Chicago Cubs: Winter dealings off to fast start for free agent pitchers

With David Price and Jordan Zimmerman already off the market, the Chicago Cubs ‘pickings’ have become fewer. Is the team still poised for a big offseason? Yes, but not in the way you might have thought.

Much of the news surrounding the Chicago Cubs to start this offseason was how they were “favorites” to land some of the top free agent arms on the market. Within a few days, two of the top names are already off the market. And rumors are that Zack Greinke doesn’t have Chicago on his final cut list. Does this mean the Cubs won’t have the big offseason many had hoped for? Not at all, but it’s likely to happen in a different manner that most expected.

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Missing out on Price wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, and also should have been expected. While the team is slowly gaining revenue, its payroll isn’t one that can be increased freely this season. While there is money to spend, the Cubs aren’t going to go out and ‘win the offseason’ by spending more than everyone else. There are plenty of other ways for the team to accomplish its goals.

While much of the focus has been on which free agents the team will spend money on, we can’t forget about the arbitration-eligible players. The Cubs have nine of them, and it’s not unrealistic to think that all nine could be tendered deals. Several of them are all but guaranteed while a few could be toss-ups. But this is another reason the team must tread carefully this offseason.

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘What does the Price signing mean for the Cubs offseason?’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Red Sox agree to deal with David Price’ – Bosox Injection

‘Money issues could keep the club from signing big names’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Epstein to give arbitration-eligible players a raise?’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Bonds being considered for Marlins hitting coach position’ – ESPN

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