New report claims Cubs target might've ruled out Chicago in free agency chase

The top end of the starting pitching market remains deep, with Dylan Cease representing really the only major name to sign so far this winter. That should mean the Chicago Cubs will come away with a big name - but that's far from a foregone conclusion.

One day after Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe (subscription required) singled out the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees as the top competitors for free-agent starter Michael King, Jacob Zanolla of Cubs Insider chimed in, saying 'financial constraints' could prevent Chicago from signing the right-hander.

King, 30, is coming off an injury-shortened 2025 campaign, but is drawing stronger-than-expected interest on the open market. After all, he's just one year removed from a breakout 2024 showing in which he finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting and punched out 201 batters in 173 2/3 innings en route to a 2.95 ERA.

As expected, Zanolla's post on X got Cubs fans hot and bothered in a hurry, with the majority of comments aimed at team owner Tom Ricketts and his ever-expanding Wrigleyville real estate empire standing in stark contrast to the team's conservative spending habits in recent years.

Cubs fans are ready to be disappointed by Tom Ricketts once again

It's too soon to issue judgment on the offseason. It's not even Christmas yet and there's still two months until pitchers and catchers report to camp. It's completely fair to have deep-seated apprehension that the team will ever act like the large-market behemoth it is. In fact, you'd be a fool to not be skeptical given how ownership and the front office has approached roster-building.

Believe it or not, there is a way where 'financial constraints' on King could make sense - if those dollars were earmarked for Alex Bregman, who continues to be connected to the Cubs in rumors. Paying Bregman, then packaging up prospects and making a deal for someone like MacKenzie Gore, Joe Ryan or Edward Cabrera would quickly silence the doubters and re-position the Cubs and how they're viewed throughout the league.

But another offseason of improving around the margins and focusing on bounceback candidates while clinging to some story of 'financial constraints', especially coming off the team's first playoff appearance of the decade and five postseason games at Wrigley Field would be unforgiveable to many - and, at this point, I can't say I'd blame those folks in the slightest.