I believe that will still be the preferred option, yes. Yeah, if he continues to put up these numbers, not only does it look more and more like the Cubs get a great return, but he'll likely ask for even more money than the Cubs are willing to spend. If he was asking for more in the offseason, he'll surely be asking for even more now. He's looking like a $120+mm contract guy right now. Obviously no clue if he gets that from someone, but I doubt the Cubs want to play that game when they can get top tier guys for him now that cost them nothing. EDIT: Crap, started this like 30 minutes ago... lots of talk since then, lol