Dec. 01--The cost that the Cubs are willing to pay for their 2015 success could be known as soon as Wednesday night.
That's when the Cubs and the other 29 major league teams must tender contracts to their remaining unsigned players, or allow them to become free agents.
The biggest cost, outside of any players they acquire through free agency, will come from their nine arbitration-eligible players.
"It's going to put a pretty big dent in our available dollars to spend this winter," President Theo Epstein said shortly after the end of the season. "But it just means you have more good players, and they deserve it by moving through the system."
Should the Cubs tender contracts to all nine arbitration-eligible players, it could cost them around $34 million. Tendering ace Jake Arrieta, who could receive $11 million, closer Hector Rondon and relievers Pedro Strop, Justin Grimm and Clayton Richard seems axiomatic.
A move from the rotation to the bullpen allowed left-hander Travis Wood to post a 2.95 ERA in 45 relief appearances, but MLBTradeRumors.com projects that Wood could earn $6.4 million -- a hefty salary for a non-closer.
The Cubs' other arbitration-eligible players are relievers Ryan Cook, Rex Brothers and outfielder Chris Coghlan, and tendering contracts to those players seems likely.
In addition to negotiating with the agents for free-agent starting pitchers and exploring trades with other teams, the Cubs are expected to scour the list of players who will become free agents Thursday after not being tendered contracts by their teams.
According to a tweet by Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, Epstein was among the 175 officials from major league teams who attended a showcase Monday in the Dominican Republic to watch Cuban pitchers Cionel Perez and Norge Ruiz.
Sanchez added that the Cubs are interested in left-hander Adrian Morejon, outfielder Jorge Ona and infielder-outfielder Jonathan Machado -- all from Cuba.
mgonzales@tribpub.com
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