Hoyer discusses '24 campaign, Bellinger and offseason plans

CHICAGO -- On the day that the Wild Card Series was getting underway elsewhere for Major League Baseball, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer took a seat inside Wrigley Field’s interview room on Tuesday afternoon.

An 83-win showing and no place on the October stage was not the goal for Hoyer and Cubs, especially not after bringing Craig Counsell aboard as manager last offseason. The task ahead for Chicago is to dive into the driving factors behind the Cubs’ disappointing campaign, and to return in ‘25 with a roster that can more realistically make a run at the playoffs.

“From the top down this year, the expectation was to play in the playoffs,” Hoyer said. “But I'm really excited about next year. I think we're building from a really great foundation going forward, and we need to get back to the postseason for these fans. I think that's what the fans deserve, and we'll get there.”

Here are four key topics from Hoyer’s end-of-season press conference:

1. Bellinger’s pending decision on ‘25

When the Cubs signed outfielder Cody Bellinger to a three-year, $80 million pact during Spring Training, the team gave him the ability to opt out after the ‘25 or ‘26 season. His decision is due five days after the conclusion of the World Series and will impact how Chicago can approach upgrading the lineup this offseason.

Bellinger reiterated at the end of the season that he had yet to make his decision, following a year in which he battled injuries and performed better on the road (.797 OPS) than at home (.700 OPS). Part of that, as Hoyer noted, related to Wrigley Field’s run-suppressing environment this year (29th in Park Factor).

“If [Bellinger] had a good year, we knew that he would have a lot of options,” Hoyer said. “I expect him to have a lot of options. Obviously, it will impact team building, figuring out what positions we’re filling. He is versatile, but it’ll have an impact. But I expect he’ll have a bunch of options given how he played this year.”

2. Counsell reshaping coaching staff

Hoyer noted that the Cubs will be making a change at first-base coach (Mike Napoli held that role from ‘22-24) and parted ways with two Major League strength and conditioning coaches (Keegan Knoll and Ryan Clausen). Chicago has also parted ways with Jim Adduci (assistant hitting coach) and Darren Holmes (bullpen coach), a source told MLB.com.

While other changes could occur, Hoyer said the remainder of the ‘24 staff will have the opportunity to return next season under Counsell. A year ago, Counsell’s late hiring hindered and hastened the process of constructing his coaching staff.

“Part of hiring a manager like him is giving him the ability to build a staff,” Hoyer said. “I expect him to be deeply involved in everything we do this offseason. He’ll be coming into the office. He’s always on the phone. I think part of hiring him was having him be part of those conversations and part of those processes and I think he will be all winter.”

3. Should the Cubs add more star power?

While a signing never seemed like a realistic outcome, the Cubs were at least linked to superstar Shohei Ohtani last winter. This offseason, the big name hitting the open market is Juan Soto. If Bellinger opts out of his deal, Cubs fans will undoubtedly be clamoring Hoyer to go all in to bring Soto to the North Side.

Asked about potentially seeking more star power to help the offense, Hoyer pointed to players “outperforming projections” as a main goal for ‘25.

“To get to a place where we can build our projections up,” Hoyer said, “and consistently make the postseason year after year, I think there’s a level of discipline to do that. You don’t want to take wild swings and you don’t want to do things that are going to expose you long-term. I think the goal here is getting to a place where the playoffs are the expectation every single year.”

4. Hoyer’s own future atop front office

When Hoyer took the reins as the Cubs’ president of operations in November of ‘20, the ballclub gave him a five-year contract. Hoyer is now entering the final year of his deal with two years of rebuilding and consecutive 83-win seasons behind him.

Asked if he needed clarity from ownership on his contract situation beyond ‘25, Hoyer simply said he viewed next season as “an opportunity” to win.

“There’s always pressure. This is professional sports. That’s part of it,” Hoyer said. “I’m excited about next year and I look at it as an opportunity. I feel pressure, but I feel the pressure I always feel, which is I’m president of the Cubs and this is an exciting opportunity and an exciting time to be in this role. We’re in a really good position.”