The Cubs spent 2018 not spending, or at least not spending as much as the Ricketts family could likely afford. Without specifically saying so, they seemed bound and determined to stay under the $197 million luxury tax limit for 2018, and even with the midseason acquisitions of Cole Hamels and Daniel Murphy, they appear to have done so.
It was widely assumed by many of us that the Cubs would, indeed should, spend over the limit in 2019.
They’re going to do that, and really, do it without even trying.