Chicago Cubs: 50% increase to all Cubs’ minor league salaries starting in 2020

The Chicago Cubs are pushing forward with pay raises for minor league players this upcoming season. This is coming off of a mandatory ruling by the MLB to raise its MiLB salaries by 2021.

On February 14th, the Executive Vice President of Baseball Economics and Operations; Morgan Sword confirmed a memo from the commissioner’s office stating Major League Baseball will be raising the wage increase between 38% and 72% of all minor league players.

Chicago Cubs‘ general manager Jed Hoyer confirmed the wage increase last Tuesday. Hoyer also mentioned the idea was pushed by the owners of the Chicago Cubs, the Ricketts family. Hoyer later stated that the Ricketts are highly motivated as Hoyer said: “they have a tremendous emphasis on our minor league talent.”

This move follows what the Toronto Blue Jays did back in 2019 as they were the first ones to increase the minimum salaries by 50% for their minor leaguers. By teams raising the minimum wage, Major League Baseball will lose some of the criticism they have been receiving for not giving minor-leaguers livable wages.

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Along with the Cubs, another National League team is joining them; The San Francisco Giants are as well boosting their MiLB salaries.

According to The Associated Press, as they reported that weekly salaries for the 2021 season would jump from $290 to $400 for short-season and rookie leagues, $290 to $500 in Class A, $350 to $600 in Double-A and $502 to $700 in Triple-A. That means players will earn between $4,800 in rookie ball to $14,000 in Triple-A.

There have been many talented stars that have come through the minor leagues. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com recently reported in a short interview with the upcoming star Nico Hoerner who answered: “I know for a huge percentage of Minor League players, every dollar means a lot.”

In all seriousness, the preposterously high cost of living all over the United States for any athlete of any sport. By MLB doing this raise, it will help guide future events financially for the players.

With numerous players that have the capability of producing star power in the Cubs’ minor league system, the raise will help benefit the players now, and the future stars in achieving their dream of playing in the big leagues.