Chicago Cubs rumors: Which players stay, which players go?

After a disappointing end to the 2018 season, Chicago Cubs rumors are swirling about what changes will be coming to the lineup for 2019.

For the first time in a long time, the Chicago Cubs were lovable winners. Fans everywhere embraced the 2016 Cubs, enjoying the charisma and talent of their beloved heroes and riding the high of winning all the way to a World Series championship.

Just two years later, the Cubs bowed out of the playoffs with an early exit and a lineup, not all that different from Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.

Change is never easy, especially when it comes at the expense of players who have endeared themselves to a fanbase and helped to bring a championship to a starving organization.

Nonetheless, the Cubs are sure to make some changes to the roster for 2019 and there’s a good chance that it will involve one or multiple key parts from the Cubs championship run.

Some may not be much of a surprise, as the rumor mill has been swirling around numerous players for quite some time. Others may be a bit more expected to some folks.

Though it’s unclear if there will be any changes to the coaching staff (hitting coach Chili Davis being the most in danger of being shown the door), the Cubs have already confirmed that manager Joe Maddon will return to the helm in 2019.

Here we break down which players from the 40-man roster (plus one on the suspended list) are likely to stay and which players will likely not be in a Cubs uniform in 2019.

*All contract details courtesy of Spotrac.com.