Building the Next Contender at Wrigley

As the Chicago Cubs head into the 2026 season, the pressure is mounting on President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer to deliver a consistent winner. In recent discussions about the team's direction, Hoyer emphasized a strategy of balancing the development of their highly-touted farm system with the need to compete in the present. The 2025 season was a step in the right direction, with the Cubs finishing over .500 at 84-78 and remaining in the playoff hunt until the final weeks. However, falling short has led to an offseason focused on finding the missing pieces. Hoyer has made it clear that the goal is not just to be competitive, but to build a sustainable contender capable of winning the NL Central and making deep postseason runs. This involves making smart additions in free agency and the trade market that complement the emerging core of young players.

The foundation of the next great Cubs team is expected to be built around players who took significant steps forward in 2025. Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong established himself as an elite defender in center field, while prospects like Cade Horton and Matt Shaw are inching closer to making their big-league impact. The existing core of Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki provides a veteran presence, but Hoyer acknowledged the need for more offensive firepower and pitching depth. The Cubs' offense ranked in the middle of the pack in most categories last season, and the starting rotation beyond Justin Steele showed flashes of inconsistency. Hoyer is reportedly targeting another top-tier starting pitcher and a corner infielder with power to round out the lineup. The challenge lies in adding these pieces without blocking the path for the next wave of talent or overextending the payroll in a way that hinders future flexibility.

Hoyer's blueprint is a delicate dance. He is tasked with satisfying a passionate fanbase eager for a return to the postseason while simultaneously ensuring the long-term health of the organization. This means being aggressive but not reckless. It could mean trading a promising prospect for a proven star or signing a veteran leader to guide the young clubhouse. The 2025 roster, which included key players like Cody Bellinger and Nico Hoerner alongside Swanson and Happ, showed that this blend can work. Now, the focus is on elevating that group from a good team to a great one. The decisions made this offseason will be critical in determining whether the Cubs are on the cusp of a new golden era or stuck in the middle of a crowded National League. Hoyer's vision is clear: create a perennial winner. The execution of that vision is now the focus of the entire organization.