Still time for the Cubs to get a lot better
There's time to do it, but it sure doesn't seem like there's the will to do it


The Cubs left the winter meetings with a pair of moves that were applauded—well, at least golf clapped at—by “experts” and the fanbase. They signed former Dodgers MVP Cody Bellinger with the hopes that he’ll finally get healthy and play more like he did when he was one of the best players in baseball from 2017 through 2019.
They also added a big piece (6’5, 230) to their rotation with a four year deal for Jameson Taillon who is best known for catching Tommy John Disease twice, beating cancer and being drafted number two overall in between Bryce Harper and Manny Machado in 2010. (The Cubs aced that draft with future Hall of Famer Hayden Simpson in the first round, followed by perennial All-Stars Reggie Golden, Micah Gibbs and Hunter Anderson. Is it bad that the only one of their top 10 picks to play in the big leagues was painter/punt returner/loaner of bats and underwear/outfielder Matt Szczur?
And before, during and after the meetings somebody on the Cubs business side (*cough* *cough* Crane Kenney *cough* *cough*) was leaking to the media that Jed Hoyer has a huge amount of money to spend this offseason.
Well, so far the “huge” payroll commitment from this offseason to next year’s payroll is $29 million. Bellinger’s deal (which is a terrible deal for the Cubs) pays him $12 million next year with a $5.5 million buyout in 2024 and Taillon’s deal is $17 per. Huh. That doesn’t seem huge.