Cubs have money to spend but Ken Rosenthal still sees a painful gap with Dodgers and Mets

If you do the math, and look at every need the Chicago Cubs have this offseason, it should be an active offseason. Throwing a wrench into those plans is that there's a lockout expected on December 2, and an offseason's worth of activity is expected to be stuffed into these next three weeks and change.

As for the math, the Cubs have nearly $100 million coming off their books this offseason. Even if the Cubs don't want to cross into the luxury tax in 2027, and considering the CBA uncertainty, that does make sense, the Cubs can still make just about any move they desire. It's why they've been getting mentioned as a potential suitor for Tarik Skubal this offseason, but that appears to be the line in the sand for The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Rosenthal was recently on Foul Territory, and confirmed that the Cubs have the money available to be active this offseason, and they should be, but it won't be at the same level of the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Mets.

Cubs may have money but Ken Rosenthal still won't put them with the Dodgers

If we're being honest, that's why it's comical to consider the Cubs an actual suitor for Tarik Skubal. It seems pretty clear that the Dodgers are going to make a sincere effort in bringing Skubal back this offseason. It also seems pretty clear that the Mets are going to top just about any offer the Dodgers have for Skubal. Add this to the reality that a healthy Skubal remains one of the best starting pitchers in baseball, and he's going to get a historic contract this offseason.

Every offseason, it seems that the Cubs are the joke of this charade. There's a free agent available who is a clear fit for what they need, and they have the money available to make it happen. Instead, the bidding goes beyond their comfort level and they sit on their hands. Until the Cubs prove they have the willingness an desire to go to the top of the market for a free agent, it's hard to take them seriously in these conversation.

Eventually, the hope is that the Cubs will eventually prove us wrong. It felt like Alex Bregman's signing last offseason was a step in that direction, but also felt like that was an exception for the front office and not the expectation. Eventually, that expectation will need to be there. Especially since money is the only advantage they have over the Milwaukee Brewers.

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