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Jed Hoyer Discusses Cubs’ Deadline Moves

By Mark Polishuk | July 31, 2021 at 10:28pm CDT

The Cubs were one of the busiest teams of deadline season, moving many of their veteran players in a series of trades that officially closed the curse-breaking era of Wrigleyville baseball.  However, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer feels the next window of contention will open sooner rather than later thanks to these deals, telling The Chicago Tribune’s Meghan Montemurro and other reporters that “we did everything we could today and over the last week to try to reset this organization and to try to make the best decisions possible.”

Citing the recent examples of the Phillies, Tigers, and Giants, Hoyer wanted to avoid a scenario that would’ve seen the Cubs perhaps wait too long to make that “reset,” as Hoyer said those other clubs “basically ran to the end of the cliff and they fell off and they had to rebuild.”  While Hoyer said that the organization was “willing to go to that point if this was a winning team this year,” the team’s 11-game losing streak from June 25 to July 6 essentially ended the Cubs’ chances of competing in the NL Central, especially since the Brewers got hot and broke out to a big lead.

Rather than seeing impending free agents like Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, or Anthony Rizzo all potentially leave for nothing this winter, the decision was made to move them at the deadline.  “We were able to, in my mind, speed that process up dramatically because we’re able to acquire a lot of young talent, some on the major-league team, some that’ll be in the minors,” Hoyer said.

Of course, there was no shortage of “real emotion” that went into trading some of the iconic Cubs figures of recent years, and Hoyer didn’t rule out pursuing reunions with any of these now-former stars in free agency this winter.  As Montemurro notes, however, such re-signings are perhaps a little unlikely, given how the Cubs had extension talks with several of their top players dating back to 2020, yet couldn’t come to terms on a long-term deal.

There don’t appear to be any hard feelings on at least Baez’s side, as the newly-minted Mets infielder told Russell Dorsey of The Chicago Sun-Times that “I think the communication here has been really good between the players in the [Cubs’] front office.  They talked to us straight up told us what the chances were.  We understand the business side.  It happens.  Hopefully happens for the best for the organization.”

Catcher Willson Contreras (controlled through the 2022 season) is one of the few notable stars remaining on the roster, and it stands to reason that the Cubs might explore trading Contreras this winter, after discussing some potential deals with teams last offseason.  For Contreras’ part, however, he would “love to stay here….This is the only team I’ve played for, and if they want to rebuild around me, I’m happy to talk.”

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View Comments (132)
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132 Comments

  1. CubsWin108

    4 years ago

    I’m sad… 🙁

    13
    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      4 years ago

      I know it doesn’t mean much from a Yankees fan but sorry dude. Tough bullet to bite on. Hoyer had a plan and executed remarkably. The Cubs were honest and transparent. No doubt they’ll be on top of the hill again soon.

      30
      Reply
      • bravesiowafan

        4 years ago

        At least hoyer got to decide and not Epstein and dip that would have to hurt worse.

        Reply
        • Adolpho67

          4 years ago

          Yeah very tough decisions but that what he gets paid to do. I think he did the right thing for the team. Ricketts let Theo spend freely as long as they were WS contenders, so I’m hoping he’ll open his wallet for Jed too.

          4
          Reply
      • BudLightKnight

        4 years ago

        Yeah just give it another 108 years or so lol

        3
        Reply
        • redmatt

          4 years ago

          That the Cubs…the Cubs…can have a fire sale, and not even a great one…is a tragedy.

          Reply
      • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

        4 years ago

        Take care of Rizzo. IMO, there isn’t a more likeable player than. New age Jim Thome. Not a single bad thing can be said about him. Wish he could be eligible to win another gold glove. Not sure how it works with kid season trades.

        1
        Reply
      • Chubbies

        4 years ago

        Rizzo 2hr as a Yankee so far. Not too shabby

        1
        Reply
    • TikTok Influencer

      4 years ago

      Well, I know I said before the trade deadline the Cubs were not going to make any significant moves, and it seems I was mistaken, so I apologize. I did not realize the Cubs owners do not care about winning and only care about money. They got their one world series win and Ricketts shrugged his shoulders said “huh, that’s good enough for me” then figured out he could make more money by trading away players starting with Yu Darvish. First, Marquee Sports Network, now they trade all their good players. Well, Ricketts, you can say this to my chances of buying Cubs tickets now: “Goodbye, adios, toodaloo, sayonara, see you later, cheerio mate, hasta la vista baby”

      7
      Reply
      • Capi

        4 years ago

        You make absolutely no sense.

        22
        Reply
      • Joel Peterson

        4 years ago

        Reason number 234 to never visit Tik tok……..

        21
        Reply
      • YankeesBleacherCreature

        4 years ago

        Creating a new regional sports network and negotiating distribution rights are two very complicated things. Having one when all the kinks are worked out enables the franchise to have further national/global outreach aka monetization aka lining the pockets of Ricketts himself and increasing franchise value. There is nothing pointing towards him unwilling to spend when the timing is proper.

        4
        Reply
      • desertbull

        4 years ago

        Is this your first trade deadline?

        2
        Reply
      • Dunk Dunkington

        4 years ago

        How did this get 6 upvotes? This is a terrible take.

        2
        Reply
        • tstats

          4 years ago

          All white Sox fans I bet

          1
          Reply
      • kdk7

        4 years ago

        Cubs have have gone over the luxury tax three times in the past six years. No team is willingly exceeding the luxury tax every single year. If Steinbrenner is not letting Cashman exceed the luxury tax every year and the Guggenheim Group is not letting Friedman spend freely every year, then it’s obviously a league wide trend to be calculated when deciding to splurge and not a Ricketts problem. Guarantee Ricketts will allow Hoyer to spend freely when they are ready again.

        Reply
    • GASoxFan

      4 years ago

      It’s always tough to see a favorite player leave. Worse when most of the teams recognizable faces turn over.

      As a Sox fan, I’ve been seeing boom/bust cycles a ton, especially the past decade. Think of all the worst to first cycles, that, winning world series has helped some of the pain on. But one thing we haven’t seen is several years in a row of tanking like other clubs. Give Us a year or two and we’re back to beating up on the rays and Yankees.

      Point is, trust the process. Honestly I don’t have anyone on our current club I’m really attached to… maybe bogey and sale. But it seemed like every couple years a favorite was gone.

      Here’s hoping the future is bright for y’all.

      11
      Reply
      • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

        4 years ago

        I hope Kyle Schwarber gets healthy put some dents into the green monster. Maybe hit one out to right field. Hit one so hard he dents pesky’s pile.

        3
        Reply
    • When it was a game.

      4 years ago

      I dont know. This year was a wash and trading rentals for future players was good move. They retooled the farm and never afraid to spend so a year or two they will be back up there.

      3
      Reply
    • Mikel Grady

      4 years ago

      Looks like Hoyer won the Darvish trade let’s see how the rest work . The player they got from baez trade was one they debated before getting Ed Howard . Now they have both . Go Cubs ! Jed Hoyer goat

      1
      Reply
  2. Cap & Crunch

    4 years ago

    The Cubs did wait too long

    Scrambling to answer the phones the last 48 hrs isn’t a plan

    After the Yu trade they should have kept on pushing.

    I hope they use money as a tool moving forward-

    Ex- This offseason offer Hendriks w 2 yrs at 14 per for Justin Uptons disgusting 1/28

    Contreras 1 yr left est 9 mill for Will Meyers disgusting 1/22

    2
    Reply
    • windycitykid89

      4 years ago

      Yeah, the Cubs are not going to trade Hendricks and Contreras for Upton and Myers.

      8
      Reply
      • Joel Peterson

        4 years ago

        Pretty sure he means they get prospects back too……

        3
        Reply
      • Cap & Crunch

        4 years ago

        Tbd kiddo , Big markets have an extr$ tool in their bag if they chose to use it.

        It’s always a dubious task spending other people’s money, but my post was more of a “what Id do if King for a day “

        Reply
        • Joel Peterson

          4 years ago

          Yeah I don’t know why more teams don’t do deals like that. If you are gonna suck, and you don’t mind carrying a big payroll then there you go. I agree with you completely.

          Reply
        • Cap & Crunch

          4 years ago

          Yea even in this extreme case the payroll doesn’t get that high –
          Only players on contracts would be Heyward 23 Meyers 22 Upton 28 and Bote like 4.5 and Meyers/Upton expire in a yr-

          Your still probably a sub 100 mill team for 22 and your 23 payroll is sub 30 in Heywards final yr, 24 when your back in the spending game you only have Bote on his last guaranteed yr at 5.5…not bad

          Obv only realistic for about 12 teams and those teams go into rebuilds less but yea I don’t see Money flexed as much as ID assume it would be, maybe the trend grows this decade but its always tricky projecting$

          Reply
        • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

          4 years ago

          Ricketts is spending his father’s money. Jed is like a 3rd hand man spending already spending borrowed money

          Reply
      • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

        4 years ago

        They should trade either one. Both should be cubs for life. I know Hendricks was drafted by the Rangers. He never played for the ML club. Contreras is one of the most dynamic catchers and over played in baseball. I can’t think of anyone that wears his emotions on their sleeves more than him.

        1
        Reply
    • Cmurphy

      4 years ago

      After the crappy seasons all those guys had, including Kimbrel, they wouldn’t have gotten as much if they traded during the winter. Bryant was viewed as injury prone, Rizzo and Baez had below sub par production, and Kimbrel was starting to flash some vintage looks but wasn’t truly dominant until this season. It worked out better for the Cubs return by waiting until the deadline.

      7
      Reply
      • Joel Peterson

        4 years ago

        I don’t know about that. The Bryant return was light as can be. Kimbrel definitely increased his trade value. Baez didn’t. I give the Cubs credit for making moves but you make these moves earlier you get more back.

        Reply
        • Thomas James

          4 years ago

          Possibly could have gotten more for Bryant if he would have been open to listening to Sterns from Milwaukee. I understand it would have been a tough pill to swallow trading Bryant to a close rival, but were talking about a pure rental. Sterns said they were trying to trade for a premium right handed bat, but were shut out of having any discussions. I mean what does it really matter what Milwaukee does this year now, and it would have given San Francisco more competition to try and trade for his services. Could have received a better haul for Bryant.

          1
          Reply
        • Thomas James

          4 years ago

          So Max didn’t want to come to Milwaukee. Hoyer wouldn’t talk to Sterns. Milwaukee was willing and had space but were blocked from making moves for premium guys. I can understand his frustration.
          I find it funny hearing these experts gush over the California teams and how their going for it. Yeah especially when you eliminate other teams from which you might have to compete with for their services.

          Reply
        • iml12

          4 years ago

          SF farm much deeper than Brewers. Two guys in SF top 15 is essentially taking 2 guys from Brewers top 3 or 4. Plus zero chance the cubs want to see the Brewers win on the back of KB.

          3
          Reply
        • rondon

          4 years ago

          Well, it’s not a stretch to understand why Hoyer wouldn’t ‘help’ Stearns (any more than Stearns would help him) or why a player would rather be in LA than Milwaukee.

          3
          Reply
        • Thomas James

          4 years ago

          Not exactly true. 3 of top four in the Brewers system are first round picks, and performing well, and the fourth has Soto written all over him. Believe what you want though.

          Reply
    • Franco27

      4 years ago

      That makes zero sense for the Cubs. Hendricks isn’t going anywhere, and I doubt Contreras will either, unless they can’t re-sign him. The Cubs no longer need to dump salary, and if they did trade Contreras, it would be for young talent or pitching not veterans with bad contracts.

      2
      Reply
      • Joel Peterson

        4 years ago

        Do you think the Cubs are good enough in 2022? I don’t. So it does make sense. You punt this year and 2022 to give yourself a other shot at a dynasty like last time. Shoot this is what Theo did…….

        2
        Reply
        • Franco27

          4 years ago

          No, it makes no sense. Hendricks is locked up through 2024. Cubs can be competitive next year, and playoff contenders in 2 years. You build around Contreras and Hendricks starting next year. They will have 120 – 130 million to spend. I don’t think they will go crazy next year, but you start putting pieces in place next year, and then add more the next.

          3
          Reply
        • Joel Peterson

          4 years ago

          You build around Hendricks and Contreras? Dude that’s not gonna work. Then you end up like my team the Cardinals. Or the Phillies. You spend a lot and have a 500 team.

          Why not spend that money next year on the deals he suggested. Then starting in 2023 you got a REAL shot like the one Theo gave the team for years. Not some half measure nonsense.

          1
          Reply
        • brewsingblue82

          4 years ago

          I got tired of reading so many reasons of why they should or shouldn’t trade Hendricks & Contreras for Big contracts just to have more money in 2023.

          Here’s WHY they shouldn’t though. Very simply, because if they wanted to save money for 2023, they could trade both, without taking on massive contracts and get decent returns, while saving money. Pitching help and catching help are both sought after. They’d be able to get a decent return on those 2 without likely paying much, if any, of their contracts.

          If they wanted to free up money for 2023 and take on a bad contract that expires after 2022, their best bet would be to offer Heyward for Upton and include some prospect capital to incentivize them to take the deal.

          Doing that frees up money for 2023, allows them to keep Contreras and Hendricks for 2022 to allow their team to be at least somewhat competitive, not battling it out for last place with the Pirates.

          Swapping out bad contracts in hopes that who you get in return plays better, and even including prospects to get rid of your bad contract makes sense.

          Swapping out contracts that are reasonable for players you get performance out of for a more bloated payroll, even if it “expires sooner”, makes absolutely no sense at all.

          2
          Reply
        • Franco27

          4 years ago

          Nobody in their right mind would trade Hendricks and Contreras for 2 big contracts. How does this help the Cubs? Enough, never going to happen. Makes no sense.

          4
          Reply
      • iml12

        4 years ago

        I hope they try hard to re-sign Contreras. The odds of him being a top 5 catcher in baseball for the next 5-6 year seem very good. Hendricks, Hoerner, Madrigal, Contreras seems like a good start. Wait and see how Wisdom plays the rest of the year and might of found a cheap waiver gem.

        4
        Reply
        • Franco27

          4 years ago

          Exactly, you build around those 4 players. You also hope Steele and Thompson can stick in the starting rotation. Those are good building blocks for the future.

          2
          Reply
      • Matty B 2

        4 years ago

        No, they still need to salary dump, it’s called Jason Heyward.

        Until his contract is gone, all of this will be for for a rebuild. The Cubs can’t be a championship team with a five-star defensive outfielder losing his speed and his defense, and losing anything resembling a bat.

        Reply
        • Franco27

          4 years ago

          No way to dump his salary. No one wants him, unless you take bad salary back. Even then, a long shot. Cubs will have to eat the salary one way or another. They either DFA him and eat the remaining 49 million, or he is a 4th outfielder for 2 more years. They have enough freed up money to work around it. I personally would DFA him after the year and replace with younger player or FA at low cost. Come on Brennan Davis.

          Reply
    • Mikel Grady

      4 years ago

      Waiting last 48 hours is how it works . Ever been on eBay bids come in at last minute not first day

      2
      Reply
      • Joel Peterson

        4 years ago

        I sell things in Ebay for a living. It’s not the same because in baseball there is a deadline. And if you know what your stuff is worth like I do you don’t need to screw around with auctions you just price it.

        Reply
    • desertbull

      4 years ago

      You were privy to all of internal conversations?

      Reply
  3. jedimarcus22

    4 years ago

    If they do bring 1 or two of them back this winter, it’ll be a stroke of genius considering the quality of prospect they got for 2 months of playing time.

    5
    Reply
    • Joel Peterson

      4 years ago

      Or bring in different guys. Or wait a year or 2 then spend even more. They have a plan for sure.

      Reply
  4. A'sfaninUK

    4 years ago

    Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez, Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Chafin, Ryan Tepera, Joc Pederson, Jake Marisnick and Trevor Williams

    for

    Nick Madrigal, Codi Huer, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alexander Canario, Caleb Kilian, Anderson Espinoza, Kevin Alcantara, Alexander Vizcaino, Bailey Horn, Daniel Palencia, Greg Deichmann and Bryce Ball

    Going to need some time to digest this, needed to see it written like this to help process it as a whole deal.

    8
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      4 years ago

      top-heavy return imo. that said, getting even just Madrigal is a masterstroke.

      9
      Reply
    • Adolpho67

      4 years ago

      And there’s only a couple of those guys who would have returned next year even if Jed kept them all.
      You add the 4 kids from Darvish trade to that list and that’s quite a group!
      Future looks bright to me.

      4
      Reply
    • mils100

      4 years ago

      Pretty much that whole list is free agents at the end of the year. So, the Cubs got that whole addition list for 2 months of baseball on a 4th place team going nowhere. If they want, almost all of these guys can be resigned.

      I have no clue on if these prospects will pan out but the Cubs did fine with this.

      9
      Reply
      • jkim319

        4 years ago

        Best post of this entire string .. you are 100% spot on..

        Add in the free agency is a totally new game of quality players willing to take 1 yr, 1 yr + option, and/or incentive heavy deals and a) you can build around the starting blocks of Hendricks, Contreras, Hoerner, Madrigal … or b) you can wait til you see what the ‘23-‘24 prospects look like ..

        After the ‘22 season there, once again will be the Trea Turners, Xander Bogaerts, Jose Ramirez’s, etc available as FAs

        Honestly, there is no value in being a 78-84 win team even next year .. heck waiting 18 months (1 1 1/2 seasons) to try and build/develop the next core is a small window (especially for Cubs fans)

        Hoyer played his cards about as well we he could (how did he get SD’s #9 prospect for Marisnick is mind boggling… that being said, ‘only’ getting the Giants #9 and #30 seems low for Bryant … all in all, he did what needed to be done … we would have given 3 QOs had he not made the deals..)

        Let’s evaluate these deals (including Darvish) this winter and mid summer 22..

        4
        Reply
        • Supersoccrsqueak

          4 years ago

          I don’t think they have to wait to 2023. Be smart this off-season and you are back in contention next year with a strong farm system:

          Sign rizzo: ~$13m
          Sign a ss: Baez/Correa (~$18m)
          Move nico to CF
          I bet castellanos opts out. Sign him and plug him in to RF.
          Wisdom at 3B
          Madrigal at 2B
          Corey Dickerson in LF (~$4m)

          Sign pitchers like Rodon, Jon gray (~$8m each?)

          I’m actually not opposed to releasing happ either to save that $6m.

          Now you have a competive club at roughly $145million after arbitration raises (and arrieta buyout) with room for the prospects to come up. The lineup is a balance of contact rate and slug/obp.

          Reply
        • Capi

          4 years ago

          Rodon and Gray won’t cost 8 mil and they’re both want to stay with their respective clubs.

          5
          Reply
        • Supersoccrsqueak

          4 years ago

          I should have clarified more. I was meaning the fact that Rodon was a 1 year grab with big upside (clearly has worked out for wsox). I don’t think gray will be crazy expensive but there is a pretty decent SP class this offseason where you can grab a good SP for your rotation without breaking the bank.

          My main point was we can be smart and be a solid club next year with some moves, doesn’t have to be 2023. $22m of heyward comes off in 2 years as well.

          Reply
        • Jean Matrac

          4 years ago

          Supersoccrsqueak:

          You sound like a Met’s fan from this past off-season:

          Sign Springer, sign Realmuto, sign Semien, etc, etc.

          You want to sign Rizzo, Baez/Correa, and Castelano, plus Rodon and Gray? There’s always going to be competition for any attractive FA. No one team is going to dominate the market.

          Plus, how do you get top FAs to sign with, what’s currently, a non-competitive club? Is the first guy going to sign with the promise that all the other guys will be signed?

          Reply
        • Franco27

          4 years ago

          I like your ideas, but move Castellanos to left. Sign someone like Avi Garcia for right field. I believe Chris Taylor is free agent. Sign him (CF/SS) Brennan Davis coming soon hopefully (June 2022)?

          Turn Hoerner into super utility SS/2nd OF. Either re-sign Rizzo or if you can’t, sign a CJ Cron and platoon with a young player like Alfonso Rivas from AAA. Rivas could also play some outfield. If they have DH, both Wisdom and Cron could DH at times. Sign a couple of free agent pitchers (10 mil a piece).

          Only Castellanos gets more than 3 year contract. Everyone else 3 years or less. Re-sign Contreras long term.

          Boom, competitive, but not tied into long contracts except Contreras and Castellanos. By that time, younger talent coming up.

          1
          Reply
        • Supersoccrsqueak

          4 years ago

          Tad2b13:
          Uhh blue jays signed 2/3 of those guys you just listed this off-season. Is it likely that my scenario happens? Not at all. Can you sign 3 impactful position players plus 2 quality pitchers for your rotation? Absolutely. Also, don’t get carried away with the names I threw out there, just giving some examples of the type of signing Cubs should seek out based on names I saw available. Most importantly DON’T overpay.

          Your last point is gonna be the Cubs hardest sell now: how do you convince quality to sign with your club after the way you just treated the core (no extension and traded) plus not having a quality team as constructed. Luckily we play in the NL central which should not produce a hands down runaway team for the next few years.

          1
          Reply
        • Supersoccrsqueak

          4 years ago

          Davro: Yeah that’s exactly what I’m trying to say. You can compete with those signings

          1
          Reply
        • Franco27

          4 years ago

          @tad2b13 Cubs were a last place team in 2014 and Jon Lester signed as a free agent. If they think you are headed in the right direction, they will sign.

          Reply
        • Catuli Carl

          4 years ago

          They still have Heyward for 2 more years.

          Reply
        • Franco27

          4 years ago

          Heyward will be extra outfielder next year, but he’s dead weight. Just eat the contract and move on. I would DFA him after the season. Ortega is more valuable than him, at a fraction of the cost.

          Reply
    • anotherdamncardinalfan

      4 years ago

      Lol. I love it. Made me forget the pathetic moves Mo made in STL. Move over Bucs. See ya all in another 100 years.

      Reply
    • mike127

      4 years ago

      At least THREE of these times will not win the World Series this year: Giants, White Sox, Yankees, Mets. Let’s ask those teams if the trade was worth it come late October.

      I know that the Sox have the option to pick up Kimbrel next year at 16M, but at that they will have $30M locked up on closers, let alone an entire bullpen. Of all the trades, on the non Cubs side, that one made the most sense. Just five short years ago a team traded a hot shot second baseman/infielder for the best closer in baseball and things worked out well. Time for history to repeat itself.

      5
      Reply
      • Ducky Buckin Fent

        4 years ago

        I don’t think the Yanks will view it through that particular lens though. There has been a real paradigm shift in the Yankees mindset.

        Previously to 2019, ownership would apologize to the fans for not winning the Series. In ’19 Cash hit us with, “the playoffs are a crapshoot, bro”. There is now a much greater emphasis on profits.

        Hal wants to duck around the CBT fines as much as possible.
        Hal also realizes that a playoff series is wildly profitable.

        So: the Rizzo trade will probably be viewed as worthwhile if the Yanks are able to reach the LDS.

        1
        Reply
        • mike127

          4 years ago

          Ok..if the Yankees goal is LDS then more power to them. Can’t wait to visit the outside of the stadium next year and see the “23 World Championship + LDS last year” statements everywhere.

          Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          4 years ago

          *27 World Championships, bro.

          Also: I am not saying that they wouldn’t love to “get hot” & bring home #28. Because, duh. Rather, I am merely pointing out that this move was much more about making the playoffs as opposed to winning the Series.

          Never said anything about hoisting a banner celebrating it. Apologies if my take was a bit nuanced for your taste.

          Happy Sunday though, for real.

          3
          Reply
        • mike127

          4 years ago

          True that….concur.

          1
          Reply
    • Cubs Dynasty

      4 years ago

      AsfaninUK – good list to show a better perspective. Madrigal was an excellent pickup. Also, Kilian, if his arm doesn’t fall off in the meantime.

      1
      Reply
  5. hoff38

    4 years ago

    The Rockies should send their upper management team over to learn how to speed up a rebuild. Now Cubs can focus on spending money this off season while watching their return on the trades and newly drafted guys develop.

    1
    Reply
    • brewsingblue82

      4 years ago

      I think the Rockies have already shown that they don’t have any interest in learning how to rebuild. Even if it means being competitive sooner. The Orioles will have a better shot at the playoffs before the Rockies will.

      2
      Reply
      • rondon

        4 years ago

        The Rockies owner has been in complete denial for awhile now Always touting the “we’re a playoff team” delusion. If they had traded Story even just last offseason, the return would’ve been strong.

        1
        Reply
  6. PutPeteinthehall

    4 years ago

    Was a decent return. Some of the trades were better than others. Think they should have insisted on Bart. The fact that Bryant on a QO would not have netted the Cubs a first rounder along with the Cubs not eating any money made the Bryant return lower than expected. Somehow the Yankees got the former teams to eat the final two months on Rizzo and other players. Loophole that needs to be closed in the next agreement.

    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      4 years ago

      As a baseball fan, I agree with the loophole.

      3
      Reply
    • James1955

      4 years ago

      Bart is the replacement for Posey. I don’t think the Giants are trading Bart.

      1
      Reply
    • Kapler's Coconut Oil

      4 years ago

      They could have insisted on Bart, but then no trade would have been made. People might see the quantity as low, but the quality was high. Killian is no joke, and his 96/9 K/BB ratio this season shows that he’s much higher than the #30 ranking he received at the beginning of the year.

      4
      Reply
      • mils100

        4 years ago

        Killian is the guy I am most curious about in this haul. If he was doing this at low-A, whatever, there are always guys doing that because they are more polished. However, his success is now at AA.

        2
        Reply
      • aussiegiants53

        4 years ago

        Was disappointed to see Killlian go but could be worth it, he’s shot up the system well, might take a year or two but I can see him making an impact

        4
        Reply
  7. Rsox

    4 years ago

    Hoyer restocked the cupboards but some of those are going to take some time to ripen

    1
    Reply
  8. Joel Peterson

    4 years ago

    As a Cardinal fan I like what the Cubs did. Bryant deal was light but all the other deals made sense to me. Kimbrel got quite a bit back. Team has a plan unlike the Cardinals. Gotta stay or go. They went…..

    3
    Reply
    • barkinghumans77

      4 years ago

      I don’t believe StL doesn’t have a plan. Plan was derailed a bit with the injuries. They’ve got a good young OF, IF corners are locked down. Tons of money coming off the books. Flaherty,Hudson & Mikolas will be back. Yes, Hudson next year

      Reply
      • Joel Peterson

        4 years ago

        What’s the plan in 2021? Get healthy maybe somehow get into the playoffs and definitely not be good enough if that happens?

        Lots of teams had injuries. Teams with good depth, the kind of good depth Mozeliak traded away, were able to manage.

        The cleanup hitter on the team who BTW is the best player on the team was sitting on the bench for all 3 playoff games LAST YEAR!

        Mo must go.

        1
        Reply
        • brewsingblue82

          4 years ago

          Agreed. Lots of teams had injuries. Brewers have fought through a ton. Yelich and Cain have been on and off the IL. Same with Wong. Teams just have to hope that what they have as replacement options can come through and help the team thrive.

          Reply
        • rondon

          4 years ago

          The difference is that the Brewers have a killer top 3 in their starting rotation which covered a multitude of gaps this season. But…if any of those guys go down…

          1
          Reply
        • Luke Strong

          4 years ago

          Far too quick to call for the GMs head in STL… they got Arenado, they’ve been crushed by injuries, and it sounds like you have unreasonable expectations. It would have been foolish for any middling team to trade away the farm on a long shot chance to the wildcard game… you go with what you’ve got then tweak in the off-season.

          Reply
      • Catuli Carl

        4 years ago

        Oh they’ve got a plan. It’s bringing in young arms like Jon Lester.

        Reply
  9. amk1920

    4 years ago

    Cubs had a fantastic deadline. Crow-Armstrong and Canario are solid pickups for rental players and both more valuable than a comp pick. Getting Madrigal for Kimbrel was insanely good (not bad for the White Sox either). Much better deadline than the Rockies

    4
    Reply
    • Kapler's Coconut Oil

      4 years ago

      Killian is the sleeper prospect of the bunch. He’s having an absolutely insane year between AA/A

      5
      Reply
  10. iml12

    4 years ago

    Cubs put themselves in a position to rebound quickly. They have one horrible contract but it won’t really matter with a 40-50 million dollar payroll next season. They just need to make a couple smart impactful free agent signings the next two years and hopefully will have a stream of prospects coming to the bigs starting with Brennen Davis.

    2
    Reply
  11. DarkSide830

    4 years ago

    dangit Jed, why isnt Davies in Philly right now!

    5
    Reply
  12. Jake1972

    4 years ago

    Hoyer did a great job getting prospects and the next three years might be lean years for the Cubs but they will get back into playoff contention by 2025 or 2026.

    During the winter the Cubs need to shop Kyle and Wilson for the best offer and should have moved Kyle at this deadline seeing teams we’re buying but they didn’t.

    The team they have now is still better than the Pirates and could surprise and finish ahead of the Red Birds, but no way they will make the playoffs this year at all.

    So my grade for Hoyer at this deadline is a Solid B and felt they could have gotten a better deal for Bryant but then again maybe no one was truly buying…

    Reply
    • Joel Peterson

      4 years ago

      Dude no team with that payroll has to wait 4 years for a rebuild. You could punt 2022 that’s what I would do. But come 2023 the team should be good and ready to compete again.

      Reply
    • Craven Moorhead

      4 years ago

      Why should I trust a Hoyer rebuild when he was a bust as a GM in San Diego? This is basically the same front office sans Epstein with the deck chairs rearranged, that drafted and developed poorly over 10 years with no pitching. They made mostly awful free agent signings and could not extend the stars while at the same time failed to recognize the shortcomings and move those players earlier when their value was higher.

      Reply
      • Capi

        4 years ago

        They won a WS title and 5 playoffs trips… Get over it… Or would you rather have another 100 plus year drought?

        5
        Reply
        • KP23

          4 years ago

          This, wildly successful. Failed in areas, but still any team or fan should hope for 4 to 5 years of contention. 2015 2016 2017, they were in the game right up until the end. 2018 was a playoff year too. Only the dodgers did as well in that time frame.

          As a fan, I’m sad, but the team they put out there was some of the best baseball I’ve ever watched in my life. Those memories are priceless.

          1
          Reply
  13. Craven Moorhead

    4 years ago

    Why should I trust a Hoyer rebuild when he was a bust as a GM in San Diego? This is basically the same front office sans Epstein with the deck chairs rearranged, that drafted and developed poorly over 10 years with no pitching. They made mostly awful free agent signings and could not extend the stars while at the same time failed to recognize the shortcomings and move those players earlier when their value was higher.

    Reply
    • KP23

      4 years ago

      So craven.

      This guy is the one who sat next to Lincoln at the play and complained about the plot.

      1
      Reply
  14. Amanda2019

    4 years ago

    The only move the cubs made that i sincerely didnt get was Rizzo to the Yankees, a team out of contention who, at best will get the 1 game play in, Cole will pitch, loose cause he cant pitch in a big game and that will be it. Why bother getting him for 2 months and not make the playoffs? they are not gonna jump 2 teams, on that note, it would have made so much sense him going to the red sox, a POWER hitting first baseman, what position do we need? a POWER hitting first baseman, its also where his career began years ago, oh well, enjoy him and gallo untill September 30th, but make no mistake about it, my team was just as bad, they got 2 AWFUL relievers and an injured outfielder that they dont need at a position they dont need filled, no idea why they made the moves, its like Chaim made the deals at 3 53 pm knowing the deadline was at 4 so fans watching could see the MLB network say the words ‘ red sox’ and get excited.

    Reply
    • Deleted Userrr

      4 years ago

      It’s not the Cubs’ problem if the Yankees make the playoffs this year or not. They just take the best offer they get.

      3
      Reply
    • rocky7

      4 years ago

      Really sour grapes troll regarding the Yankees…..let’s see how the rest of the season plays out…..”out of contention”…”Cole can’t pitch in a big game”? KM Yankee A beatch!

      3
      Reply
  15. ChiSoxCity

    4 years ago

    Think of where the Cubs organization would be had they done these trades 2-3 years ago.

    They’d mostly have gotten more for Bryant and Baez, established a new core of talent, more money to spend, and been buyers instead of sellers this summer.

    There are simply no practical reasons (excuses) why the Cubs should have waited this long to trade players they clearly had no intention of resigning.

    Reply
    • iml12

      4 years ago

      They won the division last year. You don’t gut teams when you are making the playoffs every year. The Cubs did this in the right way. They were out of it and got what they could for all the upcoming free agents.

      5
      Reply
      • ChiSoxCity

        4 years ago

        So that is your expectation… winning divisions? Seems to me a team like the Cubs, with their roster, should be focused on winning championships. They clearly weren’t good enough to get to a WS, let alone win one, last year. The entire baseball world expected them to make trends and spend more money on BETTER players to stay in contention. They didn’t do it, to the shock of everyone, including Cubs fans who don’t normally have the heart (or spine) to question the front office or criticize the team.

        Reply
        • ChiSoxCity

          4 years ago

          *make trades…

          Reply
        • iml12

          4 years ago

          They had the best 6 year stretch in Chicago (both teams) baseball history. I’d say he met my expectations. I enjoy watching competitive baseball and it’s been a fun 6 years. They just completely restocked the farm and can re-sign nearly every player they traded in a couple months. I guess the white Sox should start trading off assets because there are multiple teams better than them right now. No, you make the playoffs and hope to get hot and make a run. They gave themselves that chance in 2015, 16, 17, 18, 20. 19 I think they missed by a game.

          1
          Reply
      • Stormintazz

        4 years ago

        Brewers have made the playoffs three years in a row. Current team looks nothing like the past. Stearns is always tweaking that team.

        Reply
    • Mikel Grady

      4 years ago

      Agree if referring to 2017. Arrieta and Wade Davis would have gotten a haul. Of course how mad would cub fans be after winning World Series and selling ?

      2
      Reply
      • KP23

        4 years ago

        Could you imagine a world where the day after the world series win, they trade away half the team. Yeah, That would make so much sense! Hilarious

        Reply
        • ChiSoxCity

          4 years ago

          Who said anything about trading “half the team the day after the world series”? Your reading comprehension stinks, go back to the 3rd grade.

          Reply
        • KP23

          4 years ago

          I was just wondering aloud the look of trading big pieces after a championship.

          Relevant but in no way a direct response to you. I don’t think I targeted you in any way. Relax

          1
          Reply
    • Catuli Carl

      4 years ago

      Dude, you’re the most bitter, disingenuous person on this website. Why would they burn the team down in a year where they won the division, made the playoffs, and had some of the best pitchers in baseball? If they had done exactly what you prescribe here, I am 100% certain that you would be mocking and guffawing that decision right here.

      Reply
  16. Ted

    4 years ago

    I think a lot of baseball fans are still living in the 90s or early 2000s where you could trade a rental star for multiple elite prospects and an average closer for a top 50 guy. Analytics have changed all that.

    2
    Reply
    • Capi

      4 years ago

      Not to mention, scouting is more accurate now, so teams value their top prospects a lot more.

      2
      Reply
    • ChiSoxCity

      4 years ago

      Aroldis Chapman rental brought back Gleyber Torres (stupidly so) in ‘16. Several other instances of this have happened in the 2010s and 2020. But logic dictates you trade guys you can’t or won’t resign while they still have control on the contract. Keeping them until the last possible minute only helps the coastal team they eventually get traded to (give up less in said trade).

      Reply
      • iml12

        4 years ago

        Gleyber got them a World Series. In reality is he really that good? I don’t get all the fawning over Torres. In 4 season he’s barely pushing 7 WAR. He’s a solid player hardly some superstar

        5
        Reply
        • ChiSoxCity

          4 years ago

          If Chapman was so crucial to their WS win, why didn’t the Cubs resign him.

          They gave up their best prospect plus Chapman for three months of relief pitching. That’s not smart.

          Reply
        • iml12

          4 years ago

          They probably should have re-signed him but the Yankees outbid them, it happens. Gleyber was exactly that a prospect not going to help them win a World Series. He’s been fine for the Yankees, nothing spectacular. Nico and Madrigal seem like fine options going forward.

          2
          Reply
      • Stormintazz

        4 years ago

        Chapman was the only reason they won the World Series. Without him they would have been out during the playoffs. Madden rode him all the way to the ring.

        Reply
  17. Emerson83

    4 years ago

    I think they were afraid those players would accept qualifying offers

    1
    Reply
  18. Cubs Dynasty

    4 years ago

    I’m content with these trades. It was difficult to make the moves during an earlier season,as our Cubs were still competitive then. Rizzo actually was a surprise. Baez; I’m glad he went. Good ball player. Too much narcissistic grandstanding and a propensity to swing at breaking pitches three feet outside the strike zone. Bryant; he will be a good addition for the Giants. Ross; sorry fans, I think he must go. I’m looking forward to a grand rebuild. Perhaps our Cubs will be competitive by 2023.

    Reply
    • Catuli Carl

      4 years ago

      “Too much narcissistic grandstanding” What? lol gtfo

      Reply
    • Catuli Carl

      4 years ago

      Ross made the playoffs in his first season and has made very few moves that I or anyone I’ve seen takes issue with. Certainly less than Maddon. They had one bad losing streak this season and then Jed burned it all down. There’s no reason to get rid of Ross and he isn’t going anywhere.

      Reply
  19. citizen

    4 years ago

    This isn’t very inciteful. Cubs traded their players coz the didn’t want to compete. Duh. How about the pitcher the cubs got from sf can be a 2-3 starter.

    Reply
    • Franco27

      4 years ago

      The Cubs traded their players because they were in 4th place with them, they all wanted to be overpaid, and the Cubs want to rebuild with players who make more contact.

      1
      Reply
  20. ChiSoxCity

    4 years ago

    Third highest revenues in the MLB + fanbase with low expectations = $$$$$$ for the Ricketts family.

    1
    Reply
  21. agrorolm

    4 years ago

    See. Nobody cares what you have to say. No matter what the Cubs do either way, your hate for the Cubs may never allow you to say anything that favors them, therefore everybody ignores you, senile old man. THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND LAST statement regarding you.

    1
    Reply
    • Cubs Dynasty

      4 years ago

      agrorolm – who are you writing about?

      Reply
  22. mattmooney33

    4 years ago

    Tom Ricketts and Bob Nutting are best friends.

    Reply
  23. Stormintazz

    4 years ago

    People act like they were the ’27 Yankees. Madden rode Chapman to a WS ring. Without him they would have been out early on.. They have not done much since the WS win. Yes, they did win a weak division and got bounced out of playoffs early. Theo left Boston after the owners wanted to cut payroll. Theo did the same thing when Ricketts decided to cut payroll. Ross was a feelings hire. He was the glory boy for the WS. Now the Cubs fans are paying for it.

    Reply

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