Chicago Cubs News: Winter Meetings begin, pressure on Hoyer, and more

The Major League Baseball Winter Meetings are set to begin today and the focus for the Chicago Cubs appears to be on free-agent shortstop Dansby Swanson. A report from Saturday night emerged that the Cubs are engaged in discussions with Swanson along with the Philadelphia Phillies. There undoubtedly will be pressure on the Cubs' president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer as this week could change the narrative that has plagued the Cubs for the past three offseasons. It is the same pressure that Ken Rosenthal alluded to in his Sunday morning preview of the winter meetings for The Athletic.

"Jed Hoyer, Cubs president of baseball operations After back-to-back losing seasons, the flag flying over Wrigley Field should not be a “W” but a “U.” For urgency. Cubs owner Tom Ricketts arguably should be the focus of this section, just as Steinbrenner is the focus of the Yankees’. But Hoyer, the team’s president of baseball operations, will make the personnel decisions to build the team back up, just as he made the decisions to tear it down. "

- The Athletic

If the Cubs remain on the sidelines at the winter meetings while the four free-agent shortstops in Swanson, Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, and Xander Bogaerts sign elsewhere, then there will need to be serious questioning of the front office regarding the direction that the Major League team is headed.

More Cubs News

The Cubs' National League Central rival, the Pittsburgh Pirates, may soon be bidding farewell to their star center fielder as Brian Reynolds has requested a trade. Reynolds would be a perfect fit for the Cubs regarding their need in center field as well as for offensive improvement. However, it would seem unlikely that the Pirates would want to trade Reynolds within the division.

MLB News

Free agent outfielder Aaron Judge is expected to land a nine-year deal. It seems likely that once Judge decides between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants, the free-agent market will fully open in terms of increased activity.

Free-agent Carlos Rodon may be the next impact pitcher to sign as his market has seen increased activity in the aftermath of Jacob deGrom signing with the Texas Rangers.