Fans seem to believe Cubs are destined to repeat their most frustrating mistake again

Always the bridemaid, never the bride. At least, that's how baseball fans seem to view the Chicago Cubs early in the offseason. In MLB Trade Rumors' free agent prediction contest, the Cubs come up short in their bid to make impact additions time and time again - with two exceptions.

The two players the Cubs were pegged to sign? One of them already returned after accepting the team's $22.05 million qualifying offer in Shota Imanaga. So cross that name off the list. The other? Also a familiar face - right-handed pitcher Brad Keller, who has openly expressed a desire to return to the team after putting together the best year of his career in 2025.

But given the Cubs' need at the top of the rotation - not to mention Kyle Tucker's departure via free agency - one might think Jed Hoyer and the front office would be ready to go big this winter. Until fans see it, though, nobody is buying the idea Chicago is ready to flex its large-market muscle.

Cubs connected to numerous pitchers - but it comes with a caveat

Let's look at some of the names the Cubs at least draw a mention for on the list.

Dylan Cease, according to MLBTR readers, is going to Craig Breslow's Boston Red Sox, which would feel like a particular kick in the teeth to Cubs fans. 20.9 percent said he'd take his talents to Fenway, with the Cubs coming in at 17 percent, followed by the Mets' 13.9 percent.

Sticking in the starting pitcher line, Chicago ranked fourth for Framber Valdez, garnering a paltry 9.8 percent of the vote, trailing the likes of San Francisco (18.7 percent), the Mets (14.2 percent) and Baltimore (10.2 percent). They also finished fourth when it comes to Tatsuya Imai, with the Dodgers winning out handily there - although Imai's comments on Monday make that seem highly unlikely.

The Cubs were narrowly edged out by the Blue Jays for Ranger Suarez (13.2 to 12.7 percent) and weren't found again on the list until we hit MLBTR's #41-ranked free agent, Luke Weaver. But even then, they were nearly doubled up by the Yankees, with fans believing a reunion in the Bronx is the likeliest outcome.

Last, but certainly not least, Los Angeles tops the Cubs for former Rays closer Pete Fairbanks because, well, who doesn't love an offseason where the Dodgers sign one big-name reliever after another all winter long?

The long and short of things is that baseball fans don't see the Chicago Cubs as legitimate players for top-end free agents. And why should they? Tom Ricketts continues to tighten the purse strings year after year, keeping the Cubs on the sidelines when the biggest names are available. Until that changes, there's little reason to believe we'll see the team emerge as winners of an offseason - especially when it comes to free agency.