CHICAGO —
For years, Jed Hoyer has been the architect behind the Chicago Cubs’ slow, methodical rebuild. But on this night, under the lights of Wrigley Field, the tone shifted from patience to power.
After officially signing a multi-year contract extension, the Cubs’ president of baseball operations took the podium — and instead of the usual gratitude-filled remarks, he delivered something far bolder.
“Stability is not enough,” Hoyer said, pausing as the crowd of reporters fell silent. His eyes dropped briefly to the “C” stitched across his chest.
“I want to build an empire.”
Those words rippled through Major League Baseball like an electric shock. The “Cubs Empire,” as he called it, signals a dramatic new phase for a franchise that’s spent years walking the line between rebuilding and contention.
The Architect of a New Era
Hoyer, who succeeded Theo Epstein in 2020, has overseen the Cubs’ transition from the remnants of their 2016 championship core to a roster built on young talent, financial flexibility, and strategic aggression.
Under his watch, the Cubs have rebuilt their farm system into one of the most promising in baseball, while making decisive moves like acquiring Kyle Tucker, developing Pete Crow-Armstrong, and extending Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner.
Now, with his own future secured, Hoyer is turning the page.
“We’ve laid the foundation,” he said. “Now comes the construction. This city deserves a team that doesn’t just win — it dominates.”
A Shift in Philosophy
For years, critics accused the Cubs’ front office of being cautious — waiting for prospects, avoiding blockbuster risks, and missing opportunities in free agency. Hoyer’s new tone makes clear those days are over.
Insiders describe his plan as a “calculated aggression” approach — an effort to combine sustainable development with bold acquisitions. That could mean major free-agent signings, trades for proven stars, or expanded investment in analytics and player performance infrastructure.
“He’s done waiting,” one league executive told The Athletic. “This speech was Hoyer telling everyone: the Cubs are back, and they’re not thinking small anymore.”
The City Reacts
Within hours, social media exploded with the hashtag #CubsEmpire, as fans, players, and even rival GMs weighed in on Hoyer’s remarks.
At Wrigleyville bars, chants of “Empire! Empire!” echoed late into the night. To longtime Cubs fans who endured decades of heartbreak, the statement felt like more than bravado — it was a promise.
The Message to MLB
The Cubs’ next moves will determine whether “Cubs Empire” is a rallying cry or a prophecy. But for the first time since 2016, the franchise’s identity feels unified again — confident, unapologetic, and hungry.
As Hoyer left the podium, he smiled slightly and added one final line:
“Dynasties aren’t given. They’re built. And we’re just getting started.”
