For much of this offseason, I have assumed the Cubs would spend in 2020 as they did in 2019, that is, up to the highest level of luxury tax. In 2020 that will be $248 million. Last week, it was revealed that the Cubs, Red Sox and Yankees were the only three teams paying luxury tax in 2019. The Cubs’ payment was $7.6 million, or about what they paid Kyle Hendricks last season.
But the Cubs have spent essentially nothing this offseason, apart from signing a couple of fungible relievers and some minor-league deals.