Chicago Cubs pressured to now focus on free agent bat, “no excuse” for coming up short

The Chicago Cubs finally made a splash this offseason by trading for right-handed starter Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins.

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The 27-year-old is widely regarded as someone on the verge of a breakthrough to next-level success and he’s also under team control until 2028, at a projected price of $3.75 million after arbitration. Giving up top prospect Owen Caissie, no. 11 prospect Cristian Hernandez, and another young talent is a steep price to pay for three years of Cabrera, but for a team so close to winning now, picking up immediate impact players must be a priority.

But now, with the big trade in the rear view mirror, thoughts turn to the immediate future. Specifically, the team’s need for a big bat to replace the outgoing Kyle Tucker.

The Cubs must turn to offense now

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Acquiring a legit, high-upside rotation piece for less than $4 million per season is a big deal. It also, however, spotlights the need for the Cubs to spend in pursuit of their next roster need.

According to Fangraphs’ projected payroll estimates, Chicago is currently $32 million under the luxury tax threshold for the 2026 season. The team also has very little money on the books beyond 2026. There’s no reason to NOT spend on a quality bat, beyond an ownership decision to prioritize saving money over winning games.

Sam Olbur of the Locked on Cubs podcast put it succinctly during Wednesday’s show:

“I just don’t want them to miss out or do anything now for financial reasons…Jed [Hoyer] did his job. He got the starting pitcher at a cheap price. Now it’s time for ownership to do theirs.”

Big-ticket free agents in the Cubs’ orbit

Still on the free agent board are Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, Cody Bellinger, and Kyle Tucker– all legit impact-level talents who could fit in nicely with a Cub plan to make a run at a championship. They are affordable assets, as well, given the Cubs’ balance sheet. Unfortunately, they are also sought-after free agents, courted by teams with a much more extensive history of spending big money on top talent.

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal laid out the situation in black and white in a recent piece for The Athletic:

“If recent history is any indication, the Cubs aren’t a good bet to outbid the other large-market teams linked to one or more of those players – the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.

But when the game of free-agent musical chairs ends – and trust us it will, well before the first beer is sold at Wrigley Field – the Cubs will have no excuse to be caught empty-handed.

In a sport that conducts free agency without a deadline, teams love to play the, ‘let’s see if his price drops’ game with elite talents, angling for shorter commitments, even if they require the inclusion of opt-outs. Bellinger, lacking better options, accepted that kind of deal from the Cubs in 2024.

This time, the Cubs cannot get cute.”

Operating outside their comfort zone

There are arguments to be made, for and against all of the above free agent position players. Bregman’s age (32) and his desire for a long-term contract is an issue. Bichette’s positional fit in the Cubs roster is a question mark, given that he’s been a shortstop his entire career and would be asked to play a brand new position (third base) if he came to Chicago. Bellinger is a former Cub who was salary-dumped in a trade last offseason for less money than what he’s expecting on an extended deal this offseason. Tucker, meanwhile, is banking on a monster long-term contract after a shaky end to his run as a Cub in 2025.

No matter who is signed of that group of four, the Cubs will have to operate outside of their comfort zone, both in terms of money and logistics. But a big bet is needed for a big haul.

Shying away from a move to fortify an inconsistent offense already due to lose a key component of the lineup in Tucker would be tantamount to throwing in the towel and relying on crossed fingers and wishful thinking to get them through 2026. Cubs ownership needs to step up and grab the last piece of the puzzle.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-alex-bregman-bo-bichette-kyle-tucker-cody-bellinger-free-agents