Cubs Face Season Challenges and Future Roster Concerns

The Chicago Cubs experienced a season filled with challenges, leading to an unceremonious exit after a wild-card-round sweep in San Diego. Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, shared his reflections on the season during a Friday afternoon session. The sentiment surrounding the team was one of disappointment.

Hoyer expressed, “This season was unlike any I’ve been through in 25 years. Several times felt dire—mid-April saw reliever injuries, and late June required scrambling to fill the rotation.” Despite these hurdles, there were periods where the Cubs appeared to be among the strongest teams in baseball.

Fans missed out on home playoff games due to poor performance in September, especially in the final week. As the Cubs gear up for 2027, most of their strong position-player core remains, except for potential free agents Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. Improvements in the roster will be crucial, as outlined in Hoyer’s conference.

Addressing Bullpen Concerns

One key takeaway from Hoyer’s session was the need for bullpen improvement through internal and external options. In 2025, the Cubs built a successful bullpen that played a pivotal role in their playoff run. However, 2026 saw a different story with key acquisitions missing the majority of the season due to injuries.

Reliever Hunter Harvey barely appeared before going on the injured list, and Phil Maton faced repeated knee issues leading to surgery. Combined, they contributed poorly, prompting Hoyer to take responsibility. For 2027, Maton remains under contract, alongside returning players Ryan Zeferjahn, Daniel Palencia, Ryan Rolison, and Jacob Webb, pending his club option.

Hoyer emphasized the need for better development of relievers within the organization, noting past challenges in producing reliable high-leverage arms. Enhancing pitching quality to match the position-player group becomes the offseason goal.

Improving Pitching Strategy

The Cubs face questions surrounding their rotation as they enter the offseason. In-season acquisitions of Clay Holmes, David Peterson, and Kevin Gausman will hit free agency. Furthermore, with Shota Imanaga and potentially Matthew Boyd joining free agency, and starters Ben Brown, Cade Horton, and Justin Steele recovering from injuries, resolving rotation issues is critical.

Hoyer recognized issues such as excessive home runs allowed and stressed the need for assessment across scouting, player development, and major-league acquisitions. Edward Cabrera’s season presented complications with blister problems and underwhelming performance, prompting the organization to reflect on its own role in his struggles.

Hoyer acknowledged Cabrera’s talent and swing-and-miss potential, indicating a commitment to understanding contributing factors to his difficulties.

Proactive Measures Amidst Lockout Concerns

A looming owners lockout in December raises questions about future roster-building parameters. With experience from prior lockout scenarios, Hoyer expects the Cubs to engage in proactive dealings come November. Such activity will be crucial in addressing rotation needs before potential lockout disruptions.

The Cubs could explore re-signing players like Holmes, Peterson, or Gausman if mutually beneficial agreements arise. Successful outcomes would require creativity and sound decision-making, notwithstanding timing challenges.

Hoyer emphasized, “We’re likely to have a sprint before and after a lockout, but activity in November is expected. We’ll need to fill holes creatively and find suitable deals for both sides.”