Reflection, Restraint, and Resolve: Jed Hoyer’s 2025 Season Wrap-Up
When the Chicago Cubs’ 2025 season concluded with a hard-fought exit in the National League Division Series, few expected a bombshell at the traditional end-of-season press conference. True to form, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer delivered measured assessments, cautious optimism, and a clear sense that the front office sees 2025 as a stepping stone — not the destination.
Hoyer opened with what he called the “natural” reaction: disappointment. After all, in postseason baseball, everything boils down to a few elimination games. But as he stepped back and reflected on the full arc of the season, his tone softened toward pride.
The Cubs rallied from a Wild Card win over San Diego to push Milwaukee to a decisive Game 5. Hoyer noted the passion of the Wrigley Field crowds during playoff games — crowds he said he hadn’t seen that electric since recent deep-run years. The roar, he felt, was not spontaneous but “a natural build” tied to how the season had unfolded. Still, that electric atmosphere made the abrupt ending sting all the more. “It leaves you wanting more, right?” he asked rhetorically, gesturing toward the winter ahead.
Naturally, questions turned to July’s trade deadline and whether more aggressive moves — particularly for starting pitching — could have changed the postseason narrative. Hoyer pushed back against second-guessing too harshly:
“Honest answer: I haven’t really thought about that much since early August.”
“To acquire pitchers who would impact a pennant race would have cost us players who impacted the second half in a big way on this team.”
In effect, Hoyer reminded the audience of the balancing act: chasing short-term gain versus preserving control of high-upside young talent.
One looming decision: what to do with Shōta Imanaga, whose contract includes a three-year team option worth about $57 million. If that option is declined, alternate paths include a player option or a qualifying offer. Hoyer didn’t commit publicly (as expected) but indicated the front office views the situation seriously.
More broadly, Hoyer admitted that the Cubs’ rotation, which looked deep earlier in the season, was taxed in the postseason. Injuries to Cade Horton (out with a rib fracture) and others thrust heavy reliance on remaining arms. Roughly a third of postseason innings came from starters, including some opener deployments — underscoring just how fragile rotation depth had become in those high-stakes games. Hoyer pledged that offseason work would zero in heavily on pitching reinforcement.
One of the more concrete yet still open questions: whether Chicago can retain Kyle Tucker, who made a sizable impact despite injuries and only one year of team control overhead.
Hoyer confirmed that extension conversations will be had with Tucker’s representation, though he declined to reveal details. He reinforced that “everyone can use a guy like Kyle Tucker” and the team “will certainly be having those conversations.”
Beyond Tucker, Hoyer expressed his hope to extend “a number” of players this offseason — but with the caveat that the Cubs prefer extension talks to stay private.
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One recurring theme: chemistry matters, and you can’t carry it over like a package from one season to the next. Hoyer noted that players in individual exit interviews often mentioned the tightness and togetherness of the 2025 club.
Still, he was realistic:
“If we brought back the exact same group of players next year, it wouldn’t be the same… You can’t bottle that up and bring it into next year.”
That said, the Cubs plan to invite back the entire coaching staff, though transitions are possible if individuals pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Hoyer emphasized he wants the press conference itself to be pushed earlier in the calendar in future seasons — a small symbolic goal that underscores the broader aspiration: moving from reactive wrap-ups to proactive planning.
If there was one takeaway, it’s that 2025 is a floor, not a ceiling. The Cubs won 92 games, paced among the top teams in run scoring and runs allowed, and re-entered October baseball meaningfully.
But to go deeper in 2026, the front office must:
- Bolster pitching depth — both starters and bullpen arms
- Pick their battles in free agency / trades while preserving control over core young talent
- Make smart extension decisions (Tucker, others) to lock in value
- Cultivate culture anew even as roster turnover is inevitable
At times, Hoyer’s statements drew criticism as “purposeful non-news,” with some already dubbing his presser a “nothingburger.” But in context, that’s the mark of a leader who knows precisely what he may or may not disclose in public — not one who lacks a vision. His restraint may reflect realism more than reticence.
In sum: the 2025 Cubs delivered tangible gains, but the journey now shifts from affirmation to ambition. As winter chores begin, the front office, players, and fans alike will press that the next step is not just cumulative but transformational.
