First look at the 2017 payroll. Included players under contract (UC), players eligible for salary arbitration (AE), players with contract options likely to be exercised (CO - club option or PO - player option), and KEY players who can have their contracts automatically renewed by the club (0-3). Used mlbtraderumors.com's salary estimates for "AE" players. Used an average of $850,000 for "0-3" players. Assumed that Dexter Fowler's mutual option will not be exercised.
$147,600,000 without Fowler and Chapman or suitable veteran replacements.
Thanks, jeff. Yikes, that's pretty high as a starting point
There were 6 teams last year ≥$166M. So I'd think the Cubs might have some working space there, could imagine them bumping into the top 6-7.
But who knows how they view it.