Projected 2023 Payroll: Not almost sufficient
Notable Free Brokers: Willson Contreras (pictured above), Drew Smyly
Might they use Aaron Decide?: Absofuckinglutely, however the Ricketts would fear in regards to the harm to the buildings they personal throughout the road.
What might they use aside from Decide: Aside from a change of possession that’s not coming, they may use appearing like the one massive market group within the division. The Cubs ought to lord over this division financially, which implies they need to lord over it within the standings too given what’s already right here.
The Cubbies undoubtedly want a No. 1 starter, particularly contemplating that it’s onerous to know what they may get from Kyle Hendricks now that he missed a big chunk of the top of final season with shoulder issues. And given his repertoire and stuff, regardless that he expertly toed the road on his margin of error, it was nonetheless Wallenda skinny. Justin Steele was a pleasant shock final 12 months, and we assume Marcus Stroman will nonetheless pitch in between the times he’s working errands for Kyrie Irving, however each are mid-rotation guys moderately than the highest. Seeing as how the Ricketts household would deal with any eight- or 10-year deal like its personal private tax hike, a two- or three-year deal for simply some huge cash for a deGrom or Verlander to bridge the hole to no matter creature the Cubs’ overhyped Pitch Lab produces that may take the reins after that would appear to make loads of sense. Or they may package deal a set of their supposedly much-respected prospect group for Shohei Ohtani. As an alternative, they’ll do what they did final 12 months, and possibly signal a man off the B-Listing, or attempt to shroud that cheaper avenue by getting the spicy Japanese import in Kodai Senga who throws 123 MPH but additionally can’t discover the plate.
