At the Cubs Winter Meetings, Craig Counsell talks about what Christopher Morel brings to the team and what he sees in him
Unfortunately, Japanese star Shohei Ohtani opted against the Chicago Cubs, signing an Earth-shattering $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency.
It's completely unknown how far the Cubs went in talks with Ohtani, if at all. Ohtani's camp did a tremendous job keeping his free agency preferences under wraps.
Still, a $700 million contract is a tough deal to offer for any franchise. Here's a look at the most money the Cubs have plunked down for a player.
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Largest contracts in Cubs history by total value
1. Jason Heyward: $184 million (eight years)
2. Dansby Swanson: $177 million (seven years)
3. Jon Lester: $155 million (six years)
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4. Alfonso Soriano: $136 million (eight years)
5. Yu Darvish: $126 million (six years)
6. Seiya Suzuki: $99.6 million* (five years)
7. Carlos Zambrano: $91.5 million (five-year extension)
*Suzuki’s contract will pay him $85 million. His deal is worth $99.6 million total when including the posting fee that the Cubs paid his NPB club in Japan.
Others include:
— Aramis Ramirez: Five-year, $75 million extension in 2006
— Sammy Sosa: Four-year, $72 million extension in 2001
— Marcus Stroman: Three-year, $71 million free agent deal
— Jameson Taillon: Four-year, $68 million free agent deal
Largest average annual salaries in Cubs history
1. Jon Lester: $25.8 million
2. Dansby Swanson: $25.3 million
3. Marcus Stroman: $23.7 million
4. Jason Heyward: $23 million
5. Yu Darvish: $21 million
6. Kris Bryant* $19.5 million
7. Kris Bryant** $18.6 million
8. Carlos Zambrano: $18.3 million
9. Sammy Sosa: $18 million (extension signed in 2001)
*Bryant and the Cubs came to terms to avoid arbitration entering the 2021 season.
**Bryant and the Cubs came to terms to avoid arbitration entering the 2020 season. However, MLB salaries were ultimately prorated in the shortened 60-game campaign.
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