Justin Steele

Chicago Cubs, Starting Pitcher
Age: 30y-7m-29d (Jul 11, 1995)
Exp: 4.143 Years
Country: US
Drafted: Round 5 (#139 overall), 2014
Agent(s): Wasserman
2026 Payroll Salary

$6,775,000

2026 Cash

$6,775,000

Career Earnings

$23,360,995

2026-2026 Arbitration (CURRENT)

Justin Steele signed a 1 year, $6,775,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs, including $6,775,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,775,000. In 2026, Steele will earn a base salary of $6,775,000, while carrying a total salary of $6,775,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $6,775,000
Average Salary:
$6,775,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2028 / UFA
YOS @ Signing:
4.143
Year Age YOS Status PayrollAnnual Luxury Tax Tax % League Tax Cash Annual Cash Cumulative
2026 30 4.143
Arb Avoided
 $6,775,000 $6,775,000 2.78% $6,775,000 $6,775,000
2027 31 --
ARB 4
2028 32 -
UFA
Year Age Service Status Base Salary Incentives Likely Incentives Unlikely Payroll Salary Luxury Tax
2026 30 4.143
Arb Avoided
 $6,775,000 - - $6,775,000 $6,775,000
2027 31 --
ARB 4
2028 32 --
UFA
Year Age Status Base Salary Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2026 30
Arb Avoided
 $6,775,000 $6,775,000 $6,775,000 $6,775,000 $6,775,000 $6,775,000
Source: MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2025-2025 Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $6,550,000
Average Salary:
$6,550,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2028 / UFA
YOS @ Signing:
3.143
Spotrac Premium Tools
To see the rest of the Justin Steele's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here

2024-2024 Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $4,000,000
Average Salary:
$4,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
2.143
Spotrac Premium Tools
To see the rest of the Justin Steele's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here

2023-2023 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $740,000
Average Salary:
$740,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
1.143
Spotrac Premium Tools
To see the rest of the Justin Steele's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here

2022-2022 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $705,000
Average Salary:
$705,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0.143
Spotrac Premium Tools
To see the rest of the Justin Steele's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here

2021-2021 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $570,500
Average Salary:
$570,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0.011
Spotrac Premium Tools
To see the rest of the Justin Steele's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here

2020-2020 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $563,500
Average Salary:
$563,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0.011
Spotrac Premium Tools
To see the rest of the Justin Steele's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here

2019-2019 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $555,000
Average Salary:
$555,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0
Spotrac Premium Tools
To see the rest of the Justin Steele's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here

2014-2014 Signing Bonus

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $1,000,000
Average Salary:
$1,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0
Spotrac Premium Tools
To see the rest of the Justin Steele's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here
Seasons

4.143 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$15,410,995

Earnings w/ Different Teams

1 team

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Service Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2014 18
-
Signing Bonus
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
2019 23
4.143
Reserve / minor-buried
$45,300
$1,045,300
2020 24
0
Reserve / minor-buried
$12,460
$1,057,760
2021 25
0.011
Active
$401,777
$1,459,537
2022 26
0.143
Injured
Pre-Arb Bonus Pool
$705,000
$283,127
$2,164,537
$2,447,664
2023 27
1.143
Pre-Arb Bonus Pool
Active
Pre-Arb Bonus Pool
$1,000,000
$740,000
$673,331
$3,447,664
$4,187,664
$4,860,995
2024 28
2.143
Active / Arb Avoided
$4,000,000
$8,860,995
2025 29
3.143
Injured / Arb Avoided
$6,550,000
$15,410,995
Total      
$15,410,995
$15,410,995
2026 30
4.143
Active / Arb Avoided
$6,775,000
Total
$22,185,995

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
8 $14,410,995 $1,000,000 - $15,410,995
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2014
18
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
2019
23
$45,300
$45,300
$1,045,300
2020
24
$12,460
$12,460
$1,057,760
2021
25
$401,777
$401,777
$1,459,537
2022
26
$705,000
$283,127
$705,000
$283,127
$2,164,537
$2,447,664
2023
27
$1,000,000
$740,000
$673,331
$1,000,000
$740,000
$673,331
$3,447,664
$4,187,664
$4,860,995
2024
28
$4,000,000
$4,000,000
$8,860,995
2025
29
$6,550,000
$6,550,000
$15,410,995
Total
$14,410,995
$1,000,000
$15,410,995
$15,410,995
2026
30
$6,775,000
$6,775,000
Total
$21,185,995
$1,000,000
$22,185,995

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
8 $14,410,995 $1,000,000 - $15,410,995

Injuries

Year Dates Reason
2025 CHC Apr 08, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025 Elbow
2024 CHC Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 18, 2024 Elbow
2024 CHC Mar 30, 2024 - May 06, 2024 Hamstring
2023 CHC Jun 03, 2023 - Jun 17, 2023 Arm
2022 CHC Sep 05, 2022 - Oct 05, 2022 Back
2021 CHC May 21, 2021 - Jul 08, 2021 Hamstring
  • Jan 08, 2026 Signed a 1 year $6.775 million contract with Chicago (CHC), avoiding arbitration
  • Jan 09, 2025 Signed a 1 year $6.55 million contract with Chicago (CHC), avoiding arbitration
  • Jan 11, 2024 Signed a 1 year $4 million contract with Chicago (CHC), avoiding arbitration
  • Mar 01, 2023 Signed a 1 year $740,000 contract with Chicago (CHC)
  • Mar 01, 2022 Signed a 1 year $705,000 contract with Chicago (CHC)
  • Mar 05, 2019 Signed a 1 year $555,000 contract with Chicago (CHC)
  • Nov 20, 2018 Contract purchased by Chicago (CHC)
  • Jun 19, 2014 Signed a contract with Chicago (CHC)
  • Jun 06, 2014 Drafted by Chicago (CHC): Round 5 (#139 overall)
Year Team GP GS H R ER BB K HR W L SV IP ERA WHIP WAR
2025 CHC 4 4 21 12 12 5 21 5 3 1 0 22.7 4.77 1.15 0.12
2024 CHC 24 24 111 54 46 37 135 12 5 5 0 134.7 3.07 1.10 1.92
2023 CHC 30 30 167 71 59 36 176 14 16 5 0 173.3 3.06 1.17 3.74
2022 CHC 24 24 111 53 42 50 126 8 4 7 0 119.0 3.18 1.35 2.11
2021 CHC 20 9 50 29 27 27 59 12 4 4 0 57.0 4.26 1.35 0.58
Top