Chicago Cubs: Looking at the team’s non-tender candidates

Chicago Cubs could shake things up by non-tendering these guys

Between Schwarber and Bryant, we’re talking about nearly $30 million that would be coming off the books if they’re non-tendered. That’s a tremendous chunk of payroll for one of the premier big market teams in the game today.

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Those non-tenders would make headlines. There’s no doubt about that. But this last group of guys outlined by MLBTR seem likelier to be non-tendered than someone with the star power of Bryant or Schwarber.

Jose Martinez, Colin Rea, Dan Winkler and Kyle Ryan could all be cut loose – saving the organization somewhere in the ballpark of another $5 million. I’d say Martinez is a ‘lock’ to be non-tendered given his brutal showing in 2020 – and the three pitchers fall in line right behind him.

Frankly, not one of these guys brings anything exceptional to the table. Ryan looked like he might be turning the corner in 2019, but then went in the wrong direction this season. Rea and Winkler, while nice depth pieces, don’t represent anything warranting nearly $2 million between them.

We’ve got one week until the non-tender deadline. Don’t be shocked to see a Kris Bryant or Kyle Schwarber trade prior to then – and even after that date hits, this is shaping up to be the most eventful offseason in years for the Chicago Cubs.