"As we await meaningful movement across the offseason landscape, we're left with little else to do but guess at the Cubs' strategy. Will they turtle up to survive the labor storm on the horizon, or will they take advantage of other teams' passivity to put themselves firmly in the driver's seat for another playoff run? Maybe it's neither and they'll let the market come to them."
"Yesterday's column laid out the basics of the Cubs' payroll situation, which sees them with around $52.5 million to spend sans penalty. They also have something like $118 million in financial obligations falling off after next season, which effectively means they won't have to worry about repeater penalties if those still exist under the new CBA. Even if their uncertainty about that new deal causes them to remain conservative, it seems obvious that a big pitching addition is a strong possibility."
""I believe that with Shōta coming back, that there is going to be one more significant pitcher added to this list (of potential Cubs starters) between now and Opening Day," Jon Morosi told MLB Network on Tuesday. "Michael King has been on the Cubs' mind. Dylan Cease has been on their mind." Cease is expected to earn north of $25 million annually, with King coming in around $20 million for fewer years."
The Cubs enter the offseason with roughly $52.5 million of available payroll and about $118 million in obligations falling off after next season. Uncertainty around the new CBA could prompt conservative action, but the club still appears positioned to add a significant starting pitcher. Targets mentioned include Dylan Cease and Michael King, with Cease projected to earn over $25 million annually and King nearer $20 million for fewer years. King’s value last season derived largely from his changeup, and questions exist about his walk rate and strikeout profile. Internal offensive improvement is a parallel emphasis.
Read at Cubsinsider
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