3 Contracts the Cubs Should Try and Unload to Bring Another Star Player to Chicago

The Chicago Cubs have about $200 million in committed payroll for the 2020 season already. The good news is they have a roster capable of competing. The bad news is that it doesn't seem like owner Tom Ricketts wants to spend much beyond what the organization already has on the books.

So how can this be resolved? Try and unload some contracts to make room financially for a star free agent or another big-name player in a trade.

Here's who the Cubs should look at moving to help this cause.

3. Tyler Chatwood

We'll start this one off a bit easy for ya, Cubs fans. Chatwood is an obvious option here considering he's slated to make $13 million in 2020. Yup, that's more than Kyle Hendricks, and Chatwood actually has more games in relief than he does as a starter with the Cubs. He's 9-9 with a 4.64 ERA since arriving in Chicago. Maybe eat $3 million of that and see if another team would be willing to take him on for $10 mil.

2. Jon Lester

Blasphemy, I say! Hear us out though. While Jon Lester was instrumental in getting this team that elusive World Series and breaking the curse, he truly flopped last year and he's essentially owed $30 million in 2020 ($20 million salary with a $10 million buyout on a $25 million team option in 2021). Is Lester worth $30 million for one more season or $45 mil for the next two? His last three seasons in Chicago have resulted in 4.33, 3.32 and 4.46 ERAs. It won't be easy to get rid of his deal, but you can bet a desperate contender would be willing to take him on in the middle of their rotation to make a deep postseason run.

1. Jason Heyward

Heyward is owed $86 million over the next four seasons, which is certainly a steep price, but let's not forget he's arguably the best defensive outfielder in the game. Additionally, he had a resurgent year at the plate (.251/.343/.429 with 21 home runs and 62 RBI), which was his best offensive campaign since 2012 with the Braves. Could this be a selling point for Theo Epstein in trade talks? Freeing up a $20 million salary or two could really go a long way for the club.