This tweet perfectly encapsulates how fed up fans are with the Cubs' approach

A drastic overreaction to the front office's number-crunching misstep that led to the Chicago Cubs narrowly pushing past the first CBT threshold or something more?

Regardless, the wide-held belief throughout the industry is the Chicago Cubs have no interest in seriously pursuing top free agents - and some believe they're instead focusing on shedding salary, despite falling short of the postseason yet again in 2024.

From the onset, it felt like Jed Hoyer and the front office were willing Cody Bellinger to opt out of his player option for next season - which would, in the process, save the team around $30 million. Instead, he's back in the fold and Hoyer is scouring the market, desperately looking for a team willing to take on the former MVP.

Projections show the Cubs - even with Bellinger's hefty price tag - more than $50 million below the first competitive balance tax threshold. That makes looking to dump his contract an even more indefensible move for a franchise that continues to pinch pennies despite being worth billions of dollars.

Even if you're not shopping at the top of the free agent market - a stance that, while disappointing, was widely expected given Tom Ricketts' track record as Cubs owner - looking actually to shed payroll in a division up for grabs is a head-scratching direction. There are clear needs on this roster: adding to the starting rotation and the bullpen, shoring things up behind the plate and finding an impact bat. But all signs point to this team again focusing around the margins and hoping the same familiar faces outperform expectations in 2025.

Nobody is taking on Bellinger's contract and giving Chicago something of real value in return. It's either going to be a diminished return, either in the form of a fringe prospect or the Cubs kicking in money, or a straight swap of bad contracts. But even if Hoyer can't find any takers - this is a franchise that has the resources to sign solid players, take on dollars and improve the on-field product.

Doing anything to the contrary is unacceptable - end of story.