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The next three days, we hope, will be filled with some big, positive news about the Cubs making deals or acquisitions to improve the 2020 team.
That statement comes with this big caveat, via Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic:
In any case, a big move or two seems inevitable. The Cubs were one of three teams to exceed the $206 million luxury tax threshold last season and already are $6 million above the $208 million threshold for 2020, according to rosterresource.com.
A reunion with free-agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos? Not a chance, at least for the moment. Club officials are telling representatives of even low-budget free agents that they need to clear money before engaging in serious negotiations.
So a big move or two “seems inevitable,” but only after the Cubs “clear money.” Easier said than done, I’d think. Feels like Theo & Co. are going to be more involved in the trade market than in big-time free agency.
I’ll have more on the Cubs’ current payroll situation coming up at 10:30 a.m. CT. In the meantime, this thread is for Winter Meetings discussion all day. There will be similar threads Tuesday and Wednesday. If the Cubs do make a trade or signing, of course there will be a front-page article on whatever moves they do make.
Have at it!