Jed Hoyer gave the Cubs a pretty clear look at how Chicago may be thinking about the next phase of its roster build, and it starts with Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramirez.
At his end-of-the-year press conference, the Cubs president of baseball operations said both players could be asked to do more in the years ahead, including handling corner outfield work if needed. Hoyer pointed out that Chicago did not have to depend on them in that role this season because of the makeup of the corner outfield, but he made it sound like that could change.
"We can ask more of them, I think, going forward. We didn't have to this year given the nature of our corner outfield.
But I think they both can certainly do that and I think we will definitely lean on both of those guys more heavily going forward. "
Jed Hoyer
That kind of comment carries weight because it suggests the Cubs may be preparing for a future without Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. Suzuki, in particular, looms large as the third-best hitter in the lineup, but age and cost could make a return difficult. He’ll be 33 next year, and Chicago is already tied to two of the biggest contracts in franchise history with Alex Bregman and Dansby Swanson, both of whom are also in their 30s and past their physical prime.
That’s why Hoyer’s message feels like more than a casual roster note. It sounds like the Cubs may not be in line to spend big on a position player this offseason, even with the respect Shaw and Ramirez have earned from the organization and much of the fan base.
There’s real risk in that approach. Chicago’s offense was one of the best in team history, and it’s hard to see it staying at that level if Shaw and Ramirez are the answer in both corner outfield spots. Unless one or both takes a major step forward in power production, some regression feels likely in 2027.
The timing makes the whole thing a little frustrating. Yes, the Cubs need to invest heavily on the pitching side, especially with five starters headed toward free agency. But passing on a major position-player addition - whether that means bringing back Suzuki or going after someone like Randy Arozarena - could leave them short in an area where they actually have an edge in the National League Central.
For now, the picture looks pretty clear: Chicago appears to be prioritizing financial flexibility for pitching and trusting the internal options to replace departing position players. Whether that plan works is the part that still has to be proven.
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