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The Chicago Cubs front office, this past offseason, declared themselves to be “all in” when it came to making a serious playoff run in 2025.
Whether or not they were truly “all in,” however, can be debated. They never made a play at any high-end starting pitchers. They made only a token effort at grabbing Alex Bregman. They were outbid by the Dodgers for closer Tanner Scott.
What can’t be debated, though, is that they were successful in putting together a really quality, versatile team that has thus far proven itself to be as resilient as it is talented.
Jed Hoyer’s Push To Win Now
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer deserves a good portion of the credit for this 2025 team, but some will insist that Hoyer’s contract status pushed him into a sense of “win now” urgency. With his deal set to expire at the end of this season, the exec’s back was against the wall and he had to produce his first postseason team since taking the Cubs helm from Theo Epstein in 2021.
The 3-for-1 Kyle Tucker trade with the Houston Astros, specifically, is pointed to as the kind of bold move forced into reality by the pressure to win now or else. In the deal, the Cubs traded away Isaac Paredes, Heyden Wesneski, and no. 1 draft pick Cam Smith for a multi-tool star in his contract year who could very well be gone next season. That’s a mighty big “win now” gamble and not in the Cubs front office character profile at all.
Contract Extension Imminent?
MLB insider and ESPN analyst Jesse Rogers feels that Hoyer’s gamble will pay off and that Cubs ownership will not only extend him, but will offer him his new contract sooner rather than later.
Per Rogers on ESPN Chicago’s Waddle and Silvy Show:
“I would not be surprised if he’s given a new contract by the all-star break. I think he’s more likely to get it sooner rather than later, possibly before the trade deadline. It’s like kind of one of those things, if you’re gonna impact our team for years to come, let’s sign you up. I really could see that. Now, the other option is three days after the season ends. But I think he’s in line for that extension– three years, five years, whatever [Tom] Ricketts wants to do. But I would not be surprised if it happens between now and July 31st.”
For the record, Hoyer as said repeatedly that the decisions made this year have nothing to do with his contract status.
“It’s not going to change any decisions we make,” Hoyer told the Chicago Sun-Times back in January, one month after acquiring Tucker. “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.”
How This Impacts The Chicago Cubs
Whatever the case, Hoyer’s contract status may, indeed, affect how things go down as the Cubs close in on the July 31st trade deadline.
Will an extended Hoyer, with a vested interest in preserving the team’s future, be less likely to part with prized prospects in pursuit of a major deadline acquisition?
Could the opposite be the case? Could a secure Hoyer push harder to make the big deals needed to get the team a deep playoff run (or more)?
As is always the case, time will tell.
More must-reads:
- Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette among players to reject qualifying offer
- Angels, Orioles fill needs with this surprising trade
- The 'NFL QB rushing TD leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Three potential landing spots for Cody Bellinger
Cody Bellinger put a mediocre 2024 behind him in his only year with the New York Yankees. Acquired to protect outfielder Aaron Judge in the lineup after Juan Soto departed for the Mets, Bellinger was exactly what the Yankees needed. He posted a .272/.334/.480 batting line over 656 plate appearances, hitting 29 homers and 25 doubles. His 5.1 bWAR was his best mark since leading the National League with 8.7 bWAR during his MVP season in 2019. It was an easy decision for Bellinger to opt out of the final year of his contract and enter free agency. The 30-year-old Bellinger provides more than a solid bat in the middle of the lineup. He is capable of playing all three outfield positions and first base, typically providing above-average defense at each spot. Bellinger is the type of player who virtually every team could use in the lineup. Let's take a look at three possible teams that could sign him. Three potential landing spots for Cody Bellinger in free agency 1. New York Yankees No team may need Bellinger more than the Yankees. While Judge is a perennial MVP candidate in right, the rest of the outfield is far more uncertain. Center fielder Trent Grisham is slated for free agency, although he could accept the qualifying offer. Jasson Dominguez is penciled in as the starting left fielder, but he struggled in the second half as he lost playing time down the stretch. First base may be open as well, depending on whether or not the Yankees want Ben Rice to be their primary catcher. Even if Grisham accepts the offer and returns, the Yankees have plenty of holes. A reunion is possible. Bellinger was clear that he would be willing to return to the Yankees, the franchise his father, Clay Bellinger, won a pair of World Series titles with, saying that he had "an unbelievable time" in New York. The Yankees, likewise, want him back in pinstripes. It may just be a matter of getting the financials to work. 2. Los Angeles Angels The Angels desperately need an infusion of talent throughout the roster if they are going to even think about contending for a playoff spot. Although the Angels are focused on bolstering their pitching staff, they are also looking to improve the lineup, preferring to add a left-handed hitter to provide more balance to the lineup. While the Angels have a backlog of corner outfield/designated hitter types, center field is a distinct area of need. Jim Bowden of The Athletic listed the Angels as the best fit for Bellinger, as he would be a perfect fit for one of their biggest needs. However, it is fair to wonder if he would be willing to sign with a team that, even with his bat in the lineup, would need several more pieces to contend for the postseason. 3. Philadelphia Phillies If there is a team that needs Bellinger more than the Yankees, it may be the Phillies. Kyle Schwarber is a free agent, and although the Phillies would like to bring him back, he is best suited as a designated hitter defensively. Outfielder Nick Castellanos imploded last season and is expected to be traded or released. Fellow outfielders Harrison Bader and Max Kepler are also free agents, leaving Brandon Marsh as the only given in the Phillies outfield. Signing Bellinger could also improve the Phillies outfield at another position. Outfield prospect Justin Crawford may be ready for the majors offensively, but there are questions about his defense, especially in center. By slotting Bellinger in center, Crawford could move over to left, putting less pressure on his glove as he acclimates to the majors.
Steve Kerr 'very concerned' about worrisome trend plaguing NBA
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is sounding the alarm on a troubling trend affecting the league that could potentially worsen down the line. The NBA has faced some huge crises over the past few months. The Kawhi Leonard-Aspiration issue in the offseason raised concerns about the Los Angeles Clippers potentially circumventing the salary cap. The arrests of Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier highlighted the growing threat of sports gambling on the integrity of the game. Steve Kerr highlights an under-the-radar concern While those fiascos have understandably grabbed headlines, Kerr recently expressed unease about a different issue that’s flying under the radar. The Warriors coach admitted to ESPN’s Anthony Slater that he is “very concerned” that the heightened pace of play in the modern game over an 82-game schedule may finally be taking its toll on the Association, with a growing number of soft tissue injuries impacting players of late. Eight different players have suffered soft tissue injuries over the past couple of weeks, headlined by stars like Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama and, most recently, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kerr stated that the Warriors’ medical staff believes “wear and tear, the speed, the pace, the mileage” are increasing the risk of today’s players suffering such injuries. “Across the league, everyone understands that it’s easier to score if you beat the opponent down the floor, get out in transition,” Kerr said. “But when everybody’s doing that, the games are much higher-paced. Everyone has to cover out to 25 feet because everybody can shoot 3s. We have all the data. Players are running faster and further [than] before. We’re trying to do the best we can, but we basically have a game every other night. It’s not an easy thing to do.” Kerr, who has been an advocate for shortening the regular season, also lamented the struggles teams face with the league schedule, which makes it difficult for teams to get adequate recovery and practice time. With the Steph Curry-era Warriors being a huge part of the NBA’s pace and space movement, Kerr knows just how physically demanding the modern game has become. But with the financial implications that come with potentially shortening the season, Kerr understands that such a drastic change to the NBA schedule is “not happening” anytime soon.
Steelers work out two QBs amid Aaron Rodgers injury
With Aaron Rodgers dealing with a left wrist injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers worked out veteran quarterbacks Jason Bean and Tanner Mordecai on Tuesday, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The Steelers currently have three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster and zero on their practice squad. Backup Mason Rudolph, and third-stringer Will Howard will both move up a spot on the depth chart for at least a week, leaving the Steelers without a third option should either of them get injured. Bean, 26, signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Kansas in 2024. He did not make the 53-man roster, but stuck around on the practice squad for the entire season. He was waived during final roster cuts this year and did not draw practice squad interest from the Colts or any other team. Mordecai is also a 26-year-old who entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2024. Mordecai finished his college career at Wisconsin and signed with the 49ers last spring. He spent the season on San Francisco’s practice squad and was repeatedly cut and re-signed during training camp as the team balanced their other roster needs. He was waived due to injury a final time during roster cuts. The Steelers did not sign Bean or Mordecai, though that could be coming in the next few days as they continue to assess Rodgers’ wrist. They could also work out other available quarterbacks later this week.
Two old issues re-emerge as Green Bay Packers’ obstacles
After two weeks of demoralizing losses, the Green Bay Packers have re-entered the win column with their 27-20 victory against the New York Giants. Although the Giants are a broken team in many ways, the game was only won through a heroic touchdown catch by Christian Watson with less than 5 minutes left on the clock. Standing in the way of what might have been a much bigger win was 2 issues that were Packers’ obstacles last year. Drops Drops are one of the Packers obstacles that was most cited for their disappointing offense in 2024. Their receivers were tied with the New York Jets for the most dropped passes in the league. Combined with Jordan Love’s nagging injuries, the offense never really picked up where it left off at the end of the 2023 season. So far this season, drops have not been a big issue for the Packers. That changed against the Giants, where they dropped 6 passes for an estimated loss of 92 yards. This is an unacceptable loss for a team that was desperate for a win. The drops were not only an issue for the offense either. Although Evan Williams did pick off Jameis Winston in the endzone once, Carrington Valentine dropped two potential turnovers and Kesian Nixon dropped another one. Even for a position that is described with “if they could catch, they would be receivers” the value lost in these drops is frustrating. Kicking Ever since the departure of Mason Crosby in 2022, the Packers have been searching for a trustworthy kicker. After moving on from Anders Carlson and Braden Narveson, it appeared they had found a solution in Brandon McManus. However, he has missed several games due to injury. The substitute teacher turned substitute kicker Lucas Havrisik played on Sunday and made only one of his three extra point attempts. Before the Packers game winning score, they were trailing the Giants by one point when they should have been winning by one. Although it was an extremely windy game where the Giants kicker also missed an extra point, Havrisik did not kick well enough. This disappointing performance comes after weeks of McManus kicking poorly. Of all kickers who have attempted a field goal this season, McManus ranks dead last in field goal percentage. He ranks especially badly on kicks outside the red zone, where he has only made 3 of his 9 attempts. With Havrisik struggling in McManus’ absence, there are no easy solutions for the Packers on special teams. A reliable kicker looms large in the list of potential Packers’ obstacles for the remainder of the year.
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