Offseason reality hits Cubs hard after insider throws cold water on plans

It's been a curious GM Meetings for the Chicago Cubs, as Jed Hoyer stated the team's focus on pitching gives the impression that they may not have learned anything from the struggles of the offense to close out the 2025 season. Not ideal, but separate reports seemed to suggest that the Cubs were, at the very least, entertaining the idea of swimming in the deep waters of free agency.

Given the level of "of course they did" that Cubs fans stay at, regardless of what the team's messaging is, news of the team potentially being more active this offseason led to some cautious optimism. That optimism may be halted with the latest from ESPN Chicago's David Kaplan.

In his latest "Coffee w/Kap" YouTube video, Kaplan reports that he's heard from "very informed people" that the Cubs are not going to be big players in free agency. The intel appears to be derived from the fact that the Cubs aren't looking to do long-term deals this offseason. Kaplan added that the decision is coming from Tom Ricketts, not Jed Hoyer.

The Cubs may be monitoring names at the top of the free-agent market, but actions will determine if they've learned anything.

Given how the Cubs operated at the MLB trade deadline and how they have operated in recent years, it's not going out on a limb to say that the Cubs won't be bidding on the top names of free agency. That should be viewed as the likeliest of all outcomes this offseason. If anything, it would seem that the Cubs are more open to the idea of signing a top name like Framber Valdez or Dylan Cease, if their market stalls, but they certainly won't be the team to set the market.

Taking you behind the fourth wall, this is the point of the story where I would tell you that it doesn't make too much sense getting too worked up over reports of what the Cubs will or won't do. The old tale that there is an entire offseason at their disposal. It's not worth putting too much stock into what is being said in November.

The Cubs, however, don't have the luxury of being afforded the benefit of doubt. Doubt surrounds the Cubs, and it's fair to wonder with the reports before Kaplan's intel if the team is only clearing off space for their next "we tried" trophy.