5 free agents who absolutely will not sign with the Chicago Cubs

Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw will want no part of a rebuilding Cubs team

I’ve said it too many times to count and I’ll say it again. The Chicago Cubs will focus their entire offseason around their dire need for starting pitching.

But that does not mean they’re about to shell out tens of millions of dollars a year to aging veterans like Clayton Kershaw or Max Scherzer. Prior to the news of Justin Verlander’s return to Houston on what essentially amounts to a two-year, $50 million deal, I’d have lumped him in this same bucket.

These guys are magnificent – all likely future Hall of Famers. But they’re in the twilight of their respective careers and aren’t about to subject themselves to playing for a rebuilding Cubs team in their final years. It’s just not going to happen. Now, you might say, “Well, Chicago could overpay and make it happen.” No. Not even then.

There are countless teams who will be in the hunt for these guys – most of whom will prove far more enticing to guys looking to make a last World Series run or two than the North Siders. So, again, yes, the Cubs need pitching. No, the reinforcements aren’t coming in the form of a future Cooperstown-bound ace.