Chicago Cubs: How much will the starting pitching staff make in 2019?

Chicago Cubs: More figures to chew on

While we’re discussing salaries within the starting rotation, let’s take a look at who will be making what in 2019. For Darvish, he’s set to cash in on $20 million while Lester’s base sits at around $22 million, with the $5 million bumping it to $27.5 million, again.

So, between the two, that adds up to $47.5 million and we’re not even through the next three yet. Southpaw Cole Hamels enters the final year of a contract he signed as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies just five years ago.

Hamels, 34, had his $20 million option picked up by the Cubs. In an effort to save payroll and dampen the blow of a third $20 million-plus annual contract in the rotation, Chicago shipped Drew Smyly to the Rangers earlier this offseason. Of course, Hamels was great in his second-half stint with the Cubs, twirling an ERA of 2.36 in 12 starts as a member of the North Siders.

Having him back in this starting rotation with a healthy and hopefully, stacked bullpen, could bring this organization another division title.