Chicago Cubs in Buying Mode—GM: "If you're in a pennant race, you try to buy!!"

 When the season began, it was generally thought that the Chicago Cubs would be sellers at this year's trade deadline, with a trio of big-name impending free agents in Javy Baez, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo.  

Oh how the times have changed. A 30-game stretch as the 3rd best team in baseball, and a lofty position sitting atop the NL Central division will do that to a team. Now, the Cubs are looking to be buyers, with team president Jed Hoyer claiming “If you’re in a pennant race, you try to get better and you try to buy!" 

"We’re gonna keep playing well, I believe, and we’ll add to this team."https://t.co/70DFPZBqyI

— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) June 18, 2021

Jed Hoyer on adding at the trade deadline:

“The way we’re playing right now has been excellent, I certainly expect us to continue to play well and to be on the buy-side as we get closer to the deadline.”

Via @WaddleandSilvy on ESPN 1000.

— Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) June 17, 2021

"Obviously we're not going to stand pat. We want to add to this team," said Hoyer, who confirmed that starting pitching is their most pressing need (whatever happened to that guy Yu Darvish?.... Oh, wait....). "It'll be a really busy six weeks."

Rumors about a possible sell on Craig Kimbrel by the deadline don't seem very realistic, given their current contender status, and Hoyer's comments. When asked about the source that dropped that rumor, manager David Ross remarked "Let’s just hope that person’s not working in the front office.”

From the sounds of it, the most important of those front office people, Jed Hoyer, is not that person. 

Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports