Cubs mailbag: What’s the payroll moving forward?

As Opening Day comes into focus, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer questions from listeners. Once again, the Cubs’ spending pattern is a topic of conversation for fans, media and even people who work for the team. Would winning the division this year change the financial equation? Or are there larger forces at play? Turning their attention back to the field, The Athletic writers also get into which performances matter in spring training, who’s winning the job battles and how patient the Cubs will be if their relievers falter early in the season.