Cubs Off-Season 2020

It's no secret the 2019 season was a monumental disaster for the Cubs. From Day 1 there were nothing except headlines and distractions. Will Joe Maddon be back in 2020? (Nope.). Will we pursue Bryce Harper or any other big name via Free Agency? (Good call on Daniel "rat face" Descalso). The PECOTA drama, Addison Russell being a complete scumbag, and to top it off having the top payroll in all of baseball. All of this turned into a 3rd Place finish (84-78) and with serious questions regarding core players from the 2016 World Series team. Here is a look at the off-season as we head into the Winter Meetings in a few weeks.

Player Options

Declined (Morrow, Graveman, Barnette, Phelps, Holland)

No real surprise here. Morrow, Barnette, and Graveman essentially had no role in 2019 and Phelps salary bumps from 3 to 5 mil next year. This will shave over $25 mil in cap next year ($12 from Morrow $6 from Holland) which is huge headed into 2020.

Picked-Up (Rizzo, Quintana)

Again no surprise here. With the fleet of studs the Cubs sent on the Red Line to the South Side and at $10.5 a great value for a guy that will get you 170-80 innings.

There was 0.0% chance the Cubs weren't picking up Rizzo's $16.5. The guy has been the heart and soul of this squad and just won another Gold Glove. Pretty sure Theo and Jed would be on a plane out with Maddon if they let Tony get away. Now get the guy a lifetime extension.

Salary Cap Issues

As the Winter Meetings get closer, one thing is for certain. The Cubs are sure to be a popular team at the table as either buyers or sellers. With the core of the 2016 team all still needing extensions the Cubs will definitely have a lot of decisions to make regarding guys like KB, Contreras, Chatwood, and Heyward. There also the linfering question if they will bring back Castellabos to hit a few more yabos. Things should get interesting.....