Who's likely to return
Player … Position … Contract status … Comment
Pitchers
Jake Arrieta … Starting pitcher … Arbitration eligible … Could be last hurrah with free agency looming
Jason Hammel … Starting pitcher … Club control … $12 million option a bargain to exercise
Kyle Hendricks … Starting pitcher … Club control … Maybe ripe for a multiyear deal
John Lackey … Starting pitcher … Signed through 2017 … Will let it all out in likely last season
Jon Lester … Starting pitcher … Signed through 2020 … Stepped up at right time in second half
Carl Edwards Jr. … Reliever … Arbitration eligible … Taking bigger steps toward late-inning role
Justin Grimm … Reliever … Arbitration eligible … Strong second half points to better 2017
Mike Montgomery … Starter-reliever … Club control ... Ready to step in as fifth starter
Pedro Strop … Reliever … Arbitration eligible … Knee injury took stress off arm
Hector Rondon … Reliever … Arbitration eligible … Yellow flags raised with late arm injury
Rob Zastryzny … Reliever … Club control … Wise decision to move him to bullpen
Position players
Albert Almora Jr. … Outfielder … Club control … Destined to take over for Dexter Fowler in center
Javier Baez … Infielder … Club control … Appears settled in at second base
Kris Bryant … Third baseman … Club control … Could get record contract for pre-arbitration player
Willson Contreras … Catcher … Club control … Impressive debut but still lots to learn
Jason Heyward … Right fielder … Signed through 2023 … Retooling of swing necessary
Miguel Montero … Catcher … Signed through 2017 … Already has transitioned into backup/mentor role
Anthony Rizzo … First baseman … Signed through 2019 … Time for a contract restructuring?
Addison Russell … Shortstop … Club control … A more consistent season would raise profile
Kyle Schwarber … Outfielder-catcher … Club control … 2017 Comeback Player of the Year leader
Matt Szczur … Outfielder … Club control … Could help numerous teams
Ben Zobrist … Infielder-outfielder … Signed through 2019 … One of baseball's most unselfish players
Who's likely to depart
Pitchers
Trevor Cahill … Free agency … Sometimes too much movement on pitches
Aroldis Chapman … Free agency … Closer's market could skyrocket despite playoff trends
Joe Smith … Free agency … Could be tempting to re-sign
Travis Wood … Free agency … Will be in demand as starter and reliever
Position players
Chris Coghlan … Free agency … Could be assured of more playing time elsewhere
Dexter Fowler … Free agency … Proved skeptics wrong, will receive multiyear deal
Tommy La Stella … Club control … Not enough versatility, too many questions
David Ross … Free agency … Thanks for the memories
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