Chicago Cubs: Less could be more for the Cubs this offseason

Would the Chicago Cubs be better served utilizing available payroll to fill multiple needs or focus on a big-time name like Bryce Harper or Manny Machado?

Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are the main focuses of the current MLB offseason, and whoever gets each one of them is sure to spend a colossal amount. Whether or not the Chicago Cubs get serious on one of these guys remains to be seen.

Harper is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to get a 14-year, $420 million deal, with Machado slotted to get a 13-year, $390 million deal. The Cubs would certainly go over the competitive balance tax limit if they were to sign either one, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the money do it—it’s just a matter of whether it would be cost-effective to do so.

If the Cubs signed one of the marquee free agents, they wouldn’t have much other money to work with to address other concerns on the roster. So if the front office is looking to spread the wealth and remedy more problems, it might be smarter to focus on a few, less expensive free agents.