“If you look at our current lineup, our current depth chart, where are we most likely to be able to improve? It’s going to be on the pitching side. That’s where the most opportunity is.”
— Carter Hawkins, Chicago Cubs General Manager
As the Chicago Cubs gear up for a pivotal offseason ahead of the 2026 season, General Manager Carter Hawkins has made it clear where the team’s focus will lie: pitching. With the expected departure of Kyle Tucker, the Cubs’ offense will undoubtedly take a hit, but Hawkins believes the biggest area for improvement lies on the mound.
Speaking at the recent general manager meetings in Las Vegas, Hawkins outlined the team’s offseason strategy. While he acknowledged the possibility of adding a top-tier position player, he emphasized that pitching will be the primary focus.
“If you look at our current lineup, our current depth chart, where are we most likely to be able to improve? It’s going to be on the pitching side. That’s where the most opportunity is,” Hawkins stated. “It’s not that we wouldn’t acquire an awesome position player or be active on the position-player market in different ways. But it’s just most likely that it’s going to be in the pitching space where we find things that make us better for the cost that we’re looking to be paying at that time.”
The Cubs already boast a solid core of position players, including a strong outfield with Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki, and a dependable middle infield duo of Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner. Additionally, slugger Michael Busch is expected to anchor first base for the foreseeable future. But despite their offensive strength, pitching remains the area where the Cubs are looking to make the most significant strides.
The Cubs have an opportunity to bolster their rotation and bullpen, as the free-agent market is filled with high-quality pitchers this winter. Additionally, with the possibility of making trades, as demonstrated by their bold acquisition of Tucker last year, the Cubs’ front office is ready to be aggressive in acquiring the right arms to make them more competitive.
As the offseason progresses and spring training approaches, Cubs fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Hawkins, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, and the rest of the front office execute their vision. With pitching as their primary target, the Cubs could make significant strides toward becoming a championship contender in 2026.
“We’ve got to be better, plain and simple. There’s no excuse for where we are right now. We need to hold ourselves accountable and make the necessary changes, because this isn’t acceptable.”
— Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres Forward
Buffalo Sabres fans, brace yourselves: change is coming. After yet another brutal defeat — a 5-2 loss to Utah followed by a 6-2 drubbing by the Colorado Avalanche — it’s clear that this team is nowhere near the contender they were supposed to be this season. And for fans who’ve waited 14 years for a playoff spot, the latest string of losses is a hard pill to swallow. With Buffalo’s record now at a dismal
Sabres in Crisis Mode: A Season on the Brink
The loss to the Avalanche capped off a disastrous five-game losing streak, with
The truth is, the Sabres have been in this situation for far too long. The fans are fed up, and even the players are starting to admit what’s been painfully obvious:
The End of the Line for Adams and Ruff?
At this point, there is no denying that accountability must fall on both
As Tuch stated, “There’s no excuse for where we are right now.” The Sabres have been left behind in a rapidly advancing NHL, and with another playoff-less season on the horizon, it’s time for ownership to act.
The Roster Shake-Up: Who’s Safe and Who’s Not?
But it’s not just the front office and coaching staff that needs to change. With this current Sabres team showing no signs of getting it together, nearly
The Sabres need to shed their past — and that means moving out players who aren’t contributing to the rebuild. It’s a painful reality, but every player needs to be held accountable
for this team’s continued failure. It’s no longer about potential or promises — it’s about delivering results, and if you’re not part of the solution, you’ll be part of the problem.
Buffalo’s Road to Redemption: How to Fix the Sabres?
So, what now for Buffalo? The road to redemption starts with tough decisions. Kevyn Adams will need to make bold moves to reshape the roster, bringing in fresh talent to bolster the lineup. The Sabres’ defense needs a complete overhaul, and the goaltending situation is looking more desperate by the day. The team can no longer afford to let mediocrity slip by — it’s time to build a
This won’t be an easy fix, but with the right moves, Buffalo could finally start to dig itself out of this hole. The fans deserve a competitive team, and the Sabres owe it to themselves to deliver.
Can the Sabres Turn It Around?
There’s no sugar-coating it — the Sabres’ current path is not sustainable. Another year of misery for Buffalo fans will simply not do. As the Sabres face the harsh reality of their worst season in recent memory, one thing is clear:
The time for change is now — and for the first time in years, it feels like the Sabres have no choice but to start fresh.