I don't believe that to be the case at all with regards to big contracts hindering themUnfortunately, this team isn't going to be better next year. They will get worse for the next 2-3 years and then maybe the rebuild will begin. The Cubs have officially mirrored the Tigers since their last W.S. - huge contracts on underperforming players, horrible trades and bare cupboard of a farm system.
C: Next to nothing. Contreras is in Arb 2 I believe and he'll see a bump, but nothing out of the ordinary. He'll probably move the cubs into the top 10 payroll wise at the position, but he is easily one of the top 5 catchers in the league.
1B: Rizzo at $16.5M is still a steal.
2B: No money spent
3B: Bryant will probably see a little bump, but not much
SS: Baez will probably see a little bump, but not much
OF: Schwarber will probably see a little bump, but not much. Happ will see the biggest increase as he enters Arb 1, but he was probably their best player last season. You still have Heywards monster contract, which isnt all that monster anymore.
P: You got Darvish and Hendricks who both played well and earned their salary. Lester has a $25M option or $10M buyout. I am guessing he resigns for between $15 and $20 (since they already have $10 sunk).
Cubs are sitting at $89M (with $10M buyout for Lester and $2M for Rizzo) for 2021 PLUS Arb numbers for Contreras ($4.5M in 2020), Bryant ($18.6M in 2020), Baez ($10M in 2020), Schwarber ($7M in 2020), Happ ($600K in 2020). Plus they have club options of $14.5M for Rizzo ($16.5M in 2021, but $2M buyout already included) and $15M for Lester ($25M in 2021, but $10M buyout already included). Off the books and FA's are Kipnis, Maybin, Hamilton, Chatwood, Quintana, Jeffress... about $31M.
I am willing to bet they go out and get 2 SP, whether that's resigning Chatwood or Quintana or Lester to better deals or another FA. Then with Darvish and Hendricks I bet they let a newby go for #5 (Alzolay or Mills or maybe both and just run with 1 new signing)