A Chicago Cubs lineup featuring Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Báez — perhaps in that order — sure would have been a sight to see.
Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies reportedly agreed to a 13-year, $330 million contract Thursday, merely four months into the offseason. Whether the Cubs made a push for Harper at all is uncertain.
What is certain, though, is that several past transactions kept the team from being true players in the Harper sweepstakes. The Cubs’ payroll constraints have been discussed at great length this offseason.