Chicago Cubs News: Which players will be arbitration eligible

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Chicago Cubs, Kris Bryant (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs News: While most of the focus will be on the futures of Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, other notable players will be arbitration-eligible this winter.

Let’s face it. Nobody knows exactly what the future holds for the Chicago Cubs. Speculations of major trades and shakeups will last throughout the winter until something happens or doesn’t. The current roster has just a handful of guys who have guaranteed money for 2021 that does not involve arbitration, pre-arb control or club options (which have until Sunday night to be picked up). That includes Yu Darvish, Jason Heyward, Kyle Hendricks and Craig Kimbrel.

In terms of arbitration-eligible players, the Cubs currently have 12 of them. Eight of them are position players and the rest are pitchers. The non-tender deadline is December 2nd, so the Cubs will have until then to offer contracts to these players. Teams and players will have until January 15th to submit final figures.

Here is a breakdown of those arbitration-eligible players (not pre-arb). Some of these players could be on the fence on whether they get tendered deals based on how they performed in 2021 and what they could potentially cost. It is no secret that money is going to be an obstacle to deal with this winter.

NOTE: Salary projections based on Spotrac numbers.

Chicago Cubs News: The two most valuable arbitration-eligible players are on the diamond.

Kris Bryant

Will he be traded? Will he be a Cub in 2021 and beyond? We (should hopefully) know that the Cubs will not just let him go for nothing. After a rough 2020 season, dealing him might be a bit more difficult, but we do know how good he can be. He will be the most expensive contract of the arbitration-eligible players, projecting around $18.6 million for 2021.

Javier Baez

One might ask how the COVID-19 season’s financial hit will impact a potential contract extension for El Mago. Regardless of an extension happening this winter, he will be tendered a contract as he is an essential piece of this team, and the goal is for him to be here in the long run. Projecting around $11 million.

Willson Contreras

With the talks of major shakeups for the future, Contreras also comes up in potential trade conversations. However, it is easier said than done to trade a power-hitting catcher in his prime, who greatly improved his pitch framing in 2020. Projecting around $6.2 million.

Victor Caratini

The 26-year-old backup catcher is still seen as an important piece for the future. He can switch hit and play both catcher and first. Yu Darvish certainly appreciates him as his personal catcher. He should be tendered a contract, projected at around $1.4 million.

Jose Martinez

He was brought in mid-last season to help hit against lefties. He got on base once via a walk and was 0-21 as a Cub in what was overall a career-worst season. Projected at $2.2 million, him being tendered a deal by the Cubs feels unlikely.

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs News: Two of the cornerstones in the outfield are arbitration-eligible this winter.

Kyle Schwarber

Another guy who could be on the move this winter, Schwarber is coming off a rough year. In 59 games, he hit .188 with 66 strikeouts, though he hit 11 home runs. Will be dealt to an American League team like the Yankees? Do not rule it out. Projected at $8 million.

Ian Happ

After his resurgent year in 2020, Happ looks like it will be a corner piece for the team in the future. He was among the leaders in OPS in the National League throughout the season and was a nice ambassador for the team. Even in an offseason of potential shakeups, it seems more than likely Happ will stick around. Projected at $3.5 million.

Albert Almora Jr.

After yet another season of struggling to hit at the MLB level, the clock might have struck zero on his time with the organization. A change of scenery might do him well, but there is just little to no value in him at the moment after a fairly promising start to his career. Do not be surprised if he is non-tendered. Projected at around $1.6 million.

Chicago Cubs News: Most of these pitchers are relievers, but some can start games as well.

Kyle Ryan

After an excellent year for the Cubs in 2019, his 2020 was not so pretty. The velocity dropped, and he got walloped, did not miss bats, and increased his ERA from 3.54 in 2019 to 5.17 in 2020. It might be best to look at other lefty options from now on, either via free agency or on the farm. Projected at $1.35 million.

Colin Rea

He pitched in nine games and put together very mixed results. Sometimes he legit looked good while he struggled at other times. He got more outs on contact, but the command was overall good with just two walks in 14 innings. He is not necessarily expensive, projected at $1.3 million. Whether or not he will be tendered a contract is up in the air.

Ryan Tepera

No question the stuff looked good, and the results overall were good. 31 strikeouts and a 3.34 FIP in 20 2/3 innings were great to see. The biggest issue was walks. He is projected at $1.3 million and would seem like a worthy investment in 2021.

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Dan Winkler

Winkler had a very odd season. He walked 11 hitters in 18 1/3 innings and posted a 5.32 FIP. His ERA was overall very good at 2.95. Inconsistent, but he got outs. He is projected at $1.05 million for 2021 and could be tendered a contract.

There you have it. A lot can happen this winter, and every penny will need to be spent wisely going into 2021.

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