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Cubs CHC

201895–68 (0.583)Made Playoffs
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President of baseball ops: Theo Epstein · GM: Jed Hoyer

Overview

Ranks vs the 30 teams in 2018, or a custom range (defaults to every team-season since 1985, when our data starts).

to

Front Office

PoorAverageGreat
Value
Payroll $M
$202M
Surplus $M
-67
Win %
0.583
TAB
-0.2
WAB
+7.0
Roster composition
Roster fWAR
39.5
Dead money %
27%
Depth Players
8.0
Dead WAR
-3.1

Offense

PoorAverageGreat

Pitching & Defense

PoorAverageGreat

Roster

2018 depth chart — stacked by playing time

C

RWillson Contreras133
BVictor Caratini37
RChris Gimenez⇄12
RTaylor Davis3

1B

LAnthony Rizzo153
BVictor Caratini20
BBen Zobrist4
RKris Bryant4
RDavid Bote2
LEfren Navarro2
BIan Happ2
RJavier Báez1
RTaylor Davis1
RWillson Contreras1

2B

RJavier Báez104
BBen Zobrist63
LDaniel Murphy⇄33
LTommy La Stella15
RDavid Bote13
BIan Happ2
LAnthony Rizzo1
LMike Freeman1

3B

RKris Bryant86
RDavid Bote56
LTommy La Stella26
RJavier Báez22
BIan Happ20
BVictor Caratini3

SS

RAddison Russell129
RJavier Báez65
RDavid Bote2

LF

LKyle Schwarber120
BIan Happ59
BBen Zobrist43
RKris Bryant14
RTerrance Gore7
RWillson Contreras5
RAlbert Almora Jr.2
RDavid Bote1
LBrian Duensing1
RSteve Cishek1

CF

RAlbert Almora Jr.137
BIan Happ63
LJason Heyward25

RF

LJason Heyward118
BBen Zobrist61
BIan Happ24
RKris Bryant15
RMark Zagunis1

DH

LKyle Schwarber6
LTommy La Stella2
LDaniel Murphy⇄2
BBen Zobrist1
RTerrance Gore1

Starters

RKyle Hendricks3.1 WAR
LJon Lester1.8 WAR
LCole Hamels⇄1.7 WAR
LMike Montgomery1.4 WAR
LJose Quintana1.2 WAR
RAlec Mills0.5 WAR
RYu Darvish0.2 WAR
LJaime Garcia⇄0.0 WAR
RJen-Ho Tseng-0.0 WAR
RDuane Underwood Jr.-0.1 WAR
RLuke Farrell-0.3 WAR
RTyler Chatwood-0.4 WAR

Bullpen

★ RBrandon Morrow22 sv
RSteve Cishek25 h
RCarl Edwards Jr.23 h
LJustin Wilson16 h
RPedro Strop9 h
LRandy Rosario8 h
RJesse Chavez⇄7 h
LBrian Duensing3 h

Each position shows its top 3 by games (top = starter) — click "+more" for the rest. The letter is bats/throws; ⇄ marks a player traded mid-season. Starters are ranked by WAR, bullpen by holds; ★ marks the closer (most save chances). MLB Stats API.

Key additions (new vs 2017)

PlayerfWAR
Cole Hamels1.7
Jesse Chavez1.1
Steve Cishek0.8
David Bote0.8
Brandon Morrow0.6
Jorge De La Rosa0.5

Key subtractions (gone from 2017)

Player2017 fWAR
Jake Arrieta2.6
Jon Jay1.2
Wade Davis1.1
René Rivera0.7
Koji Uehara0.6
Miguel Montero0.6

Contract Value

WAR translated into tier-adjusted market value, then compared with what the player was paid by Cubs. Guaranteed contracts from the 2015-present contract-data period use the known contract period through 2018; everyone else is shown as a 2018 season snapshot.

PlayerPeriodfWARTier Market $MPaid $MSurplus $M$ / WARTierContract
Javier Báez 2018 +5.8 +64.3 0.7 +63.6 $0.1M 1.38× Free Agent · 2022–2027 · $23.3M AAV
Kyle Hendricks 2018 +3.1 +48.5 4.2 +44.3 $1.3M 1.96× –
Kyle Schwarber 2018 +2.2 +21.9 0.6 +21.3 $0.3M 1.22× Free Agent · 2026–2030 · $30.0M AAV
Anthony Rizzo 2018 +3.3 +28.2 7.3 +20.9 $2.2M 1.07× –
Albert Almora Jr. 2018 +2.1 +20.5 0.6 +19.9 $0.3M 1.22× –
Kris Bryant 2018 +2.8 +25.1 10.8 +14.2 $3.9M 1.12× Free Agent · 2022–2028 · $26.0M AAV
Addison Russell 2018 +2.3 +16.6 3.2 +13.4 $1.4M 0.89× –
Jesse Chavez↔ 2018 +1.1 +11.7 0.6 +11.1 $0.5M 1.34× –
Cole Hamels↔ 2018 +1.7 +19.8 8.8 +11.0 $5.3M 1.49× –
Mike Montgomery 2018 +1.4 +11.0 0.6 +10.4 $0.5M 1.02× –
Ben Zobrist 2018 +2.9 +25.3 16.5 +8.8 $5.6M 1.07× –
Ian Happ 2018 +1.0 +6.6 0.6 +6.0 $0.6M 0.83× Extension · 2024–2026 · $20.3M AAV
Carl Edwards Jr. 2018 +1.1 +6.1 0.6 +5.5 $0.5M 0.67× –
Willson Contreras 2018 +1.0 +4.2 0.6 +3.5 $0.6M 0.52× Free Agent · 2023–2027 · $17.5M AAV
David Bote 2018 +0.8 +3.7 0.3 +3.4 $0.4M 0.58× –
Pedro Strop 2018 +0.9 +9.2 5.8 +3.3 $6.8M 1.34× –
Steve Cishek 2018 +0.8 +8.9 6.5 +2.4 $7.8M 1.34× –
Alec Mills 2018 +0.5 +2.4 0.1 +2.3 $0.2M 0.67× –
Jorge De La Rosa↔ 2018 +0.5 +2.7 0.6 +2.1 $1.3M 0.67× –
Jose Quintana 2018 +1.2 +10.1 8.8 +1.2 $7.1M 1.02× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $6.0M AAV
Anthony Bass 2018 +0.2 +1.2 0.2 +1.1 $0.8M 0.67× –
James Norwood 2018 +0.1 +0.7 0.1 +0.6 $0.9M 0.67× –
Mark Zagunis 2018 +0.1 +0.7 0.1 +0.6 $1.0M 0.83× –
Eddie Butler↔ 2018 +0.1 +0.6 0.2 +0.4 $1.4M 0.67× –
Terrance Gore 2018 +0.1 +0.5 0.1 +0.4 $1.1M 0.83× –
Cory Mazzoni 2018 +0.1 +0.3 0.0 +0.3 $0.8M 0.67× –
Mike Freeman 2018 -0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 – 0.56× –
Taylor Davis 2018 +0.0 +0.0 0.1 -0.1 $10.0M 0.52× –
Efren Navarro 2018 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 – 0.56× –
Jen-Ho Tseng 2018 -0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 – 1.02× –
Rob Zastryzny 2018 -0.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.3 – 0.67× Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.9M AAV
Tommy La Stella 2018 +0.1 +0.6 0.9 -0.3 $7.2M 0.58× –
Allen Webster 2018 -0.1 -0.5 0.0 -0.5 – 0.67× –
Duane Underwood Jr. 2018 -0.1 -0.7 0.0 -0.7 – 1.02× –
Justin Hancock 2018 -0.1 -0.3 0.4 -0.7 – 0.67× –
Chris Gimenez↔ 2018 -0.2 -0.8 0.1 -0.9 – 0.52× –
Dillon Maples 2018 -0.2 -1.0 0.1 -1.1 – 0.67× –
Justin Wilson 2018 +0.6 +3.0 4.2 -1.3 $7.6M 0.67× –
Randy Rosario 2018 -0.2 -0.9 0.4 -1.3 – 0.67× –
Luke Farrell 2018 -0.3 -1.4 0.2 -1.6 – 0.67× –
Victor Caratini 2018 -0.3 -1.3 0.4 -1.7 – 0.52× Free Agent · 2026–2028 · $7.0M AAV
Jaime García↔ 2018 +0.0 +0.2 1.9 -1.8 $56.1M 0.67× –
Brandon Morrow 2018 +0.6 +6.8 9.0 -2.2 $14.1M 1.34× –
Brandon Kintzler↔ 2018 -0.3 -3.0 1.8 -4.8 – 1.34× –
Daniel Murphy↔ 2018 +0.3 +1.1 6.7 -5.6 $26.4M 0.56× –
Jon Lester 2018 +1.8 +20.9 27.5 -6.6 $15.6M 1.49× –
Brian Duensing 2018 -0.9 -4.6 3.5 -8.1 – 0.67× –
Jason Heyward 2018 +1.7 +16.8 28.2 -11.3 $16.3M 1.22× –
Tyler Chatwood 2018 -0.4 -3.1 12.5 -15.6 – 1.02× –
Yu Darvish 2018 +0.2 +1.5 25.0 -23.5 $135.6M 1.02× Extension · 2023–2028 · $18.0M AAV
Total—+39.3+383.2201.5+181.3—

Trades

Every graded 2018 deal involving the Cubs — best expected value first. Surplus is realized value in $M; 9 total.

2018 · CHC / TEX
CHC · Theo Epstein +$20.8M
Cole Hamels
TEX · Jon Daniels −$20.8M
Eddie Butler, Rollie Lacy, Alexander Ovalles
CHC came out ahead by $20.8M
2018 · WSN / CHC
WSN · Michael Rizzo +$11.2M
Andruw Monasterio
CHC · Theo Epstein −$11.2M
Daniel Murphy
WSN came out ahead by $11.2M
2018 · CHC / NYY
CHC · Theo Epstein +$0.0M
Ronald Torreyes
NYY · Brian Cashman +$0.0M
cash / PTBNL
Even trade
2018 · ANA / CHC
ANA · Billy Eppler +$11.2M
Tommy La Stella
CHC · Theo Epstein −$11.2M
Conor Lillis-White
ANA came out ahead by $11.2M
2018 · CHC / TEX
CHC · Theo Epstein +$7.2M
Jesse Chavez
TEX · Jon Daniels −$7.2M
Tyler Thomas
CHC came out ahead by $7.2M
2018 · WSN / CHC
WSN · Michael Rizzo +$1.6M
Jhon Romero
CHC · Theo Epstein −$1.6M
Brandon Kintzler
WSN came out ahead by $1.6M
2018 · CHC / SDP
CHC · Theo Epstein +$7.2M
Rowan Wick
SDP · AJ Preller −$7.2M
Jason Vosler
CHC came out ahead by $7.2M
2018 · MIN / CHC
MIN · Derek Falvey +$0.8M
Chris Gimenez
CHC · Theo Epstein −$0.8M
Bobby Wilson
MIN came out ahead by $0.8M
2018 · CHC / TEX
CHC · Theo Epstein +$11.2M
cash / PTBNL
TEX · Jon Daniels −$11.2M
Drew Smyly
CHC came out ahead by $11.2M

Current & Historical Payroll

2018 payroll
$201.6M
2019 guaranteed
$0M

What the front office was committed to as of 2018, 2018–2024. Guaranteed $ are contract commitments signed by 2018; arbitration & free-agent years are projected from service time. Hover a figure for its luxury-tax (CBT) & actual-cash values.

current $ guaranteed $ arbitration (proj) pre-arb (proj) free agent club option player option mutual option vesting option

Guaranteed / signed (15)

PlayerAgeSvc2018201920202021202220232024
Jason Heyward288.000$28.2MFREE AGENT
Jon Lester3411.075$27.5MFREE AGENT
Yu Darvish316.000$25.0MFREE AGENT
Ben Zobrist3710.134$16.5MFREE AGENT
Tyler Chatwood286.039$12.5MFREE AGENT
Brandon Morrow339.086$9.0MFREE AGENT
Cole Hamels3411.143$8.8MFREE AGENT
Daniel Murphy338.109$6.7MFREE AGENT
Steve Cishek326.143$6.5MFREE AGENT
Pedro Strop336.156$5.8MFREE AGENT
Brian Duensing358.055$3.5MFREE AGENT
Jaime García319.047$1.9MFREE AGENT
Brandon Kintzler336.003$1.8MFREE AGENT
Jorge De La Rosa3714.000$638kFREE AGENT
Jesse Chavez347.108$569kFREE AGENT

Arbitration-eligible (8)

PlayerAgeSvc2018201920202021202220232024
Jose Quintana295.133$8.8MFREE AGENT
Anthony Rizzo285.168$7.3MFREE AGENT
Justin Wilson305.035$4.2MFREE AGENT
Kyle Hendricks283.080$4.2MARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Tommy La Stella294.000$950kARB 3FREE AGENT
Carl Edwards Jr.263.000$594kARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Anthony Bass303.159$182kARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Chris Gimenez355.163$55kFREE AGENT

Pre-arbitration (27)

PlayerAgeSvc2018201920202021202220232024
Kris Bryant262.171$10.8MARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Addison Russell242.167$3.2MARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Javier Báez252.089$657kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Mike Montgomery282.089$611kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Kyle Schwarber252.086$604kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Willson Contreras261.108$604kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Albert Almora Jr.241.073$584kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Ian Happ230.142$570kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Victor Caratini240.075$433kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Randy Rosario240.010$355kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Justin Hancock27–$355k
David Bote250.000$293kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Luke Farrell270.031$188kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Eddie Butler271.141$152kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
James Norwood240.000$132kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Dillon Maples260.031$117kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Mark Zagunis250.010$97kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Taylor Davis280.027$88kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Terrance Gore271.000$88kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Alec Mills260.022$82kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Rob Zastryzny260.079$62kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Cory Mazzoni280.093$50kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Allen Webster280.157$35kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Mike Freeman300.106$26kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Efren Navarro322.072$15kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jen-Ho Tseng230.020$3kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Duane Underwood Jr.230.000$3kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT

Graphs

How each 2018 acquisition stacked onto Cubs's playoff-odds curve. The side table is ranked by PPA.

Rosternomics — front-office performance, roster value, and transaction history. Follow @rosternomics on X.
Decision-maker records extend to 1933; resource-controlled WAR and payroll metrics cover 1985–2026. Data sources include FanGraphs, Baseball-Reference, the Chadwick Bureau register, the Lahman Database, prospect rankings from Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, and FanGraphs, and public payroll records. Transaction and trade data was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Executive birth/death data via Wikidata (CC0).
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