The Chicago Cubs had an eventful offseason, hiring Craig Counsell as their new manager, signing Shota Imanaga, and re-signing Cody Bellinger. However, their efforts fell short as they missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Jed Hoyer, the President of Baseball Operations, shared his thoughts on the disappointing season.
“Reflecting on our season, I’m both disappointed and hopeful. When you set a goal and don’t achieve it, it’s natural to feel let down,” he stated during a press conference.
The Cubs seemed poised for a shot at the NL Central title, especially with the division undergoing changes—especially with the St. Louis Cardinals struggling and the Milwaukee Brewers losing their manager to the Cubs.
Despite finishing second in the division for the second consecutive year, the Cubs found themselves 10 games behind and out of contention by September.
“From the top down, the expectation was to reach the playoffs this year, and we fell short. We need to improve beyond two straight seasons of 83-79. However, I’m very excited about next year. We’re building on a strong foundation, and we need to return to the postseason for our fans—they deserve it, and we will get there,” Hoyer added.
The Cubs’ strong foundation is one of their greatest assets, featuring established players like Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, Justin Steele, and Shota Imanaga in the majors, along with promising prospects like Cade Horton, Matt Shaw, and Owen Caissie in the minors.
With solid contributors like Happ and Bellinger in the outfield and Steele as the ace for the past two years, Imanaga also impressed with a 2.91 ERA in his rookie season. They have demonstrated their capability to develop talent, as evidenced by Pete Crow-Armstrong’s .803 OPS in the final two months. Looking ahead, they also anticipate contributions from top prospects like Shaw, Caissie, and Kevin Alcantara.
Hoyer noted a prevailing sense of optimism within the organization. “Overall, there’s a feeling of hope about our future,” he remarked.
However, he acknowledged that improvement is still needed. “From Chairman Tom Ricketts on down, there’s disappointment and frustration when you don’t meet the goals set last year,” he said.
While the 2024 season was disappointing, the focus is now on 2025, with coaching staff changes already underway and discussions about pursuing major free agents in the works.
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