At the Cubs training facility this morning, resplendent with the team’s iconic logo, Jed Hoyer stepped up to the podium after signing a multi-year contract extension with the Chicago Cubs — a move that was seen as a nod to a long-term development. But what people remember is not the signature, but the way he talked about the future.
“I don’t want a stable team. I want to build an empire that people are afraid to talk about,” Hoyer said, as camera flashes lit up the auditorium.
The announcement was a blast in an already quiet atmosphere after a tumultuous season. The Cubs had just edged the Padres 3–1 to advance to the NL Division Series, but many experts still believe the team lacks the depth to compete for a championship. Hoyer seems to understand that better than anyone — and that’s why today’s speech was not just a message, but a challenge.
According to Reuters, Hoyer’s new contract is for “multi-year periods” and includes performance-based bonuses, which are said to be the largest in the organization’s history. But what’s notable is his response: no talk of money, no talk of power. “I don’t need security. I need motivation to make people believe that the Cubs can win not just once, but many times.”
In the conference room, reporters described Hoyer’s face as “tense as a string,” far from his usual calm demeanor. He mentioned names like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner — pieces he called “the foundation of the future,” while hinting at the possibility of “going crazy” in the upcoming transfer window.
“He told us straight up: if you want to change the status of the team, you have to be willing to take risks,” said an anonymous member of the Cubs executive team. “Next season, the Cubs will no longer be a team waiting for opportunities – they will be a team creating opportunities.”
Cubs fans, accustomed to the image of a team “building gradually,” suddenly sensed something else: boldness. On social media, the hashtag #EmpireInChicago (Empire in Chicago) suddenly became a trend within hours of the press conference.
Still, many experts warned about the pressure Hoyer had just put on himself. “When you talk about an empire, you have to be ready for all eyes. The question is no longer whether the Cubs will improve, but whether they can win now?” – sports writer Tom Verducci commented on MLB Network.
And Hoyer? He just smiled when asked about his personal goals after the new contract:
“I didn’t sign to settle down. I signed to fight. I want to see the championship flag fly over Wrigley Field one more time — and I won’t stop until it happens.”
In the chilly Chicago fall, that declaration lit a fire in the city — where the faith of Cubs fans, tested for decades, was once again rekindled.
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