Could the Shu014dta Imanaga signing be the first bit of water over a spending dam that’s ready to give way? Though some still believe Jed Hoyer’s patience is a sign of the Cubs’ unwillingness to spend big, a sluggish market for the rest of the top free agents could see prices falling into an acceptable range. It’s never been about not spending, it’s about not spending more than what their model says is worthwhile.
To that end, the Cubs were never going to be in on Cody Bellinger at a quarter-billion dollars and they probably aren’t willing to give Matt Chapman six years.