3 Cubs Players Who Will Be Screwed Most by Owners' Salary Reduction Proposal

The MLB owners presented another plan to the players on Tuesday and we're not shocked they're looking to protect every penny they own. The proposed pay cuts for the players, who would be the ones actually playing the game, risking their health and spending extensive time away from their families, is downright disrespectful even if they are "millionaires." Don't forget the owners are billionaires and still stand to rake in money with television deals, advertising, merchandise sales and everything else under the sun.

With this proposal, the highest-paid players in the game are the ones set to take the biggest hit. While that's good news for those who earn much less, taking up to an 80% reduction in salary to still play a half-season is downright absurd. Here are three Chicago Cubs players who would be most screwed by all of this.

3. Jon Lester

Lester's final guaranteed year with the Cubs won't be a full one, and he won't be earning the entirety of his $20 million salary. Under the proposed cuts, Lester would be making $5.15 million for an 82-game season, which seems almost insane. When you consider taxes and other required expenses, at the end of the day this isn't a whole lot of money, especially when you look at the net worth at these team owners. The Ricketts family is worth over $2.5 billion.

2. Jason Heyward

Heyward was set to rake in $21 million this year, but that number would be reduced to $5.41 million. While the defensive wizard certainly signed a contract well beyond his everyday worth when he landed in Chicago back in 2016, that's not the point here. He helped this team win a World Series and his play has been gradually improving. He'll still be a veteran leader on this team and an everyday player keeping the outfield intact.

1. Yu Darvish

Cubs fans would argue Darvish is the least deserving of his mega contract, with the right-hander set to collect $22 million in 2019. He's done a whole lot of nothing since inking his six-year, $126 million deal (he has a 7-11 record with a 4.16 ERA in 39 starts with the team), but his salary will shrink to $5.72 million, which is pretty much middle reliever money. Again, the players will be participating in a half of a season and will be forced to spend significant time away from their families. Cutting the top players' earnings by 70-80% is laughable.