The move the Chicago Cubs made last offseason that aged horribly was trading Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees. Once the Cubs traded for Kyle Tucker, it seemed clear that trading Bellinger would be a means to an end. The end being that the Cubs would find a team to take on Bellinger's contract, and the Cubs would have additional money at their disposal for the 2025 season.
The Yankees were willing to take on Bellinger's contract, and the Cubs saved nearly $30MM as part of that deal. That is why not much attention was paid to the fact that Cody Poteet was the only player the Cubs got back from New York.