Like all of their competitors, the Cubs have just launched into a whole new world of roster management with the introduction of a 60-man player pool for the 2020 season. The Chicago organization elected to open with just fifty slots filled — a decision that GM Jed Hoyer discussed with reporters including MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian. (Links below to Twitter.)
Different teams took differing approaches, with the Cubs among those wary of getting stuck with an over-stuffed 60-man unit. Hoyer says the Cubs elected to leave so many openings now to remain nimble as an unusual season unfolds. The idea is to have capacity to add depth as needed in a 60-game sprint. Ensuring adequate support for the active MLB roster is obviously the top priority, but Hoyer did note that the Cubs may ultimately add some more prospects to the pool for developmental reasons.
[RELATED: Explaining The 2020 MLB Roster Rules]
Of course, it may ultimately also be necessary to have prospects on the 60-man in order to structure deals for big league talent. Hoyer plainly believes there’s quite a lot of uncertain waters yet to be navigated. “I just don’t think we know what this is going to be like,” he said when asked about the August 31st trade deadline. 60-man pool flexibility could come in handy if the Cubbies end up being active in dealmaking, which Hoyer left open as a possibility. He says “it’s way too early to tell” how much mid-season player movement we’ll experience.
At the moment, anyway, it doesn’t seem the Cubs are holding spots open for any particular targets from outside the organization. Hoyer says the team is “not down the road” on bringing in any new talent.
That’s true even though the team now has a previously unknown need: filling out a DH spot. Flexibility will be the name of the game there as well, Hoyer indicates. While some National League clubs have added veteran hitters, the Chicago GM says his team intends to utilize its existing depth. Hoyer says the Cubs can manage the position in “a lot of different ways.” He specifically mentioned the possibility of rotating outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Stephen Souza and catchers Willson Contreras and Victor Caratini through the DH slot.
“Dumpster divin theo”
The man had a huge part in Red Sox and Cubs winning so he deserves a pass
Why he may have been part of breaking 2 streaks, he would likely fail miserably in a smaller market. His saving grace has been an owner checkbook when needed. And he burned down 2 stocked farm systems to do it.
Agree 100%, I told a Cub fan friend of mine many years ago that Theo never won anything without spending big money.
On a side note, does anyone think it’s at all odd the career path Arrieta has had? Dude was a total bum on Orioles, gets traded to Cubs (putting on 30-40 lbs of muscle at age of like 28), becomes one of mlb’s most dominant pitchers for 2-3 years or so and then declines back to an average starter at best nowadays. No chance Theo pushed Jake onto some performance enhancing help right? Just like he never pushed any of those Red Sox players onto juice either, right?
I think mlb turned a blind eye to what was happening in Boston & Chicago too because would it be bad for baseball for those organizations to win at some point? Just like when McGwire & Sosa were pumped with PEDs and using corked bats. Did mlb really not know or did they just embrace that fans were coming back after the strike? Professional sports, like practically everything else in life revolves around money and that’s it!
Speculation about criminal behavior is crossing the line.
MLB teams haven’t exactly been acting in a pure nature these days. No line crossed here.
Farm systems are to be used to win so trading some prospects to get jt done is what was needed then so be it.
You’re an idiot on so many levels you should t be allowed to even watch baseball let alone comment on it.
FACT- Cubs had an 88 million dollar payroll advantage on world series opponent Cleveland Indians (3rd largest in history). You can’t pick your opponents but they sure got lucky and surely outspent their opponent in 2016!
Another FACT- Red Sox had #2 payroll in all of mlb both years Theo won there. In 2016 Cubs had 5th highest payroll in all of mlb. I know money doesn’t win championship but it sure helps you get close, or at least it should. So again Theo never won anything without spending big big money!
I get so sick of seeing that phrase. So unoriginal at this point.
I’m just joking. I don’t have a problem with the cubs or any team for that matter. I just use to see that phrase on every cubs post and I got a cheap laugh out of it. I like a lot of players on the team to be honest and could care less about Theo.
So you’re a lifeless loser? Got it.
You were not joking. You just have no original thought of your own
I’m not sure if this is reality or not but when Hoyer says something publicly all I can think is who is this person and where is Theo
Theo broke a 108 year drought of the loveable losers . Yankees and Dodgers continue to spend more money than GOD Dodgers trade away every prospect for darvish , machado and now Betts for 60 games. Theo is the G.O.A.T. Let’s hear that 108 more years crap that 2016 world champs flag flies forever
I think you are confusing the current Dodgers with past front offices. They have made the trades you mentioned and still have the 3rd best farm system. You have to trade some prospects when you are loaded and have nowhere for them to play on the Mlb team. And they are down to 7th highest payroll this year, they have slowly been going down since Friedman took over
I’m a cubs fan and I love and trust in him but he is definitely not the best executive of all time
Theo’s League.
Theo has made some horrible decisions. And most of the young Cub talent was there already when he got there. I don’t give him much credit for Cubs. Do give him some credit for Red Sox, but he’s not ‘one of the top GM’s’ in my opinion.
That isn’t remotely true. He traded for Rizzo, drafted Bryant, Baez, Schwarber, signed Lester, traded for Arrieta, traded for Hendricks. I think Contreras might have been the only significant piece that was in the Cubs system prior to Theo arriving.
I misspoke, Baez was drafted in 2011 so that was before Theo.
I would love to go to my clients and say sorry the last few years my work has been terrible, spent all my bosses $ on garbage but, hey, remember 4 yrs ago? Live in the now.
Flipping GMs every few years because of a few mistakes is not a good practice. Look to the Yankees and cashman. There was a time long ago when he was not so well thought of and many called for his firing. If you agree with the general strategy of a GM then leave them alone to do their job. They will make big mistakes sometimes, it is not a job to be reactionary with
I believe Javier Baez and Willson Contreras were the only players on the team that were not a result of Epstein/Hoyer transactions. That roster was 23/25 theirs, or 92%.
As such, Epstein gets some credit for the Cubs WS victory / roster. He also gets some blame for not sustaining what could have been a young dynasty. So it goes. The guy has built 3 world series winning rosters. Name at least 3 other managers in the last 20 years that have done that? Name 3 that have won world series on two different teams? Name any others that have ended 100 year droughts for two teams?
Yes, he’s made poor decisions, but he’s also made a lot of amazing ones. No GM has a perfect track record. You can hate him if you’d like, just be rational / fair in your analysis.
Also, with that being said–he does deserve some leeway, but I think his leash should be short given his recent free agent signings and inability to draft and develop. I imagine the Cubs won’t try to resign him once his deal is over. I agree that he should be evaluated primarily on what he’s done recently and not what he did 4 years ago.
Luckily the Cubs have some decent options for the DH slot