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As expected the Cubs locked up salaries for all six of their arbitration eligible players, as the deadline to submit final numbers arrived Friday.
Kris Bryant and Albert Almora Jr.’s deals were both announced in the morning, while Javier Báez, Kyle Schwarber, Willson Contreras and Kyle Ryan eventually had their deals official later in the afternoon.
As ESPN’s Jesse Rogers pointed out the Cubs can still negotiate contract extensions with their players. Báez is being pointed out specifically because there have been a few reports this offseason saying the Cubs and the All-Star shortstop are trying to work out a long-term extension. It could even happen during the season just like Kyle Hendricks last year.
Here’s a quick comparison on what the Cubs arbitration eligible players are getting and what they were projected to earn according to MLBTR’s model that is pretty accurate.
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Projected:
- Kris Bryant – $18.5MM
- Javier Baez – $9.3MM
- Kyle Schwarber – $8.0MM
- Willson Contreras – $4.5MM
- Albert Almora – $1.8MM
- Kyle Ryan – $1.1MM
Actual 2020 salary
- Kris Bryant – $18.6MM
- Javier Baez – $10MM
- Kyle Schwarber – $7MM
- Willson Contreras – $4.5MM
- Albert Almora – $1.575MM
- Kyle Ryan – $975K
The Cubs also had one other arbitration eligible player in right-handed pitcher Jharel Cotton who was acquired from the A’s. He avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $640K salary back in December.
