Chicago Cubs: Jed Hoyer to New York unlikely, but it would hurt if it happened

Jed Hoyer’s name has been mentioned as a possibility for the New York Mets’ general manager vacancy. What would it mean for the Chicago Cubs if he left the team?

Would Chicago Cubs general manager and executive vice president Jed Hoyer actually leave the team for a position with a lesser organization?

Tuesday, MLB Network insider and New York Post columnist Joel Sherman reported that there is buzz around Hoyer’s name (among others) for the New York Mets’ general manager vacancy.

"“Cubs GM Jed Hoyer, Indians GM Mike Chernoff and Brewers GM David Stearns all have had buzz around them, but there are questions if any would leave good situations. Of the group, perhaps Stearns — from New York and in his early professional years a Mets front-office employee — would be most interested, but there is strong belief Brewers owner Mark Attanasio would not let him out of his contract to pursue the opportunity.”"

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Hoyer joined the Cubs in 2011 shortly after the team named Theo Epstein president of baseball operations. He previously served as general manager of the San Diego Padres following several seasons in the Boston Red Sox front office.

There is obviously a difference between having buzz around his name and actually joining the Mets front office. Still, one has to wonder how seriously Hoyer would consider leaving the Cubs.

New opportunity might not be a good one

In his time with the Cubs, the team has gone from a bottom-feeder to a perennial playoff and World Series contender. The Mets made the World Series in 2015, of course, beating the Cubs to get there.

Still, the Mets are 63-76 this season after starting 11-1. They surely could be a playoff contender in 2019, though the same can be said for the Cubs.

Of course, the Cubs have advanced to the National League Championship Series three straight years. They have one of the best position player groups in baseball, with majority of the core under long-term team control.

Essentially, it would be rather odd for Hoyer to leave the Cubs for the exact same position with the Mets. It would make more sense if the Mets offered him their president role that Epstein holds with the Cubs.

Better chances could come in future

Even then, though, Hoyer would be leaving a great situation in Chicago. It would be foolish to think he will stay with the Cubs forever, but he surely will receive better job offers as his career progresses.

Sherman is the second baseball insider to mention Hoyer as a possibility for the Mets’ vacancy after Jon Heyman did so in July. In addition to Hoyer, though, Heyman also mentioned scouting director Jason McLeod’s name as a possibility as well.

For what it’s worth, both Hoyer and McLeod are under contract through 2021. The safe bet is that neither of the two leave this offseason. But if one (or two, gulp) did? There is no telling what the Cubs would do.

Epstein is the face of the Cubs’ front office, but Hoyer, McLeod and others are also responsible for the team’s turnaround. Their impact on the team cannot be stated enough, and losing them would be a huge blow to the Cubs on and off the field.

At this point, anything can happen, though one has to think the Mets will find their next general manager elsewhere. Sherman and Heyman’s stories are just reports, right?