The Cubs are confronting significant questions about their direction after general manager Jed Hoyer's offseason plans fell short again. Even with superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong firmly entrenched in the lineup, the team has not yet proven they have a deep run in them.
The postseason exposed weaknesses. In the Wild Card Series, Crow-Armstrong went 0 for 7 with one walk, scoring no runs and driving in none while striking out four times. Meanwhile, Nico Hoerner had moments of success—breaking up a no-hit bid and singling to load the bases in the ninth—but the late-game opportunity came too late to alter the outcome.
What comes next for Chicago remains unclear from available reporting. The organization will need to determine how to build around its young star and whether additional moves are necessary to construct a contender.