Cubs Rumors: Team would need to move cash for a mid-tier reliever?

If the latest Cubs rumors are to be believed, the team would need to move money off the payroll to even afford a middle-tier reliever piece this offseason.

You know what we didn’t need on this particular Monday morning? Yet more Cubs rumors, this time from a big-time industry insider indicating the team isn’t just trying to be smart financially – but are financially handicapped when it comes to making any additions via free agency this offseason.

But that’s exactly what we got in the form of Ken Rosenthal’s latest piece (sub required).

"… the Cubs would need to clear money to sign even a modestly priced reliever such as free-agent righty Adam Warren, according to major-league sources."

That just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Now I’ve known – well, maybe know is too strong a term – I’ve felt that Chicago is a long-shot for the likes of Bryce Harper or Manny Machado because of their inherent financial implications. And, as a fan, I could accept that without issue – because we’re talking about generational talents who will likely command generational contracts.

But when you’re telling me the Cubs didn’t bring back Jesse Chavez because they didn’t have the financial muscle to do so? That, to me, is simply unacceptable. (And, for the record, I felt the Cubs were right in not bringing him back – I found it hard to believe he’d put up the same kind of dominant numbers again in 2018).

With five weeks till pitchers and catchers report, the Chicago Cubs have more than one question mark – namely shoring up a relief corps that needs reinforcements and, if nothing else, a shutdown left-handed option.