Chicago Cubs: I’m not buying the latest Nicholas Castellanos rumors

Despite a report that surfaced this weekend, Nicholas Castellanos returning to the Cubs in 2020 seems like, at best, a far-fetched long shot.

If, somehow, Nicholas Castellanos returns to the Chicago Cubs next season, I’ll be the first person on MLB.com buying a jersey. No, really. For the first time since the team’s World Series run, a player showed up every day with a fire and passion that was contagious. Granted, the season didn’t end the way we’d all hoped – but Castellanos was everything we hoped he’d be and then some.

So, naturally, as I’m sitting on the couch last night binging every Star Wars movie ahead of Thursday’s release of Rise of Skywalker enjoying some beverages, I came across the report from ESPN 1000’s Mike Murphy. Said report indicated the Cubs had agreed in principle to a deal with the outfielder – but we’re simply in the process of sorting out the financials to make it happen.

I’m sorry, what?

During last week’s Winter Meetings, we heard about how Chicago couldn’t even negotiate with lower-tier free agents due to their financial constraints. Now, we’re talking about adding one of the youngest and most potent bats on the market? I’m sorry, that doesn’t add up. It doesn’t even come close to adding up, really.