The Chicago Cubs end their home schedule Sunday with hope that the rebuild will turn the corner in 2023. It's in Jed Hoyer's and Tom Ricketts' hands now.
After the end of the 2014 Chicago Cubs season, Theo Epstein spoke optimistically about the upcoming offseason.“Knowing the money will be there changes the lens in which you view every transaction,” said Epstein, then the president of baseball operations.
The Cubs had cleared about $41 million off the payroll after their third straight last-place finish in the National League Central, and Epstein and business operations president Crane Kenney were addressing a group of season ticket holders at the Oriental Theater.on a six-year, $155 million deal that turned out to be arguably the best signing in team history. They turned the corner in the rebuild in 2015, making it to the National League Championship Series and winning the World Series one year later. Once again the Cubs are voicing optimism and promising to spend money in the offseason, though this time it’s Jed Hoyer making the big decisions. Whether the Cubs are close to turning the corner in the rebuild that can’t be called a rebuild is a question that can’t be answered until we see what moves Hoyer makes and whether the current group can build on its strong finish in 2022. Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward, right, is hugged in the dugout after being honored during a game against the Reds on Saturday at Wrigley Field. Heyward, who has been with the Cubs since 2016, will be leaving the team after the season. Manager David Ross said before Saturday’s 2-1 win against the Cincinnati Reds that he was excited about the team’s growth and work ethic, though he cautioned they’re still a ways off from where they need to be. “Those are good signs,” he said. “We’ll continue to grow. We’ve got a long way to go to get better, to competing for a World Series, but these guys are on a mission to do that.” The Cubs extended their winning streak to six games and have taken 10 of their last 11. Seiya Suzuki’s solo home run in the seventh was the winning blast, and Adbert Alzolay and Wade Miley combined for five hitless innings of relief.[Don't miss] Willson Contreras — back with the Chicago Cubs for what might be his final homestand — says his goal in free agency is ‘to be somewhere that I’m wanted’The Cubs end their home schedule Sunday at Wrigley Field, which likely will be the last chance for fans to say one final goodbye to catcher Willson Contreras, the only remaining active player from the 2016 champions.who was told last month that he’ll be let go after the season. After a highlight package of Heyward aired on the video boards, the outfielder stepped out of the dugout to a standing ovation and flashed his World Series ring. Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward, shows off his World Series ring while being honored during the team's game against the Reds on Saturday at Wrigley Field. Most of the 2016 Cubs have had their farewells, and after this season the only one left will be pitcher Kyle Hendricks. Heyward said Thursday that when he signed in 2015, some former teammates told him: “It’s the goat, brother. You ain’t gonna beat the goat.”