Cubs Rumors: Team nowhere to be found in the Juan Soto sweepstakes

The Chicago Cubs need a superstar. More importantly, they need an offensive player capable of putting a lineup on its back. Juan Soto checks those boxes. But it doesn't matter.

According to reports, the Cubs are not among the teams that have contacted Soto's camp. The Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Giants and - shockingly - Rays are among his interested suitors at this point. Steve Cohen's Mets look like the strong front-runner, poised to potentially make the 26-year-old outfielder.

Scott Boras says there's no rush - and Soto will take his time to make the right decision for him. The Cubs were never expected to be players at the top of the market and there are no indications Jed Hoyer plans on bucking that trend. Along with Soto, Chicago is not anticipated to be among the teams vying for Corbin Burnes' services either.

The richest free agent deal in franchise history, given to Jason Heyward ahead of the 2016 season (eight years, $184 million) pales in comparison to what Soto could get (in excess of $600 million). The Cubs are one of 12 clubs in the league to never guarantee more than $200 million to a single player. Given the fact the franchise is worth a staggering $5.3 billion after the Ricketts family paid $845 million, the fanbase continues to be frustrated at the front office's approach to big-name players at every turn.

It's nothing short of a slap in the face that a team like the Rays are at least doing their due diligence on Soto while the Cubs fail to even consider the possibility. Coming off back-to-back 83-win seasons and a postseason drought dating back to 2018 (not counting the shortened 2020 campaign), the time to flip the script is now. Instead, it sounds like we're in store for another offseason of improvements around the margins.