Quick Hits: Cubs Opening Day Payrolls Since Theo Epstein Took Over
The Chicago Cubs’ 2017 opening day payroll is nearly identical to last year’s, in spite of adding Wade Davis ($10M), Koji Uehara ($6M), Jon Jay ($8M), Brett Anderson ($3.5M), and Brian Duensing ($2M).
At the conclusion of the World Series championship season, the Cubs’ payroll ranked fourth in MLB, largely due to the Aroldis Chapman acquisition and the in-season purchasing of minor league contracts.
| Year | 25-man Opening Day | 40-man Year End (rank) |
| 2017 | $172,199,881 | N/A |
| 2016 | $171,611,834 | $205,917,980 ( 4) |
| 2015 | $120,337,385 | $133,051,389 (11) |
| 2014 | $ 92,677,368 | $ 93,196,617 (20) |
| 2013 | $106,837,810 | $100,859,265 (15) |
| 2012 | $109,316,000 | $107,708,021 (10) |