AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
The Chicago Cubs gave up their core when they traded Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Baez to move Craig Kimbrel. But they don't seem to be planning on embarking upon a long rebuild.
President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stated Friday that "We plan to become really active in free agencies," per Bruce Levine, 670 The Score. "We intend to spend money intelligently. This is the simplest way I can put it.
Hoyer elaborated on this thought process and suggested that the number of roster openings would require such a decision.
"We will meet together as an organization to discuss how we can mold this. We are looking into the free-agent market extensively. That market will be heavily analyzed by us. There are offseasons where you can only do some free agency. We will be more active this year than usual because there are more spots available. We want to do it intelligently and thoughtfully.
Although the Cubs currently sit at 67-85, fourth in the National League Central, they were once annual champion contenders.
They ended their World Series drought in 2016, but they also reached the National League Championship Series 2015 and 2017, during a remarkable three-year stretch. They suffered a major setback, but they reached the playoffs again in 2020 and 2018.
A lack of noteworthy additions to the core area after the championship was part of the problem.
The Ricketts family owns the team and has openly complained about its financial situation prior to 2019. Forbes still listed the Cubs as fourth-most valuable league team in 2021, thanks to their one television network (Marquee Sports Network), which is a big market and draws in large numbers of fans to Wrigley Field.
Chicago didn't agree to terms with Bryant, Rizzo or Baez on any contract extension despite their importance to the organization in snapping the 2016 World Series drought.
It sounds like the plan is to spend the offseason with an eye towards competing in the National League Central in near future.
A number of highly-regarded players could be available, including Nick Castellanos and Corey Seager. The Cubs may be involved in this pursuit, as they try to improve a weak roster.
