The Cubs, who had reportedly been involved in the Ohtani sweepstakes, now must shift their focus elsewhere, with plenty of needs and an open checkbook as free agency continues.

In all likelihood, the team will target starting pitching help after the departure of Marcus Stroman, but they’ll also need to address concerns in their corner infield spots and in center field, among other needs.

Here are some of the players the Cubs could potentially seek out as the Ohtani sweepstakes ends.

Cody Bellinger

Contrary to the rest of the blue-chip free agents, the Cubs and Bellinger have a pre-existing relationship. His agent, Scott Boras, has repeatedly said that Bellinger would be open to returning to the Cubs, but that he would also explore all other options too.

“Our platform is Cody’s let us know that he’s listening to everyone involved, and there are no exclusions,” Boras told the media at the MLB Winter Meetings.

Bellinger rejuvenated his career with the Cubs last season, hitting .307 with 26 home runs and 97 runs driven in. He was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year, and was instrumental in the team increasing their win total to 83.

The Yankees were expected to be heavy favorites on Bellinger, but now that they traded for All-Star outfielder Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo, Bellinger likely isn’t on their radar any more.

Bellinger also offers flexibility, as he is able to play center field and first base as a plus-defender in addition to his left-handed power at the plate.

Should the Cubs be inclined to call up youngster Pete Crow-Armstrong permanently, the Cubs could easily stick Bellinger at first. Not to mention, Christopher Morel offers a solid plug in the outfield if needed.

Matt Chapman

The Cubs churned through third basemen frequently last season, with everyone from Nick Madrigal to Patrick Wisdom to Miles Mastrobuoni seeing time at the hot corner.

Now, there’s really only one good option at third base left on the market, as Matt Chapman remains unsigned.

There are some concerns with how he finished the 2023 season after a strong start at the plate, but he’s proven to be durable, averaging nearly 150 games per season, and he is also a plus-defender, giving the Cubs even more quality defense on an infield that already includes Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson.

Tyler Glasnow

The Cubs have been circling a Tyler Glasnow trade throughout the offseason, but their efforts could step up now that Ohtani has signed.

The Cubs are undoubtedly looking to solidify their rotation, thanks to the departure of Stroman and the struggle of Hayden Wesneski to nail down a spot in that mix.

Glasnow is a tremendous strikeout threat, with 162 strikeouts in 120 innings last season, but he’s also slated to make $25 million this season, is set to become a free agent at the end of 2024, and has had some durability concerns in his career.

Rhys Hoskins

Hoskins isn’t at the same level as the preceding three players, but he would be a play to help close the gap at first base with flexibility at the designated hitter spot.

Remember, Matt Mervis will likely compete for some playing time at first base, too.

After missing the entirety of the 2023 season with a knee injury, it’s uncertain what type of contract Hoskins is looking for. Jon Morosi did report, however, that the Cubs and Hoskins have been in touch about a one-year or multi-year deal.

Hoskins spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit 30 home runs and drove in 79 RBIs during the 2022 season, appearing in 156 games. He slashed .246/.332/.462, roughly in line with his career averages in all three categories.

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Ohtani made the announcement on his Instagram page Saturday, apologizing for the amount of time it took to reach his decision while expressing his excitement to join the Dodgers.

“I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team,” he said. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels’ organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years.”

Ohtani, arguably the most sought after free agent in baseball history, had also been pursued by numerous other clubs, including the Toronto Blue Jays and the Chicago Cubs, among others.

According to multiple reports, Ohtani’s deal with the Dodgers will be by far the richest in baseball history, as he has signed a 10-year deal worth a total of $700 million.

The contract reportedly includes deferrals to help lower his luxury tax impact and to allow the Dodgers more cash-on-hand to add pieces around Ohtani, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and others.

According to multiple reports, there are no opt-outs in Ohtani’s deal.

We will update this story with additional details as they become available.

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Márquez, who was ranked as the Cubs’ top prospect after the 2020 season, appeared in a total of 23 games in the Cubs’ system last season. He posted a 1-1 record with a 4.99 ERA, striking out 44 batters and walking 38 in 30.2 innings of work.

Those control problems led his WHIP to balloon to 1.92, and the Cubs non-tendered him in mid-November, paving the way for him to become a free agent.

Márquez went through numerous challenges during his time with the Cubs, missing the 2021 season with a left shoulder strain and the 2022 season after undergoing surgery on that same shoulder.

He made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Cubs, appearing in one game and allowing five earned runs.

According to the Astros, Márquez will be assigned to their Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land, Texas.

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According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Cubs are indeed interested in signing the 25-year-old hurler, but other big market teams are also very much in the mix.

That list of teams includes the Los Angeles Dodgers, whom Heyman said could be the only team interested in, or even capable of, signing both Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani in the same offseason.

The Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox are also potentially in the mix for Yamamoto’s services.

It’s rare for a pitcher as young as Yamamoto to be posted by a Japanese team, but that is exactly what the Orix Buffaloes did this week. In seven career seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, Yamamoto has posted a stellar 70-29 record with a 1.82 ERA. He has struck out 922 batters in 897 career innings in that league.

He averages 95-to-97 miles per hour with his fastball, and some reports have indicated that he could command $200 million or more on the open market.

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Luis Enrique Morales first reported the news on Monday night in Venezuela, where Escobar is currently pitching in the Winter Leagues. The deal was also reported by several outlets in Japan, where Escobar had pitched for the last six seasons:

Escobar, a former Top-100 prospect, last pitched in the big leagues in 2016 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, appearing in 25 games and posting a 7.23 ERA.

He has spent the last seven seasons pitching in Japan, including the last six with the Yokohama Bay Stars.

In 58 total appearances between the Japanese and Venezuelan Winter League, Escobar has a 4-2 record with a 3.33 ERA, striking out 46 batters in 51.1 innings of work.

According to a note from Bleacher Nation, Escobar also notably has been a teammate of pitcher Shota Imanaga, who is expected to come to the big leagues in 2024 and has been repeatedly connected to the Cubs in free agency rumors.

It is unclear what type of contract Escobar signed, but in all likelihood he will come to spring training with an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Cubs’ bullpen.

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According to reports, the official window to negotiate with Yamamoto will begin on Tuesday, beginning a process where all 30 teams can make offers to the hurler and to the Buffaloes for his services.

In 24 appearances during the 2023 season, Yamamoto posted a 17-6 record and a sparkling 1.16 ERA, with 176 strikeouts and just 28 walks in 171 innings of work.

Numerous big-market teams have been reported as interested in acquiring Yamamoto, who could command a massive price tag in free agency.

Under the rules of MLB’s posting system, players from the Nippon Professional Baseball league who do not have nine years of pro experience can request to be “posted” for MLB clubs, which is what happened in this case.

That posting opens a 45-day period where teams can negotiate with him. A “release fee” would also have to be paid to Orix by the team that agrees to sign him, and that fee could tack on an additional $30 million or more depending on the price of his contract.

Some reports have emerged that Yamamoto could command $200 million or more over the lifetime of his MLB contract, likely limiting his market to big market teams. He is highly-coveted not just because of his track record of success in Japan, but also because he is only 25 years old, meaning that he could be an ace-level MLB pitcher for a decade or more.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, that could include teams like the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants, and the Cubs, but it is unclear how aggressively the Cubs could go after Yamamoto, especially if they are serious about trying to sign superstar free agent Shohei Ohtani.  

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According to Ken Rosenthal and Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, Ross was offered a role as the New York Yankees’ bench coach shortly after he was fired by the Cubs, but turned the Bronx Bombers down.

“Ross would prefer to manage if he immediately jumps back into a uniformed position,” according to the report.

Rosenthal elaborated on that reporting during the latest edition of his “Foul Territory” podcast.

“It doesn’t appear it’s going in that direction,” he said of Ross landing a managerial role during this offseason. “Ross will likely sit out the year, or become an assistant somewhere. He could do that and collect his salary for 2024. David Ross is going to be just fine. David Ross is not only a good baseball person, he’s a good broadcaster.”

The Yankees’ bench coach position became vacant when Carlos Mendoza switched sides of town, taking over as manager of the New York Mets after Counsell made it clear he wasn’t interested in heading to Flushing Meadows.

Currently, there are just two managerial vacancies in MLB. The Milwaukee Brewers are still looking for their replacement for Craig Counsell, who replaced Ross as the Cubs’ skipper this week. The San Diego Padres, who saw Bob Melvin head north to take over the San Francisco Giants, also have not yet formally hired a manager.

Two other openings have already been filled, as the Houston Astros promoted their bench coach Joe Espada to their managerial job after the retirement of Dusty Baker, and the Cleveland Guardians hired Stephen Vogt to replace Terry Francona after he retired following the season.

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According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Cubs are indeed one of the teams that could still and Bellinger, but with the New York Yankees seemingly ready to pull out all the stops in their pursuit of the free agent, the North Siders may also look in other directions.

“It’s possible, (but) I do think that the Cubs have other priorities,” he said.

Morosi’s report reflected that of other insiders, including USA Today’s Bob Nightengale and MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, arguing that the Cubs, Yankees and San Francisco Giants are widely considered to be the three most serious contenders for Bellinger’s services.

The outfielder had a resurgent year with the Cubs, blasting 26 home runs and driving in 97 RBI’s as he found the form that had propelled him to a National League MVP award in 2019.

While the Cubs surely would love to bring Bellinger back, with holes at first base and a need for quality depth in their outfield to ease the transition of Pete Crow-Armstrong into the big leagues, there are other players they could potentially be looking into.

That group reportedly includes the incredible Shohei Ohtani, who has been linked to the Cubs in a few different reports this offseason. The Cubs could also look to trade for a quality bat, with San Diego’s Juan Soto and New York’s Pete Alonso both entering the final years of their contracts.

The team could also pursue starting pitching help after Marcus Stroman opted out of his contract, with Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery available in free agency and Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow potentially on the block as he enters the final year of his contract.

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Bellinger signed a one-year contract with the Cubs and had an outstanding 2023 season, with 26 home runs and 97 RBI’s for the North Siders.

He opted out of a second year with the team, but according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Cubs are expected to be in the hunt to bring him back.

During an appearance on the network Thursday, Heyman said he believes Bellinger’s future team will come down to three options: the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants….and the Cubs.

“I think ultimately he’s going to end up with one of those three teams, most likely the Cubs or Yankees,” he said.

Bellinger experienced a career renaissance in Chicago this season after several subpar years with the Dodgers. He improved his batting average by nearly 100 points, registered his most home runs since his MVP season in 2019, and posted a 4.4 Wins Above Replacement, the second-best mark of his entire career.

Bellinger is consistently ranked as the best non-Shohei Ohtani free agent on the market this year, and with the Cubs looking to potentially solidify their center field and first base spots this offseason, he would once again be a logical fit to return to the North Side.

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Here’s what we know, and what could unfold in the negotiations surrounding Ohtani.

How Serious is the Cubs’ Interest?

Judging by the report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Cubs are expected to be “serious contenders” for Ohtani, and several general managers told the insider that the Cubs are expected to be the “most aggressive team” in pursuit of the reigning American League MVP.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will surely be involved, as will the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, among others.

Could Ohtani’s Injury Concerns Play a Role?

Sure, there is some concern that Ohtani’s value could be impacted by the elbow surgery he underwent during the 2023 season. That procedure will in all likelihood keep him from playing in the field during the 2024 season, but beyond that, he is expected to make a run at returning to the pitcher’s mound.

That two-way ability is what makes Ohtani’s such an intriguing player, but even if he were to forego pitching in the future, there is always the very real chance he could make at least a serviceable, if not above-average, corner outfielder. If he were able to do that, then his bat would still make him the top-available free agent, and a highly-prized commodity.

What Would the Money Look Like?

While it’s unclear what the exact figure will be, one would have to figure that Ohtani is going to come close, if not exceed, the richest contracts in baseball history. Currently, Mike Trout has the highest total value of a contract, checking in at $426.5 million with the Angels.

In terms of annual salary, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander each signed deals that paid them $43.3 million annually, with Aaron Judge close behind at $40 million.

Since Judge’s contract with the Yankees runs for nine years through his age 40 season, one could realistically assume that Ohtani would want his next deal to end on a similar timeline as well.

For the purposes of this exercise, we will say that Ohtani will sign a 10-year deal, paying him $40 million per season for a total financial outlay of $400 million.

How Would That Impact the Cubs?

According to Spotrac, the Cubs’ current estimated payroll, at least for luxury tax purposes, stands at just under $185 million. That includes their current players, as well as the anticipated salaries they would hand out to their pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players.

According to MLB, the luxury tax threshold for the 2024 season will check in at $237 million, meaning that any team that exceeds it would have to pay penalties to the league.

For the first year that a team exceeds the tax, all payroll that goes over the $237 million mark is taxed at 20%, meaning that for every $1 million, a team would have to pay $200,000 in taxes.

That also compounds each year, with the penalty increasing to 30% for a second year of overages and 50% for three or more years.

What’s more, if a team exceeds the luxury tax by more than $20 million, they are assessed a 12% surcharge. Doing so by $40 million would result in a 42.5% surcharge, and any team exceeding the luxury tax by $60 million or more would potentially have to pay a staggering 60% surcharge.

With all of that in mind, if the Cubs were to pay Ohtani $40 million, and decided to keep all of their arbitration-eligible players, their payroll would balloon to an estimated $225 million, according to Spotrac.

That would give the Cubs just $12 million to work with to fill out the remainder of their roster, a task that could include corner infielders and additional pitchers.

The Cubs would almost assuredly exceed the luxury tax in the coming year, and they would run the risk of repeat violator status given the extensions handed out to Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner, as well as the continued increases in the salary of Justin Steele.

Are There Ways to Save Money?

The Cubs could lower their luxury tax bill by opting not to re-sign some of their arbitration-eligible players, with Patrick Wisdom and Mark Leiter standing out on that list, but that would only save them a few million dollars.

The real savings would come in the second year and beyond of Ohtani’s deal, with Kyle Hendricks’ $16 million contract coming off the books. Drew Smyly’s $10.5 million would also come off the books, as would the $10.25 million in retained salaries for Trey Mancini and Tucker Barnhart, both of whom are counting against the Cubs’ luxury tax bill in 2024.

Will the Cubs Pull the Trigger?

It seems hard to imagine a world where the Cubs would be able to compete with the financial resources of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but with the New York Mets and San Diego Padres likely sidelined in the discussions, and with the New York Yankees potentially looking elsewhere to make impacts, the Cubs could be in a position to seriously compete for Ohtani.

Of course, there are other needs that will have to be addressed too. That includes center field, with Cody Bellinger departing via free agency. Yes, Pete Crow-Armstrong is likely the long-term play there, but having another veteran outfield option is surely something the Cubs would be okay with.

The Cubs also need to solidify their corner infield spots, both of which were black holes in terms of offensive production in 2024. The team has indicated they will explore having Christopher Morel manning first base, but between him and Matt Mervis, the Cubs certainly can’t assume they have that position taken care of.

Finally, there is the pitching staff. The Cubs will need to add more bullpen arms too, and with Marcus Stroman opting out of his deal, the Cubs will need to add at least one more starting pitcher to the mix as well, and there are plenty of options available on the free agent market there.

Adding Ohtani wouldn’t rule the Cubs out on adding other free agents, but it certainly would limit the level of player they would seek out.

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Boras, long-known for his colorful quips about his free agent clients, spoke to media at the General Manager meetings in Arizona this week, and he was especially loquacious about Bellinger’s status on the free agent market.

“Chicago got the comforts of a full ‘Belli,’ so they’re going to have to loosen their belts to keep Bellinger,” he said.

Most free agency rankings put Bellinger just behind Shohei Ohtani in terms of the most attractive candidates on the market, and his 2023 statistics reveal the reason why. He had a renaissance year with the Cubs, slugging 26 home runs and driving in 94 RBI’s. He had a .307 batting average, which ranked him in the top-10 in baseball, and put up an .881 OPS.

Bellinger declined the team option on his deal with the Cubs, paving the way to becoming a free agent.

Boras says that there is “broad interest” in his client, and he anticipates a high asking price.  

“There’s broad interest in Cody Bellinger because certainly in the outfield and first base areas in this market he is the young jewel,” he said.

Bellinger won Silver Slugger awards for the Cubs this season thanks to his exploits, which followed several down years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who non-tendered him after the 2022 campaign.

The Cubs have been one of the teams interested in Bellinger, along with the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees, among others.

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Counsell, who had managed the Milwaukee Brewers for the last nine seasons, left the organization and jumped to the rival Cubs, signing a contract that will pay him $8 million a season.

That deal not only makes him the highest-paid manager right now, but also gives him the biggest salary in MLB history for a skipper.

The question, however, is where that ranks among the major sports.

While Counsell will make more than the top-paid NHL head coach, coaches in other sports are making even more than the Cubs’ new boss, and in some cases, quite a bit more.

Here is what the top coach makes in six major sports leagues.

NFL: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick – $20 million

NBA: Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams – $13.05 million

NHL: Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McClellan – $5 million

MLB: Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell – $8 million

NCAA Football: Alabama head coach Nick Saban – $11.4 million

NCAA Men’s Basketball: Kentucky head coach John Calipari – $8.5 million

Here is a more detailed breakdown by sport.

NFL

While Belichick is top dog in the sports world, several other coaches would also rank higher than leaders in any other sport. That includes Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton and his $18 million salary in the Mile High City.

Seattle’s Pete Carroll makes $15 million a year, while Rams boss Sean McVay ($14 million) and Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin ($12.5 million) round out the top-five, according to NBC Sports.

NBA

Williams’ new deal with the Pistons made him the highest-paid coach in the league, with San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich earning $11.5 million per season.

Two other coaches, Golden State’s Steve Kerr and Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, both make more each season than Counsell, according to NBC Sports.

Just in case you’re curious, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan makes a reported $6 million per season.

NHL

While McClellan holds the top spot, several other coaches are close to him, according to CapFriendly. Dallas Stars head coach Peter DeBoer makes $4.25 million per season, while New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette makes $4.9 million per season in the Big Apple.

Bruce Cassidy, head coach of the reigning Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, makes a reported $4.5 million.

Chicago Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson earns $1.5 million per season, according to reports.

MLB

Counsell reset the market in a big way for Major League managers with his $8 million salary, and in fact he reportedly makes double what the next-highest paid coach earns.

That honor belonged to Bob Melvin last season, who collected $4 million a season with the San Diego Padres. He has since moved over to the San Francisco Giants, replacing Gabe Kapler in that role.

According to Bob Nightengale, MLB managers as a whole make significantly less than many of their counterparts, with half of the league’s skippers, 15 in all, making $1.75 million or less per season. Six managers make less than $1 million.

NCAA Football

It costs big bucks to keep top coaches happy in NCAA football, and while Saban is the top earner at $11.4 million per season, he’s far from alone in cashing in.

According to Front Office Sports, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney earns $10.9 million per season, just ahead of Georgia’s Kirby Smart, who earns $10.7 million. Ohio State’s Ryan Day is at $10.3 million.

In all, 14 coaches are estimated to make more than Counsell’s $8 million salary, with Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell and Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy close behind.

NCAA Men’s Basketball

Only one coach makes more than Counsell, with Calipari taking those honors, according to BetMGM.

Kansas’ Bill Self earns a reported $6 million per season, while Michigan State’s Tom Izzo makes $5.7 million per year.

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Several moves had already been publicized in recent days. Outfielder Cody Bellinger elected free agency, declining his player option for the 2024 season. The Cubs also made him a qualifying offer, meaning that they would receive draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere this offseason.

Pitcher Marcus Stroman also opted out of his contract, electing free agency, as did relief pitcher Brad Boxberger.

Finally, pitcher Drew Smyly chose not to exercise his opt-out clause, returning to the Cubs’ roster.

The Cubs had made several minor league moves in recent days, but while Nick Burdi cleared waivers and was sent to Triple-A Iowa, several other players did not. That list included pitcher Jeremiah Estrada, who was claimed on waivers by the San Diego Padres.

Infielder Jared Young was also claimed, heading to the St. Louis Cardinals, according to the league.

Finally, the Cubs agreed to a trade, sending pitcher Brendon Little to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations.

The last move the Cubs made was to add shortstop Luis Vázquez to the 40-man roster, which now stands at 37 players as free agency begins.

That list includes a quartet of players who were activated from the 60-day injured list, including pitchers Brandon Hughes, Ethan Roberts and Codi Heuer. Infielder Nick Madrigal was also activated from the list.

Any moves in free agency will require the Cubs to clear room on their 40-man roster, meaning that they have some wiggle room to work with as the free agent window opens.

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According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the Cubs will pick up the $16 million option on the contract of starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks.

Hendricks, recovering from a capsular tear in his right shoulder, started 24 games for the Cubs during the 2023 season, with a 6-8 record and a 3.74 ERA.

Hendricks is the lone member of the 2016 World Series-winning Cubs still on the team’s roster.

In his career, he has a 93-69 record, with a 3.48 ERA in 248 appearances for the North Siders.

The Cubs are putting the finishing touches on their contracts for the coming year. Last week, the team declined the 2024 option on pitcher Brad Boxberger, while outfielder Cody Bellinger declined the mutual option on his deal, making himself a free agent.

Marcus Stroman also declined his 2024 option, choosing instead to hit free agency.

As things stand, the Cubs will need to give a new contract to Justin Steele, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time. They will still have Jameson Taillon under contract, along with Jordan Wicks. Drew Smyly also has an opt-out clause in his contract.

The Cubs may have the financial wiggle room to go out and get another starting pitcher, either via the trade market or in free agency. Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery are among the top pitchers available in free agency, with Jack Flaherty and Lucas Giolito also in the mix, along with Stroman.

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According to a report from 670 the Score’s Bruce Levine, filed Sunday as part of the station’s “Hit and Run” program, the Cubs are “working on an extension” with starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks.

The Cubs have a club option on Hendricks’ contract for the 2024 season, which would pay him $16 million. The team also has a buyout on the contract for $1.5 million, according to Spotrac.

Hendricks posted a 6-8 record and a 3.74 ERA in 24 starts for the Cubs last season. He also showed upticks in his velocity and improved command, and was one of the more remarkable stories of the 2023 campaign after recovering from a capsular tear in his pitching shoulder.

An extension could potentially lower the annual value of his contract by several million dollars, giving the Cubs a bit more wiggle room under the luxury tax threshold, while allowing them to pursue other options to upgrade a team that won 83 games last season.

The negotiations for Hendricks come as the Cubs face the possibility of Marcus Stroman opting into his 2024 contract, which would pay him $21 million. There is a chance he could still opt out and test free agency, but with his struggles in the second half of the season, taking the guaranteed payday may win out for the right-hander.

Drew Smyly also has an opt-out clause in his contract with the Cubs, but if he chooses to stay, he would earn $10.5 million for the 2024 campaign.

A decision on Hendricks’ option will be due shortly after the conclusion of the World Series, giving the Cubs a finite amount of time to negotiate a new deal with the lone remaining member of their 2016 championship club.

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The Cubs currently have nine players that are arbitration-eligible, including starting pitcher Justin Steele and infielder Patrick Wisdom, among others.

This week, MLB Trade Rumors released their projected salaries for all nine players, and it certainly invites interesting questions on how the Cubs will tackle the salaries of their arbitration-eligible players.

According to the site, Steele is in line for a significant salary bump from the $740,000 he earned last season. The site projects that he will make $4.1 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility.

That by itself isn’t a big deal considering Steele’s production, but with a club option of $16.5 million on Kyle Hendricks’ contract, and opt-in clauses for Marcus Stroman and Drew Smyly, the Cubs may not have a lot of payroll flexibility in their rotation, at least with the way things stand now.

The site also projected that Wisdom’s number would come in at $2.6 million, a jump from the $763,000 he made in 2023.

The other noteworthy name on the list is Adbert Alzolay, who solidified his role as the team’s closure before an arm injury sidelined him down the stretch. His estimate comes in at $2.5 million, according to MLBTR.

In total, the Cubs’ 2024 arbitration-eligible players stand to rake in $17.6 million in salary according to estimates, and with the team already up against the luxury tax threshold even before free agency, the team will likely have to make some tough decisions on that group.

While Codi Heuer, Nick Burdi and Julian Merryweather are all eligible for arbitration, they likely won’t be in line for big raises.

The real questions surround Wisdom, who found himself largely relegated to spot-starts down the stretch. Nick Madrigal and Mike Tauchman are also eligible for arbitration, but both could be replaced in free agency or via the team’s farm system, depending on how Jed Hoyer and company approach things.

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Bellinger, who signed a one-year deal with the Cubs prior to the 2023 season, hit 26 home runs and drove in 97 RBI’s, recapturing some of the incredible play he had showed during the early stages of his big-league career.

Now, with an opt-out all-but-certain, Bellinger is weighing his options in free agency, and the Cubs’ brass is hoping to make a deal work with the slugging outfielder.

“We sat down with him on Sunday. We’ve had a really good dialogue,” Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer said. “He loves Wrigley Field, and the fans, and I think his experience was fantastic. We’d love to bring him back.”

With Shohei Ohtani potentially limited to just hitting during the 2024 season, Bellinger could very well be the biggest prize on the free agent market.

Hoyer recognizes the complicated process to come on negotiating with Bellinger, but said the Cubs intend to explore their options.

“We’ll have a lot of conversations with him,” he said. “It’s going to be a process. It’s going to play out for a while. I think the world of Cody, and we’re certainly going to be in communication.”

Hoyer said that Bellinger’s experiences in Chicago will only benefit the Cubs, but also said that the team will have to be realistic, and explore other options in case a continued union doesn’t materialize.

“The contributions he made will have to be replaced,” he said. “We’d love to bring him back, but in a world where that’s uncertain, we would have to figure out how to replace that offense.”

While the Cubs do have several options in their minor league system, including Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alex Canario and Kevin Alcantara, they could also be active in the trade market as well. Reports are swirling that the San Diego Padres could look to shed payroll this offseason, which could mean a player like Juan Soto may be available in a swap.

The free agent market will likely be limited, with players like Harrison Bader, Joc Pederson and Teoscar Hernandez the top-available outfielders.

Free agency officially begins five days after the conclusion of the World Series.

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While some of those choices will be in their hands, still others will get to make that decision themselves, with player options and opt-outs present in the contracts of several key players.

Here is a breakdown of the players from the 2023 Cubs that could find themselves on the free agent market after the World Series ends.

Cody Bellinger

Bellinger underwent a career renaissance with the Cubs, with 26 home runs, 97 RBI’s and 20 stolen bases this season. He slashed .307/.356/.525, and came close to recapturing the form that he displayed during the best years of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bellinger has a mutual option on his contract for next season, but he is expected to hit free agency in pursuit of a massive payday.

Brad Boxberger

Boxberger dealt with injuries for most of the season, appearing in 22 games for the Cubs. He posted a 4.95 ERA, with 17 strikeouts in 20 innings of work.

He has a mutual option on his contract for the 2024 season. The Cubs could exercise an $800,000 buyout on the deal, or if they opt to keep him, he would be set to earn $5 million.

Jeimer Candelario

After being acquired from the Nationals, Candelario hit six home runs and drove in 17 RBI’s for the Cubs in 41 games. He slashed .234/.318/.445 for the North Siders.

Candelario is set to become a free agent after making $5 million during the 2023 season.

Michael Fulmer

Fulmer appeared in 58 games for the Cubs, with a 3-5 record and a 4.42 ERA. He struck out 65 batters in 57 innings of work.  

Fulmer had signed a one-year deal with the Cubs for the 2023 season, earning $4 million.

Yan Gomes

In 116 games with the Cubs, Gomes hit 10 home runs and drove in 63 RBI’s, slashing .267/.315/.408 for the North Siders.

The Cubs hold a club option for Gomes for the 2024 season. A buyout would cost the team $1 million, or they could choose to pay him $6 million for the 2024 campaign.  

Kyle Hendricks

After coming back from a capsular tear in his right shoulder, Hendricks started 24 games for the Cubs, with a 6-8 record and a 3.74 ERA. He threw 137 innings, with a WHIP of 1.20 and a 3.44 strikeout-to-walk ratio, his best since the 2020 season.

The Cubs hold a club option for Hendricks, with a $1.5 million buyout available. If they keep Hendricks, he would stand to make $16 million.

Drew Smyly

Smyly triggered an opt-out clause in his contract by pitching over 100 innings during the 2023 season. He posted a record of 11-11 with a 5.00 ERA in 41 total appearances, including 23 starts.

If Smyly chooses to remain with the Cubs, he would earn $10.5 million next season. He also has a mutual option on his contract for the 2025 season, with a $2.5 million buyout available for the Cubs.

Marcus Stroman

Stroman got off to a stellar start with the Cubs in 2023, but injuries and control struggles led to a modest 10-9 record and 3.95 ERA in 27 total appearances for the North Siders.

While it had seemed a foregone conclusion Stroman would opt out, it’s far less certain now, with the Cubs on the hook for $21 million for next season if the hurler decides to stay.

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Stroman, who has an opt-out clause in his contract after the season, has repeatedly said he wants to stay in Chicago, but he also says that he recognizes the realities of business in Major League Baseball, and he’s ready for whatever comes next.

“I know (Cody Bellinger) wants to stay, and I know I would love to stay here, but a lot of that is out of our control,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s a business and we have to treat it as such, even though we have a lot of love for this fanbase and this organization. I love being a Cub. I love everything about it.”

 Stroman has a 10-6 record and a 2.88 ERA this season, with 101 strikeouts in 118.1 innings pitched.

He has made no secret about his desire to stay with the Cubs, and even said Saturday that if he were to leave via trade this summer that he would be open to coming back to Chicago.

“No matter what happens, I would hope they would be in the mix in the offseason when it comes to my free agency,” he said.

He also questioned the wisdom of selling assets in a “wide open” division that appears winnable in 2023, but also said that such moves could have repercussions on the future competitiveness of the Cubs.

“As an organization, why would you not want to be competitive year after year? Bellinger is a guy that has changed your lineup. Why would you want him to get away,” he said. “Why would you want to get rid of a guy like myself that gives you quality starts in a league where it’s incredibly hard to do it?”

Entering Sunday, the Cubs remain seven games behind the Brewers in the National League Central despite being the only team in the division with a positive run-differential on the season.

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In an interview with Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, Stroman says that he would prefer to ink a new contract with the Cubs rather than testing the market.

“I would love to stay here and sign an extension and not even get to free agency,” Stroman said.

Stroman has a 4-4 record with a 2.95 ERA in 11 starts so far this season. In his time with the Cubs, he’s 10-11 but has a 3.33 ERA, with 173 strikeouts and 59 walks to his credit.

He inked a three-year deal worth $71 million with the Cubs prior to the 2022 season, and has an opt-out available at the end of this season.

While in-season contract extensions aren’t generally common, the Cubs have reversed their recent trends and actually signed new three-year deals with outfielder Ian Happ and infielder Nico Hoerner this season.

According to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, Stroman and the Cubs opened extension talks earlier this season, but there’s no indication as to whether the two sides will come to a new deal.

Rosenthal did report in his piece that the Cubs are “happy” with Stroman and are open to a long-term deal, but the pitcher did say that he’s confident no matter what ultimately happens.

“I’m very confident in myself in free agency as well. I’m real big on just letting it play out. I’m cool either way,” he said.

The Cubs do have Jameson Taillon under contract for three more seasons, but there could be some open spots in the rotation in coming years, meaning that retaining Stroman could provide some stability for the club.

The one bit of good news on that front for the Cubs is that Justin Steele is not eligible for free agency until after the 2027 season, meaning the team has a lengthy window where they could have some cost-control in their top rotation spots should they opt to bring Stroman back into the fold.

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