The Chicago Cubs are going through a restructuring process, and in this list we will mention the top 5 contracts heading into the 2022 Major League Baseball season.
Best Cubs Contracts: Ian Happ
Ian Happ is a versatile infielder who has not yet exploded in the majors, but is highly regarded in the Chicago organization.
The 27-year-old is the fifth-highest paid player in the franchise, with an annual base salary of $8 million. Just 500,000 more than the money received by another of the team’s stars, Willson Contreras.
Happ finally seems to have overcome his physical problems. Last campaign, he played 148 games, where he had a line of 25 home runs, 66 RBIs and 9 stolen bases.
Best Cubs Contracts: Wade Miley
Wade Miley signed with the Cubs following his strong showing in 2021 wearing a Cincinnati Reds uniform.
The veteran has a salary of $10 million, money he is receiving in order to assume the responsibility of being one of the key pieces in the rotation of a Chicago team that will seek to compete again in the National League Central Division.
Last season, Miley achieved a record of 12 wins and 7 losses with a 3.37 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.
Best Cubs Contracts: Kyle Hendricks
Kyle Hendricks has been the Cubs’ best starter in recent years, so it’s logical that he is among the franchise’s highest paid players. Although, it comes from an irregular performance in the recent campaign.
For his work in the 2022 MLB season, the 32-year-old right-hander will receive an annual salary of $14 million. It’s not a lot of money, considering that other underperforming pitchers have signed for big numbers recently.
After eight campaigns in the majors, all with Chicago, Hendrick has a record of 83 wins and 55 losses, with an effectiveness of 3.36 and a WHIP of 1.14.
Top Cubs Contracts: Jason Heyward
Without achieving any major merit on the field, Jason Heyward has signed a contract that places him as the Cubs’ second-highest paid player in 2022.
The outfielder has a contract that guarantees him an annual base salary of $22 million. A hefty amount of money for a player who, in 12 years, only twice has managed to hit more than 20 homers in a season.
In 2021, the veteran played only 104 games, posting a .214 average and .280 OBP, with 8 home runs and 30 RBIs.
Best Cubs Contracts: Marcus Stroman
After a brilliant performance with the New York Mets, Marcus Stroman is the Cubs’ top signing heading into the 2022 campaign, with a contract that guarantees the pitcher an annual base salary of $25 million.
The 31-year-old starter finished last season with a 3.02 effectivness and 1.14 WHIP. Superior numbers to what has been his career in the majors.
Thus, Stroman and Hendricks will form one of the best duos in the National League, and their performance will be key, especially since Chicago lost a lot of hitting power after the departures of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo.