We’ve still got about six weeks left in the regular season and then another month or so to determine the World Series champ, but the rumor mill cares little for such trifles. With the Cubs just barely keeping their heads above water, talk has already turned to how they’ll load up for what had better be a legitimate run in 2025. Assuming Jed Hoyer is back for the final year of his contract, he’s got no choice but to field a winner next season.
After saying repeatedly that improvement would have to come from within, Hoyer made an aggressive deal with the Rays to lock down third base with Isaac Paredes.