Over the last week, it's felt like the Chicago Cubs have lost some distance in the sweepstakes for free-agent starting pitcher Michael King, who is drawing strong interest from a trio of American League East teams in the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees.
The offseason has been defined by the Cubs identifying potential targets only for the bidding to extend beyond their comfort zone. Rather than adapt and remain in the conversation, the Cubs bow out. That was the case for their interest in Dylan Cease before he signed a $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, and King's bidding may have reached a similar outcome.