Cubs GM Hoyer indicates team will be active in winter meetings
The Chicago Cubs have kicked the tires on most free agents available this offseason, but the team has yet to show any indication that they are ready to sign any on the market thus far.
That, however, is about to change with the start of the MLB winter meetings in Nashville, according to Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer.
"Over the next two weeks, there will be a lot of activity," Hoyer told ESPN 1000 in Chicago Monday. "I expect as the market picks up, we'll be part of that market."
Hoyer, along with Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, have stated often that Chicago will be very active this offseason, but have yet to show any indication on which players they are targeting. Hoyer on Monday said both the Cubs trade and free agency markets where 'developing.'
It is speculated the Cubs are weighing whether they should go after one big-name free agent or 'spread the wealth' with funds to address various team needs -- the greatest needs being starting pitching and centerfield.
"Those are the philosophical questions we've all been having over the last couple of months," Hoyer said. "There's good with both. Elite players can change a team."
The Cubs have made a few minor transactions this offseason, signing and picking up several relievers, the big move many anticipated has yet to surface. Hoyer stressed the minor moves are just as important as the big-name signing.
"Depth is underrated, especially in the winter," he said. "Everyone will write out lineups in the offseason and they don't focus on bench, they don't focus on the bullpen, they don't focus on guys in Triple-A that are going up and down. Over the course of six months, those are the little moves that make a huge difference."
Winter meetings are on the horizon for MLB in Nashville, with four days of all 30 teams representatives and many players' agents roaming in one spot, expect some action on the Hot Stove, according to Hoyer.
"You have to stay nimble and know things will come at you that you might not have expected," Hoyer said. "Some team will throw an idea at us that we never thought about."
Even though the fast-paced action of the winter meetings will quicken the progress of the offseason for the Cubs, the team is sticking to the plan of finding talent to improve the 97-win club of 2015.
"Both those markets are still developing, I think moves will start to happen this week and next week," Hoyer said about the trade and free agent markets. "Being prepared for Nashville is the most important thing. I'm sure it's going to be a fascinating week."
