👋 Good morning!

I can’t imagine there are many appropriate opportunities to shout “Go Cubs” when visiting the Vatican.

And until I saw video proof yesterday, I’d have assumed the odds of getting a light heckle at the expense of the northsiders from the pope himself were a million to one.

This world is full of incredible surprises.

– Patrick Norton

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• CHGO Bears Pre & Post Shows
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Where: Joe’s on Weed St.

When: October 26th at 10:30 a.m.

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Jed Hoyer Speaks

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer held his year-end press conference on Wednesday morning. Hoyer touched on the Cubs’ free agency plans, including their expected pursuit of Kyle Tucker, and more.

Superstar But He Didn’t Get Far: Dealt to the Cubs in December, Tucker slashed .266/.377/.464 and clubbed 22 home runs in what was ultimately a disappointing season for the outfielder, battling through several injuries and a devastating slump.

Hoyer on Tucker: “Now we’re sort of into free agency, and we’ll be talking to [Tucker’s agent] Casey [Close], and we’ll be having those conversations. Like I said a bunch of times during the season, everyone can use a guy like Kyle Tucker. Everyone gets better by having a player like that, and we’ll certainly be having those conversations.”

On Wednesday, Tucker posted to his Instagram: “Thank you Chicago for riding with us all year long! Y’all’s support was there no matter what and we couldn’t have done it without you.”

After Saturday’s NLDS elimination, Tucker said: “We’ll see what happens. I don’t know what the future is going to hold. But if not, it’s an honor playing with all these guys and I wish everyone the best of luck.”
Club Option: The Cubs will have an opportunity to exercise a club option in Shota Imanaga’s contract that would keep the southpaw starter with the team through 2028 for a total cost of $57.75 million.

However, Imanaga struggled with the longball down the stretch and into the postseason, allowing 23 home runs over his final 14 starts of the year (including playoffs).

Hoyer on Imanaga: “Not only has he produced for us, but he’s just a great teammate and terrific asset to the organization. Obviously, we have decisions to make and discussions. Over the next two or three weeks, we’ll do that, but I’ve got nothing but positive things to say about Shota.”

Since debuting with the Cubs in 2024, Imanaga has a 3.28 ERA in 54 regular-season starts.
Money For…Something, Right? Until the Cubs show a willingness to spend the big bucks for a primo star in free agency, it’s entirely fair to wonder if it’ll ever happen.

Hoyer said: “As far as the budget stuff, we haven’t had those conversations yet. We’ll sit down over the next two or three weeks and go through that. But I’m confident we’re going to have enough money to field a good team.”

Hoyer spoke for several minutes on Wednesday. The reality is we’ve heard it all before.

That’s not necessarily a knock on the executive — the circumstances haven’t changed.

But after a 92-win season that still didn’t yield a return to the top of the NL Central, the club can’t let off the gas now. Hoyer and Cubs, with the backing of chairman Tom Ricketts, have to spend this winter to keep the momentum heading into next summer.

Does that mean re-signing Tucker? Maybe. Could it mean exploring other expensive options in free agency? Absolutely.

Hey, would you look at that — Alex Bregman is opting out of his deal with the Red Sox…

MORE: The CHGO Cubs crew discusses Hoyer’s comments and more

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Blackhawks 8, Blues 3: Aside from the 8:52 p.m. local start time, everything about this game was perfect.

Ilya Mikheyev opened the scoring, Lukas Reichel scored twice, Frank Nazar started a dogpile-scrum after a goal, and Jason Dickinson, Ryan Donato, Tyler Bertuzzi and Ryan Greene added insurance. Just an all-out ass-whoopin’.

It also marked the first time since 1996 that the Blackhawks beat the Blues by at least five goals.

Indefinite Absence: Nick Foligno will be away from the team indefinitely, according to a statement from the team. The statement said the captain would be “taking a brief leave of absence as his daughter undergoes follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease. Nick, nor the Blackhawks, will have any further comment at this time.”

Gold Glove Finalists: Major League Baseball announced finalists for its annual defensive awards on Wednesday. The Cubs have a whopping six candidates.

OF Ian Happ, who’s won three consecutive Gold Glove awards, was nominated again, along with 2B Nico Hoerner, 3B Matt Shaw, OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, C Carson Kelly and LHP Matthew Boyd.