I'm not sure when a 6-yr contract for a 31-yr old pitcher became a great move. If that's what he was looking for, I'm glad the Astros didn't sign him.
He was supposed to get a lot more. The Cubs got him at a discount. Sure 6 years is a long contract, but the AAV also matters. The Cubs, much like the Yankees, will easily be able to eat up the contract when it turns bad. That TV deal is coming up in a couple of years. There's going to be a really fat contract thrown out by the Cubs next year at Harper which is why people are thinking he's gonna sign with the Cubs (along with also being one of Bryant's great friends).
Based on recent years, a pitcher of his caliber probably should have expected 25 Million per. This just confirms what we already knew, teams are much more disciplined in their spending right now. There will probably still be an anchor year or 2 at the back end. But the Cubs are trying to win WS titles, and he could help them do that.
Most logical explanation is how hard they throw and I believe there have been an increase in curve balls & sliders, which maybe also play a factor. One thing I do know, is they don't have a firm grasp on injury prevention.