Hoyer: Cubs not engaged in any trade talk

CHICAGO -- Trade speculation and rumors and reports are going to be a constant part of the Cubs' situation in the coming months. There is no getting around that reality, especially with so many key players heading into a walk year as Spring Training begins.

President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has been careful not to close any doors in his public comments, because one phone call from a rival executive could change things in a hurry. But on the eve of the Cubs' first spring workout, he tempered expectations that there are any blockbuster deals around the corner.

"We're not currently engaged in any trade talk," Hoyer said via Zoom on Tuesday afternoon. "We haven't been, actually, for a little while now. And so, could someone make that phone call? Yeah, someone could. But I'm not anticipating it."

Hoyer was quickly asked if that means the recent chatter about the Mets talking to the Cubs about Kris Bryant was inaccurate.

"That's what I'm saying," he said.

But the chatter is not going to stop.

As the Cubs start Spring Training and prepare for the season, they cannot escape the fact that the core trio of Bryant, Javier B¨¢ez and Anthony Rizzo is on target for free agency next offseason, as are others. Willson Contreras, another key cog, could follow suit after the 2022 campaign.

In his first offseason as the new leader of the front office, Hoyer has made it no secret that the franchise is in a transitional period. Jon Lester and Kyle Schwarber were among the free-agent departures. Yu Darvish was traded, in part, for a package of very young prospects. The payroll was pared considerably.

"I trust in him and his vision," manager David Ross said via Zoom on Tuesday. "I know he's got a big-picture plan that he envisions, and a clear path. And I just let that kind of take shape."

Barring any contract extensions coming to fruition, the players entering walk years will remain potential trade chips as Hoyer balances 2021 against the future. That could make the Trade Deadline a chance to punch the accelerator on this season with another World Series quest in mind, or a turning point for the franchise as it tries to build the next core.

Hoyer has mentioned multiple times that players in their walk year might benefit from the motivation to perform well with next winter's contract in mind. It is worth noting, then, that the Cubs are also pinning plenty of hope on having key offensive performers -- B¨¢ez and Bryant, in particular -- bounce back after tough 2020 showings.

A strong collective start for the Cubs, fueled by strong comeback performances from their current core, will surely have an impact on the organization's direction at the Trade Deadline.

"That's a pretty important time," Hoyer said. "We're going to have to make decisions, and my hope, certainly, is we're on the 'buy' side of that. But those are the hard decisions that you have to make in this job if we're not playing well."

He added that he trusts Ross can handle the many layers of this situation.

"Rossy's great strength is knowing these players, knowing these guys as people," Hoyer said.

Ross now has a year of managing under his belt -- and during one of the most challenging seasons in MLB history -- and he also has the long, personal history with such players as B¨¢ez, Bryant, Contreras and Rizzo, since he was their teammate and friend before he was their skipper. That should help with any needed communication as the season unfolds and uncertainty about the future possibly looms.

"It's on my radar," Ross added. "I know these guys love to play baseball. I know they love to play for Chicago. I know their heart and their time and their energy is invested in winning, and I'm going to rely on that. And when they need to come in my office and vent, or if I see some type of frustration that might be coming out because of just where the mind gets ahead of what actually we can control, then we'll have those conversations.

"But I really rely on the character of those guys. You're talking about some really quality human beings that have been through some adversity on and off the field in so many different areas. I think this is going to be such a positive for our team, to be honest with you."

Hoyer said transparency in communication will be important in his role, too.

For starters, Hoyer reiterated that he plans on meeting with some players this spring to discuss extensions. Beyond that, he just wants to prioritize communicating more in general. And when it comes to trade rumors, he does not want players to shy away from approaching him with questions.

That was one thing Hoyer and Bryant discussed recently.

"I've told him and others, 'If your name comes up in trade rumors or you're anxious about something, just come and talk to me about it.'" Hoyer said. "'I'll shoot you straight about those things. Yes, this is real. Or no, this is something that's fictitious.' Having an open dialogue.

"I think players understand that this is a business. They understand that they could be traded. They're not naive to those things. I think when you read your name in the paper and everyone starts texting you, and your wife or your friends start wondering, I think that causes a lot of uncertainty.

"And if I can provide some relief from that, I think that's a good thing. So I'd encourage Kris, but I would encourage any of our guys, just to come talk to me and have an open dialogue if they have anxiety about that."