And no surprise, the busy New York Yankees are looming, looking to boost a ballclub getting more formidable by the day.
Pitching is always at a premium, and the Chicago Cubs completed two-year contracts for reliever Brandon Morrow and pitcher Drew Smyly, expected to miss next season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Morrow's deal includes a 2020 club option that could become guaranteed depending on his performance. Smyly's contract is worth $10 million.
The Yankees made another trade, too. Nothing close to magnitude of getting NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton from Miami, but nonetheless a deal that could help them very soon.