5 Must-Haves for Cubs Convention 2025

The Cubs recently released their convention schedule for the weekend, one of them being a reception with owner Tom Ricketts. Nothing’s really detailed about what to expect with the event, but I can imagine it will be just him standing on the stage talking about the future of the organization, plans, expectations, and, oh yeah, “Hey guys, we brought back Sammy Sosa.” 

But with that being said, and although I highly doubt it will happen, there needs to be an opportunity for fans to ask questions. Whether it questions about his lack of spending on top-tier free agents, or why he continues to operate as a mid-market franchise when it comes to spending when his team is worth over $4 billion, or what are the chances he’s going to nut up to the table and offer newly acquired Kyle Tucker a fat extension, or why does Jed Hoyer seem handcuffed when it comes to spending money, there are several questions fans want answered. But who am I kidding, we won’t get that opportunity I don’t think.

2. Sammy Sosa Cubs Hall of Fame Announcement

Speaking of bringing back Sosa, at the very least from this convention, the former MVP should be announced as the one and only member of the 2025 Cubs Hall of Fame class. Ricketts should personally walk up on stage and introduce Sosa to the crowd; everyone’s cheering, they hug, Ricketts apologizes publicly for keeping him away from the Cubs for so long, and then show him a video package announcing his induction.

Hell, to top things off, maybe before Ricketts is about to walk off stage to give the floor to Sosa, he says, “Oh yeah, we’re also adding another statue to Wrigley Field,” and then hops off the stage as he is leaving (get it?).

Maybe the statue addition won’t be something possible by the 2025 season, but at the very least, a Hall of Fame and jersey retirement announcement should be automatic for Cubs Convention this year.

3. Don’t Shove “The Prospects” in My Face

I get it; the future of every MLB organization is important, and yeah, the Cubs having one of the top farms in all of baseball is great. But Jesus Christ, for the last two years, most of the story of Cubs Convention has been “the young guys and the prospects.” I’m tired of having the prospects take a lot of the attention at Cubs Con, almost as a coverup for the moves and transactions the team didn’t make during the offseason for the current MLB roster.

Yea, prospects are nice, and I’m sure Matt Shaw is going to be talked about a lot, but let’s never forget: a prospect is just a prospect until they’re not. It’ll be nice to have Shaw introduced to the fan base, but do we really have to have an entire panel based on just the prospects? I’m more interested in the current state of this Cubs team and what this team can do in 2025. Maybe that’s just me.

Hoyer’s going to get his time to talk on Saturday morning, and I’m sure we’re going to hear a lot about the farm system, the development of the young guys, and a lot of the same stuff we’ve heard over and over. I don’t want to hear it for the fifteenth time.

4. The Health Status of Nico Hoerner

Nico Hoerner has been a popular trade topic for the last year, but specifically this offseason. With rumors floating around of a potential trade package involving the Seattle Mariners and one of their top starting pitchers, you can see why.

Hoerner had surgery this offseason to fix a flexor tendon. His recovery is “likely” to last into the 2025 regular season. Other than that, we haven’t heard much about his status post-surgery.

I would like to know Hoerner's health status, whether he’s on the team to start the 2025 season or part of a potential trade package for a starting pitcher. I’m sure we’ll hear about it before the end of the first night of Cubs Con. 

5. A Surprise Transaction

I still think the Cubs have a few additions left on their board before the 2025 season begins. Maybe they surprise us with something early this week, but if not, I want some kind of surprise transaction made during the convention.

I don’t care if it’s the addition of a guy like veteran starting pitcher Max Scherzer, a trade for a shutdown bullpen arm like Robert Suarez, signing a right-handed corner infielder, or even just the announcement of the Tucker extension Saturday night while we’re drinking beers and listening to offkey karaoke in the hotel lobby, I want a surprise extension announced to boost the vibes back up.

Cubs Convention starts this Friday night at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. The Cubs On Tap gang will be there, and if you see us, say hey, tell us your expectations of the Cubs this season, or even vent your frustrations to us. Either way, it should be another exciting weekend at Cubs Con.