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Cubs CHC

202171–91 (0.438)
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President of baseball ops: Jed Hoyer · GM: Carter Hawkins

Overview

Ranks vs the 30 teams in 2021, or a custom range (defaults to every team-season since 1985, when our data starts).

to

Front Office

PoorAverageGreat
Value
Payroll $M
$125M
Surplus $M
-53
Win %
0.438
TAB
-11.4
WAB
-10.8
Roster composition
Roster fWAR
22.7
Dead money %
41%
Depth Players
6.0
Dead WAR
-8.4

Offense

PoorAverageGreat

Pitching & Defense

PoorAverageGreat

Roster

2021 depth chart — stacked by playing time

C

RWillson Contreras116
RRobinson Chirinos27
RAustin Romine21
LTony Wolters8
RP.J. Higgins6
BJose Lobatón5
RErick Castillo4
BTaylor Gushue1
RTyler Payne1

1B

RFrank Schwindel⇄52
RPatrick Wisdom13
RKris Bryant⇄12
LAlfonso Rivas III5
RMatt Duffy2
LJoc Pederson⇄1
LEric Sogard1
RP.J. Higgins1
BTaylor Gushue1

2B

RDavid Bote61
LEric Sogard43
RNico Hoerner30
BSergio Alcántara22
RMatt Duffy21
BIan Happ8
BIldemaro Vargas⇄8
RTrent Giambrone4
BAndrew Romine2
LTony Wolters2
RRobinson Chirinos2
LAnthony Rizzo⇄1
RTyler Ladendorf1

3B

RPatrick Wisdom77
RMatt Duffy56
RDavid Bote24
LEric Sogard10
BSergio Alcántara3
BIan Happ2
RNico Hoerner1
RWillson Contreras1

SS

RJavier Báez⇄91
BSergio Alcántara55
BAndrew Romine16
RNico Hoerner12
RMatt Duffy5
LEric Sogard4
RKris Bryant⇄1

LF

LJoc Pederson⇄66
BIan Happ65
RPatrick Wisdom15
LRafael Ortega13
LNick Martini7
LAlfonso Rivas III5
RMatt Duffy3
RNico Hoerner3
RJohneshwy Fargas⇄2
LGreg Deichmann2
RMichael Hermosillo2
RTrayce Thompson2
LTony Wolters1
RWillson Contreras1

CF

LRafael Ortega73
BIan Happ56
RJohneshwy Fargas⇄12
RMichael Hermosillo5
RTrayce Thompson3
RNico Hoerner2

RF

LJason Heyward97
BIan Happ16
LRafael Ortega13
RTrayce Thompson8
LNick Martini7
LGreg Deichmann7
RMichael Hermosillo6
LAlfonso Rivas III5
RPatrick Wisdom3
RJohneshwy Fargas⇄2

DH

RFrank Schwindel⇄8
RDavid Bote3
BIan Happ1
BIldemaro Vargas⇄1
LJoc Pederson⇄1
RRobinson Chirinos1

Starters

RKyle Hendricks1.1 WAR
RAdbert Alzolay0.8 WAR
RAlec Mills0.7 WAR
RTrevor Williams⇄0.6 WAR
RKohl Stewart0.1 WAR
RZach Davies-0.0 WAR
RRobert Stock⇄-0.2 WAR
LJustin Steele-0.2 WAR
RKeegan Thompson-0.3 WAR
RAdrian Sampson-0.4 WAR
RCory Abbott-0.5 WAR
RJake Arrieta⇄-0.6 WAR

Bullpen

★ RRowan Wick5 sv
LRex Brothers8 h
RDan Winkler6 h
LAdam Morgan4 h
RRyan Tepera⇄0 h
LAndrew Chafin⇄0 h
RCraig Kimbrel⇄0 h
RDillon Maples0 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 2020)

PlayerfWAR
Frank Schwindel2.1
Rafael Ortega1.6
Matt Duffy1.2
Sergio Alcántara1.0
Robinson Chirinos0.7
Trevor Williams0.6

Key subtractions (gone from 2020)

Player2020 fWAR
Kyle Schwarber0.5
Tyler Chatwood0.4
Jason Kipnis0.4
Victor Caratini0.3
Jon Lester0.2
Billy Hamilton0.2

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 2021; everyone else is shown as a 2021 season snapshot.

PlayerPeriodfWARTier Market $MPaid $MSurplus $M$ / WARTierContract
Patrick Wisdom 2021 +2.4 +16.0 0.4 +15.6 $0.2M 0.85× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $1.0M AAV
Rafael Ortega 2021 +1.6 +15.2 0.4 +14.8 $0.3M 1.22× –
Willson Contreras 2021 +2.7 +21.5 6.7 +14.8 $2.5M 1.00× Free Agent · 2023–2027 · $17.5M AAV
Frank Schwindel↔ 2021 +2.1 +13.8 0.2 +13.6 $0.1M 0.81× –
Kris Bryant↔ 2021 +2.6 +22.3 12.6 +9.7 $4.8M 1.07× Free Agent · 2022–2028 · $26.0M AAV
Nico Hoerner 2021 +1.6 +10.1 0.5 +9.6 $0.3M 0.82× Extension · 2027–2032 · $23.5M AAV
Javier Báez↔ 2021 +2.1 +15.2 7.6 +7.5 $3.6M 0.89× Free Agent · 2022–2027 · $23.3M AAV
Craig Kimbrel↔ 2021 +2.1 +16.7 9.9 +6.8 $4.6M 0.98× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV
Adbert Alzolay 2021 +0.8 +6.5 0.5 +6.0 $0.7M 1.02× –
Ian Happ 2021 +1.5 +9.8 4.1 +5.7 $2.8M 0.83× Extension · 2024–2026 · $20.3M AAV
Alec Mills 2021 +0.7 +5.9 0.6 +5.3 $0.8M 1.02× –
Ryan Tepera↔ 2021 +1.1 +5.7 0.5 +5.2 $0.5M 0.67× –
Matt Duffy 2021 +1.2 +5.6 1.0 +4.6 $0.8M 0.58× –
Sergio Alcántara 2021 +1.0 +4.7 0.4 +4.3 $0.4M 0.61× –
Trevor Williams↔ 2021 +0.6 +5.3 1.4 +3.9 $2.2M 1.02× Free Agent · 2025–2026 · $7.0M AAV
Andrew Chafin↔ 2021 +0.9 +5.0 1.4 +3.6 $1.5M 0.67× –
Rowan Wick 2021 +0.4 +4.1 0.6 +3.5 $1.5M 1.34× Free Agent · 2026–2027 · $0.9M AAV
Jake Marisnick↔ 2021 +0.5 +3.5 0.7 +2.8 $1.2M 0.83× –
Robinson Chirinos 2021 +0.7 +2.8 0.5 +2.3 $0.7M 0.52× –
Codi Heuer↔ 2021 +0.2 +1.9 0.1 +1.7 $0.8M 1.34× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV
Brad Wieck 2021 +0.4 +2.0 0.4 +1.6 $1.0M 0.67× –
Michael Hermosillo 2021 +0.2 +1.1 0.1 +1.0 $0.9M 0.83× –
Scott Effross 2021 +0.2 +0.9 0.1 +0.8 $0.7M 0.67× –
Alfonso Rivas III 2021 +0.2 +0.8 0.1 +0.7 $0.6M 0.56× –
Anthony Rizzo↔ 2021 +1.7 +11.2 10.8 +0.5 $6.3M 0.82× –
Jason Adam 2021 +0.1 +0.6 0.1 +0.5 $0.9M 0.67× Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $6.7M AAV
Kohl Stewart 2021 +0.1 +0.7 0.4 +0.3 $5.0M 1.02× –
Erick Castillo 2021 +0.0 +0.1 0.0 +0.1 $0.5M 0.52× –
Joe Biagini 2021 +0.0 +0.2 0.1 +0.1 $2.2M 0.67× –
Tyler Ladendorf 2021 -0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 – 0.56× –
Tyler Payne 2021 -0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 – 0.52× –
Shelby Miller↔ 2021 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 -0.4 – 0.67× Free Agent · 2026–2027 · $1.2M AAV
Taylor Gushue 2021 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 -0.4 – 0.56× –
Ildemaro Vargas↔ 2021 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 -0.5 – 0.69× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $1.2M AAV
Ryan Meisinger 2021 -0.1 -0.6 0.0 -0.7 – 0.67× –
Dillon Maples 2021 -0.1 -0.3 0.5 -0.8 – 0.67× –
Michael Rucker 2021 -0.1 -0.7 0.2 -0.9 – 0.67× –
Trent Giambrone 2021 -0.2 -0.9 0.0 -0.9 – 0.56× –
Brandon Workman↔ 2021 -0.2 -0.9 0.1 -1.0 – 0.67× –
Nick Martini 2021 -0.1 -0.9 0.1 -1.1 – 0.83× –
Johneshwy Fargas↔ 2021 -0.2 -1.1 0.1 -1.2 – 0.83× –
Tony Wolters 2021 -0.1 -0.4 0.8 -1.2 – 0.52× –
Tommy Nance 2021 -0.2 -1.1 0.2 -1.3 – 0.67× –
Andrew Romine 2021 -0.3 -1.3 0.1 -1.4 – 0.61× –
Justin Steele 2021 -0.2 -1.0 0.4 -1.4 – 0.67× Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $6.8M AAV
Robert Stock↔ 2021 -0.2 -1.3 0.1 -1.4 – 1.02× –
Manuel Rodríguez 2021 -0.3 -1.4 0.2 -1.6 – 0.67× Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV
P.J. Higgins 2021 -0.3 -1.2 0.4 -1.6 – 0.52× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV
Trevor Megill 2021 -0.3 -1.4 0.3 -1.7 – 0.67× Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $4.7M AAV
Keegan Thompson 2021 -0.3 -1.4 0.4 -1.8 – 0.67× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $1.3M AAV
Jose Lobatón 2021 -0.3 -1.4 0.6 -2.0 – 0.52× –
Greg Deichmann 2021 -0.3 -2.2 0.1 -2.2 – 0.83× –
Austin Romine 2021 -0.2 -0.8 1.5 -2.3 – 0.52× –
Kyle Ryan 2021 -0.3 -1.5 0.8 -2.3 – 0.67× –
Rex Brothers 2021 -0.3 -1.4 0.8 -2.3 – 0.67× –
Jake Jewell 2021 -0.4 -2.3 0.1 -2.4 – 0.67× –
David Bote 2021 -0.3 -1.5 1.0 -2.5 – 0.56× –
Cory Abbott 2021 -0.5 -2.6 0.0 -2.6 – 0.67× –
Adam Morgan 2021 -0.3 -1.8 0.9 -2.7 – 0.67× –
Joc Pederson↔ 2021 -0.1 -0.3 2.4 -2.7 – 0.83× Free Agent · 2025–2027 · $18.5M AAV
Adrian Sampson 2021 -0.4 -2.9 0.1 -3.0 – 1.02× –
Dan Winkler 2021 -0.5 -2.8 0.9 -3.7 – 0.67× –
Eric Sogard 2021 -0.7 -3.1 1.0 -4.1 – 0.56× –
Kyle Hendricks 2021 +1.1 +8.7 14.0 -5.3 $13.1M 1.02× –
Zach Davies 2021 -0.0 -0.0 8.6 -8.6 – 1.02× –
Jake Arrieta↔ 2021 -0.6 -4.6 5.0 -9.6 – 1.02× –
Jason Heyward 2021 +0.1 +0.4 21.0 -20.6 $368.2M 0.83× –
Pedro Strop 2021 +0.0 +0.1 0.1 +0.0 $4.3M 0.67× –
Trayce Thompson 2021 +0.5 +3.1 – – – 0.83× –
Total—+22.7+175.0125.1+46.4—

Trades

Every graded 2021 deal involving the Cubs — best expected value first. Surplus is realized value in $M; 10 total.

2021 · CHC / CHW
CHC · Jed Hoyer +$5.6M
Codi Heuer, Nick Madrigal
CHW · Kenny Williams −$5.6M
Craig Kimbrel
CHC came out ahead by $5.6M
2021 · CHC / OAK
CHC · Jed Hoyer +$0.8M
Daniel Palencia, Greg Deichmann
OAK · Billy Beane −$0.8M
Andrew Chafin
CHC came out ahead by $0.8M
2021 · CHW / CHC
CHW · Kenny Williams +$2.4M
Ryan Tepera
CHC · Jed Hoyer −$2.4M
Bailey Horn
CHW came out ahead by $2.4M
2021 · PIT / CHC
PIT · Ben Cherington +$2.4M
Duane Underwood
CHC · Jed Hoyer −$2.4M
Shendrik Apostel
PIT came out ahead by $2.4M
2021 · CHC / NYY
CHC · Jed Hoyer +$40.8M
Kevin Alcántara, Alexander Vizcaino
NYY · Brian Cashman −$40.8M
Anthony Rizzo
CHC came out ahead by $40.8M
2021 · SDP / CHC
SDP · AJ Preller +$0.8M
James Norwood
CHC · Jed Hoyer −$0.8M
Dauris Valdez
SDP came out ahead by $0.8M
2021 · ATL / CHC
ATL · Alex Anthopoulos +$0.8M
Joc Pederson
CHC · Jed Hoyer −$0.8M
Bryce Ball
ATL came out ahead by $0.8M
2021 · SDP / CHC
SDP · AJ Preller +$1.6M
Jake Marisnick
CHC · Jed Hoyer −$1.6M
Anderson Espinoza
SDP came out ahead by $1.6M
2021 · CHC / SFG
CHC · Jed Hoyer +$4.0M
Alexander Canario, Caleb Kilian
SFG · Farhan Zaidi −$4.0M
Kris Bryant
CHC came out ahead by $4.0M
2021 · CHC / NYM
CHC · Jed Hoyer +$168.8M
Pete Crow-Armstrong
NYM · Sandy Alderson −$168.8M
Javier Báez, Trevor Williams
CHC came out ahead by $168.8M

Current & Historical Payroll

2021 payroll
$125.4M
2022 guaranteed
$0M

What the front office was committed to as of 2021, 2021–2027. Guaranteed $ are contract commitments signed by 2021; 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 (18)

PlayerAgeSvc2021202220232024202520262027
Jason Heyward3111.000$21.0MFREE AGENT
Kyle Hendricks316.081$14.0MFREE AGENT
Anthony Rizzo318.168$10.8MFREE AGENT
Craig Kimbrel339.161$9.9MFREE AGENT
Jake Arrieta359.145$5.0MFREE AGENT
Joc Pederson297.000$2.4MFREE AGENT
Austin Romine327.044$1.5MFREE AGENT
Andrew Chafin316.020$1.4MFREE AGENT
Eric Sogard3511.000$1.0MFREE AGENT
Dan Winkler316.000$900kFREE AGENT
Kyle Ryan297.000$800kFREE AGENT
Jake Marisnick308.000$657kFREE AGENT
Jose Lobatón367.041$570kFREE AGENT
Robinson Chirinos378.102$484kFREE AGENT
Brandon Workman328.000$124kFREE AGENT
Andrew Romine356.060$100kFREE AGENT
Pedro Strop3612.000$100kFREE AGENT
Shelby Miller306.093$61kFREE AGENT

Arbitration-eligible (13)

PlayerAgeSvc2021202220232024202520262027
Kris Bryant295.171$12.6MFREE AGENT
Zach Davies285.020$8.6MFREE AGENT
Javier Báez285.089$7.6MFREE AGENT
Willson Contreras294.108$6.7MARB 3FREE AGENT
Ian Happ263.036$4.1MARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Trevor Williams294.027$1.4MARB 3FREE AGENT
Matt Duffy305.059$1.0MFREE AGENT
Adam Morgan315.017$900kFREE AGENT
Rex Brothers334.163$850kARB 3FREE AGENT
Tony Wolters295.000$800kFREE AGENT
Ryan Tepera335.008$529kFREE AGENT
Trevor Megill275.002$331kFREE AGENT
Joe Biagini315.000$100kFREE AGENT

Pre-arbitration (38)

PlayerAgeSvc2021202220232024202520262027
David Bote282.100$1.0MARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Alec Mills291.097$600kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Rowan Wick281.114$593kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Adbert Alzolay260.050$542kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Dillon Maples290.136$533kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Nico Hoerner241.021$503kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
P.J. Higgins280.000$423kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Kohl Stewart261.065$403kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Justin Steele250.011$402kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Patrick Wisdom290.079$402kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Rafael Ortega301.014$399kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Keegan Thompson260.000$396kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Brad Wieck291.125$393kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Sergio Alcántara240.050$356kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Tommy Nance300.000$209kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Manuel Rodríguez240.008$202kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Michael Rucker270.000$196kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Frank Schwindel290.015$177kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Codi Heuer241.000$146kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Michael Hermosillo261.016$145kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Adrian Sampson291.134$141kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Nick Martini311.028$141kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Johneshwy Fargas26–$121k
Alfonso Rivas III240.000$110kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Scott Effross270.000$110kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jason Adam291.147$105kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Robert Stock311.123$79kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jake Jewell280.151$77kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Greg Deichmann26–$55k
Ryan Meisinger270.079$49kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Cory Abbott250.000$40kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Ildemaro Vargas292.028$25kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Taylor Gushue27–$18k
Trent Giambrone27–$12k
Erick Castillo28–$9k
Tyler Ladendorf331.093$6kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Tyler Payne28–$3k
Trayce Thompson301.058—Pre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT

Graphs

How each 2021 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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