NEWSLETTER
Things got crazy again this afternoon, with the Kyle Tucker rumors going off, more on the Cubs’ efforts to trade Cody Bellinger, the Rule 5 Draft featuring at least one interesting pick for the Cubs, and Garrett Crochet finally getting traded. I am trying to exhale a bit.
So, while I do that, why don’t you take in some quotes from Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, who was probably been QUITE busy today trying to get some deals done.
Indeed, he said his week has mostly been about trade talks:
Hoyer said he's been more active in trade talks than free-agent conversations at these Meetings. "It's trying to figure out ways that we can improve. If we’re going to improve on our position player group in particular, it has to be a notable increase. We’re not just going to move marginally.
— Jordan Bastian (@bastianmlb.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 5:11 PM
he admit it dot gif
There’s no sense hiding any balls at this point, as everyone knows the Cubs have been deep in trade talks this week, and are not likely to do too much in free agency until certain trades come to a resolution one way or another.
Speaking of which, Hoyer talked about where things are with Seiya Suzuki:
Jed Hoyer today on Seiya Suzuki: "I've got a great relationship with both Seiya and (his agent Joel Wolfe). We've had conversations about his role, DHing, all those things, but ultimately, he's a really good player. I expect him to be a Cub."
— Meghan Montemurro (@mmontemurro.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Hoyer said his chat with Suzuki's agent, Joel Wolfe, on Monday night was not a "new" conversation. Just keeping him in the loop. "I expect him to be a Cub," Hoyer said of Suzuki.
— Jordan Bastian (@bastianmlb.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 5:12 PM
Not much else Hoyer could say publicly, since he’s not going to admit to trade talks about Suzuki specifically, and he’s also not going to say in December that Suzuki will definitely be the team’s everyday DH if he isn’t traded. The reality is, too much depends on what happens with Tucker and Bellinger, together with that small possibility that a trade does wind up coming together involving Suzuki.
Speaking of which, Hoyer gets very generically into the outfield trade stuff here, as well as how the season went for the Cubs:
Clearly the Cubs have a deal at the three-yard line right now:
A last bit here on the Cubs as a destination for Japanese players:
We know the Cubs very much want to be a destination for Japanese players, and that is why I do think so much about the Cubs making sure they treat Seiya Suzuki well throughout this trade/DH/whatever process. And, of course, there’s the Roki Sasaki of it all – the Cubs are going to want to put on a very good presentation, just in case they have small shot.
