How Counsell's hiring affects the Cubs' offseason

CHICAGO -- One of the defining characteristics of Jed Hoyer’s time as the Cubs’ president of baseball operations has been shrewd decision-making. Hoyer has not let sentimentality get in the way of moves that he believes would push the ballclub forward.

The Hoyer-led front office oversaw the dismantling of the previous core group that helped win the 2016 World Series as part of a wave of headline-grabbing trades across the 2021-22 seasons. Now, Hoyer sent shockwaves through the baseball world with the hiring of Craig Counsell to replace David Ross as the Cubs’ manager.

“That's the job. You have to be willing to take risks,” Hoyer told reporters at the GM Meetings on Tuesday in Scottsdale, Ariz. “You have to be willing to make really hard and unpopular decisions. And I have had to make a lot of those decisions.

“And ultimately, what I always try to get to a point of is, if it's a really hard decision and I'm willing to make it, then I feel like that means that I'm doing the right thing for the organization.”

During his session with reporters in Arizona, Hoyer addressed a few questions that the sudden hiring of Counsell presented.

1. Does Counsell’s arrival portend a big offseason of additions for the Cubs?

Hoyer said he spent a lot of time selling Counsell on the core the Cubs have in place, the financial flexibility that the team has right now and the wave of prospect talent waiting in the wings. What Hoyer was not yet ready to promise was that this would be a winter filled with multiple jaw-dropping additions.

“I don't think that [by hiring Counsell] we signal that we're going to have some crazy, aggressive offseason,” Hoyer said. “But certainly, I really like our position. And if there are moves, even big moves, that will help us continue that trajectory, we'll definitely do it. But I don't think it's a signal that, like, somehow we're going to have the biggest and boldest offseason. If we do, it's because things lined up for us.”

2. What does this mean for the Cubs’ coaching staff?

After the season ended, the Cubs announced that bullpen coach Chris Young and game strategy and catching coach Craig Driver were dismissed. With the hiring of Counsell, the Cubs will have to work through the rest of the staff, which is anchored by pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and hitting coach Dustin Kelly. Hoyer said Counsell would have some time to settle into his new role before making those decisions.

“I think we had a really good coaching staff. I'm sure a lot of those guys will be back,” Hoyer said. “But there may be some reshuffling of roles and things like that. Certainly, those are his decisions. Obviously, he's going to ask my opinion, but clearly, given the contract we gave him, you don't make that aggressive move in order to handpick a staff for him.”

3. How did Cubs players react to the news?

After Hoyer went to Florida to deliver the news to Ross in person, Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins took on the responsibility of informing the bulk of the team’s players. Ross was well-respected behind the scenes and still had a former teammate on his roster in Kyle Hendricks.

“Players obviously thought really highly of Rossy, as they should,” Hoyer said. “They've had personal relationships with him. They fought really hard for him. And I think one of his greatest attributes as a manager is the clubhouse was never, ever an issue. And that's because of those relationships. Now, at the same time, obviously, those guys are aware of Counsell's talent and his reputation.”

4. If the Cubs had made the playoffs, would Hoyer still have made this move?

The North Siders were in a strong position to make the playoffs in early September, but then lost 15 of their final 22 games to slip out of contention. Both the D-backs and Marlins overtook Chicago for the final two National League Wild Card spots. Hoyer was asked if the late-season collapse played a role in the managerial change.

“That's a hard question to answer,” Hoyer said. “I think we were the only team that was above average in run prevention and run scoring to not make the playoffs. That does bother me. And that's not on one person -- that's on me and every person in the organization. But it felt like we left wins on a table.”