The Cubs spent the entire offseason acting as if they had little to spend. They committed the relatively small sum of $8.75 million in free agency to three complementary parts – infielder Daniel Descalso and relievers Brad Brach and Tony Barnette. And while club officials routinely budget for in-season additions, their payroll was expected to remain too tight for free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel.



Perhaps not anymore.



The Cubs are showing interest in Kimbrel, according to major-league sources. An unexpected event – the continued absence of super-utility man Ben Zobrist, 38, who is on the restricted list while going through a divorce from his wife, Julianna – might be creating greater financial flexibility for the club.



Players generally are not paid while they are on the restricted list, and their teams receive credit for their savings in the calculation of their luxury-tax payrolls. Zobrist, earning $12 million in the final season of a...