Things could backfire on the Chicago Cubs that might cause them to miss out on getting their slugger back with them for next season.

Desperate times normally call for desperate measures.

The Chicago Cubs aren’t acting in a desperate manner, despite missing out on many of their top free agent targets this offseason.

Maybe that’s the right strategy.

They did land a starter who should slot into the top of their rotation, a rising star prospect ready to be a Major League contributor, and a veteran bullpen piece who’s logged important innings over the past few years.

However, the Cubs are still without a star addition.

It certainly hasn’t gone to plan after they began the offseason targeting Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Juan Soto and Pete Alonso as possible additions to their roster.

Without adding any of those players, they now are seemingly contemplating which free agent out of Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman they are more interested in.

All signs point to a reunion with Bellinger, but it seems like that only comes on the stipulation his asking price is reduced according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

With his agent, Scott Boras, still reportedly searching for a $200 million contract, even though Chicago might not be acting desperately to land a star after whiffing on others, that doesn’t mean other teams won’t.

The Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox have been linked to the slugging outfielder in the past.

None of these teams had the offseasons they expected either.

The Blue Jays seem like the most likely competitor for Bellinger since the Mariners seemingly don’t want to spend major money in free agency this cycle and the Red Sox are reportedly looking to lower their payroll.

The Cubs are virtually playing a game of chicken in this contract negotiation.

They’d love to have Bellinger back, but only for their ideal price.

Right now, it looks like they could win this battle, but all it takes is for one team to feel pressure and open up their checkbook to meet the number Boras is looking for this offseason.

It’s a dangerous game Chicago is playing, and could ultimately leave them missing out on another star player if things go wrong.