The Bryce Harper/Manny Machado sweepstakes start Monday, but the Cubs and the other 29 major-league teams have some internal business to finalize first.
In the case of the Cubs, they must decide by Friday whether to pick up the options on starter Cole Hamels and relievers Pedro Strop and Brandon Kintzler.
Hamels is expected to remain with the Cubs, whether it means picking up his $20 million option or finalizing an extension that could involve the Rangers _ Hamels' former team _ paying a $6 million buyout.
Hamels, 34, was 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 12 starts with the Cubs after being dealt from the Rangers on July 27.
Strop's value to the bullpen last season also may result in the Cubs picking up his $6.25 million extension. Strop, 33, was 6-1 with a 2.26 ERA in 60 appearances _ including a 1.77 ERA with 11 saves in the second half after closer Brandon Morrow was sidelined with a bone bruise in his right arm.
Strop will receive a $500,000 buyout if the Cubs decline the option.
The Cubs are expected to decline the $10 million team option on Kintzler, who has a $5 million player option that he is expected to pick up. Kintzler, 34, allowed 14 earned runs in 18 innings after being dealt from the Nationals on July 31.
Meanwhile, the free-agent filing period starts Monday. In the case of Harper and Machado _ the two top free agents _ teams are allowed to contact them but cannot negotiate financial terms until Saturday.
Scott Boras, Harper's agent, already is having fun with the courting of his prized client. During an interview Friday on "The Michael Kay Show" on ESPN New York, Boras gave Kay some playful insight on his client's destination.
"Bryce Harper is somebody that I will say, in my entire career, he has the greatest skill level and the greatest character level of any superstar I've ever been involved with, and I think our game is going to see historic performances from him," Boras said.
"We know who the team is, it's already completed and done, but Bryce has told me that he wanted to tell you personally, so I'm going to let him do that."
Kay replied, "That's such a tease."
Meanwhile, the Cubs and other major-league teams have an exclusive five-day window to negotiate with their own free agents. The Cubs' free agents are relievers Jesse Chavez, Jorge De La Rosa, Justin Wilson and Jaime Garcia, second baseman Daniel Murphy and catcher Bobby Wilson.
