Jed Hoyer Says Contract Status Doesn’t Affect Offseason Plan: “This is about the Cubs”
Ambiguity Surrounds Hoyer’s Future with the Team
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts isn’t giving any public assurances about president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer’s future with the team after his contract expires. When asked about Hoyer’s contract status, Ricketts said, “‘Lame duck’ is not what I would describe what Jed is doing right now. He’s working really hard. I think he’s had a really good offseason. You saw what happened last year: we got caught short on pitching depth, if nothing else. We had too many injuries all at once, and that put us on our heels a third of the way into the season. And then we were just short an impact bat.”
Hoyer’s Priority Remains the Same
Hoyer’s current contract runs through the 2025 season, adding extra attention to the trajectory of this team. When Hoyer’s predecessor, Theo Epstein, departed after the 2020 season, he left the job of dismantling the last of the World Series championship squad to Hoyer. Then came the challenge of rebuilding. Though Hoyer was an integral part of the last regime’s success, he has yet to deliver a playoff berth while in charge.
“I think it’s not going to change any decisions we make,” Hoyer said last weekend of his contract status. “That’s what people always ask, ‘You’re in the last year, are you guys going to do things differently?’ It’s like, of course not. That’s not my job. This is about the fans. This is about Chicago. This is about the Cubs. These things are so much bigger than me. I’m not going to make decisions that impact a city or a fan base based on my self-interest.”
Offseason Moves
Hoyer has already made headway in addressing concerns from last season. Most notably, he traded for three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker to add the “impact bat” Ricketts mentioned. And while the Cubs have made a series of moves to address pitching depth, they’re still focused on bolstering the bullpen.
Ricketts’ Outlook
There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be favored to win our division and get back in the playoffs, Ricketts said. Meanwhile, the Brewers’ biggest move of the offseason so far, after winning the division by 10 games last year, has been trading away their closer. They sent Devin Williams to the Yankees for lefty starter Nestor Cortes, infield prospect Caleb Durbin, and cash. Not to mention, they said goodbye to shortstop Willy Adames, who last month signed with the Giants for seven years and $182 million.
Division Outlook
Conventional wisdom sides with Ricketts; the Cubs should be favored. But of course, the Brewers’ previous offseason didn’t scream “division favorites” either, as they traded away Corbin Burnes and lost Brandon Woodruff to injury, and they outplayed expectations by leaps and bounds.
“They play smart, they develop well, they do everything they have to do to win,” Ricketts said. “And so, they’re a great competitor. I think this year, we’re better positioned than they are, but we’ll just have to see how it goes.”
Conclusion
The National League Central could hold more surprises. It was certainly bunched up enough at times last year. A young team like the Reds, for example, could make a run if the high-variance team skews closer to its ceiling than its floor. For the Cubs, a four-year playoff drought is on the line.
FAQs
* Is Jed Hoyer’s contract status affecting his decisions?
No, according to Hoyer, his contract status does not affect his decisions.
* Will the Cubs extend Hoyer’s contract?
There has been no public announcement or indication of an extension.
* How does Tom Ricketts view Hoyer’s performance?
Ricketts believes Hoyer is doing a great job, but there is no public assurance about his future with the team.
* What are the Cubs’ chances of making the playoffs?
According to Ricketts, the Cubs should be favored to win their division and get back in the playoffs.
