In a pivotal year, the Cubs are currently more than $30 million beneath the $241 million luxury-tax threshold, according to FanGraphs.

The Cubs have tried to get creative with contract structure in order to compete while also avoiding uber-long deals. They won the Cody Bellinger sweepstakes last year, for example, by front-loading his three-year, $80 million deal and including two opt-outs.

The Chicago Cubs fell short in their attempt to sign free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman after ownership approved stretching the budget to pursue him.