For quite some time now, the Cubs have operated with a strategy of trying to thread the needle via intelligent spending. Those are tropes Jed Hoyer has rolled out time and time again as the front office engages in half measures meant to insulate against both budget overages and a lack of competitiveness. But that guarantees nothing from a competitive standpoint, a fact we’re seeing proven out in a painfully obvious manner this season.
By losing two of three for the second time in two series out of the break, the Cubs have all but assured they’re done competing this season.