I'll stick with the way I think about it. Unsigned deals on the CBA and NPB, along with Otani's unclear motivations leave anything up for grabs. Not counting on him the way I was but to say "Cubs are out" for sure based on what MLB is current telling Passan seems pessimistic. I said Cubs are out "until 2019 at the earliest, unless something changes." It's just a statement of a fact. Not pessimistic. Under the new CBA the Cubs are limited to a 300k bonus for him while other teams can offer nearly $10 million. Any team can give him a 1 year opt out to free agency to get him to come over. Hopefully something changes. Under the current rules however, he won't be a Cub in 2018. Why are the Cubs limited to a 300k bonus next year under the new CBA?