The Cubs reached agreements with all six arbitration-eligible players on Friday, the deadline for players and teams to exchange initial figures. While it wouldn’t be notable under normal circumstances due to the front office’s track record of avoiding arbitration, there was at least a little concern for a file-and-trial strategy in light of the Cubs’ austerity. Any worry was all for naught, as agreements were reached on $42.66 million in guaranteed deals.
That includes $18.6 million for Kris Bryant, $10 million for Javy Báez, $7.01 million for Kyle Schwarber, $4.5 million for Willson Contreras, $1.