Hoyer, Ross in ‘preliminary talks' on contract extension

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ST. LOUIS — Cubs president Jed Hoyer and manager David Ross have begun talks in the last two weeks on a contract extension that has long been anticipated.

“We’ve had some preliminary talks,” Ross said before Saturday’s game against the Cardinals, a few minutes after discussing the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak he and other team leaders are trying to navigate during the final weekend of the season.

“Honestly, the last thing on my brain right now is myself,” Ross added. “That would be a little bit selfish on my part. I’m focused on the health and well-being of some players and coaches and all the group that’s here and trying to set us up to win this ballgame.

“If I’m meant to get extended, I’ll get extended.”

Five players in the last four days have gone on the “injured list” created for COVID-19 cases, with no injury designation provided by the team. That included pitcher Tommy Nance on Saturday.

Ross has one year left on his original three-year contract.

An extension could be completed quickly as Hoyer looks ahead at a big offseason for his rebuild and makes sure Ross doesn’t go into a 2022 season of transition dealing with regular questions about his lame-duck status.

“I think he’s been fantastic, and I love working with him,” Hoyer said a week earlier. “It’s obviously been a trying year for a lot of reasons, and I think he’s done a really wonderful job these last two months of keeping these guys playing hard. And I think that’s a testament to him and the respect they have for him.

“He’s already an excellent manager, and I think he has a chance to be really special at his job.”

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