The Chicago Cubs’ season took a turn for the worse on Saturday afternoon. Leading 4-1 against the St. Louis Cardinals going into the eighth inning—with a sweep within reach—the Cubs faltered due to a series of uncharacteristic errors and questionable decisions by Craig Counsell.
However, the Cubs’ difficulties go beyond Counsell’s choices; they stem from the overall condition of the roster. Jed Hoyer and the front office have not done enough to strengthen the Cubs’ offense. The Dansby Swanson contract, in particular, has not aged well. Chicago tends to avoid splurging on pricey free agents, and when one such contract fails, it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in making another big investment.
Recent comments from Hoyer are unlikely to excite fans. Instead of offering bold plans for the Cubs’ future, Hoyer seems to be preparing for another uninspiring free agent period where the team will likely avoid high-risk moves and focus on what the front office considers “safe.”
Hoyer stated, “I wouldn’t say I’m fundamentally opposed to a big contract. However, such deals come with significant risk. You’re aware that these contracts often become inefficient towards the end, so you need to maximize value early on. While I’m generally more cautious with these deals, there are certainly elite players who might be worth the risk.”
Unless the Cubs make a blockbuster offer for Juan Soto, it’s unlikely we’ll see any major moves. Instead, Chicago will likely focus on smaller adjustments, hoping to find the right player who might become available. They’re also counting on a stronger performance from Counsell, who still seems to be adjusting to his new role.
Given the current situation, it’s best to adjust expectations and focus on the present roster. Isaac Paredes has been a significant addition and deserves recognition for that. While he’s set the Cubs up for a promising 2025, many aspects of the future remain uncertain.
