2 Cubs offseason decisions that will payoff, and 1 that will backfire

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 08: Seiya Suzuki #27 of the Chicago Cubs high fives Nico Hoerner #2 after scoring a run against the Cincinnati Reds during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field on September 08, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 08: Seiya Suzuki #27 of the Chicago Cubs high fives Nico Hoerner #2 after scoring a run against the Cincinnati Reds during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field on September 08, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Cubs offseason decision
The Chicago Cubs have set themselves up well to go after even bigger free agents next offseason. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) /

Cubs offseason decision that will pay off: Leaving room for bigger deals in the future

The Cubs aren’t entering the year with serious hopes of winning a World Series. Even the most optimistic fan has to realize the situation. They are moving forward, just not leaping toward what the franchise did in 2016.

The roster got better and they’ve left room for bigger deals in the future. It was a smart play. Rather than sign Xander Bogaerts, Trea Turner, or Carlos Correa to a massive deal, the Cubs went for Dansby Swanson for significantly less. It may still be an overpay, but it’s not the kind of deal that is going to prevent them from doing other things as soon as next winter.

Chicago successful held onto their best prospects, choosing to not make a major blockbuster trade. The front office seems to have a clear mission in place. They’re going the tortoise route, not the way of the hare.

Will slow and steady win the race for this team? After more than 100 years between championships, patience is a concept the Northside of town is familiar with.

Having left room on the payroll for more significant moves next winter, consider what they did this offseason a prologue to better days ahead.