Kazuma Okamoto's deal with the Blue Jays has major implications for the Cubs

After watching Tatsuya Imai and Munetaka Murakami fall well shy of projections in their respective deals with the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox, Kazuma Okamoto netted out right in line with what the industry expected him to get, signing a four-year, $60 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays this weekend.

The Chicago Cubs had been mentioned earlier in the offseason as a potential fit for Okamoto, but they were never singled out as a particularly likely destination for the 29-year-old infielder. The same logic that made Okamoto make sense for the Cubs can also be applied to two of the biggest remaining free agents: Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman.

Toronto has been flexing its muscle this winter - and with Okamoto in tow, are sitting north of $300 million in luxury tax payroll. They've been connected to all of the big-name position players still available, including Bregman, Bichette and former Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker. You can't completely close the door on one of those big infielders joining the reigning AL champs, but after the Okamoto signing, it feels decidedly less likely.

Does that mean the Cubs' odds just improved? I don't know that I'd go that far because, frankly, Hoyer has never shown the willingness or ability to secure a top-of-the-market free agent and, until that changes, I'm not holding my breath.

Does anyone think the Cubs will sign Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette?

I would say it seems highly likely the Boston Red Sox land either Bregman or Bichette. They've made an 'aggressive offer' to the former, looking to reunite with the veteran infielder and two-time World Series champion. The Red Sox loved what he did not only on the diamond, but in the clubhouse, and a reunion seems to be the industry-wide expectation right now.

Bichette's market, though, is far more complicated. Yes, he could return to Toronto, where he spent the first seven years of his MLB career - but the fit is imperfect. Others connected to him include the Cubs, Phillies, Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox. If the Jays pursue Tucker, you can firmly rule them out on Bichette - and he could wait to see how Bregman's market plays out before signing to improve his leverage.

Chicago hasn't made any sort of notable splash this winter. They lost Tucker after one year and appear very unlikely to re-sign him, barring his market totally collapsing and him settling for a short-term, high-AAV deal. They like Bregman and Bichette, sure, but with limited payroll flexibility (based on recent spending levels) it's hard to envision Hoyer capitalizing on the situation.