PHILADELPHIA – Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stood next to manager Craig Counsell a little ways up the third baseline, chatting as batting practice neared its end at Citizens Bank Park before a three-game series between the Cubs and Phillies.
It was far from their first conversation of the day. They’d sat together in meetings just that afternoon. But the pair has a lot to talk about this time of year. With their team officially eliminated from playoff contention, they’re both wrapping up this season – evaluating the team top to bottom and conducting exit interviews – and charting their path forward.