The Cubs are projected to have $48.3 million committed to arbitration salaries in 2020 according to recent estimates from MLB Trade Rumors. That’s right around $22 million more being paid to their seven arbitration-eligible players, a figure that will impact what and where the team is willing to spend in free agency this winter.
Kris Bryant leads the way with an $18.5 million projection, which would be a $5.6 million increase on this year’s salary. Kyle Schwarber is actually next in terms of increases with a $4.6 million bump, followed by Javy Báez at $4.