Throwing money at perceived problems is how they got that Heyward contract. I have no doubt that Harper will be a Cub in 2019, though. I'd say Machado is 50/50 to be one as well. Think I read they are already on the hook for $136 million next year. That's without big arby raises to baez, schwarber, hendricks, edwards, montgomery, probably a small hike to Bryant despite injuries this year, and taking off a bunch of soon to be fa's from this year's roster that leave holes to fill unless they are resigned (Hamels, Murphy, Wilson, Chavez). That's also without excercising the likely options for Quintana and Strop to remain with the team. They also have the Addison Russell issue to deal with - he would have been due arbitration, but given his performance and off the field issues he is probably done as a cub. For a team that boasted seemingly unlimited quality MIF options as recently as the start of 2018, they will be down to baez at SS and a late 30s zobrist at 2nd with very little mlb-ready depth behind it should Happ stay an OF. Without adding any significant fa's, their payroll commitment for 2019 is easily pushing 175 million after some team options and arbitration raises are factored in - that's without resigning Hamels and doesn't include filling out the full 40 man roster.