Chicago Cubs: MLBTR predicts landing spots for Top 50 free agents

Chicago Cubs: Another NL team makes a big-time statement

Last offseason, the Philadelphia Phillies made a statement in signing former Chicago Cubs hurler Jake Arrieta to a three-year, $75 million deal with a pair of options on the back end. The move announced to the baseball world: the Phils were back.

And, for a large portion of the season, they hung neck-and-neck with the top teams in the National League East. They headed into the All-Star Break at 53-42, but went into a tailspin in the second half, going 27-40 as the Atlanta Braves surged to the division crown.

But with a young core featuring the likes of Aaron Nola and Maikel Franco, Philadelphia has the pieces to turn the corner. What they’re missing though, is a true impact talent in the middle of the order. Enter Manny Machado.

"Machado, who is represented by Dan Lozano of MVP Sports Group, projects to land a contract similar to that of Harper.  Both players should pass Stanton’s $325MM record.  As for which of the two actually does better, we don’t have a clear answer.  Machado’s suitors could include the Yankees, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, and White Sox."

So, once again, you see the Cubs on the outside looking in. MLBTR predicts Machado to the City of Brotherly Love on a 13-year, $390 million deal. With Machado to Philly and Harper to the Dodgers, where does that leave Chicago?