Chicago Cubs Rumors: Team won’t pursue Bryce Harper, Manny Machado
By Ryan Heckman
Despite needing more on offense going forward, some sources say the Chicago Cubs won’t pursue Bryce Harper or Manny Machado.
Last season, the Chicago Cubs were quite the up-and-down club. One moment, they would have us fans believing that they were trending back to their 2016 form. The next, they would lose multiple games in a row while scoring one run or less.
More from Da Windy City
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal
Whether it was the inconsistencies at the plate, or within the rotation, the Cubs were exactly that: Inconsistent. Although the pitching felt like it was up in the air in 2018, the Cubs’ rotation actually performed pretty well as a whole.
After the big Cole Hamels splash, we saw just how much he could impact the Cubs’ pitching. He finished the year with an ERA at 2.36 as a Cub — and thankfully, he’ll be back next year. Aside from Hamels, the Cubs’ top four guys all had an ERA between 3.32 (Jon Lester) and 4.03 (Jose Quintana).
The problem, overall, wasn’t the pitching — even though many fans would have thought so during certain stretches of the season. The problem with the Cubs in 2018 was their inability to consistently put up enough run support for their rotation.
For this reason, it’s the Cubs who are one of the teams constantly talked about when referencing two big names this offseason — Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado.
Despite the Cubs needing big-time offensive help, though, one particular member of the Chicago media has some bad news for fans, as he reported over the weekend.
Good morning! After talking with a handful of MLB sources this weekend, I am starting to believe more than ever the Cubs will not be a factor for Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. The only way that changes is if Theo and Jed and Co. are able to move serious money off the books.
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) November 4, 2018
So, at the moment, David Kaplan believes the Cubs won’t be players for Harper or Machado. Of course, this could all change. But, what would Theo Epstein do in order to clear some significant cash? That’s the question.
If the Cubs do not pursue either one of them, they will have to look elsewhere to fill the void, whether that be via trade or free agency.
At one point, we thought this team had plenty of hitting with guys like Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Baez leading the way. Behind them, you had the potential power of both Ian Happ and Kyle Schwarber.
Next. Cubs Rumors: Addison Russell could be staying. dark
As we all know, this past season did not pan out in the way we would have liked. The word “potential” is one thrown around this Cubs roster often. But, the word alone won’t get it done. If it’s not Harper or Machado, what is the plan, Theo?