The Cubs' season is over, and the future is uncertain. Jed Hoyer's end-of-season press conference offered some clues, but one thing's for sure: it wasn't all about Kyle Tucker. Let's dive into five key takeaways that go beyond the Tucker drama, and see what they mean for the team's future. Buckle up, because some of these points are sure to spark debate!
1. Shota Imanaga's Option: The Easy Call Isn't So Easy Anymore.
Remember when picking up Shota Imanaga’s three-year option seemed like a no-brainer? Fast forward to the end of the season, and suddenly, it's not such a slam dunk. A few months ago, saying no would have seemed ridiculous. But after his performance in the latter half of the season, the decision has become much more nuanced. Here’s the deal: the Cubs have to decide whether to commit to Imanaga for three years at $57.5 million, or let him test free agency. It's a high-stakes gamble!
Hoyer himself acknowledged the shift in perspective. "When we signed Shota, if you’d shown us his production over the last two years, we would have taken that in a heartbeat,” he stated. "So not only has he produced for us, but he’s just a great teammate and terrific asset to the organization. Obviously we have decisions to make and discussions to (have). Over the next two or three weeks we’ll do that, but I’ve got nothing but positive things to say about Shota.”
On the surface, Imanaga's overall numbers are solid: a 3.28 ERA with a 23.1% strikeout rate and a 4.3% walk rate over 318 big-league innings. With pitching depth always at a premium, why hesitate? Well, the Cubs operate within a budget and prioritize value. Is a pitcher entering his age-32 season truly worth nearly $20 million per year for the next three?
And this is the part most people miss... Imanaga's struggles down the stretch are hard to ignore. He surrendered 20 home runs and posted a concerning 5.17 ERA in his final 12 starts. Zooming out, his season-long stats also raise questions. He allowed 31 home runs, tying for fourth-most in the league. His fastball velocity dipped, possibly related to a hamstring injury, and his strikeout rate fell by 4.5 percentage points to 20.6%. Meanwhile, his hard-hit and barrel rates climbed.
While Imanaga probably isn’t the ace-level starter he appeared to be at times in 2024, he's unlikely to be as bad as he looked at his worst. The Cubs undeniably need starting pitching, regardless of Imanaga's future. He's comfortable in Chicago and enjoys working with the coaching staff. He wants to stay, and the organization wants him back. But the million-dollar question (literally!) is: at what price? This decision could significantly impact the Cubs' financial flexibility moving forward.
2. Playoff Performance: Don't Let a Few Games Cloud Your Judgment.
Hoyer stressed the importance of not overreacting to the Cubs' playoff performance, particularly their offensive struggles. "I think overly focusing on what just happened in eight games, it can be really difficult,” he cautioned. “I think you can sort of draw potentially some good conclusions, but I also think you can make some real mistakes by emphasizing that recency.” In other words, don't let a small sample size distort your overall evaluation of the team.
Yes, the Cubs' offense faltered in the postseason. But does that erase the successes they achieved during the regular season? Absolutely not! Consider this: outside of a couple of exceptional teams, most offenses struggled mightily in the playoffs. The Cubs, despite their struggles, were actually in the top tier in terms of OPS. However, their strikeout rate skyrocketed, a stark contrast to their regular-season performance. As Hoyer pointed out, that's often what happens when you face elite pitching.
Of course, there's always room for improvement. And if Tucker departs, the Cubs will need to address a significant void in their lineup. But Hoyer's message is clear: don't make knee-jerk decisions based solely on a handful of playoff games. A more holistic approach is necessary.
3. Craig Counsell's Bullpen Mastery: More Than Just a Managerial Hire.
Here's a controversial take! Counsell wasn't hired primarily for his bullpen management skills. But here's where it gets controversial... Hoyer was clearly impressed with how Counsell utilized his relievers. "I thought Craig had a terrific year,” Hoyer said. “In particular, one thing I would focus on, I just thought his use of the bullpen was excellent. He did a really good job not pushing those guys too hard. And that’s a difficult thing to do. We play a lot of close games, we’re in a lot of games.”
One common criticism of former manager David Ross was his tendency to overuse his best relievers, leading to fatigue and diminished performance later in the season. This arguably contributed to the Cubs' late-season collapse in 2023. Counsell, on the other hand, adopted a more strategic approach. He ensured that relievers weren't forced into action when unavailable, regardless of the game's score. While he had a core group of trusted arms, he avoided overworking them. The highest usage came from Caleb Thielbar, who was only tied for 47th in baseball in appearances.
"He didn’t push those guys too hard,” Hoyer reiterated. “I think that takes real experience to know the length of season. You’re trying to win every game, but you’re not trying to win every game at all costs. And I think that’s a really difficult thing to do.” This careful management likely played a role in the bullpen's overall effectiveness throughout the season.
4. Wrigley Field's Playoff Atmosphere: The Fans Delivered!
The tired stereotype of Wrigley Field as just a party spot was completely shattered during the playoffs. The fans brought an unmatched energy and passion to every game, creating an electric atmosphere that fueled the team.
"I did feel like our crowds in the playoffs were unbelievably impressive,” Hoyer raved. “It didn’t come out of nowhere. It felt like a natural build of the way the season was. Going back to April and May, ‘Wow, these are unbelievable crowds,’ and people were really into it. Against the Padres and the two home games we had here (against Milwaukee), it was pretty amazing.”
From the thunderous "Fred-dy!" chants to the deafening cheers after every out, Wrigley Field was rocking. The fans literally shook the century-old ballpark with their enthusiasm. Players repeatedly commented on the incredible energy, something Hoyer said he rarely heard in the past.
Wrigley Field will always be a popular destination, but the fans proved just how special it can be when there's a winning team on the field. Despite losing two home games due to the season-opening series in Japan, the Cubs drew nearly 3 million fans overall and an impressive 203,599 over five playoff games. The atmosphere was truly unforgettable, leaving everyone wanting more.
5. Stability Among the Coaching Staff: Don't Expect a Major Shakeup.
Good news for the coaching staff: barring promotions elsewhere, everyone has been invited back. Bench coach Ryan Flaherty is reportedly drawing interest from other teams for managerial positions. But Hoyer indicated that he's happy with the current group and doesn't anticipate any major changes.
"I expect that people are gonna get asked permission on for various jobs as they should,” Hoyer said. “You never want to lose anyone, but you also want people to be able to continue to advance and we may not have those roles available. Everyone’s gonna be asked back. They know that.”
Cubs fans can also breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the team won't be conducting another seemingly annual search for a hitting coach. Both Counsell and Hoyer expressed satisfaction with the coaching staff's performance this year, praising their preparation and diligence.
"I thought they were really well prepared,” Hoyer said. “And we have a really diligent player group, so I think the combination of those two things was really good. But just every day knowing that they’re trying to find the little edges that may win a game. Whether that’s a baserunning thing, whether that’s a tip on a pitcher or any of those things that you’re looking for, I thought those guys the whole year they never slowed down in doing that.”
So, there you have it: five key takeaways from Jed Hoyer's end-of-season press conference that go beyond the Kyle Tucker situation. What do you think of the Imanaga decision? Do you agree with Hoyer's assessment of the playoff performance and the coaching staff? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Do you think the Cubs should prioritize long-term value over short-term gains, even if it means potentially losing a valuable player like Imanaga? Or should they be more aggressive in pursuing talent, even if it comes at a higher cost?
