Jed Hoyer Speaks: Want a Chance to Get Hot, Kimbrel/Kintzler, Schwarber’s Offense, Maddon, Pressure, More

Well, the Cubs have an enormous four-game series at Wrigley Field against the Cardinals this weekend … and they also have a 3.0-game deficit in the division. Things are tight and (with the way the Brewers have been playing) getting tighter.

It is with that backdrop in mind that I relay to you the thoughts and answers from Cubs GM Jed Hoyer, who jumped on 670 The Score today. I did my best to faithfully paraphrase his quotes in real-time, but we’ll link the full interview as soon as it’s made available later this afternoon. I’s, me’s, we’s, etc. are from Hoyer, with some brackets where helpful to provide context.

  • You make the playoffs in baseball, and anything can happen. That’s what at stake. We want a chance to be that team that gets hot in October …. we want the opportunity to get hot [and burn through the postseason].
  • No, not at all [I do not think the speculation about Joe Maddon’s future has affected the players]. Players are more worried about their own future and [more importantly] they’re focused on the task at hand. They’re good at blocking that stuff out. I think players do a wonderful job at blocking out distractions. They’re practiced at that, because of the nature of the game.
  • I don’t think things like legacies or playoff streaks matter in the moment [to the players in the clubhouse]. Those are things people talk about down the road.
  • Hoyer would not comment on David Ross speculation. (Earlier post here on Maddon, Ross, and the rumors picking up.)
  • We have to check in with Kimbrel today, but he might be activated over the course of the weekend. He really wants to get back and help the team. It is unclear [if Kimbrel will immediately get the 9th]. (Hoyer seemed to suggest that Kimbrel might even have another simulated game, but it was unclear).
  • Kintzler threw a bullpen session yesterday. We’ll see how he comes back in terms of soreness today.
  • Anthony Rizzo and Javy Baez could play through some pain if it came to that, but that’s not something anyone should count on or expect. Injuries are not an excuse/the reason we’re only tied for a Wild Card berth. We have to move on without them.
  • Kyle Schwarber is his most successful when he’s got to left-center field. He’s a tough out all the time right now. When he’s using that off-gap, he’s unbelievably dangerous. We need his bat these next 10 games, with a lot of right-handed pitching coming up:
  • I don’t know [why there have been so many outs on the bases this year]. I think when people say “they’re too loose!” or “they’re too tight!” it’s all just random speculation. There have been a lot of 1 and 2-run losses this season and I think a lot of people blame the bullpen, but it’s really sloppy play and base running is part of that.
  • On Jason McLeod’s lateral job movement:
  • When you’re tied with 10 games left, the balance needs to be more pressure than pleasure. For me this is about pressure. This is about urgency. Certainly our guys know that – that every single game is crucial. At this point it’s about having heightened focus and hopefully playing our best baseball.
  • At any point this season, we have said multiple times this team has never gotten hot for an extended period of time. Milwaukee has done it. The Cardinals have done it. But we haven’t been able to sustain that success. If we can’t do that, then we are going to fall short.
  • written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

    more cubs news

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    Latest News

    Big Ten Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 29

    There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big Ten squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Gonzaga Bulldogs versus the Purdue Boilermakers.How to Bet on Big Ten Games[lasso ref="draftkings-promo-1"...

    SEC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 30

    The Friday postseason college basketball slate includes two games featuring an SEC team in action. Among those games is the Creighton Bluejays playing the Tennessee Volunteers. Here are our recomendations for the best bets on action throughout the conference.How to...

    Big 12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 30

    There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big 12 squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Duke Blue Devils versus the Houston Cougars.How to Bet on Big 12 Games[lasso...

    ACC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 29

    There are two games on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature ACC squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That includes the Duke Blue Devils versus the Houston Cougars.How to Bet on ACC Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best ACC...

    Big East Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 29

    There are three games on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big East squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That includes the Creighton Bluejays versus the Tennessee Volunteers.How to Bet on Big East Games[lasso ref="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"...

    Braves vs. Phillies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Atlanta Braves open their season as -125 favorites in a road matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday at 3:05 PM ET, live on BSSO.Spencer Strider takes the mound for Atlanta while Zack Wheeler is Philadelphia's starter for the...

    Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

    Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

    Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers look to start their season with a win as road favorites (-110) in a season-opening matchup with the New York Mets. First pitch is on Friday at 1:40 PM ET on SNY, live from Citi Field.Freddy Peralta...

    Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Atlanta Braves (0-0) and the Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) match up on Friday at Citizens Bank Park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 3:05 PM ET.The Braves will look to Spencer Strider versus the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs....

    more cubs news