As baseball fans compiled their lists of potential suitors for Juan Soto ahead of his free agency this winter, the Chicago Cubs were an easy team to consider. Despite recent struggles, the Cubs, under the leadership of Jed Hoyer and the Ricketts family, have been relatively aggressive in their pursuit of talent. Given their financial flexibility and need for a star, it seemed only natural that they would be in the mix for a player like Soto.
However, the Cubs’ pursuit of Soto never materialized. Even in the early stages of Soto’s free agency, before the final contenders were clear, Chicago was notably absent from the conversation. This lack of involvement now appears to have been a deliberate choice by Hoyer and the Cubs’ front office.
During the week of Christmas, Hoyer opened up about the Cubs’ decision-making process, shedding light on why they chose not to engage in the Soto sweepstakes. According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, many fans expected the Cubs to outspend the rest of the NL Central and seize control of the division. However, Hoyer took a more measured approach, which ultimately focused on cutting costs rather than splashing big money on a marquee player like Soto. This approach was evident in moves like the trade of Cody Bellinger, a decision that leaned more toward salary reduction than making a splash in free agency.
Hoyer’s Justification for Cubs’ Quiet Offseason Falls Flat
When asked about the Cubs’ approach to being “all-in,” Hoyer’s response suggested a balancing act between short-term gains and long-term planning. “I always think that all-in is sort of a narrative,” Hoyer said, adding, “You’re always doing moves for now and the future and trying to balance those.”
While Hoyer’s words may sound logical on the surface, this explanation falls short of what Cubs fans expect from an organization that has publicly declared a desire to contend. The Cubs are facing competition from teams that are more aggressive in their pursuit of top talent, and former Brewers GM David Stearns’ work with the New York Mets is a prime example of this. Stearns, now with the Mets, moved quickly to make Soto an offer he couldn’t refuse, leaving the Cubs on the sidelines.
It’s not that the Cubs haven’t made any moves this offseason — they’ve made some solid additions, including a shrewd trade for Kyle Tucker. However, the Tucker acquisition, while promising, comes with its own set of risks. With Tucker in the final year of club control and heading toward a potentially massive contract extension, it’s unclear whether the Cubs will be willing to pay what it takes to retain him. Given the organization’s recent reluctance to spend big, there’s skepticism about whether they will be willing to make that commitment.
A Clearer Direction Needed for Cubs’ Future
Hoyer’s comments regarding the Cubs’ offseason strategy suggest a cautious approach, but that approach needs to be balanced with a stronger sense of urgency. The Cubs can’t afford to be passive when it comes to building a contender. Moves like the Bellinger trade and the signing of Shota Imanaga show some financial restraint, but this reluctance to push forward aggressively in free agency raises serious questions about the team’s overall direction.
To compete at the highest level, the Cubs need a clear and decisive plan — one that involves both short-term and long-term thinking, but with a commitment to bringing in top-tier talent when the opportunity arises. What Hoyer has articulated so far isn’t enough. If the Cubs are serious about returning to championship contention, they need to move beyond this “measured” approach and take more bold steps in the right direction.
For now, it’s hard to see how Hoyer’s strategy will lead the Cubs back to relevance in the postseason, especially if they continue to pass on opportunities like Soto. If they want to compete with the league’s top teams, they’ll need to show more than just a balanced approach — they’ll need to be willing to make the big moves that could push them over the top.
