The Cubs have done surprisingly little this offseason to date. Despite being amidst a four-team race in the NL Central, their only external additions to the 40-man roster have been Casey Sadler, Jharel Cotton and CD Pelham.
If anything, much of the conversation the past few months has revolved around whether the Cubs could subtract from their roster. Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras have emerged as possible trade candidates, although it’s far from certain whether either will ultimately end up on the move. Extension talks with Anthony Rizzo went nowhere and were shelved, at least for the time being. Rizzo reiterated today (via Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic) that no talks between the sides are pending, although he again expressed a willingness to broach a long-term deal in the future.
Payroll constraints no doubt play a role in the lack of movement, as ownership reiterated yesterday. Particularly, the $208MM competitive balance tax threshold seems to be a key factor. The Cubs were one of three teams to exceed the CBT last season. With a projected $213.8MM luxury tax bill for 2020, per Roster Resource, they are certainly in danger of doing so again.
“The longer you go over [the luxury tax], the more you’re paying,” board member Laura Ricketts told reporters (via Madeline Kenney of the Chicago Sun-Times). Chariman Tom Ricketts expanded on the luxury tax issue (via Patrick Mooney of The Athletic), calling the CBT “a real factor. It’s not the defining factor of this offseason. What we’re going to do with CBT is not something we discuss publicly. But fans should know there is a cost if you keep your payroll high enough long enough. You’re paying money into the league, which ultimately goes to other teams, and you can lose draft position. It’s a factor. It’s not the defining factor of the offseason.”
While penalties do escalate for those who repeatedly exceed the luxury tax, it’s highly questionable whether the tax should deter the Cubs from upgrading this offseason. Chicago paid $7.6MM in taxes last season. If they were to exceed the threshold for the second straight year, they’d be line to pay a 30% tax for every dollar spent between $208MM and $228MM.
Using Roster Resource’s $213.8MM estimate of Chicago’s current CBT ledger, the club would be in line to pay around $1.74MM in fees as things currently stand. That’s an insubstantial sum for MLB organizations. The draft pick penalty to which Ricketts alluded hardly seems an issue, as at least by public estimates, the Cubs are nowhere near the $248MM CBT level at which a team’s draft standing would be affected.
To be sure, it could benefit a team to get underneath the luxury tax line, if for no other reason than to reset their tax bracket. (Penalties escalate only when teams exceed the tax in consecutive seasons, so dipping below the threshold for one season resets future fees to the lowest level). Given the crowded NL Central, though, ownership’s focus on the CBT- even taking Ricketts at his word that it’s not “the defining factor of the offseason“- seems a bit odd.
Nevertheless, the Cubs’ front office is left to work within those constraints. They’ve made a couple minor league free agent signings in recent days, bolstering their bullpen depth with Jason Adam and Tyler Olson. They’ve also explored adding outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury on what would surely be a minor-league pact, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). Ellsbury, of course, is a former teammate of Cubs’ manager David Ross, and he shined for the Red Sox while Theo Epstein was in Boston’s front office. As Heyman notes, though, Ellsbury hasn’t played in two years due to injury. His addition would be no more than a flyer, and Heyman characterizes a deal as “a long shot” in a follow-up tweet.
Where the Cubs go from here remains an open question. As has been apparent for a while now, they don’t figure to make any big acquisitions. In possession of a handful of valuable potential trade assets, though, the Cubs’ roster could still look plenty different by the time spring training breaks.
Latest plan? It’s been the same plan all off season.
Don’t. Spend. Money.
Sadler is just the latest dumpster diving attempt by Epstein to piece together a pen.
You have some of the best trade chips in Baez Rizzo Bryant and Contreras.
Bryant to the Braves for a package including Riley and mlb ready arms restocks the Cubs.
Rays have a few sp and rp pitchers and infielders that are mlb ready and could afford Contreras.
Theo should trade his best chips and retool while waiting out the Heyward and Darvish contracts.
Rubbish Retoolin’ Theo!
You think the Darvish contract is bad?
Terrible contract. Darvish is overrated. He’ll get injured again.
Honest question.. would Cubs fans be willing to part with Contras for Knizer, Liberator, ONeill and another prospect? I know.. I know it would never happen but just asking Cubs fans their thoughts
Hell no we got Molina and prospects ready once he is done. Trade for Arenado with a similar package instead.
No way, the Cubs trade with them. And you really think they’d cough up the $ for Arenado, especially with that opt out (that the MLBPA will never allow to be removed without making the price even higher.), and prospects too?
Jeez, at least spell one name right,
He’s the best catcher in the game, in return he needs to fetch top 10 prospect atleast.
“The Cubs have done surprisingly little this offseason”
That was the plan. The fake trade rumors were the cover story. The Cubs owner Thom Ricketts was not willing to just come out and say he was going to put the same team on the field again and see if they got a different result so….fake rumors to maintain interest in the team.
You can’t trade Bryant until the service time decision.
Bryant is going nowhere unless it’s a deal that is laughable to turn down. Stop listening to the print and radio media who know next to nothing.
Yeah I’m sure you know way more.
Cubs cashing out.
That’s their plan.
I think if they trade Bryant or Contreras, you try to get somebody to take the Hayward contract as well. I know that means less prospect capital in return, but it would allow them to spend some money in the immediate or extend some core players and still net a couple of decent prospects.
Spend more money…on another contract like Heyward’s?
hayward contract would need cubs to eat alot of $ to trade him. Hes now on the downside and the upside wasnt very good. Have to throw in tradable draft picks and prospects otherwise
Your team has been at the top in all of MLB in b spending money, what are you complaining about? Smh You’re team for once decides against spending 800 million dollars in one year and you cry? Try to be a fan of the Pittsburgh pirates, then you’d actually have something to complain about.
Here’s a good article to digest if you have the time.
bleachernation.com/cubs/2019/12/19/why-the-chicago…
For TLDRers, it’s more than just the CBT apparently.
Also, you have to remember that the Ricketts are owners and will lineup with other owners in a couple years to duke it out with the players over the new CBA.
I’m not defending the Ricketts here. It would be great if they were like George Steinbrenner or Mike Ilitch and say “money be darned, I want to win.”
But this is the reality of where they’re coming from and why the Cubs are stuck in low gear until the Bryant grievance is worked out. And even then they may decide to keep Kris and that’s fine.
They will still be competitive in 2020 because only the Reds have improved in the NL Central and Cincinnati is not all the way there.
84 wins was a worse case scenario last years as they did not come through in clutch situations. No one played over their heads. So, we shouldn’t expect to see any huge declines. Just need to stay healthy and it should be another fun season in 2020.
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Charles Schwab is in the process of buying TD Ameritrade for $26 billion.
But they have no money, even though they are about to get an 11 digit number payment.
Schwab should just buy the cubs too. They already know about trading, and could replace the scoreboard with a stock ticker.
And the Ricketts’ cabal plans to more millions to the incumbent.
Huh?
Then go work the phone banks in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc. if you’re so concerned about it instead of lamenting about it on a baseball site.
They also signed Josh Phegley, who had 342 PA last season, fwiw
They have plans? Who knew
The fanbase is so sentimental and brainwashed that the cvbs literally don’t have to do anything. One championship in a lifetime is an accomplishment. So sad.
CHISOXCITY…What’s sad is how much you read and then comment on Cubs articles. Go watch the White Sox with the other 2,000 people on a Sunday and get a life…Maybe even watch some cool fireworks at whatever they’re calling your garbage park these days. Ffs, dude it’s sad 🙁
You take offense, but I’m actually being sympathetic to cvbs fans.
Don’t bother dude. Idiot’s my man, Idiot’s….
Yes, sympathy no one asked for…you fit in well @ current year.
No one ever asks for a cvbs fans opinion on baseball. Attendance figures, maybe. Informed opinions? No.
I dont take offense, I just think it’s funny you spend soooooooo much time talking Cubs. You’re like that ex gf that stalks her dudes insta bc she jealous…hmmm
It is funny, pathetic and transparent… but still funny. My favorite comment was “one championship in their lifetime” Hmmmm, how many have the Northwest Indiana White Sux won in their lifetime? I’ll spare you the suspense… it’s the same answer.
The BIG difference is the Cubs built a sustainable, contending, competitive team. Not just a 1 year wonder. Of course they’re obsessed w/ anything Cubs. Their team can’t draw fans, have horrible ratings, get no local or national media attention. JR shoulda followed through with his threat and moved this poverty, trash franchise to Tampa.
Now they’re banking on a rebuild from the same clueless, inept front office that claimed to be “All in” just a few years back (when they traded Tatis Jr for James No Game Sheilds) THEN proceeded to end up with a worst record than teams ACTIVELY tanking.
So, yeah, can you blame them for being closet Cub fans? Hahaha, just laugh at them and be thankful you’re not them… like the rest of the baseball world does.
“Poverty trash…”. What a soulless creature you are.
And hovering over this site to comment on every Cub’s related article is soulful?
I’m a Chicago sportsfan, so yeah. I’m not so provincial as you #MeToos.
Knew you couldn’t resist. So predictable.
Excuse me… The White Sox won a WS in 2005…before that… 1917.
So you’re either over 100 years old or you’ve also only celebrated ONE championship in your lifetime… Which was 15 years ago… There’s a chance you were a minor then, but after reading your posts, there’s also a chance you weren’t even born.
They think their team is relevant again and are gonna be annoying about it, just let it go.
Hahaha, exactly. Let it go. It’s like making fun of the kid in the corner eating paste. You feel sorry for him, but you’re really glad you’re not him.
How many have we seen as Sox fans? Serious question
Can’t blame them for forgetting. Literally, both ESPN and MLB Network forgot about 2005 multiple times. That’s why they’re so bitter. Imagine rooting for a team that folks in your own city don’t care about. The Cubs barely leave enough crumbs for them to eat.
Lmao dude you’re great. Bringing up all of these things that aren’t only false but don’t matter. We don’t care whether ESPN mentioned the team. The only reason I truly read the comments on cub articles is because I like to see what’s going on with the fans. How they feel about the moves the organization is making. Constantly pointing out attendance or mentions in the media seems so childish. I love my team, glad they’re making an effort to jump to the next level and hopefully it turns into something. There’s enough of the Chicago pie to go around. Don’t hate man.
Well said. If only your Sox fan brethren who comment on here were remotely as thoughtful. And by the way, I too, am glad to see them making moves this offseason. It’s good for the game.
*mindless dumpster diving joke*
Trust the process
I did. They won a WS. Care to try again?
You mean Aroldis Chapman won the WS? Then they let him leave because, apparently they didn’t need him after all.
We get it, you don’t like the cubs. Chapman was amazing playing all 9 positions at once
I don’t dislike the cvbs, I despise koolaid drinking #MeToos pretending to be baseball fans.
Not for $80 million, they didn’t need to sign Chapman.
Like the way you’ve stylized Cubs as cvbs. You must have hurt your thumbs commenting on so many Cubs posts.
So the cvbs had to trade Gleyber Torres and other pieces for Chapman in order to win a WS, but they didn’t need Chapman to win another one? That about sum it up? Oh wait, forgot to add that $80MM is apparently too much money for the best closer in the game, whom you traded future for, but the money they paid to Heyward, Morrow, Darvish and Kimbrel, all non-factors in any championships, are totally worth it. Yeah, that makes no sense. cvbs fans are a joke.
The Cubs already had Heyward.
Darvish, Morrow and Kimbrel could still pan out. Stranger things have happened.
Why is there a pic of Ted Cruz in a Cubs jacket?
Multiple Ricketts family members stating “not a defining factor” re: the CBT means it IS a defining factor. If they spent to 230M, they’d pay 6M in tax. 240m, they’d pay 9M in tax. That’s probably concessions and parking for one 3 game homestand. Pathetic.
Send Bryant to ATL for Riley and either Foltynewicz or Waters. (save 14M)
Send Contreras to TBR for Brendan McKay, Joey Wendle and Kevin Kiermaier (add 10m this year, 13m next)
Send Schwarber to NYY for Frazier and a 45FV starting pitcher prospect (Garcia or Abreu) (Save 6M)
Riley can figure it out in Iowa while Wendle plays third. Waters can do the same and potentially be the CF of the future if he can get the K% down. If we got Folty, he slots in as a solid 3/4 that may be open to a below market extension. McKay would be a great get, and Kiermaier upgrades the defense in CF and banishes Heyward to RF. The defense would be great, but 7-9 in the lineup will be awful. Schwarbs will be great in NYY, at this point Frazier and either Garcia or Abreu are spare parts.
Extend Baez
Just move them out of town and change their names like they did the expos a few years ago. Baseball would be much better off.
Why would you trade Schwarber for that at this point? If he has a big first half and they are out of contention, they could get twice the prospects. The smarter teams realize that there are some potentially monstrous seasons coming from him.
If you are the Yanks right now, you may feel now is the time to pick up someone like Schwarber, whose power will play *very* well in Yankee Stadium. Abreu is a bit of a sleeper and at this point, Frazier is spare parts for NYY.
Schwarber is one of my favorites personally, but if Lord Voldemort has decreed that spending must be cut, you may as well plant some seeds in the farm for your trouble.
I wish the cubs would extend Schwarber. At this point they can probably do it for a fairly reasonable price. He has consistently improved every single year.
Given the direction Lord Voldemort wants to go in (be like the Rays, ride cheap pre-arb and arb talent until they cross 10 figures, trade) i doubt they would unless he undersold himself criminally. 5yr./80m would probably do it, but that’d be 16m against the tax, so not likely.
Keep writing “tigerbreak”, I love humor.
Glad you find some humor in an internet random musing about baseball. Better than being a salty SOB who wants to knock strangers down a peg. Oh, wait… 😀
I don’t get why Cubs and Sox fans fight so much. The Cubs need to trade anyone but Baez if they can. The White Sox on their way up but still a year or two away from being a true WS contender. The Ricketts family is just another name of bad owners that the Cubs have had in their long history.
Ricketts are not bad owners. Lol
Not their fault Theo and co. Messed up so badly the last couple of years.
You seriously think the Ricketts didn’t have a say in all the bad contracts, this site is really sucking lately, letting idiots post items like they’re GM’s , hey Sox fans stop worrying about the Cubs and try to learn something about baseball before you post crap .
“cubsneedtomoveon” needs to move on.
Any chance a catcher needing Rays trade Honeywell for Amaya or Vic
I know Honeywell has been injured the last 2 yrs but maybe that would make them ok with moving him to fill the catcher opening ???
If you trade Bryant maybe go after Bohm-Kingery-Howard from Philly
Thats too much, but if Klentak was stupid enough to offer it, Theo should take it.
Cubs Offseason Plans: Dumpster Divin’
They won the World Series and just assumed that more would come. Mistake, you don’t win every year without change and luck!
I have no doubt whatsoever that after hearing the boos and feeling the lukewarm vibes from those in attendance at the Cubs Convention tonight, Ricketts Incorporated will allocate more money towards payroll. Tom clearly was not expecting the air of malaise and discontent that permeated the atmosphere. “Castellanos” was a rallying cry, heard often, and often in unison.
What a difference a couple years make. You had the legend in his own mind manager and a lot of swagger after a 108 year drought. Now the genius is gone and it looks like it could be another 108 years until the next one. Oh well, at least you still have the swagger and perhaps the knowledge that when you stand on the plate, they’re gonna pitch inside.
It boggles my mind as a Cubs and White Sox fan that the Rickett ownership is fretting over the CBT this offseason. The Cubs just separated from the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks with their long standing local NBC Sports Chicago cable package to go it alone starting in 2020 on their new regional Marquee Sports Network that will be jointly operated by the team and Sinclair Broadcast Group. Additionally, there will be no more free Chicago TV aside from the occasional Fox broadcast.
The Cubs do nothing but print money. For the Ricketts to let the CBT affect this offseason is not just hurting the Cubs chances to be competitive on the field. It’s also a poor business decision. The Cubs are now asking their fan base to pony up extra money to watch their team exclusively, many of whom also happen to be fans of the Bulls and Blackhawks along with a few strays cats like me who love baseball and follow both teams.
This is the same owner who now claims literally, a 100% cost overrun in their surrounding “improvement” projects. Kids playing with daddy’s money.
Make Baseball Great Again!
Sounds so do chey.
Trade Bryant + Schwarber + Quintana + Heyward to Braves
Cubs get = Pache, Waters, and Ian Anderson
Trade Contreras (they want him) + Lester + Almora to Astros
Cubs get Alveras + Tucker + Whitley (i doubt they’ll throw in Whitley)
Trade Baez to Padres (sorry but Baez strikes out too much and OBP is not so good)
Cubs get Gore, Patino, and CJ Abrams
Trade Rizzo and Lester (he is 30+, I don’t know to whom exactly, but get 2 solid prospects)
Cubs can literally rebuild right now and contend in future.
Team can be:
Starting Rotation:
1) Darvish
2) Kendricks
3) Ian Anderson
4) Gore
5) Whitely/Patino or even Rhea, MIlls, Alzolay
Outfield = Pache + Tucker + Alveras (waters will be in minors next year, ready for 2021)
Infield = Bote, Hoerner, Happ, get top prospect from quintana + Rizzo trade), CJ Abrams future
Catcher Caratini
Cubs will have plenty of money to sign a solid free agent in 2021. Infielder probably.
What not just trade the entire roster for a peanut butter sandwich and a bag of used baseballs! Get real. There’s still a lot of fairly young talent on this team but Theo and company need to make some decisions soon on which of the core they are going to eventually extend and who they should trade to address things like the lack of a legit lead off hitter, lack of young top of the rotation lefty, and still get under the luxury tax threshold. I think they can do those things by trading Bryant and Quintana and if need be Contreras. I also think Theo is probably more concerned about eventually losing a draft pick if they stay over the luxury tax threshold than the luxury tax itself.
Cubs have no choice. They did not sign any of these talents to long term deals (Hendricks exception). Now they have to face the reality that everyone one of their star will want a mega long term deal. And this is the only time to get a great return. Theo messed up by trading our farm system away also. Keeping couple and trading couple will not work. Reality is that trading Bryant and Contreras will not make Cubs better in 2020, even if they get the top prospects. So either you contend with what you have or do a quick rebuild. Simple as that.
So the Padres are going to trade the best pitching prospect in baseball and the #26 prospect in baseball, who are both likely to pitch in the Majors this year, for 2 years of Baez when he’s starting to get expensive in arbitration? Oh and they’re going to throw in another top 50 prospect too?
Get real, Gore being this close to the bigs and cost controlled for the next 6+ years is more valuable than Baez. Let alone adding in the 2 other top 50 prospects.
Same thing with Whitley in the Astros deal. There’s no way that’s fair value for him
Whitley had a horrible debut, so his value went down a little.
Regarding the Padres, Gore and Abrams is enough. Baez is worth top prospect, Padres infield will be the best in the league. And Baez is young.
You are not going to get one of the top young SS unless you get a top prospect in return. Padres has alot of pitchers, they need hitters.
Baez isn’t going anywhere.
This is the most crack head proposal wish list ive ever seen lol , seek help buddy
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz I refuse to spend ONE DIME on this team. Cry poor somewhere else!
Calling the CBT “a real factor. It’s not the defining factor of this offseason.” -Laura Ricketts
Oh but it REALLY feels like it is though.—Me
Listen, I have played Madden a few times in my day, and one thing I have learned is if you try to trade your stars for peanuts, and you try to low ball players on contracts, you will have a disgruntled team who doesn’t perform well. I am a franchise owner too you know.
And that’s especially true with a roster full of prima donna’s.
I love watching this banter between Cubs fans and Sox fans. Personally I’m interested to see the Sox investment they made. It’s looking good, but until they start playing that way it doesn’t matter. The Cubs got old in three years and no good back up plan / young talent in the farm like they used to have. The luxury tax is gonna hit Ricketts and the Cubs will be using Govt cheese for their spread in the locker room. I don’t see any trades in the near future. The other teams don’t wan to give up what the Cubs want. Would you? The train left the station and I’m assuming trades will be coming at the trade deadline this summer.
As a Cubs fan this sucks especially when your lottery number comes up for tickets. Mediocrity is on the horizon unless something big happens.
So losing Cole Hamels, and a few BP arms equals Cubs are going to be Mediocre now ?
What drastic change has the Brewers and Cardinals made that all of a sudden Cubs are just some mediocre team… They still have one of the best offensive teams in MLB and defiantly in the NL Central… Darvish looked great the 2nd half when he was fully healthy , still got Hendricks, Quintana could do better, Lester isnt a horrible 3-4 option…Imagine if Morrow and Kimbrel come in healthy there’s a potential good late inning 1-2 punch , Chatwood doesnt look horrible…. Im confused where they all of a sudden are just completely out of contention
The cvbs lost Nick Castellanos too. Take him out of that lineup and they’re a mediocre team. Also, cvbs fans are underestimating Lester’s regression. He’s a 5th starter at this point in his career. Quintana has been league average, and Chattwood has been a disaster in the rotation. Will Darvish keep pitching at a high level? Will he stay healthy? I give it a 20% chance that happens, based off his history. If Theo could make a few trades, the cvbs could still make the playoffs. Big “if” there. Does anybody trust his roster moves anymore?
I agree Lester is no better than a 4th-5th man in the rotation.. And Castillionos isnt out of the picture yet, he wants to be on the cubs, and that could happen in a move or so… I think the best trade would be with Phillies – Bryant/Heyward for Segura/Bohm … Its not as crazy as you’d think , Segura is only 6 mil less then Heyward and the same length of contract.. Phillies also need a CF which Heyward takes over and slides Kingery to 2nd base, Bryant at 3rd.. Thats a solid crew.
Cubs also win cause they put Segura at SS , Javy at 3rd, sign Castellinos for RF , still left with the CF hole and lead off bat but now have some money and another trade chip at C … Which you could move Amaya for Sterling Marte or shop around for something else… I still think Contreras to Rays wouldnt be bad either if you can snag Honeywell or Baz and Brujan or Edwards