The question becomes how valuable is it to the Cubs to move him and have the guranteed financial freedom it would create over the next two seasons? I hate that we're at this point, but he's on a 2.6 fWAR pace per 162 games this season (2.3ish at his true pace of around 145 games). Not horrible, but not the type of value you want to be paying $26.6m AAV for.
Which scenario would you guys prefer if the Cubs are sellers/non-buyers?
- Move him for a package that's most likely going to be underwhelming, but it guarantee's the Cubs have $26mish extra next offseason to plug other holes
- Hold onto him because he is a useful/versatile player and hope if he opts in, that he can have a season closer to the 2023 season.