Latest Cubs MLB Pipeline rankings signal endgame for Jed Hoyer’s rebuild

The latest Top 100 rankings from MLB Pipeline bring a mixed bag of emotions for the Chicago Cubs. On the one hand, they now have an impressive six players inside the top 75 best prospects list. On the other, all of these players have reached the Triple-A level and will be vying for big-league callups as Jed Hoyer heads into his contract year.

Below is where MLB Pipeline ranks the Cubs' best prospects on their new top 100 list.

No. 25: IF Matt Shaw

No. 31: RHP Cade Horton

No. 36: OF Owen Caissie

No. 44: C/1B Moises Ballesteros

No. 60: 2B James Triantos

No. 74: OF Kevin Alcantara

This top-heavy farm system is a testament to where the Chicago Cubs are in terms of competing. We are now three years removed from the 2021 fire sale, where Hoyer shipped out the team's star players who were playing on expiring contracts. Although Hoyer never really referred to it as such, those deadline trades effectively sparked a rebuild for the Chicago Cubs that is now nearing its end.

The prospects acquired or developed over the last three years are now either in the big leagues - Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks - or looking to get called up very soon like the names above. This makes 2025 a vital season for the Cubs' organization, where failing to at least make the playoffs is not really an option.

Is Jed Hoyer's time with the Cubs almost over?

With Hoyer heading into the final year of his five-year contract extension, all eyes will be on how the front office operates this winter. This offseason should be a hunt for meaningful additions to the big-league roster. Several of the top prospects listed above could/should be shipped off for pieces that the Cubs need, like a starting catcher, a legitimate closer, a proven power hitter, a lefty reliever and maybe another starting pitcher.

The positions that can't be improved via trade should be addressed in free agency, where the Cubs will have at least $28 million coming off their payroll between the salaries of Kyle Hendricks and Drew Smyly. However they do it, the Cubs need to build a contender this offseason because time is running out for Hoyer. I don't see the reason for keeping him around if he kicks the can and sets the team up for another disappointing season.