CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs hired Carter Hawkins as their general manager on Friday, turning to a Cleveland Indians executive to try to jump-start their own player development system.
Hawkins, 37, has served 14 seasons with Cleveland, including the last five as an assistant general manager. He also oversaw the team’s player development department.
Chicago has struggled for its prospective pitchers to consolidate in the majors, something Cleveland has shone at.
The Indians selected Shane bieber in the fourth round of the 2016 amateur draft and the right-hander won the American League Cy Young Award last year. Aaron Civale, a third-round draft pick in 2016, was 12-5 with a 3.84 ERA in 21 starts this season. Zach Plesac and Triston McKenzie they have also stood out.
The Cubs plan to formally introduce Hawkins as the franchise’s 16th general manager at a news conference Monday.
“I’m excited to bring Carter into our organization,” Cubs president of athletic operations Jed Hoyer said in a statement. “He has earned a fantastic reputation as a leader through hard work, an open mind, humility and intelligence. I enjoyed getting to know him throughout the interview process, and it quickly became clear that we shared the same passion for team building. “
Hoyer had been looking for a general manager since he was promoted to the top job almost a year ago, replacing Theo Epstein. Hoyer stopped the search after the process was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hoyer and Hawkins will look to rebuild the Cubs after finishing the season 71-91, the worst in the franchise since they closed 66-96 in 2013. They had had six positive seasons before collapsing this year. They detached themselves from their stars Javier Baez, Kris bryant and Anthony Rizzo through exchanges in July.
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