Chicago Cubs could play it safe and shock nobody this offseason

Everyone expects the Chicago Cubs to steal headlines this offseason. But, there’s a significant difference between a ‘busy’ winter and a ‘blockbuster’ one.

Next week here at FanSided, we kick off our ‘Faux Winter Meetings.’ The site experts from the respective 30 big-league teams all play GM for a few days and most of us end up looking dumb a couple years from now. Those who don’t usually avoid making star-studded deals.

Could the Chicago Cubs pursue such an avenue this offseason?

We’ve heard from the front office themselves: the Cubs will be busy this winter, looking to reload for another run at a title in 2018. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to break the bank overpaying for guys and blowing the long-term plan to pieces.

Instead, what if the team played it smart and simply shored up the club’s weaknesses? Added a few bullpen pieces and added the necessary starters to piece the rotation back together? Let’s explore how such a course of action could look.

(Beware: it’s not the sexiest plan you’ll read about. But it just might work).