On this episode of the podcast, we celebrate our podcast birthday by talking about the 2016 Spring Training storylines that interest us the most.

We also talk about Dexter Fowler signing with the Cubs and the trade that sent Chris Coghlan to the A’s.

Our Spring Training meet-up is just a few weeks away. You can find details here: Ivy Envy Spring Training Meet-up

Welcome to the 1^st episode of the 8^th season of the Ivy Envy Podcast. On this episode, we talk about some of the storylines coming out of Mesa so far this Spring Training. The position players haven’t officially reported yet, although most of them are there, and there’s already the typical Spring Training storylines. Arrieta will avoid running out of gas late in the season, Kris Bryant’s swing isn’t as steep and Joe Maddon intends to keep the players’ heads in the right place.

Welcome to the last episode of our 7^th season of The Ivy Envy Podcast. Pitchers and catchers report later this week and that officially begins a new Cubs season and a new season of our podcast.

On this episode, we talk about the important Cubs dates in the next month, from pitchers and catchers reporting to Opening Day in Anaheim and everything in-between.

There’s lots of Spring Training talk in this episode, too. One of the listener questions is tips on getting the most out of Spring Training and we share a few tips. We have several other questions from listeners on this episode.

To celebrate pitchers and catchers reporting, this week, you can get 20% Ivy Envy shirts at thehttp://ivyenvy.com/store and use the coupon code “PITCHERS”.

Welcome to the 377^th episode of The Ivy Envy Podcast. We’ve got a shorter episode for you this week. The big news of the week in Cubs-land was that the Cubs and Jake Arrieta avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing on a contract for 2016. Many Cubs fans wondered why the organization didn’t try to lock up Arrieta with a longer contract. We talk about the number that was settled on and some possible reasons a contract extension isn’t happening right now.

The Cubs brought back a familiar face in Matt Murton this week. Murton has been playing ball in Japan and returns on a minor league deal. We talk about his years with the Cubs, what he has accomplished in Japan and how the Cubs might plan to use him in 2016.

You have just a few more days to purchase your tickets to our Cubs/Brewers meet-up and tailgate in Milwaukee. Justin Jabs makes an appearance on the podcast to share why you should attend this event. You can purchase your tickets at http://ivyenvy.com/tailgate.

At the end of the show, we play some voicemail on your favorite Cubs memories from the 1980s.

On this, the 376^th episode of the Ivy Envy Podcast, we’re mentally begin the march toward Spring Training.

MLB Pipeline has released it’s Top 100 MLB Prospect list and you’ll find several Cubs prospects on that list. We talk about the Cubs on the list and that leads us into a discussion about Spring Training non-roster invitees as two of those prospects were invited to Spring Training. We talk about all of the Spring Training dates and discuss the broadcast schedule.

We check in on the Jake Arrieta contract issue as arbitration hearings are scheduled in February. We share our opinions on how this will be resolved…or more accurately, how it won’t be resolved.

Speaking of contracts up-in-the-air, we check in on Dexter Fowler, who many believe may still end up with the Cubs.

At the beginning, we mention our Ivy Envy Cubs @ Brewers Meet-up and Tailgate. Tickets for this must be purchased by Friday, February 12^th. To purchase yours, go to http://ivyenvy.com/tailgate

During the Cubs’ playoff run and right after the 2015 season ended, we talked on the podcast about the 2015 team being the most fun Cubs teams we had ever seen. Michael from Galesburg voiced his opposition immediately.

Since the last week was fairly uneventful in the land of the Cubs, we decided to invite Michael and his podcast co-host, Lawrence onto the podcast. Michael and Lawrence do The Awesome 80’s Podcast, so you can understand why the ’89 Cubs team holds a special place in Michael’s heart.

What you’ll hear is a wandering conversation about 80’s baseball movies, the Cubs in the 80’s, comparing the ’89 team to the ’15 team, some references to ’98 and ’03, and a side conversation about the history of Pekin High School.

On this bonus episode of the podcast, we have an interview for you. I had the opportunity to talk with Scott Kornberg, the new radio broadcaster of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

Scott talks about some of the players Cubs fans may see with Myrtle Beach this year. He also talks about some unique aspects of the ballpark in Myrtle Beach and how it may impact the statistics of players of a certain profile.

On this, the 373^rd episode of The Ivy Envy Podcast, we’re talking about Cubs Convention 2016. The event took place this last weekend in Chicago and Corey was there and he shares his experience from #CrazyHatLady to the Business Operations meeting, to a kid screaming how much he hates the Cardinals at Theo, Jed and the rest of the room to Cubs Bingo. We talk about it all.

Jake Arrieta and the Cubs have exchanged numbers and now have the task of coming to an agreement or going to arbitration. We’ll talk about how far apart the two parties are and how we think this will play out.

Here’s @CrawlysCubs video of #CrazyHatLady

On this episode of The Ivy Envy Podcast, I talk with John Arguello from Cubs Den. John recently published his Top 25 Cubs Prospects list and as we gear up for the 2016 season, we use this opportunity to look at some of the best players in the farm system, including some that may impact the 2016 Cubs.

Links mentioned in this episode:
Ivy Envy Fan Appreciation Day Blab
Cubs Den
Cubs Den on Facebook

On this, the 371^st episode of The Ivy Envy Podcast, we discuss the 2016 Cubs ZiPS projections that were recently released. You can find there here:2016 Cubs ZiPS projections

We discuss what this projection system is and what it says about the 2016 Cubs. We will look at the individual position players and pitchers. In short, these projections will make you very excited about the 2016 Cubs.

Also mentioned in this episode: Baseball Prospectus 2016 Book