Chicago Cubs: One year of Cole Hamels is not worth missing out on Bryce Harper

Chicago Cubs: This team is far from a finished product

The Cubs still have other needs that the front office will look to fill this offseason. The bullpen needs at least some attention. Addison Russell‘s situation may cause the Cubs to do something in the middle infield.

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The team may want a veteran backup catcher. The biggest thing hanging over this offseason is how the offense fell apart at the end of the season and Theo Epstein’s words that they need to shift their focus from talent to production.

However, free agent signings and trades are rarely just about next year. If the Cubs are fortunate enough to sign Bryce Harper or Manny Machado, it will likely be a long multi-year commitment. That player might be under contract longer than anyone else currently on the Cubs’ roster.

So if trying to make the starting rotation a little bit better next season costs the Cubs a chance to add a generational talent, then picking up Hamels’ option was a mistake.

However, I am hopeful that the Cubs plan on exploding past the luxury tax this offseason. Yes, there are gigantic financial implications to take under consideration. However, Ben Zobrist is in the last year of his contract. Hamels’ option is for just one year. Chatwood only has two years left on his contract.

Jon Lester has two guaranteed years plus an option year left on his contract. So perhaps the Cubs go way over the luxury tax for a few years and then find a way to reset their luxury tax penalties.

There is no guarantee that Harper or Machado will sign with the Cubs. But the simple truth is this. Chicago can’t afford this offseason’s additions to perform as poorly as last year’s did. Period.