CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- If only for a few moments Friday morning, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer let himself be a fan.
Hoyer looked around Wrigley Field before the gates opened to full capacity for the first time since late 2019 and thought of what makes the ballpark special. It's the more than 40,000 fans on a sun-soaked afternoon cheering on their Cubs.
"This is the beauty of the place," Hoyer said.
Staying in the present has been difficult for Hoyer these days. The Cubs (35-27) entered Friday tied with the Brewers for first place in the NL Central and were set to host the Cardinals in a pivotal three-game series.
Hoyer is seven weeks out from having to make a firm decision on the Cubs' direction, as the trade deadline awaits July 30. As he weighs the choice, Hoyer will have to balance this team's opportunity in 2021 against a future potentially without stars like infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant, shortstop Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who are all set to be free agents at season's end.
Before this season, it seemed the Cubs were likely to fall into a seller's mode by mid-summer, which would make their path in July clear. But these Cubs have surprised en route to first place, living in the moment before potentially parting ways in free agency.
"It's not up to us," Baez said. "Hopefully we stay together.
"We're thinking about this year."
The Cubs will prioritize their chance to win in 2021 when first looking toward the trade deadline, Hoyer said, increasing the likelihood that Bryant, Baez and Rizzo finish out the season in Chicago before they head into free agency.
The Cubs now have a more promising financial situation with the return of a capacity crowd to Wrigley Field on Friday in addition to team-owned business ventures around the ballpark. But team president of business operations Crane Kenney also told 670 The Score on Monday that the Cubs still project to operate at a loss this season.
While the Cubs certainly covet their three stars, retaining them won't come easy. It's why living in the moment has been difficult for Hoyer.
"They're three iconic Chicago players," Hoyer said. "There's going to be a lot of competition for their services in the market. So of course in theory, you'd love to have those players back.
"I'm not going to shut the door on anything, but I do feel like there has to be some awareness of what it would take financially -- with that meaning over the next five years and with that meaning for the rest of the team.
"If we're in that position, what can we do to make the 2021 team better?"
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
