Cubs Saved Around $1M on Pre-Tender Reliever Deals

Heading into this past Wednesday’s non-tender deadline, many had speculated that the Cubs would part with most or all of a group of middling arbitration-eligible relievers. As it turned out, however, the only one no longer on the roster is Ryan Tepera, the pitcher who seemed most likely to be tendered a deal. There are at least a few hundred thousand reasons for that decision, as revealed by the salaries of the other pitchers.

Rather than going through the arbitration process, the Cubs agreed to team-friendly terms with Colin Rea at $702,500, Dan Winkler at $900,000, and Kyle Ryan on a split contract that will pay him $800,000 if he’s on the 26-man roster. Based on their projected…