Chicago Cubs have to go sign Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg

Chicago Cubs: Let’s go all-in on Cole

Going back to the idea that the Cubs don’t necessarily have to pay for guys under contract should they trade them, Addison Russell should be primed for a non-tender or trade. That’s about $5 million. Tony Barnette and Kendall Graveman are both set to make $3 million apiece. David Phelps is due $5 million and Daniel Descalso is due $2.5 million. I wouldn’t have any of them suit up for the Cubs in 2020. Descalso will have to be paid regardless, but the other four can be released with no strings attached.

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That would shave about $11 million off Spotrac’s estimates for 2020 (Phelps was only at $1 million which didn’t factor in his incentives met in 2019 on their estimate) and leave the Cubs at just under $200 million in payroll for the 2020 season.

Funny, but that means the Cubs could add $35 million in new blood.

If that number seems like it is a little too perfect, it’s because that’s about what Cole is expected to get (and a little more than what Strasburg might garner) per year in a mega deal that will probably give him the richest deal in baseball history. Boom. Get it done. Right now.

Problem is, assuming the Cubs want to stay under this years payroll number, that leaves the Cubs with no money to sign anyone else. It also means they’d probably rather spend their money on one veteran position player like Howie Kendrick, and a couple relatively bullpen pieces. Then, there’s always the midseason slush fund to worry about. That $35 million is probably only about $20 million, which doesn’t leave enough for an ace.