Chicago Cubs setting fans up for disappointment during offseason

This past offseason was a confusing one for the Chicago Cubs. They had made a series of moves, highlighted by trading Yu Darvish away, that appeared to be highlighted by a desire to shed as much payroll as possible. Add in the Cubs’ disappointing 2021 campaign, and the teardown was complete as it appeared as though the team would enter a rebuilding period.

That may not be the case after all. Cubs’ president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, said that the team will be “really active” in free agency. However, he also gave a caveat that the Cubs plan to spend money “intelligently.”

Jed Hoyer setting Chicago Cubs fans up for disappointment

On the surface, this would seem to be a positive development. The Cubs are looking to get back into the postseason and will spend what they need to in order to get there. That would involve spending the money needed to rebuild their rotation and lineup.

Likewise, the Cubs would have the financial room to make such moves. They have approximately $40 million guaranteed for the upcoming season, which would allow plenty of opportunity to add to their roster. That rebuilding process could be over virtually overnight if the Cubs land several top free agents.

But it is difficult to imagine that such moves would be made. The Cubs have spent nearly a year tearing their roster down, trading players away either to save money or to land prospects that can a part of the roster in 2022. The clear intention was to rebuild.

Maybe ownership has had a change of heart. Maybe having fans in the stands once again has made a difference to the bottom line and the Cubs are ready to spend once more. However, Hoyer saying that the Cubs would spend intelligently may be a signal that they will be rumored to be a part of the conversation with every top free agent but fail to land any of them.

The Chicago Cubs are saying the right things when it comes to the offseason. It remains to be seen if their actions will back up their words.