What will the Cubs focus on as free agency finally resumes?

The day has arrived. At long last – after 99 days – the MLB lockout is over, a new CBA is in place and the months-long transaction freeze has lifted. Which means players will be reporting to camp on Friday and Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is about to feel like the father of a newborn given the lack of sleep he’s likely to get in coming days.

It feels like forever since Chicago’s last major move – the surprise signing of Marcus Stroman that came right before the lockout hit. Stroman and veteran Wade Miley mark two rotation upgrades we saw early in the offseason – and it remains to be seen whether or not Hoyer will look for more reinforcements in the staff. I’d wager he does – but it’ll be on a smaller scale, with reclamation guys or arms looking for one-year prove-it pacts.

On the position player side of the equation, the Cubs added outfielders Michael Hermosillo, Clint Frazier and Harold Ramirez – but the main addition here came in the form of veteran backstop Yan Gomes, who signed a two-year, $13 million deal with a team option for 2024. Should Willson Contreras remain with the team, Gomes will give him a badly-needed backup option, hopefully allowing the two-time All-Star some time off throughout the year.

So now that we’ve crossed off that very high level recap of most of the team’s major additions prior to the sport going into hibernation, it’s time to ask the question we’ve been seeking an answer for since Dec. 1: what’s next for Hoyer and the new-look Cubs?