Cubs' Jed Hoyer Faces Tough Questions After Pitcher Lands on Injured List

The Chicago Cubs (65-47) have maintained a balanced record in the latter half of the season, yet their grip on the NL Central has loosened, allowing the Milwaukee Brewers (68-44) to pull ahead. Despite this, the Cubs still hold a comfortable six-and-a-half game lead in the Wild Card race. If they secure a playoff spot, manager Craig Counsell might encounter challenges due to limited pitching depth. While the team has strengthened key areas like the bullpen and infield, criticism has arisen over president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer's decision at the 2025 trade deadline. The Cubs chose not to part with top prospects for a starting pitcher under long-term contract, such as Joe Ryan or Mitch Keller. Instead, Hoyer acquired right-hander Michael Soroka from the Nationals, a move seen as a gamble by many fans. Concerns grew after Soroka's debut, where he pitched only two innings before leaving with shoulder discomfort and being placed on the 15-day injured list. Given Soroka's history of injuries, this setback raises questions about the trade's risk. Hoyer acknowledged the situation, stating, “Given the market, given the asking price…we felt it was a good bet to make. Right now, ...