3 big stories fans are still talking about after last weekend's Cubs Convention

A pretty top-tier sports weekend for me, not gonna lie. Capped by immersing myself in one of the most electric crowd environments I've ever experienced (and trying to not freeze to death) at Soldier Field, the bulk of the weekend was spent downtown at the 2026 Cubs Convention, surrounding by thousands of other die-hards.

Now, with the reunion of the 2016 World Series-winning team, including recent retirees Kyle Hendricks and Anthony Rizzo, and the recent Alex Bregman signing, you knew it would be a crazy event. But with the book closed on the event, here are 3 major storylines that fans are circling back on as the work week wears on.

3 Cubs Convention storylines fans aren't likely to forget soon

Folks have long speculated that one of the unoccupied statue bases alongside the likes of Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, Ron Santo, and Billy Williams would eventually hold a statue dedicated to the 2016 World Series team - perhaps the iconic dogpile after Game 7?

That doesn't appear to be the case, though, with the team announcing it will be building an archway monument in Gallagher Way that will honor not only all the members of the 2016 team, but also the 1907 and 1908 clubs, as well. It's set to be unveiled the weekend of July 17 as part of an in-season celebration of the '16 team (during which Rizzo wants to get the group out in the bleachers, which would be incredible).

The design is not yet finalized and construction is set to take approximately six weeks.

The luxury tax doesn't seem to be a major concern for the Cubs right now

In a dramatic about-face, the Chicago Cubs aren't fretting over the luxury tax this winter. Or, at least, that's the vibe I got from just about every comment last weekend.

Those remarks, paired with a new rumor that says Chicago is still talking with Scott Boras about a potential Zac Gallen deal, is a welcome change of pace for a fanbase that's watched the large-market Cubs operate in a very financially conservative manner in recent years. Fans have been clamoring for Tom Ricketts to pull the levers at his disposal to give Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins more resources to work with and it appears we're finally getting our wish.

That should (at least in theory) also put the ridiculous Nico Hoerner trade rumors to bed - that is, unless there's a GM out there ready to give Hoyer an offer that's so outlandish the Cubs would be foolish to turn it down. But I don't envision that happening with just weeks until teams report to camp.

Carter Hawkins knows how poorly his '2032' comment landed

Remember when Carter Hawkins made this comment after a wildly underwhelming Cubs trade deadline last summer?

“We have a responsibility to the 2025 Cubs but also the 2032 Cubs.”

Yeah, it turns out Hawkins realized pretty quickly he shouldn't have phrased his response that way - and he was asked about it during the front office panel on Saturday morning. He joked that Hoyer called him on it pretty quickly afterwards, and then wound up giving a well thought out answer about the pressures of weighing every season with the long-term health of the organization.

Now, had he tried to tell the fans assembled in the ballroom at the Sheraton that he truly believed every season was sacred and the Cubs hadn't made the moves they made this winter? The reception may have been different. But he stuck the landing and the fanbase is ready to mark the 10-year anniversary of one history-making team with the hopes another incredible season is waiting on deck.