In parts 1-3 of this series (all linked below), I have laid out all manner of financial information about the Cubs. Now *cracks knuckles* I intend to use this information to predict future Cub payrolls.
According to Tom Ricketts, the Cubs did not pursue any big agents for 2019 because there was no more to spend. This provides me an opportunity to improve my predictions since I no longer need to rely on Forbes revenue numbers, which are guesswork to begin with. Instead, I can take 2019 as a baseline. If the Cubs have truly spent every available dollar this season (which I established was believable in Part II) then future payrolls can be predicted by merely adding 50% of any new revenues that arise in 2020 and beyond to this baseline.