(670 The Score) Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer on Thursday admitted he's disappointed his team hasn't and likely won't reach the 85% vaccination threshold, which would allow the organization to relax its COVID-19 protocols and restrictions under MLB's guidelines.
Beyond making daily life more normal, there's a competitive element tied to having players vaccinated. The more players that are vaccinated, the less likely players are to miss games. If players who are vaccinated are exposed to COVID-19 and don't have symptoms, they also don't have to quarantine and go through the rigorous contact tracing process that can keep a non-vaccinated player out of game action for a period of time.
"It is disappointing not to be at 85%," Hoyer said. "We have worked hard to get as many people as possible vaccinated. We have worked hard to educate the people that have been reluctant. I am not going to give up hope we can get there. My level of optimism is waning.
"It is disappointing because there are many conveniences that come with getting 85% vaccinated as a group," Hoyer said. "Mask wearing and dining together are some of those things that would be relaxed. I also feel that there is a real competitive advantage we will miss. The contract tracing thing is a big deal. When you have a positive case and the people around you have been vaccinated, you take away the contract tracing element. And not getting to 85%, we are missing that. It's disappointing, and I can't say it any other way. We have not been able to get there and again, I am not sure we are going to be able to get there. It is a competitive advantage to get to 85%."
Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta recently expressed skepticism about the vaccine, saying he felt comfortable without it so long as he, his family and teammates adhered to protocols.
Manager David Ross has previously indicated the Cubs were near 80% vaccinated.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
