Blue Jays’ Tyler Rogers deal may signal Pete Fairbanks is too rich for Cubs’ taste

It's beginning to sound like a broken record, but the Chicago Cubs have missed out on another high-leverage relief pitcher. Already whiffing on Ryan Helsley, Devin Williams, and Robert Suarez in recent weeks, the Cubs sat on the sidelines once again as Tyler Rogers inked a 3-year deal worth $37 million with the Toronto Blue Jays. The contract includes a vesting option, which could bring the total value of the deal to $48 million.

While the Cubs have found two opportunistic deals of their own--Phil Maton and Hoby Milner--the overwhelming takeaway from this offseason is that contenders are still willing to pay a premium for high-leverage arms.

With another high-leverage relief pitcher off the board, Cubs might be forced to pivot from final bullpen addition.

There hasn't been a report directly connecting the Cubs to Rogers this offseason. Interest may get reported after the fact in the days ahead, but his deal with the Blue Jays could signal that former Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks is also going to be too rich for the team's taste this offseason. A scenario that The Athletic's Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma hinted at during the latest episode of Northside Territory.

While there's no denying the success Rogers has had as a late-inning setup man, he doesn't have the closing experience that Fairbanks does, and the former Ray is also three years younger. At the bare minimum, it feels like Rogers' deal is the floor of what to expect for Fairbanks, and if that's the case, he almost certainly won't be joining the Cubs this offseason.

Moving off Fairbanks, Kenley Jansen could be someone the Cubs look at. Given his age, turning 39 next September, he likely can be had on a short-term deal. Jansen turned back the clock of sorts with the Los Angeles Angels last season, posting an ERA of 2.59 while tallying 29 saves. Given the volatile nature of relief pitchers, something the Cubs have found out over the last two seasons with aging closers, the North Siders may stay away from the 16-year veteran.

It does feel like the Cubs' needs one more established arm before Jed Hoyer engages in his search of reclamation projections, but the market is quickly drying up.