If you were hoping the Cubs would go after studly, young lefty Aroldis Chapman out of Cuba, you can stop. The likely top prize on the free agent market this year is going elsewhere.
Speaking of free agents, nobody asked, but you can cross the Cubs off the list of teams interested in Cuban left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman. He has met with several big league teams and the Cubs did talk to his agent, but Chapman doesn’t fit in their budget. cubs.com.
Given his likely contract demands and uncertain (though very high ceiling) future, this is no surprise. The Cubs remain very unlikely to resign Rich Harden, and will try to fill the fifth spot in the rotation internally.