines.com/2025/12/11/c...

Greg & Brendan Talk Ball Join me and @brendan_cubs on a live stream this Saturday night at 7pm CT! We’ll talk about the big league Cubs, their prospects, and whatever else you throw our way in the chat! 📺: www.youtube.com/live/H8i10Ne...

Two of the Cubs three minor league Rule 5 picks were signed as undrafted free agents by their original teams: Adam Stone and Devin Ortiz

New Cubs prospect Adam Stone has had an incredible journey. • Missed SR year of HS (TJ) • Missed 2020 at Harvard (TJ) • Missed 2021 at Harvard (COVID) • Played Summer 2021 with Team USA • 32 IP in 2022 at Harvard • Undrafted • Missed 2024 (shoulder) • Missed 2025 (TJ)

In the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft, the Cubs add 3 players without losing anyone: RHP Adam Stone, from NYY RHP Zane Mills, from STL 3B Devin Ortiz, from SD

The Cubs do not lose any players in the MLB Phase of the Rule 5 Draft. That means guys like Brandon Birdsell, Grant Kipp, and Cristian Hernández are still in the organization.

The Cubs did not select a player in the MLB Phase of the Rule 5 Draft

Taking a later lunch than normal at work just so I can keep up with the Rule 5 Draft. That’s some real sicko activity.

My last chance to plug this until next year: outofthevines.com/2025/12/02/w...

Catching you up on the last week of Cubs prospect nuggets including some last minute notes going into the Rule 5 Draft, the strong performance from Owen Ayers in the AFL, and a couple losses: one player and one coach. ⬇️ outofthevines.com/2025/12/10/m...

My final Cubs Rule 5 Draft predictions: MLB Add: Righty reliever MLB Lose: Grant Kipp MiLB Add: 1 catcher, 2 LHP MiLB Lose: Dom Hambley, Shane Marshall

Former Cub Chris Clarke came on the pod! - How he turned around the Pelicans season - How pitching development changed during his time in the org - How pitch innings limits impacted his development - What it’s like being drafted in the Rule 5 Draft 🔗: linktr.ee/cubsondeck

Cubs prospect Owen Caissie will play for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.

Former Cub Chris Clarke came on the pod! - How he turned around the Pelicans season - How pitching development changed during his time in the org - How pitch innings limits impacted his development - What it’s like being drafted in the Rule 5 Draft 🔗: linktr.ee/cubsondeck

Super unique episode of Cubs On Deck this week as former Cubs prospect (and current @BananaBall_ player) Chris Clarke joined to talk about his time in the organization. Some interesting perspective as a former player that we haven’t really gotten before! outofthevines.com/2025/12/09/f...

Super unique episode of Cubs On Deck this week as former Cubs prospect (and current @BananaBall_ player) Chris Clarke joined to talk about his time in the organization. Some interesting perspective as a former player that we haven’t really gotten before! outofthevines.com/2025/12/09/f...

Decided to make my Cubs organizational roster spreadsheet public. All 182 players that have made their way stateside can be found here ⬇️ outofthevines.com/organization...

Sammy Sosa finished 9th place in MVP voting 3 times. His home runs in those seasons: 1999 - 63 HR 2000 - 50 HR (league leader) 2002 - 49 HR (league leader)

The Rule 5 Draft is this Wednesday at 1pm CT. I wrote a guide for how it works and why it exists: outofthevines.com/2025/12/02/w...

The Hot Stove is Warming up

I mean, this will be an all-timer for the We Tried tracker @davyandrewsdavy.bsky.social

New player interview coming Tuesday morning! Be sure to subscribe to the show: linktr.ee/cubsondeck

Owen Ayers in the Arizona Fall League lol @tjstats.ca

Remember: • PCA’s first half was legit and second half was abnormal • Matt Shaw’s first half was abnormal and second half was legit

Nico Zeglin was a minor league signing out of Indy ball in 2024 and although old for the two A-ball levels that year, was absurdly dominant in 66 innings as a swing man. Missed all of 2025 due to injury. Great scouting by the Cubs in turning undrafted/indy ball into $250K in IFA money

Switch hitting is one of the most impressive athletic feats in sports, but I’ve never heard a ton about the training side of things. Cubs prospect Hayden Cantrelle walked me through what it takes to make it work. outofthevines.com/2025/12/04/h...

The Cubs have signed RHP Jace Beck to a minor league contract. The 25 year old Beck stands 6’9” and spent 2019-2025 in the Mets organization, making it up to High-A last year. He posted an ERA of 5.80 but struck out 13.6 batters per 9 innings.

Switch hitting is one of the most impressive athletic feats in sports, but I’ve never heard a ton about the training side of things. Cubs prospect Hayden Cantrelle walked me through what it takes to make it work. outofthevines.com/2025/12/04/h...