Cubs spending strategy fits MLB's latest CBA proposal a little too well

Major League Baseball leaked it's latest CBA proposal late last week, and the details include a revamped free agency process that mirrors what the Chicago Cubs have preferred in recent years.

Before we dive into the details, it feels important to call out what MLB is doing with these leaks. For the most part, it's strategic. The "proposals" MLB has floated out there in recent weeks have universally been met with the same reaction: there's no chance the players will go for it.

Rather than negotiating in earnest behind the scenes, with actual hope that a new CBA can be ratified before December, MLB is clearly trying to create wedge between the fans and the MLBPA. Essentially, they are painting the MLBPA as the villains in this story.

Nonetheless, it's worth pointing out that the latest proposal does match the philosophy the Cubs' front office has had under Jed Hoyer.

There's other details in this proposal, including the league-minimum being raised based on service time. If we're being completely honest, the idea of the retaining team for a free agent holding some incentive isn't a terrible concept, and one that is executed in the NBA. That being said, a scenario where contracts are capped after six years feels like too much money for the players to leave on the table. Especially when recent players at the top of the free-agent market have trended toward long-term deals beyond seven years.

MLB's latest CBA proposal would be great for the Cubs, which is part of the problem.

Given where the Cubs are with their payroll after the 2026 season, there shouldn't be great impact to their operation once there is a new CBA. That said, in a scenario where there's limitations in free agency like the ones MLB is suggesting, that would be a victory for the front office.

It's become clear Hoyer and Co. want to stay away from long-term deals. Between the money involved, and finding value, those deals go against most of Hoyer's ideologies. It's why the Cubs were never thought to be serious suitor for Kyle Tucker, Shohei Ohtani, or Juan Soto when each of them were free agents.

Along those lines, this proposal would finally give the Cubs a fighter's chance for the players at the top of the market. Of course, that's where the problem lies with the offer. Considering where contracts have been trending, a free agent maxing out a deal at six years feels like too much of a potential loss for the MLBPA to ever get on board with.

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