(670 The Score) Eight days before the trade deadline, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer on Monday gave a strong indication of how he views his disappointing club.
The Cubs’ focus at the trade deadline on July 30 will be adding talent that can help in 2025 and beyond rather than short-term rentals that only help for the remainder of this season, Hoyer said before Chicago opened a three-game series against NL Central-leading Milwaukee at Wrigley Field.
“The next seven games obviously matter,” Hoyer said. “Certainly, we saw what could happen last year. So you never firmly plant your feet. You have to be able to be nimble. I think where we are right now, I would say that moves only for ‘24 – I think unless things change over the next week, I think we probably won’t do a lot of moves that only help us for this year. If moves help us in ’25 and beyond – I think we’re still exceptionally well-positioned – I think that’s what our focus will be. But like just helping in ’24, I think that probably won’t be our focus unless things change dramatically.”
Entering play Monday, the Cubs sat at 48-53 and were in fourth place in the NL Central. The Cubs trail the division-leading Brewers by 10 games and are 3.5 games out of the final wild-card spot in the National League.
Hoyer acknowledged the Cubs’ reality.
“We have a good sense of where we are and our game plan going forward, but you never know what happens in a seven-game stretch,” Hoyer said.
Hoyer maintained an optimistic outlook about the organization in the big picture.
"The future is really bright given the farm system," Hoyer said.
"I feel really good about how we're positioned for the future and beyond. I think our moves will reflect that at the deadline."
The Cubs open a three-game series against the Brewers on Monday at Wrigley Field. The game can be heard on 670 The Score and the Audacy app. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., and pregame coverage starts at 6:30 p.m.