The Chicago Cubs are sitting pretty in first place as of mid-June, but president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer isn’t getting too comfortable.
In a recent appearance on The Show podcast with Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman, Hoyer confirmed what many fans suspected — come July 31, the Cubs will be looking to add pitching help.
But before we dive into what this year might bring, let’s take a look back at how the Cubs have historically approached the trade deadline under Hoyer’s leadership.
Rebuilding Era: Trading Away Stars for Futures (2021–2023)
When Jed Hoyer took over as President of Baseball Operations in October 2020, he inherited a team that had peaked a few years earlier. The core of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javy Báez was aging, expensive, and nearing free agency.
Hoyer made it clear early on — it was time to rebuild.
One of the most impactful trades came in July 2021, when the Cubs sent Javier Báez and Trevor Williams to the New York Mets in exchange for Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA), along with minor leaguers Nick Zagst and Thomas Hackimer.
At the time, it felt like a tough move for fans who wanted to keep the fan-favorite shortstop. But in hindsight, it was one of the smartest decisions of Hoyer’s tenure.
Crow-Armstrong struggled with injuries early in his career, playing just six games in 2021 due to shoulder surgery. But now, entering his second full MLB season, PCA has emerged as one of the game’s most complete players — hitting for power, stealing bases, and playing elite defense in center field.
Hoyer admitted he was surprised by how quickly PCA developed into a star.
“I think it was good fortune for us that they did take some really good players off the table, and most of those guys are helping the Mets right now… but Pete’s injury allowed that to happen.”
That deal marked the start of a new era — one focused more on long-term growth than short-term glory.
Transition Year: Balancing Rebuild With Competitiveness (2024)
By 2024, the Cubs were no longer sellers. They still weren’t contenders, but the young core was starting to gel.
Hoyer played it cautiously at the trade deadline, making smaller moves rather than big splashes. He added depth pieces and avoided overpaying for rentals. It was a sign that the front office was starting to believe in the team’s future, but wasn’t quite ready to commit fully.
Still, the focus remained on developing internal talent and avoiding costly mistakes.
2025: Could This Be the Year the Cubs Go All-In?
Fast forward to today, and the Cubs are in a completely different place.
They’re leading their division, their offense is among the best in the league, and names like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cody Bellinger, and Dansby Swanson are giving fans real hope.
But there’s a glaring weakness: pitching.
Justin Steele went down with UCL revision surgery after just four starts. Javier Assad missed significant time with oblique issues. Shota Imanaga hit the injured list with a hamstring strain, though Hoyer remains hopeful he’ll return by the end of June.
Despite all that, the team has managed to stay competitive thanks to solid performances from their remaining starters and strong defense.
Still, Hoyer knows they can’t rely on that forever.
“I think we’re going to be looking for pitching, both rotation and in the bullpen,” Hoyer said. “I don’t think that’s a secret.”
He also emphasized the importance of building depth, especially in today’s game where injuries are rampant and playoff runs require multiple layers of talent.
While he didn’t give away any specific plans or targets, he made it clear — if the team stays in contention, they’ll make moves.
What Does This Mean for the 2025 Deadline?
Hoyer kept things vague, which is standard for a GM ahead of the deadline. Whether the Cubs go all-in or stay cautious could depend heavily on:
- How soon Shota Imanaga returns
- Whether Javier Assad can stay healthy
- How the bullpen performs in high-leverage situations
- And, of course, what kind of assets other teams are willing to offer
Porter Hodge is expected back from injury soon, which helps the bullpen. Still, Hoyer acknowledged that relief pitching is always a work in progress.
“Bullpens are always a work in progress… I don’t think you ever get to a point of feeling comfortable.”
As for position players? Hoyer doesn’t expect to do much there. The offense has been clicking, and the defensive depth is solid across the board.
So unless there’s an unexpected injury, don’t expect major additions on the offensive side.
Looking Ahead: Building Around Young Talent
It’s clear that Hoyer sees the current roster as a foundation, not a finished product. Players like Crow-Armstrong, Brennen Davis, and Christopher Morel represent the core of what’s next.
And while they’ve already made some bold moves in recent years, the 2025 trade deadline could be a turning point — the moment when the rebuild officially becomes a retool.
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