Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer isn’t mincing words when previewing what’s shaping up to be a pivotal offseason for his club.

During this week’s MLB GM Meetings in Las Vegas, Hoyer spoke with the media and gave fans a pretty clear picture of how the organization plans to approach free agency.

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the departure of outfielder Kyle Tucker isn’t Chicago’s top concern. Nor is finding a one-for-one replacement for him in the lineup.

The Cubs are prioritizing pitching over hitting, and if there’s one area they’re preparing to make a splash, it’s the starting rotation.

“That’s going to be our focus,” Hoyer said during the GM Meetings about adding arms. “I expect to explore trades. I expect to explore free agency — both at the top of the market, but also looking at Minor League free agency.”

“We have a lot of position players, so our biggest focus this offseason will be bolstering the rotation and bullpen,” Hoyer also told Robert Murray of FanSided.

In the weeks leading up to free agency, I speculated that a reunion with Kyle Schwarber would make a lot of sense — giving the Cubs a middle-of-the-order bat for a fraction of what it would’ve cost to re-sign Tucker.

I also floated the idea of exploring a trade for Ketel Marte, the Diamondbacks’ superstar second baseman. Reports about Arizona’s willingness to move him have been conflicting, but Marte’s skill set would fit Chicago’s roster perfectly.

Cubs Fans Want a Splash. Why Not Ketel Marte? Cubs fans want a big move this offseason — and Ketel Marte might be the perfect answer. His versatility, contract control, and offensive profile could turn Chicago from playoff contender to World Series threat.

At this point, though, it’s becoming more clear that neither move is likely to happen.

Instead, look for the Cubs to pursue a frontline starting pitcher in free agency. Chicago is expected to be in the mix for names like Dylan Cease, Tatsuya Imai, and Framber Valdez.

The return of Justin Steele should also give a big boost to a rotation that wore down late in 2025.

At some point, all the mock signings and trade rumors have to take a backseat to what the president of baseball operations says outright — and Hoyer couldn’t have been more direct.

The Cubs might still add a complementary bat, but it sounds like the organization wants to clear a path for players like Matt Shaw, Owen Caissie, and Moises Ballesteros to get regular at-bats in 2026.

That’s a gamble — one that only pays off if those young hitters perform. But Chicago has made it clear they’re prioritizing sustainability this time around: building a controllable rotation and avoiding unnecessary roster blocks for their emerging core.

It might not be the flashiest offseason plan, but it’s the one the Cubs are signaling. So buckle up, Cubs fans — because this winter, the focus is firmly on pitching.