Cubs News: Jed Hoyer's trade deadline priority, Cubs Convention, Theo Epstein

Adding pitching has been the focus for the Chicago Cubs throughout the entire 2026 season. With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, the expectation is that the Cubs will make multiple trades to address the needs along their pitching staff.

While Daniel Palencia's setback has led to an uptick in speculation that the Cubs could prioritize adding a reliever at the deadline instead of a starting pitcher, a quote from Jed Hoyer over the weekend made it clear what the priority may be.

One Jed Hoyer quote may reveal the Cubs true 2026 trade deadline intention

“Don’t get me wrong, Craig likes ‘out-getters,’” Hoyer told reporters. “He also likes not burning through the bullpen all the time. It’s important to be able to give him some stability. Getting 18 or even 21 outs in a game makes the next game a lot easier. (We’re not) acting as though innings for a starter don’t matter at all. It has a cascading impact that is real.”

To be clear, Hoyer made these comments after he was aware of Palencia's setback. In other words, Palencia's timeline shift likely has changed the approach.

While adding an established closer is the simplest way for the Cubs to improve their bullpen before the deadline, adding a starting pitcher capable of going into the seventh inning each time they take the mound is another way.

Cubs Convention is an overlooked consequence surfacing from MLB Labor Dispute

While this past weekend at Wrigley Field felt like a Cubs Convention lite, considering celebrations surrounding the 2016 World Series team, USA Today's Bob Nightengale snuck in a looming casualty of MLB's current labor dispute on Sunday.

Nightengale reported that the Cubs are already planning for there not being a Cubs Convention this winter due to the impending work stoppage. If December 1 arrives without a new CBA, and the owners lock the players out, teams are unable to have any communication with players on their 40-man roster. In other words, it would be difficult for the Cubs to host the annual convention under those circumstances.

Theo Epstein doesn't sound like someone chasing general manager and front office openings

Former Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein was among those partaking in the festivities over the weekend, and it allowed The Athletic's Patrick Mooney to ask Epstein if he had any interest in returning to a top front office role in baseball.

The indication is that chapter of Epstein's career is now behind him. A minority owner of the Boston Red Sox, Epstein talked about the balance he has found in his life. Epstein's name has routinely come up when there's been high-profile openings across baseball in recent years, and while thay may still happen moving forward, it doesn't sound like the former Cubs executive will be all that interested in them.

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