Cubs Promise to Be “Really Active” in Free Agency

Chicago Cubs in 2018
Chicago Cubs in 2018. Photo by John Fisher/CSM/Shutterstock

The Chicago Cubs cleaned the house during the 2021 MLB season, trading away a number of star and impactful players. This selling spree left the team without long-term solutions on multiple positions, which is something the franchise intends to address by tackling the free-agent market.

The Cubs team president Jed Hoyer spoke about the team’s plans for the future during a press conference on Friday and made a promise that the team will be fully engaged in the free agency in winter.

“We plan to be really active in free agency,” Hoyer said via ESPN. “We plan to spend money intelligently … There’s offseasons when free agency is something you do a little bit of, and obviously, we have to be a little more active than usual to fill out our roster because we have a lot more open spots.”

Hoyer also confirmed that David Ross will keep his job as the manager while adding that the team is hoping to hire a new general manager by November.

The Chicago Cubs were one of the most active teams ahead of the MLB trade deadline, choosing to move on from first baseman Anthony Rizzo, third baseman Kris Bryant, and shortstop Javier Baez, all multiple All-Stars. The trio was heading to free agency, and the Cubs elected to get something in return for their stars instead of letting them walk in free agency.

Chicago also traded away relievers Ryan Tepera and Craig Kimbrel, pitcher Andrew Chafin, and outfielder Jake Marisnick.

While these deals made the Cubs uncompetitive in 2021 and maybe beyond, the franchise managed to inject their farm system with more talent and have something to look forward to in the future.