MLB insider has a terrifying report on Chicago Cubs' future spending

The trade for Kyle Tucker this offseason has seemingly pushed the chips toward the middle of the table for the Chicago Cubs' chances of contending in 2025.

While the trade for Tucker has been a move universally praised by most throughout Major League Baseball, there remains some question with what the Cubs' plan is. To the outside observer, the Cubs acquired Tucker but traded Cody Bellinger in the days after, so how is that a sign of a team truly trying to content in 2025?

It remains likely that the Cubs will use the money saved by trading Bellinger on the 2025 roster but until the fallout moves are completed, Cubs fans will need to get through the exercises that some writers are doing when talking about the team.

An exercise is certainly what Jesse Rogers' latest for ESPN can described as. Talking with "industry observers" and rival executives, Rogers tried to outline the what the plan is for the Cubs moving forward. It's an extensive piece and while not to discredit Rogers, it feels like something that would have been better once there was a complete picture of the Cubs' offseason. Having said that, there was one tidbit that should be concerning.

"The bottom line is more of a concern than ever, with some industry observers believing the Cubs won't sign a megadeal for a player before the next labor agreement is negotiated with the players after the 2026 season," Rogers wrote.

The current collective bargaining agreement expires following the 2026 and the expectation is that the negotiations will be tense. With there being rumors of the MLB Owners wanting to install a salary cap as one of the main talking points for the next CBA, payroll structures could look very different for Major League Baseball teams after 2026.

Not a bright outlook on the Chicago Cubs' future spending.

When examining the potential for Kyle Tucker contract, we've mentioned how the Cubs have under $50MM in payroll obligations for the 2027 season. While that could be seen as the Cubs having plenty of room to sign Tucker next season, taking Rogers' report into account, it now looks as if the front office is preparing for the implications of the next CBA.

If that's the case, the Cubs better hope that their farm system produces Major League stars. Otherwise, with a refusal to sign a player to megadeal, the Cubs will continue to sit on the sidelines as the rest of Major League Baseball passes them by.