The Chicago Cubs' offseason strategy is shaping up to be a cautious approach, with President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer hinting at activity in free agency despite the expiration of several key player contracts. Unlike 2021, when the team's core players were sold off at the trade deadline and underwent a full-scale rebuild, the Cubs are taking a more measured approach.
Hoyer acknowledged that the team had higher goals for the 2025 season, but will prioritize filling holes and adding depth in an intelligent way. The Cubs' focus on building through player development and the draft has allowed them to maintain a strong farm system, with prospects like Moises Ballesteros, Owen Caissie, and Kevin Alcantara already getting taste of the big leagues.
The expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in 2026 will likely be a significant factor in shaping the offseason market. While debate about a potential salary cap is expected to be contentious, Hoyer downplayed concerns about an uncertain future landscape. Instead, he views the Cubs' clean books after 2026 as an opportunity to commit dollars wisely and build a foundation that won't crumble.
One key difference between this offseason and 2021 is timing. The Cubs just ended a four-year playoff drought, giving them more time to develop their young players and make strategic moves. Additionally, the team has a strong group of contributors who haven't even reached arbitration yet, providing a solid foundation for future success.
As the Cubs engage in extension conversations with key players like Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and Carson Kelly, they'll need to strike a balance between rewarding their core players and making smart moves to address areas of need. With a strong farm system and a cautious approach to free agency, the Cubs are poised to lay a solid foundation for the future – one that won't be threatened by an uncertain landscape.
Hoyer acknowledged that the team had higher goals for the 2025 season, but will prioritize filling holes and adding depth in an intelligent way. The Cubs' focus on building through player development and the draft has allowed them to maintain a strong farm system, with prospects like Moises Ballesteros, Owen Caissie, and Kevin Alcantara already getting taste of the big leagues.
The expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in 2026 will likely be a significant factor in shaping the offseason market. While debate about a potential salary cap is expected to be contentious, Hoyer downplayed concerns about an uncertain future landscape. Instead, he views the Cubs' clean books after 2026 as an opportunity to commit dollars wisely and build a foundation that won't crumble.
One key difference between this offseason and 2021 is timing. The Cubs just ended a four-year playoff drought, giving them more time to develop their young players and make strategic moves. Additionally, the team has a strong group of contributors who haven't even reached arbitration yet, providing a solid foundation for future success.
As the Cubs engage in extension conversations with key players like Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and Carson Kelly, they'll need to strike a balance between rewarding their core players and making smart moves to address areas of need. With a strong farm system and a cautious approach to free agency, the Cubs are poised to lay a solid foundation for the future – one that won't be threatened by an uncertain landscape.
... sounds like they're just gonna sit on their hands and hope everything works out. How do we know they're not just waiting for someone to make a mistake so they can swoop in and steal the deal? And what's with all these extensions already? Are they trying to lock up talent before they even reach arbitration? Shouldn't they be focusing more on building that farm system and giving their prospects a chance to shine? 
the cubs have been in rebuild mode since 2012 and still can't seem to get it right... but at least Jed Hoyer is trying to be smart about it this year instead of just selling off all their assets like they did last time. lets see how that plays out tho 
. Jed Hoyer is being smart about building from within and not jumping into free agency without thinking it through. And with their strong farm system, they're gonna be the ones calling the shots in 2026...or at least, trying to avoid getting caught in the salary cap trap! 
They might not win a World Series this year, but I'm rooting for them anyway - after all, you can't rush a good thing, unless it's a Cubs game, then just throw money at the problem and hope for the best 
. We all know how that turned out. Now, with their farm system lookin' strong and their young guys gettin' some big league time, I think they're makin' smart moves. It's not about breakin' the bank for one guy, it's about buildin' a solid foundation for years to come 
. And let's be real, those Cubs fans have been waitin' four years for a playoff spot... now they get some stability and consistency 
! I mean, after that crazy 2021 offseason where they sold off most of their core players... it was like they were starting from scratch 
. But now, with the team just ending a four-year playoff drought and having more time to develop their young players, they're taking a more measured approach 
.
. And with key players like Seiya Suzuki getting extension conversations... I think they're gonna make some smart moves 
.
– let's see them build something special!
, its not gonna be easy cuz there's so much uncertainty after 2026. but im rooting for them cuz their farm system is fire 
. After being sellers in 2021, they're now taking it easy and focusing on developing their young players from within 
. The fact that they're still committed to a clean book after 2026 is a big plus too 
the cubs have such depth in their farm system it's crazy how they're building through players development and the draft, got to keep an eye on moises ballesteros 
! They're not just throwing money at problems, they're taking their time and building from within 
. I'm hyped for this Cubs team, they're gonna be good in the long run 
. Plus, they just ended that crazy playoff drought, so they've got some momentum going on 
️. Let's see how it all plays out, I'm excited to watch them build something amazing 
!
. I mean, who doesn't love a good rebuild? It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know our core players will bail on us, so let's just focus on the farm system and hope for the best 
. Now, Jed Hoyer's being smart about it - he's focusing on building through the minors and making smart trades. I love how they're investing in their farm system, it's a great way to develop young talent 
. That's why Hoyer's being so cautious - he's trying to create a sustainable model that won't crumble when the next crisis hits 
.
I'm intrigued to see how it all plays out, especially with Seiya Suzuki potentially getting an extension