It is not every day that two front-office veterans, once side by side in a baseball think tank, find themselves steering competitor teams toward a collision course. The stakes are higher, the laughs sharper, and the texts—well, they are borderline legendary. Yet, behind all the friendly laughs, there is a thread of competitiveness laced with history. As the Detroit Tigers prepare to welcome a surging NL powerhouse, President Scott Harris has something to say, and his focus is squarely on his old boss, Jed Hoyer.

Ahead of thrilling Tigers-Cubs battle, Harris lightheartedly roasted Hoyer and said, “Sometimes it feels like he treats me as if I still work for him, which I do not. I am actually two stops beyond working for him at this point.” While this may sound funny, this is more than friendly fire—it is a full-circle moment for the two leaders whose teams are currently targeting the October spotlight.

Just a year ago, Hoyer and Harris were exchanging texts as underdogs. After dropping two of three to the Cubs last August, the Tigers were 62-66, still buried behind the AL Central pack. The Cubs were not faring much better at 63-65. However, then something changed. Harris’s team pulled off a wild 24-10 run by upsetting the Houston Astros in the Wild Card round and almost made it to the ALCS. And just like that, the Cubs’ playoff hopes crumbled quietly. Harris had made vital deadline sell-offs and still came out grinning. Meanwhile, Hoyer had nothing but time to watch his protégé shine.

Fast forward to today, and both franchises are leading their respective conferences. The Tigers (41-23) own the AL’s best record. The Cubs (39-23) are not far behind in the NL. So yes, maybe the rage texts will start flying. “He is gonna be rage texting me during the games,” Harris told of The Athletic. “I don’t know that I’m going to respond.” Hoyer laughed it off: “I love it. I’m such a ‘rage texter.” But do not let the jokes fool you, these guys are made for winning.

Harris’ Tigers have come a long way since he took control in 2022. Back in February, PECOTA forecast them to finish fourth in their division this season. But instead, they are thriving. They are second in the AL in runs scored, top 10 in pitching, and full of homegrown talent. From Tarik Skubal’s dominance to Javy Báez’s unexpected resurgence in center field, Detroit is playing loose, aggressive baseball. “This is a really fun team to watch, and it’s a team that is just scratching the surface,” Harris said.

Much of that praise goes to Harris’s early Cubs days, when he joined at just 25 and shared an office with Hoyer and Theo Epstein. He was submerged in the rebuild blueprint, losing 96 games before riding with the bullpen’s bus down Michigan Ave for a World Series parade. “I had two of the best mentors anyone could ask for,” Harris said. “I learned about leadership and how to build a whole organization, as opposed to just a major-league team.” That experience is bone-dry in every move Detroit makes nowadays.

For now, Hoyer’s vision is finally coming to fruition. The Cubs’ mix of vets and rising talents, such as Pete Crow-Armstrong (whom they got for Báez, ironically), has made them an evolving threat. There is clear mutual respect here, but also a quiet competitiveness. “It wasn’t that Scott was just learning from us,” Hoyer reflected. “He was contributing a ton as well. He’s super curious… [and] he’s combined what he’s learned at an exceptional level.”

Even now, their connections go deeper. Detroit manager A.J. Hinch is one of Hoyer’s close friends. Tigers GM Jeff Greenberg? Another former Cubs executive. Heck, their current media guy came from Chicago. It is a reunion wrapped in a rivalry. “You don’t spend that much time with people over a 10-year period and you develop real friendship,” Hoyer said. “Watching their success at the end of last year and this year, they deserve all the credit.”

But do not assume that Harris will let go of his competitiveness because of old relations. He is watching the Cubs closely and still providing playful heat. “Tell him I’ll get him a signed Javy jersey if he comes,” he joked. Who knows? If the teams keep this up, the next meeting between the leaders will not be in June. It could be in October, with a World Series trophy on the line.

Building on the fierce front-office rivalry and shared drive for success, Hoyer’s focus shifted from friendly crosstalk to the hard realities of contending in 2025.

Cubs eye crucial pitching reinforcement to cement their playoff push at the trade deadline

Despite boasting a strong offense, the Cubs’ pitching staff has been tested to its limits this season. After the loss of starting pitcher Justin Steele for the season and with Shota Imanaga sidelined due to injury, the team has been forced to depend on a thin rotation. Remarkably, they have still managed to go 12-3 over the last 15 games, including an effective 8-3 win over the Nationals. This was highlighted by clutch performances like Dansby Swanson’s sacrifice fly. Such resilience highlights the team’s grit, however, it also underscores the quick need for fresh stars.

Jed Hoyer’s openness about looking for depth “where we can find it” highlights the team’s strategies at the upcoming trade deadline. The management is expected to focus on gaining a reliable starting pitcher alongside one or two high-leverage relievers. Such signings would not just fill the gaps but also complement the team’s dynamic offense, currently powering the Cubs’ place atop the NL Central. With a top-tier farm system backing the Cubs, the team is well-placed to make effective moves, establishing the stage for a serious World Series run as the upcoming month’s trade talks approach.

As the two teams continue their heated rivalry atop their leagues, the friendly jab between Harris and Hoyer adds a fascinating layer to this season’s playoff push. They know that success comes down to smart moves, specifically for the Cubs’ crucial pitching needs. With the trade deadline coming soon, fans should expect fireworks on and off the field.

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