Chicago Cubs: This team doesn’t need to add another offensive piece

Contrary to popular belief, the Chicago Cubs don’t need a big-time signing to be in a good position to win it all in 2019. Here’s what you need to know.

The Chicago Cubs offense should be better next season with the team’s developing position player core than if the front office signs an aging veteran whose best days are behind him. Recent signs point to the Cubs sticking with Addison Russell, so they won’t need to make a move to cover themselves in the middle infield.

There has been a lot of focus about the Cubs going after the top free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Or if they didn’t get one of them some thought the Cubs would get someone such as former MVPs Andrew McCutchen or Josh Donaldson to bolster their lineup.

While both Harper and Machado would make an impact on any lineup, either one would come at a gigantic financial cost. Since this offseason began there have been signs that the Cubs don’t have as much money to spend as once thought. If those signs are pointing to the truth then the Cubs can’t afford either one of them. However, there is still hope that the signs of financial limitations are just subterfuge by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer.

McCutchen and Donaldson may still have some good seasons ahead of them. However, as free agents, they are going to get paid a lot more than the players they would potentially replace or take at-bats away from: Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ and Albert Almora. Donaldson already signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves that will pay him 23 million dollars.

Schwarber, Happ and Almora may still improve significantly. McCutchen and Donaldson are both 32. If the Cubs had signed Donaldson, that would have required moving Kris Bryant into the outfield full-time.