After the MLB Draft takes place starting June 3, just under two weeks from now, it’s possible the Cubs will go after Craig Kimbrel, which would make them even heavier favorites in a crowded NL Central race. Much of the reason the Cubs, and other teams, might get more serious about Kimbrel at that point is that the draft pick compensation tied to him will have expired.
You can imagine how the Cubs might be more willing to pony up that money they supposedly don’t have, and not just because of the reduced hit to their player-development strategy.