Latest Chicago Cubs payroll projections forecast the end for two fan favorites

Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer reminded fans multiple times on Tuesday that the team was not playing postseason baseball but rather talking about their offseason plans.

Unlike other professional sports leagues, there is no requirement for a non-playoff team to hold a press conference immediately after the conclusion of the regular season. Given the fact that the Cubs' offseason just began on Monday, there wasn't much Hoyer was going to offer in terms of the team's offseason plan.

It's a plan that may not take focus until Cody Bellinger makes his decision regarding the player option he has for the 2025 season.

Even after Bellinger makes his decision, the next domino to fall will be the players that the Cubs elect to non-tender in the early days of December. In what has become an offseason tradition, MLB Trade Rumors released their annual arbitration projections for each team this offseason.

Entering the offseason, the Cubs have 14 players eligible for arbitration this season. Below is the list of players along with the projected salaries from MLB Trade Rumors.

1. Yency Almonte, $2.2MM
2. Christian Bethancourt, $2.5MM
3. Mike Tauchman, $2.9MM
4. Julian Merryweather, $1.3MM
5. Nick Madrigal, $1.9MM
6. Patrick Wisdom, $3MM
7. Adbert Alzolay, $2.3MM
8. Trey Wingenter, $1.4MM
9. Nate Pearson, $1.4MM
10. Isaac Paredes, $6.9MM
11. Justin Steele, $6.4MM
12. Jimmy Herget, $900K
13. Colten Brewer, $800K
14. Keegan Thompson, $1MM

2025 Chicago Cubs arbitration projections

There are several easy decisions that the Cubs have. For example, Bethancourt did impress while splitting catching duties with Miguel Amaya at the end of the season but with a projected salary of $2.5MM, it's likely he will be non-tendered. Especially, when you consider the idea that the Cubs will be searching for an upgrade at starting catcher this offseason.

Madrigal seems like another easy decision, considering Paredes's arrival at third base and Matt Shaw's knocking on the door of the Major League level. However, Madrigal's injury history also does not work in his favor.

It would also seem likely that Mike Tauchman and Patrick Wisdom will play elsewhere in 2025. Wisdom was used sparingly during the 2024 season and may be one of the players impacted the most by Wrigley Field's park factor. As for Tauchman, the Cubs have a logjam of outfielders, and non-tendering the veteran outfield would be a step toward clearing spots for the likes of Kevin Alcantara and Owen Caissie.