DALLAS — Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer never wants to look too far ahead when navigating trades.
At the winter meetings this past week, Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins made clear that the Cubs are focused on working to improve the big-league roster through trades rather than exploring upgrades in free agency. The Cubs can match up well with almost any organization, thanks to a loaded farm system — featuring eight prospects ranked in the top 100 — and depth on the big-league roster that would make them willing to part with a player of, say, Cody Bellinger’s caliber if the financials work out.
“I never feel comfortable as you’re negotiating,” Hoyer said speaking broadly of trades. “I don’t think you ever get to a place where you feel like you have a deal. … I’ve seen so many deals fall apart at the two-yard line. I don’t believe in optimism.
“You have to kick the extra point before you feel like that (touchdown) is real.”
1. Cubs are operating with a sense of urgency
As tough as it can be to complete a trade, the Cubs are not sitting back to see how things play out before attempting roster upgrades.
Some of that is because of how the offseason market, both in trades and free agency, is moving at a quicker pace than last year, but it also stems from the Cubs looking to make moves beyond marginal upgrades. Houston Astros slugger Kyle Tucker is the most obvious improvement the Cubs could acquire in a trade — though it would come with future risk as Tucker is a free agent after 2025 — and they possess the minor- and major-league talent to get a deal done.
The Cubs are open to acquiring rental players as they look to jump up from 83 wins in back-to-back years.
“In general, you’re always balancing service time and years of control with salary with how talented a player is,” Hoyer said. “I think that’s a constant thing you’re focusing on, that’s always a push and pull.
“We have a very balanced, solid team. We’re trying to figure out ways that we can improve if we’re going to improve on our position player group in particular, has to be a notable increase. We’re not just going to move marginally.”
2. Bench will be overhauled
The Cubs bench is going to look quite different than this past year.
The organization’s decision to nontender outfielder Mike Tauchman and infielder Patrick Wisdom opens up bench spots and creates opportunity for different looks.
One will be for a second catcher to pair with Miguel Amaya for a tandem that each gets regular playing time. The Cubs are continuing to work towards a deal with veteran Carson Kelly, sources told the Tribune.
“It’s important that we add somebody that has experience,” manager Craig Counsell said. “Look, Miguel showed at times last year. He should be the guy. At other times he showed us he needs a break. I think Miguel is still going to have the opportunity to be a guy that is a regular contributor. But it’s also important for us to have a backup plan. I think we’re going to make sure we have a really good plan for that.”
Counsell acknowledged the uncertainty with their bench options and expects that group to look different by opening day, possibly with players who are not yet in the organization. The bench does create a pathway for younger players to get opportunities, find more at-bats and get some experience without needing to thrust those players into an everyday role.
The Cubs’ Rule 5 pick will have a chance to be part of that mix. The Cubs selected third baseman Gage Workman from the Tigers’ Double-A team during Thursday’s draft. Workman, 25, spent the past season at Double A where he slashed .280/.366/.476 with 18 home runs, 29 doubles and 89 RBIs.
Workman predominately played shortstop and third base in 2024 but can also play second base. As a lefty hitter with defensive flexibility, he’d make an ideal backup infielder if can hit enough to stick. Workman must stay on the big-league team the entire 2025 season for him to stay in the Cubs organization.
3. Cubs coaching staff in place
When Counsell was hired last November, rather late into the offseason process, he largely kept the coaching staff intact.
Entering Year 2 with Counsell at the helm, the coaching staff will look a little different for 2025. The Cubs hired Quintin Berry as third base coach and Jose Javier as first base coach. Counsell worked with Berry in Milwaukee and understands what Berry will bring, what he’s good at and how he will impact the Cubs. Javier joins the organization from the Yankees.
“Javier is a young coach that we did some homework on and found out really good things about him,” Counsell said. “I think he’ll be a good partner for Quintin in our base running.”
Casey Jacobson was promoted to take over as assistant pitching coach after Daniel Moskos left to join the Miami Marlins as their lead pitching coach. Jacobson, entering his sixth season with the Cubs organization, spent the previous two years as their minor-league senior coordinator of pitching development. Counsell called Jacobson a logical choice for the job.
“It was only a matter of time before we felt that Casey was going to get that opportunity,” Counsell said.
Mark Strittmatter is shifting to take over as bullpen coach and A.J. Lewis will be part of his big-league coaching staff as an assistant. Lewis, a Mount Carmel grad, spent the last four years playing in the Rockies system.
“Lewis is a really interesting Chicago kid who is just fresh off the playing field but really, for me, piqued my interest kind of what he did off the playing field as much as anything, he had been really accomplished off the playing field in his winters when he wasn’t playing – very accomplished and did a great job,” Counsell said.
“We got to know him just about where he’s going in the game. I think he’s a young man with a really bright future in baseball.”
