4 big-time free agents who will be too expensive for the Cubs

Let me be clear. If Tom Ricketts so chose, he could land any of this winter's top free agents - regardless of cost. But that's not how this Cubs ownership group runs its franchise.

In his end-of-season comments, Ricketts made it clear that he believes developing prospects is the path to sustained success - not throwing record contracts at free agents. Yes, the team signed Dansby Swanson to a seven-year, $177 million deal last winter, but even that deal paled in comparison to what other shortstops in that free agent class got.

I think it's important to go into the offseason with realistic expectations. With that in mind, here are 4 primetime free agents who could help the Cubs, but will sign elsewhere this offseason.

4 big-time free agents who will be too expensive for the Cubs: #4 - Shohei Ohtani

Just stop it already. Please. For your own sakes. For your mental and emotional well-being. Shohei Ohtani is NOT coming to the Cubs. I don't care that he won't pitch in 2024 and that fact might drop his price tag a bit. It's just not going to happen.

Despite the fact the Cubs were reportedly in the mix for Ohtani the first time around before he made the jump to MLB as a member of the Los Angeles Angels, the landscape has shifted seismically since then. At that point, Ohtani was all about what he might do after coming to the big leagues. Now, it's about him continuing his dominance as the best two-way player the sport has ever seen.

Even as a hitter, Ohtani is elite - capable of singlehandedly transforming an offense. He's going to be the first $400+ million player in baseball history. And for that fact alone, there's zero chance he calls Chicago home for the rest of his career.