Jed Hoyer gets brutally honest about Kyle Tucker’s impact on the 2025 club.

The Chicago Cubs enter the 2025 MLB offseason with president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer offering a rough assessment of the club’s 2025 campaign and what lies ahead. Speaking at the annual GM meetings in Las Vegas, Hoyer didn’t shy away from linking the Cubs’ offensive success directly to the impact Kyle Tuckerwhose performance defined the ups and downs of their season.

In a report from FanSided’s Robert Murray covering early offseason discussions, Hoyer’s remarks about Tucker stood out for their honesty and clarity. His assessment of the star outfielder’s impact left little doubt as to how much his performance contributed to the team’s success.

“When we were at our best, he was at our best. We had a great offense the first half of the season. Kyle led the offense. It wasn’t an accident. While he struggled, we struggled a little bit. That’s the nature of it. We have a great player who gets on base at a great clip and drives in runs. It doesn’t make a big difference. It’s not a big difference.

Hoyer’s remarks echoed what much of baseball saw during the year 2025 — when the 28-year-old hitter was shut down, the Cubs’ offense followed suit. Tucker hit .266 with 133 hits, 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 91 runs scored in 136 games, providing steady production that anchored Chicago’s lineup. His performance was central to the Cubs’ 92-70 record and postseason berth. Still, Hoyer stressed that while Tucker’s value is undeniable, the organization’s top priority this MLB offseason remains strengthening the pitching staff.

The Cubs plan to bolster their rotation and August after relying heavily on the squad for much of 2025, with the goal of building more consistency in all phases of the game. Still, Hoyer’s remarks made it clear that talks with Tucker’s camp remain active and positive. His openness reflected both a respect for Tucker’s influence and an acknowledgment that the team’s offensive rhythm often starts with his bat.

As the organization looks to 2026, the message is clear. The Cubs must either retain or replace fading outfield production, improve their pitching depth and preserve the balance that has made them competitive. It’s a calculated path shaped by Hoyer’s honesty about the star that drives their success.