The Rundown: Hoyer Turns Focus to 2026, Extensions Possible, Horton Fully Healed, Brewers Facing Elimination
“I might rise above, I might go below, ride with the tide and go with the flow.” – Mockingbird by James Taylor & Carly Simon
Coming up with relatable Cubs content is a tough assignment this time of year, but I’m going to do my best. With that in mind, let’s talk about Jed Hoyer’s end-of-season presser. Ol’ Jed uses so many words to say so little. He’d have made a great Mafia soldier, underworld spy, or a man trying to hide an affair with the wife of a close friend, wife of a close friend…
Yeah, I just earwormed you twice with a little Carly. You can send donations to my PayPal account and my personal link is available on Twitter. Post-modern artist Klaus Voormann, who was once close friends with exiled Beatle Stu Sutcliffe, played bass on that Simon ditty. Voormann also sketched the band’s Revolver cover and has a fictional character cameo in the failed HBO series Vinyl as Ernst, played by Carrington Vilmont. That probably means nothing to you, but you can thank me in the comments section if you ever win a free pitcher of beer at your local bar trivia night.
Anyway, back to Hoyer. Have you ever noticed he tends to repeat himself by using different words to say the same thing while voicing his thoughts? Let me give you an example or two, if I may.
“I think my emotion today has been disappointment,” Hoyer said on Wednesday. “Whenever you get into the playoffs, you start moving forward, and you have elimination games — the natural emotion is to think about the last thing that happened. Obviously, that was disappointing.
“As I get away from it, I think my biggest emotion will be pride. I’m really proud of this team. We have a real foundation to keep building from. So obviously, I’m disappointed now. It’d be impossible to not have disappointment from falling short of the ultimate goal. But I am really proud of this group and proud of our season.”
Call me crazy, but player agents might do the “I’m not here” dance when Hoyer rings. Chicago’s president of baseball operations can take advice from Neal Page, as told to Del Griffith in the movie Planes, Trains & Automobiles: “Here’s a good idea: Have a point! It makes it so much more interesting for the listener!”
So yada, yada, yada, the Cubs have their foundation in place, but Hoyer does have work to do. It sounds like Kyle Tucker isn’t returning, so the front office has to replace the right fielder’s offensive production. Because of a potential work stoppage, 2026 could be the last run for Chicago’s current core of Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Seiya Suzuki, and Jameson Taillon. It would behoove Hoyer, therefore, to seek extensions for Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, Cade Horton, and Justin Steele. He can table any extension discussions regarding Matt Shaw until after his sophomore season.
Hoyer also addressed next year’s payroll expectations, but did so like he was Nathan Thurm being grilled by Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes.
“We’ll sit down over the next two or three weeks and go through that, but, yeah, I’m confident that we’re going to have enough money to field a good team,” Hoyer said. “That’s the simplest thing I’ll say. But as far as details, I don’t know yet.”
I can neither confirm nor deny that Chicago’s top executive had one eye on the mirror as he watched himself gavotte.
Cubs News & Notes
- Hoyer said Horton successfully completed his rehab and will rest a little before getting ready for the 2026 season. Horton would have pitched Game 1 of the NLCS had the Cubs advanced.
- Kevin Alcántara had surgery to repair a core muscle injury (sports hernia).
- Hoyer hopes to keep extension talks with his younger players in-house so that they aren’t leaked to the press.
- Chicago’s first order of business once the World Series ends is to add to its rotation depth. I’ll pitch in $50 for any effort to acquire Tarik Skubal.
Ball Four
So Ron Santo and Billy Williams played 164 games in a season that the Cubs did not make the playoffs? Can someone explain why they played two extra games that season?
In 1965, Hall of Famers Billy Williams and Ron Santo — iconic Cubs greats that played more than 2000 games together as teammates — were *both* in the lineup for all 164 of Chicago’s regular season games. And Ernie Banks played 163!!!
They finished in 8th place, 72-90-2. Imagine? https://t.co/MbFH96eyVm pic.twitter.com/2YMc2rrLRY
— Not Gaetti (@notgaetti) October 2, 2025
Central Intelligence
- Milwaukee: A viral video from Tuesday’s Brewers-Dodgers game cost a Milwaukee fan her job as associate general counsel for Manpower. Make-A-Wish Wisconsin also announced that the woman resigned from the charity’s board of directors.
- Chicago: Pope Leo XIV playfully threw some shade at a Cub fan who heckled him while visiting the Vatican.
- Cincinnati: The Reds lost third base coach J.R. House to the Diamondbacks, with whom he’ll have the same position.
- St. Louis: Yadier Molina is returning to the Cardinals as a bench coach under Oliver Marmol, but St. Louis fans want the legendary catcher to replace Marmol.
- Pittsburgh: Ben Cherington made his first official move of the offseason, though it did nothing to impress the Pirates’ playoff-starved fans. Pittsburgh claimed outfielder Will Robertson off of waivers from the White Sox and designated Ryan Kreidler as the corresponding move. It’s early, Pirates Nation. Relax. Have a cream soda or something.
Postseason News & Notes
The Brewers are down 0-3 and will attempt to stave off elimination against Shohei Ohtani, who will take the bump for the Dodgers tonight. Milwaukee hasn’t announced its starter, though it looks like another bullpen game for the Crew.
Max Scherzer led the Blue Jays to an 8-2 win over the Mariners in Game 4 of the ALCS. That series is knotted at two games apiece.
All four teams are playing today, with Toronto and Seattle squaring off in the earlier of the two games.
Friday Stove
Red Sox legend Manny Ramírez is hoping to land a job as a hitting coach this winter with a major league team.
Albert Pujols is not as close to managing the Angels as we once thought, apparently. The Orioles are now interested in hiring the former Cardinals slugger to manage their team.
Meanwhile, the Angels are scheduled to meet with Torii Hunter and Kurt Suzuki to fill their managerial vacancy.
The Phillies are expected to trade or release outfielder/DH Nick Castellanos. Nip it, Cub fans. This is not 2019.
Philadelphia is counting on a bounce-back season in 2026 by Bryce Harper, but president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski isn’t sure if that’s realistic.
Yankees starter Carlos Rodón had a bone spur removed from his pitching elbow and will likely miss Opening Day.
Extra Innings
“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” – Dr. Seuss
Kyle Tucker posted a thank you to Cubs fans.
(via ktuck_30/IG) pic.twitter.com/zps1SoMWZf
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) October 15, 2025
Apropos of Nothing
Jake Arrieta has one home run and three RBI in 13 career postseason at-bats. Christian Yelich has 98 playoff at-bats with two homers and three RBI. Face palm.
Son of Apropos
The music in this edition of The Rundown can be best described as campy, but if you’re looking for a true front-to-backer (an LP where every song is exceptional), may I suggest ‘Til the Medicine Takes by Widespread Panic? They’re playing in Milwaukee this weekend at a venue right across the street from my home, and dang, I wish I could go. Their Halloween shows are legendary.
They Said It
- “Kyle had a good experience here. He certainly enjoyed playing in Chicago. I think that Wrigley and our fans made a huge impact. But, ultimately, Kyle has a big decision. He’s earned the right to not only be a free agent but to be a coveted free agent. I would expect that they would play their cards kind of close to the vest.” – Hoyer
Friday Walk-Up Song
Who’d win in a fair fight? Taylor and Simon or The Captain and Tennille?
