This is going to be a really wild offseason for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the number of players who will hit the market when their options are not picked up. With owners heavily signaling a reluctance to spend by owners, the influx of unexpected free agents from those declined options and non-tenders will shift the landscape and could drive down the asking price for some otherwise coveted players.
That’s likely to be an area the Cubs target as they look for value at a low cost, which could bring them around to an old friend.