Chicago Cubs: 3 takeaways from Cole Hamels deal

As deep as it gets

Earlier I mentioned that the Cubs, even without Hamels, would have a very good rotation next year — assuming a healthy Darvish. I also wondered whether the money they spent on Hamels could have been applied toward a free agent like Harper or Machado. Finally, I speculated that perhaps their commitment to Hamels spoke to their lack of confidence in Darvish.

But here’s another possibility. What if it speaks to their lack of faith in Harper and Machado? Maybe the Cubs soured on a potential pursuit of Machado after witnessing his shenanigans in the playoffs.  Not that you could blame them. Machado didn’t exactly do himself any favors with that performance.

Maybe they also have doubts as to whether they can sign Harper. Whether they think he’s destined for another team, or don’t want to spend the kind of money they think he will command on the open market, they might have decided to implement plan B which could be to develop the strongest pitching staff possible and address offensive needs with more cost-effective free agents.

If that was their plan, they could have nailed the first part of it as their rotation could boast as good a top three as there is in the National League with Lester, Hamels, and Darvish. Not to mention that would mean Hendricks and Quintana would be your fourth and fifth starters. Not too shabby at all. We’ll have to see how it all shakes out this offseason, but it should be an interesting Winter for the Cubbies.