After a disappointing playoff exit at the hands of the rival Milwaukee Brewers, the last thing Chicago Cubs fans want to hear is that the team won't be hyper-aggressive this offseason.
Indeed, despite running a $206 million payroll in 2025 that dwarfed all other NL Central participants, the Cubs slashed their roster spending by more than $20 million from 2024, and could engage in similar frugal activities this winter.
That's all because of an impending lockout that is all but sure to take place next December, when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires. ESPN's Jeff Passan cited the primary concern being the owners' desire to implement a salary cap, which he says the players perceive as a "declaration of war.