Latest MLB prediction would signal the end of Jed Hoyer's tenure with the Cubs

Entering the final year of his contract as the Chicago Cubs' President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer did not speak with much urgency when talking about the team's offseason plans last week.

Hoyer remains obsessed with the Cubs' current players outperforming their current expectations, a feat that the Cubs haven't collectively accomplished since Hoyer replaced Theo Epstein after the 2020 season. It's the main reason why the Cubs haven't reached the postseason since Epstein left the organization.

The lack of postseason appearances under Hoyer's front office is the reason why he is entering 2025 without a contract extension. In fact, if Hoyer's Cubs don't reach the postseason in 2025, that likely would be the perfect reason for Tom Ricketts to make front office changes. There isn't a scenario where Ricketts would fire Hoyer, but five years without a postseason appearance would be the reason to simply not renew his contract.

That is why if Bleacher Report's latest prediction becomes true, the Cubs will have front office changes after the 2025 season. In predicting the next time each non-postseason team would make it to October baseball, it was not 2025 for the Cubs but rather, 2026.

The offense is lacking in star power, especially after Cody Bellinger took a step backward from his resurgent 2023 campaign, while the starting rotation needs at least one more quality arm and the bullpen might be a complete teardown and rebuild.

They have plenty of talent, but it doesn't add up to a playoff contender at the moment.

For as troubling as Bleacher Report's prediction may be, there isn't a reason to believe they are wrong. Despite the possibility of Bellinger leaving, the Cubs may be inclined to lean on internal solutions. Despite the bullpen failing the Cubs at the start of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, they remain committed to their current approach.

As long as there is no dramatic change from Hoyer's approach, there is not a reason to believe the Cubs will reach the postseason in 2025. If that is the case, a new front office will be taking over the Cubs next October.